I need to relocate, must have good bass fishin, where?

[retiredbosn]

This winter has finished me off. I'm sick of enduring winter, and we don't even have really bad ones anymore. I live in WV, am a chronic pain patient, I am also very weather sensitive, it has been so cold here recently I think that even the metal in my body is cold >. Anyway I'm very uncomfortable here for about six months a year, so I'm looking for suggestions as to where to move.

Requirements, mild winters, good to great bass fishing, I would rather not get too far away from my family, all live in WV, I would like to stay within a 24 hour drive. I'm considering TX, SC, TN, LA, GA, AL or MS, out of these areas which would you choose and why.

[bmadd]

TN--Kentucky Lake

[RoLo]

Well, since you ruled out Florida, I'd focus on the Columbia region of South Carolina.

From here you'd have a clear shot at Santee Cooper Res. (lake Marion & Lake Moutrie),

Clarks Hill Reservoir (Strom Thurmond Res) and Lake Murray (among many others).

Roger

[retiredbosn]

Florida is out due to cost of living, property taxes are horrible, etc.  Besides I'm not a nearly dead or a newly wed, so I'm not to sure I'm allowed to relocate,  ;D.  Seriously parts of Florida would be fine, just no farther south or a line running from Tampa to the East coast.  No offense if you live in Florida just not one of my top five.

[Long Mike]

If I had the freedom to move anywhere I wished, I would move to either Lufkin or Nacogdoches, Texas. From either of those locations you are within a ninety minute drive of some of the best bass fishing in the world. True Lunker lakes like Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Fork (to name but a few) are all within easy reach.

[RoLo]

Florida is out due to cost of living, property taxes are horrible, etc.

Like any other state, property taxes in Florida run the gamut depending on millage & assessment in a given district.

We lived in Georgia from 1992 to 1998, and we lived in Florida from 1998 to date.

The cost-of-living is significantly higher in Georgia, which is one of the reasons we left.

Like most states, Georgia has a higher Sales Tax than Florida, it imposes an Ad Valorem tax

on net worth and imposes a State Tax. Florida has a lower sales tax, no Ad Valorem tax and no State Tax.

Now you know why Florida is the retirement state of choice

In any case, my suggestion was the Columbia area, not Florida

We don't want anymore newly weds down here ;D

Roger

[Jake.]

East Tennessee (Knoxville area) or North Alabama (Huntsville area).

[retiredbosn]

Roger,

Thanks for the heads up on the GA taxes, have relatives there and they never mentioned it.  My family in Florida is always complaining about the property tax, something like 7-8 thousand yearly.  I gave my reason for not including Florida, because I thought you sorta asked why, when you stated that I hadn't included Florida in my short list.  I actually have family in SC, actually my Father has lived outside of Columbia since the early eighties, may be part of the reason I didn't think about it, lol.  Don't get me wrong I love my Dad, just don't want to live down the road from him.  Actually I don't like living down the road from any of my family, sounds awful I know.  I think it has to do with my physical problems, they all tend to think I'm more limited than I am.  I could actually go spend the rest of the winter with my Dad or Uncle in Columbia, and see how I like it.  Thanks again.

[Redlinerobert]

If you move to CA, its a 5 hour flight.  Much better than a 24 hour drive.   And the fishing...goes with out saying. 

You couldnt pick a better time either, considering what real estate prices are at, especially in the valley area like Modesto or Stockton.  Weather should be right up your alley as well.

[roadwarrior]

Nashville

Four seasons and generally, a mild winter. Low cost

of living, moderately low housing prices and no state

tax. Nashville has all of the amenities of a big city without

most of the hassles. Economy is both strong and diverse;

state capital and World Capital of Country & Western

Music!

Four well know lakes and two rivers in the immediate

vicinity. Largemouth, smallmouth, stripers, crappie,

sauger, walleye, catfish and even trout within a few

hours drive.

It's worth a look.

-Kent

[Bassn Blvd]

Roger,

Thanks for the heads up on the GA taxes, have relatives there and they never mentioned it. My family in Florida is always complaining about the property tax, something like 7-8 thousand yearly. I gave my reason for not including Florida, because I thought you sorta asked why, when you stated that I hadn't included Florida in my short list. I actually have family in SC, actually my Father has lived outside of Columbia since the early eighties, may be part of the reason I didn't think about it, lol. Don't get me wrong I love my Dad, just don't want to live down the road from him. Actually I don't like living down the road from any of my family, sounds awful I know. I think it has to do with my physical problems, they all tend to think I'm more limited than I am. I could actually go spend the rest of the winter with my Dad or Uncle in Columbia, and see how I like it. Thanks again.

They must live in one heck of a house.  My taxes this year are $2400. and I live in Palm Beach County, Florida.  It doesn't get much more expensive in Florida than PBC

[5bass]

If I moved out of state there would only be two choices. Somewhere really close to Guntersville or somewhere in Texas between all the big fish factories.

[Simp]

If I moved out of state there would only be two choices. Somewhere really close to Guntersville or somewhere in Texas between all those big fish factories.

I lived South of there in Tuscaloosa for a year when I was 18. I wish I was into fishing more back then with all that great water near by. I ended up being homesick to much to enjoy my time there all that much.

