Even the EV guy gets it..

Very good question. Many of us wonder the same thing.

Imo its because they want a certain level of govt oversight, much more than a conservative would want. They just can't comprehend or seem to grasp that the fine line between that and complete disaster is one new policy away

 

And MA. I'd love to move

 

I guess you're better with words than me..

 

Any chance on getting a cheap used camper to park in NH, and a sawmill? Live on the rough side in the camper for a year or two while you mill & build? If you wait too long, NJ will adopt the 'fornia policy and start going after residents that are fleeing their state. "I see you find our fiscal policies intolerable and have chosen to leave. In the name of equity, inclusion and wokeness we have decided that the best way to rectify the situation is to tax you $20,000 per year because f_k you, that's why"

 

That's the reason they are so unwelcome in Montanna.

 

I hear you about the fiscally responsible part, but that situation would make me want to pull the trigger sooner rather than later, life's not an investment, just make it happen. When was the last time you heard of building getting any cheaper? Every builder I know is slammed, people are paying and the builders know that so there's no reason for them to lower the price even IF materials costs come down.

There's no dollar sign on a piece of mind! - Zak Brown

 

Our friends just completed a major home reno/addition (doubled size of house, doubled...closer to tripled the garage) back in January...they really got lucky as things got held up a bit and when it was actually time for the contractor to order materials the prices had dropped from the highs seen previously...they paid a little extra from what the original quote was, but they kinda "threaded the needle" so to speak with the first and the second wave of material price hikes. It really turned out nice too...its almost unrecognizable from the original house! Everything except the bedrooms, 1 bathroom, the utility room, and lower level family room (with wood stove ) is in a different spot from before.

 

Eeew who buys beer by the 30 pack these days? Oh and gas is $4.09 by me

 

Some red states on this

 

That makes sense though. I read an article the other day that people are coalescing across the country with like-minded individuals. So blue voters are moving too, as well as red. It's a side effect of the hyper-polarization in general.

 

We have been redoing our house for close to 10 years now, we built it in 2000. Doing flooring painting putting granite countertops in building tiled showers upstairs and downstairs all kinds of “upgrading”. Actually the prices on hardwood flooring 3/4 oak has stayed within a few dollars per box. Tile has gone up some but not substantial. It’s the underlayment went through he roof. I started using uncoupling membrane now, still expensive but less.

 

West Virginia doesn’t have the jobs, people leave for that reason. Has been one of the poorest states for many many years. Mississippi isn’t far behind. Alaska takes a special person to live there, not a lifestyle for many.

 

You wouldn't think it right away, but I hear Alaska has a serious drug problem (and everything that comes along with that) in certain areas. I know a guy that moved his whole family to New Hampshire to get away from it. And yes West Virginia has seen better times. Since the decline of coal, logging, and a whole slough of other things, the boom is long gone. The same could be said for a lot of areas around the country though, red and blue states alike.

 

Yes we have the same issues here in the county, aka far northern Maine. I was born there and lived until I was like 5, still went to my uncles farm and stayed the summer for years and go over Christmas and stuff. Still spend tons of time there but it’s not really far from me anyway. Wife is from southern Aroostook County. Mills have closed, farms sold off, Loring AFB closed. The only thing left are the bigger farms, logging, and trucking. Drugs moved in with the welfare, they go hand in hand usually, and the younger generations moved out for work. The population is well aged. Sad but true. We are moving back north when my wife retires, we can’t leave until as she’s invested in her job and part owner. I can work from anywhere and will never retire, I get bored in 10 minutes.

 

Put the foundation in, cap it and make it live-able while the house is being built….

 

I think half of the population from Northern Maine ended up in Connecticut for some reason. There's no shortage of Michauds, Pelletiers, Morins, Martins, Guerettes, Oulettes etc.

 

Yes and I know quite a few that went. Connecticut has a French connection for sure. Many many move back in retirement. Lots of people come here from Connecticut to escape too. It’s been that way forever, my dad went to work there building airplane engines for a few years after he got out of high school and moved home.