Jackson, Mississippi

Seventh alphabetically among my Top Ten possible new hometowns is:

Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi was founded in 1822 on the banks of the Pearl River.  Originally a French settlement, it was later part of the lands granted to the Choctaw Nation before being ceded back to the United States.  The city has a population just under 175,000 within a metropolitan area of about 540,000.  The area is part of the Mississippi Delta and is the only state capital known to be built atop an extinct volcano, the peak of which is 2,900 feet beneath the city.

Like most other cities in the Sun Belt, Jackson has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters.  Rain occurs throughout the year, though the winter and spring are the wettest seasons, and the late summer and early autumn is usually the driest time of the year. Snow is rare, and accumulation very seldom lasts more than a day.  Jackson lies in a region prone to severe thunderstorms, damaging hail, and tornadoes.

Jackson has a rich cultural heritage.  It is renowned for its jazz, blues, and R&B music, but also has two ballet companies, opera, a symphonic orchestra, several museums, a zoo, and many other historical, civic, and cultural attractions.  It offers a variety of French, Latin, and African-American cultural influences, as well as a major Celtic festival.  More information about Jackson can be found in the Wikipedia article here:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson,_Mississippi.

Advantages

Of all the cities I am considering Jackson has the lowest cost of living.  In addition, it has the largest inventory of available low-cost housing, and those homes are generally in the best condition of all the affordable housing in the US.  Jackson is ranked #3 in "most bang for your buck" by Forbes magazine, and is one of only three cities in my Top Ten to make this Forbes list (the other two being Dallas and San Antonio).

The Jackson market appears viable for a traditional Japanese dojo.  Although there is a Shotokan dojo and a couple of Okinawan dojo in the Jackson area, the competition is chiefly taekwondo, kung fu, and cage fighting.

Jackson is served by Medgar Evers Airport and several major domestic airlines.  Fares and travel times to San Diego, Phoenix, and Seattle are slightly lower than from Indianapolis.  And there are plenty of historic and cultural sights and activities for visitors to enjoy.

Several low-cost golf courses make frequent golfing affordable in Jackson, as well.

Disadvantages

The chief disadvantage is the climate!  Not only hot and humid, but subject to weather damage from hail and tornadoes, including a Force 5 tornado that ravaged the city in 1966.

The only other potential disadvantage is that Jackson experienced a significant increase in violent crime in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  Press releases and crime statistics claim significant reductions in crime since 2010, but the stigma remains attached to the city.

Once again, I'd like to know your thoughts about Jackson ... Is moving there a good idea or a bad idea for me?  What are your impressions of Jackson?  If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Jackson than you would in Marion?  Or compared to the other locations I'm considering?

Dothan, Alabama

My blog series reviewing my Top Ten potential new hometowns in alphabetical order continues today with #6 ...

Dothan, Alabama

Dothan is a comparatively small town, with a population of only 65,000 and a surrounding metropolitan area of only 135,000.  This makes it the second smallest city and metro area of those in contention to be my next hometown.

Although settlers had arrived in the Dothan area by the 1830s to harvest timber, the city was not actually incorporated until 1885, making it the newest of all the cities I'm considering.  It lies in the southeastern corner of the state of Alabama, just 18 miles north of the Florida border and 20 miles west of Georgia.

Like nearly all other towns in the Sun Belt, Dothan has a humid subtropical climate.  Although Wikipedia cites Dothan as being prone to tornadoes, the actual tornado risk in Dothan is below the Alabama state average and comparable to that of Marion, which has a handful of tornado warnings and sightings each year, but has suffered no significant tornado damage in the 12 years I've lived there.  Summers in Dothan are hotter and more humid than in the Georgia and South Carolina cities I'm considering, but slightly milder than Texas.  More information about a Dothan can be found in the Wikipedia article here:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dothan,_Alabama.

Advantages

The chief advantages of Dothan are its affordable housing, low cost of living, and proximity to Florida's Gulf Coast and airports.  For a town its size, Dothan has a large inventory of affordable homes, most of which are in livable condition and do not require significant remodeling or repairs.   As with other small towns, violent crime is also negligible in Dothan.

Dothan is only about a 1.5-hour drive from Panama City, so if I or those visiting me want a day at the beach it's as close as if I lived in Alpine, California!  Dothan is also roughly equidistant from the Pensacola or Tallahassee airports, each about a two-hour drive, which is about my current commute to the Indianapolis airport.  Dothan also has a municipal airport with daily flights that serve as a feeder to Delta's hub in Atlanta, so it's probably quicker, easier, and less expensive overall to just take a flight from Dothan that connects through Atlanta.

There are only a handful of golf courses in the Dothan area, but three of them are very reasonably priced and would allow for frequent play within my recreation budget.

