It's true that salaries are lower in TN. However, the cost of living is much lower in TN, and the quality of life is better too. Unleaded gas is $2.76/ gallon in my locale. No State income tax too. Land taxes are substantially lower in TN, for example, I've been paying around $2000 for county and school taxes on a small home on a 1 acre lot in the Adirondacks. Here in TN, we've got a 3 bedroom ranch with multiple outbuilding on 3.5 acres, and our combine county and schools taxes are $330 per year after a recent re-assessment (before the reassessment they were $311). No annual vehicle inspections. No license plate required for small trailers for in State usage, however I did obtain a lifetime plate for my trailer for $120. At 65 you can obtain a lifetime hunting/fishing license for like $65. No charges for taking garbage to the local "convenience" center. After moving to TN, we realized how much NYS was sucking us dry with taxes, fees, and the time it took to get vehicles inspected, etc.
There are many good technical schools and universities in the State which should be able to provide competent employees. The old meme of redneck hillibillies just isn't relevant anymore. We have friends that are university professors, researchers, several pharmacists, health care professionals, and many retired federal and state employees. With the milder seasons and slower pace of life, I can't understand why anyone would stay in NY, especially if you have a conservative outlook. I lived for 30 years in the Adirondacks, and enjoyed the majestic beauty of the mountains, but TN has everything that I had there. There's plenty of wildlife, hiking trails, fishing opportunities. Sometimes, money isn't everything. I guess you need to look at the whole picture, not just salaries, and that's why so many companies are moving to TN.
