Have lived in the deep south my entire life. Things went really badly during 2020 and we realized we needed to get out. Started saving and preparing, our plan was to move before the next election.

We have bought a 1920's farmhouse that still has 9 acres. 100 year old apple trees, blueberries, vineyard. It's amazing. Part of the land is industrial zoned with power and I'm going to build my machine shop there. We got a steal of a deal, it would be a $500k house and land here.

I bought a '98 Chevy box truck. The boy and I will be making our second trip tomorrow.

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[–] neidu2@feddit.nl 16 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Awesome to hear. Where to, roughly?

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 16 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Near Pittsburgh, close enough to go to the big city, but far enough out to be in the country.

[–] l_b_i@yiffit.net 12 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Other than the weather, rural Appalachia and the south have a lot in common.

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 11 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Yeah, the politics aren't great there either, but it's no where near as bad as what we've been dealing with.

I'm really looking forward to actually having seasons. First time we were there, people were talking about how bad a heat wave they were having and it was still better than Alabama.

I'm a redneck, and from what I've seen so far, I'll mostly be at home with the people there.

[–] neidu2@feddit.nl 5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I'm a European who was actually pleasantly surprised by the little of Alabama I've seen. Probably because I avoid discussing politics in my travels. Spent a week or thereabouts in Mobile. I'm not sure how representative that is for the rest of the state.

Oh, and I drove west for a while for a meeting in this tiny and cozy place called Gulfport. I think that was in the next state over, though.

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

Mobile is pretty different from the rest of the state. We're from the northern end. Gulfport is in Mississippi, IIRC.

It's a beautiful state, I'm really going to miss the land. Have a jar of the red clay dirt to take with me.

[–] l_b_i@yiffit.net 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

yea, 90 in pitt is HOT. I miss seasons. I need some cold to reset my year.

The people are nice, but the politics are probably about the same, just more cities factor into the representation.

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It's so much quieter there. The muffler laws seem to actually be enforced. In Alabama, the penis trucks have become so loud they interrupt conversations inside.

At the voting booth, politics are about the same, however, our neighbors have become scary here. There have been major fascist changes in the state and it has gotten real spooky.

While rural is very much red in Pennsylvania, the cities are blue and that influences lots of things in rural areas. The schools are also way better, my son has been doing online school for a while due to how bad they are here. It will be good for him to actually go back to a physical school.

[–] l_b_i@yiffit.net 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Doesn't Pennsylvania have annual inspections? I bet that helps.

Georgia has Atlanta and lots of big companies, so that helps keep things a little more sane. Blue cities in the south have a very different feel from blue cities elsewhere.

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, they do have inspections and that is probably what does it.

Atlanta is great, culture wise, but fuck driving in that abomination. Peach Tree!

Huntsville was our more progressive city, but it has really changed, and not in a good way.

[–] l_b_i@yiffit.net 2 points 4 months ago

With all the companies and people moving to Atlanta, if anything it keeps getting more progressive while staying almost as religious as the rest of the state.

Take MARTA its smarta

[–] LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Welcome to the area. I'm also in a place like you described. I hope you enjoy it. This part of Pa is absolutely beautiful, but you really gotta watch out for the crazies and drug addicts.

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Thanks! Our former neighbor ran a meth lab for years, can't be much worse than that.

Kayak questions, if you don't mind.

My son and I like to go kayak camping and fishing. We have big old sit on top Lifetime fishing kayaks. We don't do rough water or big rapids. I think level I/II is our thing.

Where should we go in the south west part of the state?

I fish for bream and catfish. Not into sport fishing, don't care about bass. Eat what I catch. Was into fly fishing when I was younger but got over that sickness.

What should I fish for and what sort of tackle?

Thanks!

[–] LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The Monongahela River is pretty calm in rural parts. Local creeks can also be good after it rains but can have some rapids. I look for rougher waters because I enjoy the thrill. I also own a racing kayak that's meant for stuff like that lol. My stepfather has a sit inside fishing kayak and it does okay in shallower waters, but I always scout ahead to warm him of obstacles lol. Ohiopyle is also an insanely popular spot to kayak and has all levels of difficulty. Can't really say more without doxxing my location lmao.

As for fishing, I don't take part in it, but big catfish are very very common. Relatives regularly catch 1-3 ft fish. They like cicadas if you can get some when they're out. I've also seen people use chicken livers. A lot of people make their own bait concoctions as well. There are also loads of carp that eat the same stuff as catfish. Bluegill are common but aren't big enough to eat. I recommend being careful with where you catch your fish if you intend to eat them. Researching the history of the waterways to see their pollution history is very helpful when determining if a fish is safe to eat imo.

You also gotta be careful of water moccasins. They like to swim around. See at least one every time I kayak (which isn't as often as I would like. It's been a few years because my stepfather and I have been dealing with health issues and all the bullshit that comes with home ownership. Adult life, amirite. T_T)

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Thank you for the advice.

We haven't had much time this year, so far, to go. Went to Lake Ouchita in Arkansas for the eclipse. Carried 200lbs of gear or so and used my boy's old sit on top child-size kayak for cargo.

Glad there are bluegill, we eat some pretty small ones so maybe it will be alright. Big cats will make my wife and myself happy.

Believe it or not, Alabama has a lot of clean rivers and I'm not used to worrying about pollution. There are some areas of the Tennessee River where it is a concern but that's big water and we haven't gone there. I'll have to look into it. Thanks for the heads up.

Water moccasins aren't a problem, used to them, there's a 10' gator in one of my favorite ponds.

[–] LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

No problem! There's a LOT of coal mining and steel mills and other industrial stuff in this area and it pollutes everything. The Mon river is a lot cleaner than it was when my parents were kids (they're approaching 50). There's a creek by me that I kayak in sometimes that I won't eat anything out of. The water failed numerous tests over the years and most people tell you to not eat the fish lol.