Disadvantages

Dothan is hot!  I don't do well in hot, humid weather.

Flying from Dothan to San Diego, Phoenix, or Seattle is both more time-consuming and expensive than from most other US locations I'm considering.

There is already a JKI/KNBK-member dojo in Dothan.  So I would either have to affiliate with them or compete against them in a very small market area.

As always, I'd like to know your thoughts about Dothan ... Is moving there a good idea or a bad idea for me?  What are your impressions of Dothan?  If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Dothan than you would in Marion?  Or compared to the other locations I'm considering?

Dallas, Texas

We are now at the halfway point in my overview of my Top Ten possible now hometowns.  Despite going in alphabetical order, the first four potential locations were in South Carolina and Georgia.  Now we finally get a glimpse of a different state ... the Lone Star State!  So I now present ...

Dallas, Texas

Dallas is by far the largest city to make my Top Ten list, with a population of about 1.2 million in Dallas proper and a total of nearly 6.5 million in the greater DFW metropolitan area.  Dallas has a strong, growing economy and the state of Texas is one of only 3 or 4 US states that is experiencing economic growth under our federal government's relentless war against prosperity and freedom. 

Like most other cities I'm considering, Dallas has a humid subtropical climate that is periodically fanned by dry winds from the north and west in the summer, bringing temperatures well over 100 °F (38 °C) at times and heat-humidity indexes soaring to as high as 117 °F (47 °C). When only temperature itself is accounted for, the north central Texas region where Dallas is located is one of the hottest in the United States during the summer months, typically exceeded only by the Mojave Desert!  Winters in Dallas are generally mild to warm, but strong cold fronts known as "Blue Northers" sometimes pass through the Dallas region, plummeting nightly lows below 25 °F (−4 °C) for up to a few days at a time.  In addition, Dallas is subject to freezing rain, severe thunderstorms, hailstorms, and lies in America's notorious "Tornado Alley".

Due to its size, Dallas offers a wide variety of culture and entertainment options, with major sports franchises, museums, symphonies, Six Flags theme park, the Dallas Zoo, and of course Gilley's.  DFW airport is one of the largest and busiest international airports in the world.  More about Dallas can be found in the Wikipedia article here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas,_texas.

Advantages

Dallas offers numerous advantages not found in most of my other Top Ten cities:  lower airfares and shorter travel times, major attractions to enjoy if/when my children and grandchildren visit, and a much wider array of cultural, civic, and entertainment activities.  The economic climate of Dallas is also a major advantage.

Dallas has a large number of inexpensive homes in inventory, and it also offers a surprisingly low cost of living for a major US city.  However, as I point out under "Disadvantages" below, most of the inexpensive homes are either located in high crime areas or well out in the suburbs.

With its large population, Dallas offers a huge market for a traditional Japanese dojo.  However, this market size is partially offset by the fact that there are many competing dojo and many of those dojo owners violently oppose new entrants in the market.

There are numerous golf courses in the DFW area, but because of the comparative wealth of local residents, only a few of them are moderately priced.

Disadvantages

Dallas is HUGE!  And I generally dislike everything about big cities:  traffic, noise, congestion, crime, driving distances to government offices and public facilities, and the layers of bureaucracy common to big city life.

Dallas is the hottest city of any I'm considering.  It's summertime temperatures -- even without factoring in the humidity -- are as high or higher than Tucson, Arizona!  And you know how I hate the heat!  So this is a major downside for me ... then add hail and tornadoes and you can see why the Dallas climate is not at all attractive to me

Although the cost of housing in Dallas is within my price range, the quality of housing in my price range is among the lowest of the cities I'm considering.  Many require extensive upgrading or repair, or are located in high crime neighbourhoods ... the notable exception being a couple of areas in which the majority of residents are low income blue-collar Hispanics.  These areas have significantly lower crime and better quality of housing than I've found in the other parts of the DFW metropolitan area.

As always, I'd like to know your thoughts about Dallas ... Is moving there a good idea or a bad idea for me?  What are your impressions of Dallas?  If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Dallas than you would in Marion?  Or compared to the other locations I'm considering?

Columbia, South Carolina

Fourth in my alphabetical listing of potential new hometowns is ...

Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the capital of South Carolina and is located roughly in the geographic centre of the state.  The city itself has a population of about 130,000, but it is surrounded by a metropolitan area of approximately 775,000, the largest in the state.  Columbia was founded in 1786, so (like several other cities I'm considering) it has over 200 years of rich history and culture.   The city is located at the "fall line" of the Congaree River.  This fall line location is a feature shared by Augusta, Georgia.  And, like most other cities in my Top Ten list, Columbia has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters, warm springs and autumns, and very hot and humid summers. The area averages 56 nights below freezing, but extended cold is rare. The city's current promotional slogan describes Columbia as "Famously Hot" -- and, frankly, that's not a slogan that endears me to it!  You can learn more about Columbia from this Wikipedia article:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia,_South_Carolina.

