Forsaken And Forgotten America is becoming a very cold place. Im thinking of moving to the States

Let me start this post by saying I know this topic has already been posted in this site somewhere, so I don't need to hear its already been posted because if it hasn't been posted by me than it doesn't exist ,every one can offer a different perspective on the same topic so thanks to the editors and chiefs who feel it is their obligation to say "been posted already"thank you, you have added another dimension to the topic by pointing this out , here is a thought try and respond to the discussion in a succinct and thought provoking manner, [ for all you editors out there who are waiting for the "big " break feel free to apply this addendum to every post I submit from here on in.]

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way I have a question for those that wish to respond, how bad is it in the United states ?
I was in the Canadian Forces and still remain in contact with a few friends in the mid west and southern states ,I hear nothing but ominous predictions and current misery, I am in custom home building in Toronto and it definitely has slowed ,but I think its about to get alot worse ,I am not going to get into specifics, as far as some industrys are doing well and others are not ,I just want a perspective from those who live there ,mainly I am interested in North Carolina if all goes according to plan this Canuck might be setting permanent residence ,[never could resist those southern girls] And I don't have a problem backing the Carolina Hurricanes I might actually see a Stanley Cup before I die.

Anyway in all seriousness,I would be coming down with my own business and hopefully employing some Caroliner carpenters with some employment, thats the best case scenario worst is I am back in Toronto with my new fiancée
All I can say is this North Carolina has the most beautiful beeches and women, I think I have already decided.

Forsaken And Forgotten Americais becoming a very cold place. If you don't have money, you don't really matter much in our society. The ads on television aren't for you - they are directed at people that actually have good jobs and that can afford to buy the nice little "extras" in life. The politicians aren't really interested in you either - they figure that they can buy your vote with all of the money that they are getting from the wealthy people. When you don't have money, even friends and relatives start to distance themselves from you. Perhaps they are afraid that you will ask them for money or perhaps they are afraid that your "failure" will start to rub off on them.

If you want to move to the states, move to a free state.

That said, new home building is way down, foreclosures are way up. If you want my advise, I'd say it is possible you could move to the state and be a successful home builder, but there is a ton of competition and it would be a heck of a gamble.

Good luck.

Hello OP

I have lots of family in NC, and I live pretty close to NC as well. If you were going to pick a state on the eastern seaboard, NC is definately one of the best places.

America is definately on the decline, but there are areas of this country that will not enforce petty rules and regulations, go for the small towns out in the boonies or Appalachia where you can quickly meet locals and intergrate in commuities and do some networking for your business.

I think the article was making light of the fact our incomes are worth less and the cost of living is soaring. I can relate because at one time I lived ok, now a trip to the grocery store costs atleast $20 for dinner only. I have made major adjustments to survive such as growing, and canning my own food. Its not easy as it once was, but everyone is heading to that point, you will see people start coming together more for survival.

I would say take a look at Canada, if you feel its more safe or in better shape, stay. I'm living here and I see our future a SHTF scenario, but that is everywhere even Canada.

Canada's corporate tax rate is 15% and the US's is 35%(I think).
I've also heard US taxes are nasty to figure out, while ours are easy.

Plus, the economy in the US is in the toilet at the moment.

Why not just move to a province that is doing well?
Also, you're giving up medical coverage going south

Research very, very well before you make a decision to go south...
You sound very adventurous.

If you want to move somewhere with prospects, move to Western Australia or Queensland not the USA. The USA is about to go into another double dip great depression that will last for 5 or more years. The middle classes have been stripped and relegated to poverty (and that is not an overstatement.. just ask them). While here in Australia we are desperately short (by some 75000 workers!) who are experienced in natural resources, materials and building to man the explosion in investment. You hear in the media here that things are "slowing down" because of iron ore prices starting to drop. Don't believe it for a second as we have another 15 years of gangbuster growth in Queensland and Western Australia. I wouldn't bother with the USA, not a least for the next 5-10 years...

reply to post by QUEEQUEG

The dollar will soon become worthless and even the top rich people of America will become paupers . They will become slaves of another country overseas. Massive amounts of Gold and precious metals will flood the market,making Gold worthless too( They've figured how to transmute metals like nickel, and magnesium into Platinum, gold and silver,etc ). They can make Gold from worthless metals, now. So, even the Rich People of the US will be poor too.The only reason why The US can command its present leadership in the world is because it has a huge nuclear arsenal and the superior means to deliver the bombs to their respective targets. It's the little wars around the globe that keep us from going under-by acting as the "policeman of the world" in the 200-year-old-effort to contain Eurasia (especially Central Europe).Greece has already bailed itself out of debt secretly using Gold Payments that it got from its secret Cold Fusion Program(the technology is from France and Italy and from Germany testing it outside of their countries.).

Originally posted by siluriancryptic
reply to post by QUEEQUEG

 

The dollar will soon become worthless and even the top rich people of America will become paupers . They will become slaves of another country overseas. Massive amounts of Gold and precious metals will flood the market,making Gold worthless too( They've figured how to transmute metals like nickel, and magnesium into Platinum, gold and silver,etc ). They can make Gold from worthless metals, now. So, even the Rich People of the US will be poor too.The only reason why The US can command its present leadership in the world is because it has a huge nuclear arsenal and the superior means to deliver the bombs to their respective targets. It's the little wars around the globe that keep us from going under-by acting as the "policeman of the world" in the 200-year-old-effort to contain Eurasia (especially Central Europe).Greece has already bailed itself out of debt secretly using Gold Payments that it got from its secret Cold Fusion Program(the technology is from France and Italy and from Germany testing it outside of their countries.).

