>I'm very nearly completely fed up with the weather and stuff here in NH, and am re-exploring the idea of a move southward. Every time I visit south of the M/D I get a warm fuzzy feeling...so why don't I live there?
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone around here lives there, what the turning's like re woods. I get *all* of my wood from my own labor--roadside, logging slash, firewood, things of that nature.
If this isn't clear it's probably because my head's not. Damn virus.
>Tony, there are tons of good turners in North Carolina....click on the Blue Spiral Gallery to see some of the work. I have friends and family in Charlotte.
There are several great clubs in NC scattered across the state. Greensboro, Raleigh, Charlotte,Hickory, and Asheville. Also there are several new clubs springing up that I have heard about.
There are a large variety of different woods available.
I hope you get over your sickness soon and it warms up for you!
>NC has it's own issues as well. It's funny you should post this because I've been considering a move back northward so I can enjoy a real winter. NH is one of the places I've been thinking of.
Lots of good turners and plenty of available wood. I never have a problem obtaining material to turn or burn.
Oh yeah, we have SC beat cuz we can buy beer after 12 on sundays. :-)
>Yep, that's the advantage of living just south of Charlotte. No Mecklenburg County taxes and school system but I can drive across the line and get a six pack and go to a big orange box before 1:30 PM on Sundays.
SC also has blue laws so businesses (except grocery stores) can't open before 1:00.
I haven't had any trouble finding something to turn around here either. hickory, pecan, ash, maple, fruit wood, a little osage, cherry. Lot's of turners in and around and the Asheville group is huge.
NC is like a lot of places, there are some good things and some not so good things :) Good things include sweet tea (as it should be :)), collard greens, vinegar based barbeque and pretty girls with wonderful accents. Not so good things include heat and humidity that's about like the 3rd circle of the 6th Bolgia of Hell during August, housing costs (at least Wake County) that are zooming through the roof, and rapidly increasing road congestion as the infrastructure tries to catch up with the influx of new residents. I'm not saying that to try to convince you not to move here, just a heads up that lots of people are moving here, so like any "boom" area, there are problems that have to be addressed. Other parts of the state may have this more (Charlotte) or less (Winston-Salem, Greenville, etc).
From a turning point of view, I find that I get about half of my wood locally and half from buy/trade via email/web. If you like oak to turn, Apex is the place for you :) There's also lots of soft maple, ash, sweetgum, poplar etc. Within an hour's drive from my place, I can get to any of several wood dealers that have a great assortment of woods for furniture making as well.
Did I mention that the summers are hot and humid :)
Drop me a note if you have any questions. Apex is in Wake County along with the state capitol, Raleigh.
>High housing costs and congestion in NC are more prevalent in the areas where there are more jobs available. Just like any place else! For retired people, some areas have no jobs and you can buy a house for a lot less. I live in the So. Central NC area for that reason.
>NC has several zones with corresponding weather. Coastal, hills, piedmont, and mountains. Altitude varies from zero to 6483 ft above sea level. The lower altitudes have higher temps and more bugs. I live on a 3000' mountaintop that has had one 7 inch snow this year. We usually see several 4" plus snows and a couple of ice storms per year. I have seen temps from -23� to 104�F. Blizzard of 1993 we got eighteen inches. I grew up near Miami, my wife near Chicago. This place is a good comprimise for both weather types.
If you live near the hump between mountains and foothills you can find free wood from trees that are found from middle Florida to Canada. This area has been experiencing HEAVY growth from Fla yankees that want to move back closer to the north. Old apple orchards that were $1500/acre ten years a now $20,000 to $25,000/acre.
Many good clubs in the area. Carolina Mountain Woodturners in Asheville has over 350 members. Some areas have had many industrial plants to close. You will need to pick your spot carefully, depending on your vocation.
"Come on Down" I moved here almost 30 years ago after 8 years in Mexico City. I grew up in Western Oklahoma and I was almost 16 years old before I saw my first tree. I am a beginner turner and the turners in the Charlotte area have been great helping me. Many are on WoodCentral. I like the changing seasons and I still remember my first spring here, I couldn't believe anything could be so beautiful and blooming. Give us a call if you come down. Wayne Cooper Charlotte NC