Advantages

The chief advantage of Columbia is its relatively large inventory of affordable houses and low cost of living.  It's about a two-hour drive to either Myrtle Beach or Charleston if I want to go to the coast for the sea breeze, and there is affordable golf all around the area.

Columbia also appears to have a viable market for a traditional Japanese dojo.

Disadvantages

Despite being the state capital, Columbia airport is only served by a handful of carriers, so while it is conveniently located, typical airfares to San Diego, Phoenix, and Seattle are at least 30% more expensive in Columbia than Indianapolis.  Airfares from Columbia are slightly less expensive than from Augusta, Georgia, but the flight and layover times are longer, making it one of the more distant locations from the family members I visit most often.

It is hot and humid ... and by now you know how I feel about hot, humid summers!

So, as with the other cities on my Top Ten list, what do you think?   Is moving to Columbia a good idea or a bad idea?  What are your impressions of Columbia?  If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Columbia than you would in Marion?  Or the other locations I'm considering?

Charleston, South Carolina

Continuing my alphabetical survey of potential new hometowns, we now arrive at ...

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston was founded in 1663 and has a rich history that stretches from the Colonial and Revolutionary periods through the US Civil War to the present.  The city has a population of about 120,000, but the population of the Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area is over 650,000.

Like the other cities I am considering, Charles has a humid, subtropical climate, but being on the Atlantic coast its summer temperatures are about the lowest of my Top Ten.  It is a picturesque city, with more historic and scenic attractions that most of the others I'm considering.  You can find more details about Charleston in the Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston,_South_Carolina.

Advantages

In some ways the major advantage of Charleston is its slightly milder climate than most other cities in the Sun Belt -- particularly its cooler summers.  It does have a major airport and reasonable air fares, but it is the farthest from San Diego, Phoenix, and Seattle of the feasible cities I am considering.

The market in Charleston seems ripe for a traditional Japanese dojo.

Coastal South Carolina is a golfer's paradise, also some of the nicest courses are either private or well out of my price range.  There are ample opportunities for frequent and affordable golf outings!

There is no shortage of affordable housing in the Charleston area.  However, many of those affordable homes are in areas subject to frequent flooding or hurricane damage, so the overall cost of housing (including insurance, storm repairs, and upkeep) is not the lowest of the cities I'm considering.

Disadvantages

Although Charleston has a convenient major airport, it is the farthest from my kids, grandkids, and other key family members of any of the U.S. locations I'm considering.  This results in slightly higher travel costs, but significantly longer travel times.

Charleston is frequently struck by major hurricanes and sustains heavy damage every five years or so.  This would put my collection of first edition books and family heirlooms at significantly higher risk than most other locations I'm considering.

Now, what are your thoughts about Charleston?  Is moving there a good idea or a bad idea?  What are your impressions of Charleston?  If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Charleston than you would in Marion?  Or the other locations I'm considering?

Carrollton, Georgia

Continuing my series analysing the merits of possible new home towns, and reviewing them in alphabetical order, we cross the state of Georgia to its western side to find ...

Carrollton, Georgia

Carrollton can probably best be described as a college town.  It is home to the University of West Georgia and has a population of only 25,000, of which about half are the students, faculty, and staff of the university!  But it is not so much the city of Carrollton that I am considering as it is the surrounding county, which has a population of about 110,000.  The climate in Carrollton is slightly milder than Augusta, due to its higher elevation at 1,160 feet.  Carrollton has a humid subtropical climate, with short winters and an very humid summer. High temperatures in July average 88 °F (31 °C) but occasionally approach 100 °F (38 °C). Temperatures at or above 90 °F (32.2 °C) occur more than 40 days per year. January averages 51.5 °F (10.4 °C), with temperatures in the suburbs slightly cooler. Overnight freezing can be expected 30 nights annually, but high temperatures below 40 °F (4 °C) are very rare. Extremes range from −9 °F (−23 °C) in 1985 to 103 °F (39 °C) in 1980.  For more information about Carrollton, see the Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrollton,_Georgia.

Advantages

Carrollton offers a number of homes in my price range, but many of those homes are in poor condition and would require significant repair or renovation.  One of Carrollton's major advantages is its proximity to Atlantic, which is only 45 miles away -- about a one-hour drive.  Atlanta has a metropolitan population of over 5 million, making it a source of business opportunities, including a dojo.  Atlanta also has a major international airport, although it is an extremely busy airport and subject to substantial delays and congestion.  On the other hand, the Atlantic airport is served by the MARTA rapid transit system, which offers a park-and-ride service directly to and from baggage claim.