Do you have sources for these claims?

I am neither going to tell you to move here nor discourage you from doing so. Either way, you will make up your own mind. But, you at least deserve some facts beforehand.

North Carolina unemployment rate as of July - 9.6%, 5th highest in the nation.

North Carolina High School Degree earners #36 at 84.3%, Undergraduate Degree earners #25 at 26.5%, Graduate Degree earners # 30 at 8.8%.

Crime rates for counties in North Carolina interactive map

Construction jobs in North Carolina actually on decline (-4%) while nation shows modest growth

reply to post by snowspirit


Being self employed does entitle you to some write off's, but the cost of living in Toronto is very high, my tax bracket is not that of a corporate CEO but I will say that my income fluctuates and Rev Canada has little sympathy for builders large or small ,and yet I know down in the states my income tax would not be even close to what I pay here

reply to post by Misoir


Yes I heard the same rumblings, however Toll Brothers who are a predominately luxury home builder have begun to purchase parcels of beach front lots in NC ,and the rumour is that there is going to be major corporate developments and infrastructure within the next 3 years all I know is this "By the time 15 %know, the secret you cant make money from it any more"
I think the North American system of democracy and capitalism are in store for a major transition but I don't think its going to go to a post apocalyptic society ,of course if we have a pole shift all bets are off but if not,I think things will begin to take shape by mid 2013, land in my view is always a safe bet ,I know its tanking right now but all things in our universe are cyclical I don't care what dooms dayers say

When you leave the ATS version of the US and move to the reality things are not as good or as easy here as they were before but, life is still much easier than most of the world. Americans are a bit spoiled and what they condsider poverty would living pretty good most places. If you can offer a unique service plety of people still have money and are willing to spend it.

Good evening... a Native North Carolinian here.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

An apt description of life here in NC and the Southern USA. Frankly, if you can think on your feet, pass a drug test, have no hard criminal background... you can find work.

If you plan on opening your own business, all the better. Developement and construction is good... but don't forget home repair. If you are reliable, competent, and a reputable business person, you should do OK.

Land here is cheap, especially in semi rural areas. A lot of contractors and builders I come in contact with are buying older homes... fixing them up... and then renting them or selling at a higher appreciated rate and profit. Yes, I know that is partially how we got into this mess, however, if you buy low... fix it up... and sell higher... you made money.

For instance, in Henderson, NC... there is a small rental duplex for sale... already with reliable tenants... for less than 25,000 dollars. Lots of smaller 1960-ish cottages that are on the market for less than $50,000.

I do recommend a home away from Raleigh/Durham metro area... probably in one of the neighboring rural counties. Lower taxes, lower crime rate, most all county permits, zoning, licenses, etc are gotten from the same sweet little old lady that does the marriage licenses and registers you to vote... and parking is usually free.

Also, agriculture is KING in NC... so by living in a rural area... you can get away with murder almost in the name of agriculture. For instance, where I live, I can build a 100 sq foot barn or a 10,000 sq foot barn and need no permits, no inspections, nada.. nothing. We just had a well dug for "livestock purposes only" and it needed no inspection, no permit... nothing. Now if I supposedly accidently on purpose drink the beautiful, clean, clear, cool water... who is to know?

The economy here is bad in some spots, good in others. I manage a farm supply store here in north central NC and frankly, our sales are up about 19% over planned budget for the month and trending up about 9% for the year.

You just have to be smart, grow your business conservatively, and get $1.05 out of every dollar.

I also have a farm and we are starting a small business in a produce farm stand. We are cutting costs and being creative at every turn, but after next growing season we should be making money... this year is a wash with turning a barn into the stand store, gravel on the old drives, eqipment, etc.

Anyway, NC currently has over 9 million citizens and by 2020, we will have over 12 million residents... and at some point, the economy will get better.

Originally posted by kat2684
Hello OP

I have lots of family in NC, and I live pretty close to NC as well. If you were going to pick a state on the eastern seaboard, NC is definately one of the best places.

America is definately on the decline, but there are areas of this country that will not enforce petty rules and regulations, go for the small towns out in the boonies or Appalachia where you can quickly meet locals and intergrate in commuities and do some networking for your business.

I think the article was making light of the fact our incomes are worth less and the cost of living is soaring. I can relate because at one time I lived ok, now a trip to the grocery store costs atleast $20 for dinner only. I have made major adjustments to survive such as growing, and canning my own food. Its not easy as it once was, but everyone is heading to that point, you will see people start coming together more for survival.

I would say take a look at Canada, if you feel its more safe or in better shape, stay. I'm living here and I see our future a SHTF scenario, but that is everywhere even Canada.

I totally agree with this. NC towns near Asheville are small and work more with barter than money.

reply to post by QUEEQUEG


I would stay put if I were you.

reply to post by QUEEQUEG


Personally I prefer SC over NC. And the USA isn't that bad, and those outside the USA forget we are 50 countries packed together. If you don't like the government and society of NC, try New York, or Texas, or Idaho, or California. All vastly different. Personally I think Washington is the nicest place to live of all the states I've lived in.

reply to post by siluriancryptic


I do like a person with a sense of humour. That's a dilly!