Best Southern Warm US State to Move to/ travel to?

[hjmick]

North Carolina is not even on your list, what a shame. The above picture is downtown Hickory, NC, rated in 2023 as the cheapest city in America to live in by US News and World Report. About an hour from Charlotte, an hour from Asheville, and an hour from Winston Salem.

Located in the foothills, the climate is pleasant and there is little chance of natural disasters. Although there is an old saying, "Don't like the weather in Western NC, just wait ten minutes, it will change".

My wife and I almost moved to Hickory, sight unseen. Just a bunch of reading and research. Beautiful little town.

 

[Zincwarrior]

My wife and I almost moved to Hickory, sight unseen. Just a bunch of reading and research. Beautiful little town.

Is it still there post hurricanes? It does look pretty.

 

[marvin martian]

Its 109 here and we have power outages. MAGA!

So, just like California.

 

[hjmick]

Is it still there post hurricanes? It does look pretty.

I don't know, we wound up in South Carolina...

 

[Rodimus]

Rhode Island is a southern state, but I don’t recommend moving there.

Rhode Island is not a southern state. I would recommend Florida but I am biased.

 

[Unkotare]

Rhode Island is not a southern state. ...

It is to me.

 

[LuckyDuck01!]

What is the best southern warm state to move to/ travel to?

I want to relocate to a warm southern state either long term or temporary for a year or two as a long extended travel stay, which one is the best one?

...considering...
Cost of living
less threat of natural disasters like hurricanes/ tornados
Insurance cost
Housing costs
Employment and job opportunity/ good paying jobs

Possible states considered:
Arizona
Florida
Texas
Georgia
Louisana
Alabama

I once knew a guy I worked with at a past job that lived his life as a drifter. He never stayed in one state or town for too long. He was a job hopper and a drifter from state to state. He said he lived both in Florida and Arizona, but between the two he through Phoenix, Arizona was much better than any city in Florida for many reasons. He said no hurricanes and a lot less rain. Cost of living lower in Arizona. He also said jobs seemed better in the Phoenix Arizona area. He also said Phoenix had a great transportation system and there was no need to own a car which is a big plus considering how expensive car ownership can be.

So I been leaning more toward Phoenix Arizona???

...but what are your opinions?

Well, I've lived in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (as well as non-southern states), and the cheapest is Alabama. Hurricanes aside, I preferred Florida over the other southern states. It's not the cheapest, however, northern Florida (Pensacola area) is similar to Georgia and not as expensive as the Orlando or Miami areas. I understand that West Virginia has the cheapest cost for homes.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

Fairhope, Alabama. On Mobile bay, 1/2 hour from the gulf. Comfortable winter but hot, humid summer.
Just don’t go there if you’re a democrat. I’d like to see it stay sane and peaceful.

 

[Unkotare]

South Boston - Global Boston

Workers' housing on Second Street in South Boston, 1932. Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library.

globalboston.bc.edu

 

[Missourian]

What is the best southern warm state to move to/ travel to?

I want to relocate to a warm southern state either long term or temporary for a year or two as a long extended travel stay, which one is the best one?

...considering...
Cost of living
less threat of natural disasters like hurricanes/ tornados
Insurance cost
Housing costs
Employment and job opportunity/ good paying jobs

Possible states considered:
Arizona
Florida
Texas
Georgia
Louisana
Alabama

I once knew a guy I worked with at a past job that lived his life as a drifter. He never stayed in one state or town for too long. He was a job hopper and a drifter from state to state. He said he lived both in Florida and Arizona, but between the two he through Phoenix, Arizona was much better than any city in Florida for many reasons. He said no hurricanes and a lot less rain. Cost of living lower in Arizona. He also said jobs seemed better in the Phoenix Arizona area. He also said Phoenix had a great transportation system and there was no need to own a car which is a big plus considering how expensive car ownership can be.

So I been leaning more toward Phoenix Arizona???

...but what are your opinions?

I have literally been everywhere.

If it was me, I'd move to Louisiana but not to any big city. Somewhere like Iowa (city in LA), or Jennings or New Iberia if you want to be way south.

 

[Foxfyre]

What is the best southern warm state to move to/ travel to?

I want to relocate to a warm southern state either long term or temporary for a year or two as a long extended travel stay, which one is the best one?

...considering...
Cost of living
less threat of natural disasters like hurricanes/ tornados
Insurance cost
Housing costs
Employment and job opportunity/ good paying jobs

Possible states considered:
Arizona
Florida
Texas
Georgia
Louisana
Alabama

I once knew a guy I worked with at a past job that lived his life as a drifter. He never stayed in one state or town for too long. He was a job hopper and a drifter from state to state. He said he lived both in Florida and Arizona, but between the two he through Phoenix, Arizona was much better than any city in Florida for many reasons. He said no hurricanes and a lot less rain. Cost of living lower in Arizona. He also said jobs seemed better in the Phoenix Arizona area. He also said Phoenix had a great transportation system and there was no need to own a car which is a big plus considering how expensive car ownership can be.

So I been leaning more toward Phoenix Arizona???

...but what are your opinions?

You might want to look at New Mexico. Albuquerque for instance is a big city with a smaller town feel and the cost of living is under the median for the country. There are numerous smaller communities to move to in the metro area too. We do have all four seasons here. but the summers are rarely brutally hot and winters are generally mild. Jobs won't be the highest pay but there is decent healthcare. Low enough humidity that swamp coolers are efficient and can save you a bundle over refrigerated air. We have abundant sunshine so solar is also a good option here.

If you're a party animal you won't find a lot of big name concerts and our sports teams are minor league. But there's lots of neat museums, interesting day trips with interesting things to see and do.

There is public transportation but you probably would want your own for sight seeing and day trips, grocery shopping and such.

 

[hondo 50]

'bama

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

'bama

Fairhope if you’re not a democrat.

 

[Mr Natural]

What is the best southern warm state to move to/ travel to?

I want to relocate to a warm southern state either long term or temporary for a year or two as a long extended travel stay, which one is the best one?

...considering...
Cost of living
less threat of natural disasters like hurricanes/ tornados
Insurance cost
Housing costs
Employment and job opportunity/ good paying jobs

Possible states considered:
Arizona
Florida
Texas
Georgia
Louisana
Alabama

I once knew a guy I worked with at a past job that lived his life as a drifter. He never stayed in one state or town for too long. He was a job hopper and a drifter from state to state. He said he lived both in Florida and Arizona, but between the two he through Phoenix, Arizona was much better than any city in Florida for many reasons. He said no hurricanes and a lot less rain. Cost of living lower in Arizona. He also said jobs seemed better in the Phoenix Arizona area. He also said Phoenix had a great transportation system and there was no need to own a car which is a big plus considering how expensive car ownership can be.

So I been leaning more toward Phoenix Arizona???

...but what are your opinions?

No beaches.

Gotta have beaches!

 

[DGS49]

Is it too obvious to say that "Florida" is too diverse to make any broad statements or generalizations about.

For my money, The Villages, if properly located, is like Disney World for geezers. While it can be quite expensive and aggravating, it can also be quite reasonable and hassle-free.

Just do a bit of research on where you want to be, what you can afford, and the activities that you want close-by.

Even though it is fairly densely populated, crowding is seldom a problem, and no problem at all for 9 months per year. I've spent a lot of time on the Gulf (of AMERICA) coast, and while I like the idea of being close to water, the cost is ridiculous and the crowds make it nearly insufferable. (St Pete is my favorite).