Summers in Carrollton are slightly milder than in Augusta, due to the higher altitude, yet Carrollton affords the same opportunity to grow hot weather fruits and vegetables, including:  peaches (of course!), grapes, berries, melons, citrus, corn, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, okra, sweet potatoes, and squash.  Since Carrollton is a more rural area, most houses have at least 1/4 acre of property and many include an acre or more.

Carroll County, with a population just over 100,000, is barely large enough to sustain a dojo.  However, with its proximity to Atlanta's population base and transportation hub, it could serve as a location for regional or even national seminars, gasshuku, tournaments, etc.

Three of the four nearest golf courses are private country clubs, so golf opportunities in Carroll County are limited.  However, the country club in nearby Villa Rica has dues as low as $110.00 per month, so playing twice a week would cost under $15.00 per round.

Disadvantages

Summers are hot and humid, and I have a low tolerance for heat and humidity, so I will enjoy few outdoor activities during the summer in Carrollton.  It is probably a little more comfortable than Augusta, but I will still have a difficult time motivating myself to do lawn care, gardening, and other outside chores in oppressive heat and humidity, which means in summertime my garden will suffer along with the curb appeal of my house!

So, what are your thoughts about Carrollton?  Is moving there a good idea or a bad idea?  What are your impressions of Carrollton?  If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Carrollton than you would in Marion?  Or the other locations I'm considering?

Augusta, Georgia

As 2013 begins, I'll start my review of the Top Ten cities I'm considering for my new home.  In order to avoid any appearance of favouritism, I'll review them in alphabetical order, beginning with ...

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta was founded in 1777 at the fall line of the Savannah River (the farthest navigable point upstream from the Atlantic Ocean).  The city's population is roughly 195,000 but the metropolitan area includes several suburbs in both Georgia and South Carolina totaling about 550,000.  Augusta has a humid subtropical climate, with short winters and an extremely humid summer. The average high temperature for the summer months is 90.6 °F (32.6 °C), but summer daytime temperatures can soar to 100 or above. The average low temperature is 67.8 °F (19.9 °C). The average high temperature for the winter months is 58.9 °F (14.9 °C), with an average winter low temperature of 34.4 °F (1.3 °C).  Light snow flurries are common in December, January, and February, but the freezing rains that are more common also create more hazardous driving conditions.  More about Augusta can be found on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta,_Georgia.

Advantages

Augusta's primary advantage for me is affordable housing.  It is second only to Jackson, Mississippi in the number of homes available in my price range.  Although electricity rates per KWH are about 16% higher in Georgia and natural gas rates are almost 30% higher per therm, my usage of electricity would be slightly lower in Augusta and my natural gas less than half what I use in Marion.  Cable Internet is $20.00 per month cheaper in Augusta than Marion, but water and sewer are $6.00 per month more, and rubbish collection is $16.00 per month more, so the other utilities roughly even out. 

There appears to be a viable market for a traditional Japanese dojo in Augusta.  There is a well-established Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu dojo in the area, but no mainstream Shito-Ryu nor any iaijutsu, kenjutsu, jojutsu, Ryukyu kobujutsu, or aiki-jujutsu dojo listed.

The climate in Augusta is well suited to growing several hot weather fruits and vegetables, including:  peaches (of course!), grapes, berries, melons, citrus, corn, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, okra, sweet potatoes, and squash.  Most houses have 1/4 to 1/3 acre of property, which is ample for home gardening.

There are also several moderately-priced golf courses in the Augusta area, so I will be able to afford to play golf at least a couple of times per month there.

Disadvantages

Summers are hot and humid.  I have a low tolerance for heat and humidity, so I will enjoy few outdoor activities during the summer in Augusta.  It may at first glance seem a minor inconvenience, but I know myself too well ... I will have a difficult time motivating myself to do lawn care, gardening, and other outside chores in oppressive heat and humidity, which means in summertime my garden will suffer along with the curb appeal of my house!

Augusta does not have a large "international" airport, but a regional airport serviced primarily by commuter airlines.  So I will either face higher airfares and additional connections or a 2.5-hour drive from Augusta to either the Atlanta airport or the Charlotte, SC airport.  Either of these drives is nearly an hour longer than my current drive to the Indy airport.  And from Augusta it will be a five-hour flight plus layovers to visit my family in Scottsdale, San Diego, or Seattle -- even longer than my current travel time from Marion!

Many of the homes I can afford in Augusta are in neighbourhoods that many would consider "undesirable".  While this is not an issue for me, it might discourage some friends and family from visiting me as often as they otherwise might.

So, what are your thoughts?  Is moving to Augusta a good idea or a bad idea?  What are your impressions of Augusta?  If you know me, would you be more inclined or less inclined to visit me in Augusta than you would in Marion?  Or the other locations I'm considering?