Kinda OT-Where to move, NC or KY??

[mrsbornkuntry]

This is actually pretty budget related. DH is getting out of the Army, but has not found a job yet (PIXIE DUST PLEASE!!). So we need to decide where we're going to move to and look for a job. He is going into the National Guard still so it looks like with his job we're choosing between North Carolina or Kentucky. We have lived in and like both places. So looking at the economy, cost of living, housing (renting or owning), and job outlook which state would you choose and why? Being close to family is not a factor.

In case it matters, DH is looking for a position as an electronics technician, although if he can't find one we'll just take whatever we can find to get by.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I can't tell you anything about NC but I may be able to help with KY. What towns in KY?

 

[sharlon]

I could probably help with some of NC, but it's a big state. What part are you considering?

 

[disynut]

I live in Western Kentucky. I love KY--southern girl born and bred, ya'll, lol. But North Carolina is a beautiful state as well. Job hunting is probably hard everywhere, I'm not sure about the situation here(DH and I are both in education), especially for an electrical technician. Do you have a specific area in mind? That would help to know if there is a need for that type of job in that area. Maybe you could contact some technical colleges in the area you are looking at to ask about job opportunities?

Good luck--Kentucky is a beautiful state if you choose here.

FYI--We are 14 hours from the mouse, if that makes a difference

 

[stm61]

This is actually pretty budget related. DH is getting out of the Army, but has not found a job yet (PIXIE DUST PLEASE!!). So we need to decide where we're going to move to and look for a job. He is going into the National Guard still so it looks like with his job we're choosing between North Carolina or Kentucky. We have lived in and like both places. So looking at the economy, cost of living, housing (renting or owning), and job outlook which state would you choose and why? Being close to family is not a factor.

In case it matters, DH is looking for a position as an electronics technician, although if he can't find one we'll just take whatever we can find to get by.

are you saying dh is getting a full-time technician job in the NG? or that's the civilian job he wants while doing NG once a month? If it's full-time you'll have to go where ever the job is. Traditional once a month gives you much more choices. I think I remember you saying dh is army, he can also check out the Air National Guard. Many of our members are prior army, I'd say close to 75% or more in some units. Not trying to convince you of anything, but ANG tends to not deploy as much and the deployments we do get are for less time.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

When we lived in KY we were right outside of Lexington, but we aren't sure what area he would be assigned to so any part of it.

In NC we would probably be more to the East, around Raleigh, Fayetteville, that area.

He's been an electrical tech (radio repair) for 17 years, but he doesn't have a college degree, just a high school diploma. He's been looking at installation type jobs for companies like Comcast, but also at places that make/sell military equipment because of his security clearance. He's also open to a security guard job. I don't know if that helps any, maybe we'd have an easier time if he narrowed it down .

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

are you saying dh is getting a full-time technician job in the NG? or that's the civilian job he wants while doing NG once a month? If it's full-time you'll have to go where ever the job is. Traditional once a month gives you much more choices. I think I remember you saying dh is army, he can also check out the Air National Guard. Many of our members are prior army, I'd say close to 75% or more in some units. Not trying to convince you of anything, but ANG tends to not deploy as much and the deployments we do get are for less time.

No, not full time guard (although that was his first choice, he hasn't gotten a position there, either). So it's a civilian job that he's looking for while doing NG once a month. It's kind of complicated, he was in the NG for a few years before he went Active so he has 17 years of service, if he stayed active duty he would have to stay in for 8 more years to retire, but if he gets out and goes NG he only has 3 more years. And the contract they've offered him has the first two years stabilization (so no deployment) with the third year up in the air.

 

[madge]

This is actually pretty budget related. DH is getting out of the Army, but has not found a job yet (PIXIE DUST PLEASE!!). So we need to decide where we're going to move to and look for a job. He is going into the National Guard still so it looks like with his job we're choosing between North Carolina or Kentucky. We have lived in and like both places. So looking at the economy, cost of living, housing (renting or owning), and job outlook which state would you choose and why? Being close to family is not a factor.

In case it matters, DH is looking for a position as an electronics technician, although if he can't find one we'll just take whatever we can find to get by.

for no other reason than I love living here ... my vote is for Kentucky!

what part of the state would you be looking at?

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

for no other reason than I love living here ... my vote is for Kentucky!

what part of the state would you be looking at?

Unfortunately I don't know yet, there were a few units there that had spaces for him so that's pretty much up to us which is making this more difficult.

 

[madge]

it's some time (18 months? maybe?) but Fort Knox is building the Human Resource Center of Excellence:

http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/articles/2007/11/28/news/news01.txt

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Hmm, that doesn't help now but that's interesting.

 

[madge]

Unfortunately I don't know yet, there were a few units there that had spaces for him so that's pretty much up to us which is making this more difficult.

to answer one of your questions - I would imagine that the cost of living is similar in both states. In the major metropolitan areas of Louisville, Lexington, and Covington it's more costly than in less populated areas.

Kentucky is great in that it has true seasons, and is pretty much small town, USA .. I've lived in the northern part of the state and now am near Ft. Knox. Love both areas, but they're really different in their makeup.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

to answer one of your questions - I would imagine that the cost of living is similar in both states. In the major metropolitan areas of Louisville, Lexington, and Covington it's more costly than in less populated areas.

Kentucky is great in that it has true seasons, and is pretty much small town, USA .. I've lived in the northern part of the state and now am near Ft. Knox. Love both areas, but they're really different in their makeup.

It's funny that you say that about having true seasons, we're in Washington right now and that's something we've talked about really missing here. I love the small towns, but I'm worried about job prospects in one.

 

[madge]

Hmm, that doesn't help now but that's interesting.

obviously, it's big news here. if your DH could find something until they get it built ... that would be awesome!

One other thing I thought of ... a healthy love of college basketball is required for either state

 

[madge]

It's funny that you say that about having true seasons, we're in Washington right now and that's something we've talked about really missing here. I love the small towns, but I'm worried about job prospects in one.

depending on where you live, you commute to a larger city. DH commuted to Louisville for 7 years. The last year (when gas started going way up) was difficult. But overall, he didn't mind the drive too much. There are small towns right outside of all the major cities here.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

obviously, it's big news here. if your DH could find something until they get it built ... that would be awesome!

One other thing I thought of ... a healthy love of college basketball is required for either state

Dh has got to have the largest collection of Kentucky Wildcats t-shirts and caps I have ever seen so we have that covered.

 

[madge]

Dh has got to have the largest collection of Kentucky Wildcats t-shirts and caps I have ever seen so we have that covered.

if you relocate to North Carolina, he needs to be careful about wearing them in Duke country

 

[klj27]

I can't comment on the economy or cost of living but I think the climate would be much better in NC. This is coming from someone who lives 15 north of the KY border.

 

[stm61]

NC will also get you the small town within driving distance of city. You can also live in SC, where it's even cheaper, and work in NC if you end up near Charlotte. I think at this point I'd find the unit that offered him the NG contract and draw a circle on a map as far out as he wants to commute. Gas is high in NC, at least compared to SC, I can't compare to KY. See what falls in the circle and go from there. I'd stay far away from Fayetteville though.

 

[kydisneyfans]

From what I can see in KY right now, unless you are within 30 miles of the "bigger" cities, you won't find any kind of job. The surrounding counties around Lexington and Louisville are all growing as the cost of living in town is alot higher than the ring counties.

Gas is lower in KY than NC. Cannot say anything about taxes and cost of living.

Good luck with the decision.