re: Why would anyone willingly live up north?

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Cost of living is dirt cheap as well. Someone who's middle class up north or out west could immediately jump up to upper class and live like a fantastic quality of life here. Working class jumps to middle class and vice versa.

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That hasn't been my observation. The brother that lives in the midwest was able to buy a big ol' house in town for under $200k where schools are very good and it's very safe, yet it is walkable, tons of civic pride and charm. Income taxes are higher but property taxes are lower. Groceries are around the same, if not cheaper. Most other goods are about the same.

He makes around $50/hr + good benefits as a welder. Like I said, he doesn't understand why I still live in the south. It's different for white collar folks were there isn't as much difference in compensation from region to region.