Possible relocation to Charlotte area (Huntersville, Graham: to rent, low crime, townhouse)

[ewellsie]

Hi everyone, just been browsing these forums a little since I'm currently doing a lot of research on moving to the Charlotte area. I have a friend up there who has pretty much talked me into it. I'd like to get out of overpriced south florida while I'm still young and unattached so it seems like the time to do it. I have a good chunk of money saved up so I can definitely afford a house when I move.

My questions are related to housing of course, as I don't want to rent once I get there, at least not for a long period of time, but I would be open to the idea if I have a house being built but nearly finished.

My timeframe for moving is going to be the beginning of 2008, as I have prior commitments until at least then. Once January hits, I will be ready to pack up and move, and I'd like to move as soon as possible, assuming I can find employment rather quickly, which I'm not foreseeing as a problem, even though I'd like to have a job in place before I move just to be sure.

So my questions are related to neighborhoods and pricing, and perhaps if anyone knows of some new developments opening around January 08 or shortly after. I would love to get into a new build if the price is right and I can choose some of my own options, but otherwise I'd probably prefer a resale home that is still fairly new.

My price range is probably between $125-$175k with the ideal house being in the middle of that spectrum.

Does anyone have any suggestions for neighborhoods/areas, or perhaps certain developments I should inquire with?

I would prefer to be not too far from the downtown area, but other than that I'm open to anything.

I'll be visiting in October so I could certainly check out areas then, but if you guys here are able to give me a heads up, it would be a lot easier to see the most for the short time I'm there.

Also, any other expenses I need to consider when moving, such as vehicle taxes, registration, etc.


Thanks in advance.

[SunnyKayak]

HI, the one area I can recommend is Huntersville, alot of new construction going on and it a bedroom community for charlotte with low crime.

I just did a search of current homes on the market and there is plenty within your price range.

If you zoom in on this map of the link below you can see subdivisions currently under construction and planned for construction.
http://huntersville.org/downloads/Ne...bdivisions.pdf

[TomA]

I'd suggest the Steele Creek area. There's tons of new construction. And if you're open to a townhouse, especially, you can get a really nice place with new construction. Good luck!

[kymbesha]

The Mountain Island Lake area is coming up with some good prices in new construction, and it's a straight shot out Brookshire Blvd. (NC 16) to downtown. Check out 28214 in a search.

[ewellsie]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't really want a townhouse, as I would rather have my own yard, own land, etc. I also have a dog and I want her to have a backyard.

I'll check out some of these areas in the coming weeks and months before my trip. I'm looking forward to it, and if I like the area as I'm expecting to, then I'll be all but decided on moving up there in early 08.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by ewellsie

assuming I can find employment rather quickly, which I'm not foreseeing as a problem

Good luck with that. A lot of us didn't foresee it as being a problem either. Oh what a problem it turned into....

[kmway]

Originally Posted by ewellsie

Thanks for the replies.

I don't really want a townhouse, as I would rather have my own yard, own land, etc. I also have a dog and I want her to have a backyard.

I'll check out some of these areas in the coming weeks and months before my trip. I'm looking forward to it, and if I like the area as I'm expecting to, then I'll be all but decided on moving up there in early 08.

Just a heads up: in your price range you are going to have a hard time finding a home, rather than a townhome, in your price range in a more desireable area of Charlotte. You can get a home in the university area or maybe Steele Creek, but you will be bordered by less desireable areas and people. Move to the suburbs and you may be able to get what you are looking for. As Sunny said, there are a few in Huntersville, and you should also look at Cabarrus County, Iredell County, etc. Good luck.

[ewellsie]

Originally Posted by kmway

Just a heads up: in your price range you are going to have a hard time finding a home, rather than a townhome, in your price range in a more desireable area of Charlotte. You can get a home in the university area or maybe Steele Creek, but you will be bordered by less desireable areas and people. Move to the suburbs and you may be able to get what you are looking for. As Sunny said, there are a few in Huntersville, and you should also look at Cabarrus County, Iredell County, etc. Good luck.

I see a lot of listings online in my price range, are you saying these are in bad areas of town?

Exactly what suburbs are we talking about? I don't really want to live in the city, I would prefer suburbs anyway, just don't want to be too far from the downtown area.

I commute about 15 miles/30 minutes to work here in South Florida so I'd be fine with that there too. Probably even more distance cuz I imagine traffic is quite a bit worse here.

[gabmac]

It takes a little searching but you can find homes in your price range. PM me if you need further info. Good luck

[ewellsie]

Anyone familiar with Quail Ridge or Belmar Place by Eastwood Homes?

I really like the Graham model in those communities.