I think if I were to move one day it would probably be to the South Tenn or North Al region. When I was in Paris Tenn this past summer for a Fishing trip I was shocked at how completely RURAL it was. I mean I live very rural in a town of 5,000 people with the biggest town within 75 miles is 30-40,000 people. Yet it was a metropolis compared to that area. It was like fast food was out lawed and only mom and pop shops were allowed. ;D So I do need some civilization around.

[SirSnookalot]

My property taxes in Florida are less than they were in Michigan, but the cost of living can be high, that's up to each individual.  As far as state services Michigan blows Florida away and much of that has to do with the state income and state business tax, a topic I have discussed with my cousin, she is a Michigan Senator.

I would have picked San Diego area had it not been for my wife, we are 5 minutes from our kids and gr children.  For me it doesn't get better than California.

[Jimzee]

If I moved out of state there would only be two choices. Somewhere really close to Guntersville or somewhere in Texas between all the big fish factories.

These two would be my choices.  I don't know what it is about that Guntersville area but I really liked it a lot.  It was only 8 hours of driving back to WV too, that's a plus.

[Catt]

The economy of Texas is one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the United States; Texas has an economy that was the second largest in the nation and the 15th largest in the world based on GDP (nominal) figures.

According to the Tax Foundation, Texan's state and local tax burdens are among the lowest in the nation, 7th lowest nationally.

Texas is one of the nine states of the United States with no personal state income tax. In addition, Texas does not allow any lower level of government (counties, cities, etc.) to impose an income tax.

The bass fishing is second to none

[done]

GO SC. Like one poster said, the Columbia area has some AWESOME lakes to hit. On top of that, laws are less restrictive, and the taxes are better. Compared to where I live (Gaston county NC), the cost of living in SC is much lower.

Is there anything specific to culture you are looking for? SC also has season changes without the cold (with the exception of this month apparently)

[VolFan]

X2 on what Roadwarrior said...OR...

You could move to someplace (you pick) between Knoxville and Chatanooga TN along Tellico or Ft. Loudon Lake.  Maryville, TN is nice, as are Tellico Village (great golfing if you like).  You'd be within an hour of two of any freshwater fish you could want to catch, within a couple hours of Guntersville, and it's not too long to drive to the coast if ou want to do that.  And it is CHEAP!

[Root beer]

Florence, Alabama. Wilson Lake, Pickwick Lake, Guntersville lake, Wheeler lake, and Weiss lake are all withing hour radius. Wilson, Wheeler are on the shore of Florence. Guntersville and Weiss be furthest drive compare to other 3.

Not to mention you are about 2 hours from start of the Coosa River chain which is famous for is spotted bass. You haven't lived until you caught a Coosa River spotted bass. Not to mention Pickwick lake is loaded with Tennessee River smallmouth.

[Root beer]

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Florence%2C%20Alabama&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Look for yourself. Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick literally on shores of Florence. It divided up by locks. Wheeler I believe if I'm not mistaken is 2nd largest lake in state of Alabama. Guntersville is 1st.

P.S. I almost went to UNA in Florence for this very reason, but I ended up at ETSU. lol.

[Catt]

Amistad , Alan Henry, Toledo Bend, Rayburn, Fork, Falcon, Choke Canyon, higher rate of 10 lb plus than any where; 474 certified 13 lb plus since 1986

[fishfordollars]

If I had the freedom to move anywhere I wished, I would move to either Lufkin or Nacogdoches, Texas. From either of those locations you are within a ninety minute drive of some of the best bass fishing in the world. True Lunker lakes like Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Fork (to name but a few) are all within easy reach.

Spot on Mike. I was born in Lufkin Texas and raised in Nacogdoches. They are 18 miles apart and 30 minutes from Rayburn, 1 hr. from Toledo. Don't forget Lake Nacogdoches though. Lots of 13+ fish caught out of this 2500 acre lake.

Moved to Trussville Alabama and lived there for 8 years at the age of 22. Lots of great fishing on the Coosa chain as well as the other thousand lakes located nearby.

[scbassin]

I am guessing you are retired Navy, as am I. We have Santee Cooper lakes which are good fishing, plus the Cooper River. The other thing is there is plenty of retired Navy around here, an excellent VA hospital plus MUSC. If you are under 65 you can use the NWS Clinic.

Columbia has Ft. Jackson so you could get medical services there I just don't know anything about them.

Good luck on your decision, oops one more thing, it gets real hot here in July, August, & September.

[retiredbosn]

I used to go down to Columbia during the summer and work for my Dad.  We put in natural gas lines, typically in the city.  Columbia gets very hot during July and August.  I have lived in Myrtle Beach, Savannah, and Oak Island NC (at the tip of Cape Fear).  Columbia is definitely hotter than any of these, but I've not spent a summer in New Orleans or Houston, or Phoenix, so I can't say it is the hottest!  My uncle is retired Navy and lives in Gaston, he was a CT, I'm retired (disabled) Coast Guard.  I would like to be near a military base and a good VA hospital, so I can continue to get the care I require.  Texas has a strong pull as well as TN.  I may end up just snow birding as I don't know if I can convince  my wife to relocate permanently. 

Kent,

If I come to TN, I would request some water time so I can get to know the sweet spots.  I'll provide the boat!

[VolFan]

I live in DC now, but I'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction anywhere in TN.