Living in the South Versus the North

I was born and raised in a rural portion of eastern Pennsylvania. I even pursued my undergraduate studies in PA. There must be something about growing up in PA that makes you think you have to stay there-after I graduated college, I tried to find a job that would keep me in the state. With my student loan deferment period eclipsing, I accepted the first job offered to me. My first job required me to leave PA and move South--something I never pictured myself doing. After being in the South for five years, I can't imagine why it isn't every Northerners dream to elope to the South.

Central North Carolina (where I now reside) recently got hit by their first snowstorm in years. I spent a half an hour removing the snow from my car before I began my commute to work. With icy roads, my normally peaceful commute became a white knuckled affair and I was relieved to arrive at work without incident. I had to take cautious steps as I trekked between my car and office. Such inconveniences used to be a daily hassle of living in the North during winter months.

A few days before the storm, my mom, who still lives in PA, called me and complained her mortgage payment went up several hundred dollars a month because of PA's school taxes rising. I did some research and learned that she pays property taxes that are four times higher for property that has a lower assessed value than my Southern property. She also pays a local income tax that I do not have to pay in the South.

As I was reminded of the North's harsh weather and property taxes, I found myself feeling grateful for not being able to find a job after I graduated from college. A review of the most recent census data indicates that many other Americans are doing the same thing I did, whether forced or not. Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Arizona are all among the top ten fastest growing states in the past year.

Forbes states jobs are a major factor in people migrating to these southern states. I've easily transitioned into two other jobs since I accepted my first one. It's obvious that a more temperate climate and lower taxes are desirable. Jobs, a better climate, and lower taxes are offered in the South. Why would anyone choose to live in the North?

I suppose it's the culture that's prevalent in some portions of the North that would prevent anyone from fostering a desire to move South. Yankees, as they call them in the South, have a stereotype of Southerners and life in the South. There is some veracity to some of these stereotypes-some Southerners are truly resentful that many Northerners are moving South (they don't seem to care if it was by choice or not).

Having lived in both the North and South, I would prefer living in the South for the following reasons: Employment Opportunities are far greater; the climate is far more pleasant; the taxes are lower; and the people, in general, are nicer to deal with (this stereotype has hitherto gone unmentioned, but it can be the necessary impetus for those considering a move to the South).

Sources:

Lauren Sherman, "Amerca's 10 Fastest-Growing States." Forbes.

Map of America's Fastest Growing States, US Census Bureau.