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Been browsing a lot of the forums already. Would love some recommendations on what neighborhoods/areas we should look in. Thanks to those who respond. First time post.
Wife and I (early 30's) will be moving to Charlotte from San Diego this summer. She will be working on the East side of Monroe. She does not want to drive more than about 30 minutes for commute time heading to Monroe in morning (~7:30) and away from Monroe in evening (~5/6:00). We will be renting for the first year to see what areas we like then buy after that somewhere. I'll be staying home taking care of the baby (will be 2 months old when we move) for at least the first year.
Things we are looking for in rental property:
- 4+ bedrooms, 2+ bathrooms
- 2000+ sq ft
- .25 acre+ lot (bigger the better)
- dog friendly (2 large dogs)
- $1000-2000 rent (We currently pay 2500 for a 1300 sq ft house built in the 40's with a .1 acre lot (mostly driveway) in San Diego, looking forward to easier housing costs)
- We live in a hipster/artistic type neighborhood now but we don't mind the suburban feel either. We are easy going, quiet, usually go to bed early on the weekends after watching a movie on the couch type people. Some may call us boring, haha.
Things we love to do or would want to be near (walking distance not required, driving is ok if not far):
- Farmer's markets
- Dog parks
- Whole Foods (favorite store, haha)
- Nice restaurants (not Outback, Applebees, etc.)
- Nice shopping centers for wife
- All things outdoors- hunting, fishing, hiking trails/woods, camping
Through my research already I've narrowed it down to Wesley Chapel, Weddington, Providence, Matthews, and Indian Trail areas due to driving/ what we think we will like. Open to suggestions or more details about those areas.
Also, we will be flying out in May for a few days to look at those areas or any others suggested. Does anyone have recommendations on a realtor or a company for rentals? Never used one. I've found a place using craigslist the 4 times I've moved here in San Diego. I also use zillow, trulia, rent.com, realtor.com.
Look into Matthews, Weddington, and Ballantyne. Ballantyne would be a bit longer than 30 min, but has all the requirements you are looking for (not Whole Foods but the similar "Earthfare"). Matthews and Weddington will be closer to Monroe and are also very nice. Matthews in particular has a very nice farmers market as well as an actual town center area. Shopping Centers abound everywhere.
Not sure about the lot sizes. Indian Trail and Stallings are possibilities but restaurants are more limited. All of these places are not that far from each other, so you can always drive to restaurants in other areas including the city of Charlotte.
I think all the areas you've targeted are good - the limiting factor may be where you find a house rental. Matthews would get my vote.
Depending on how far east of Monroe she is working, the only area mentioned that would be in your driving time, would be Matthews. Matthews is 12 miles from Monroe traveling on 74. Wesley Chapel is 25 minutes, Weddington is a little further and Ballantyne is about 35 on backroads without traffic. Indian Trail is the closest to Monroe, depending on where in Indian Trail you are.
Maximus7788- that would make her 15 miles to I485 which begins Matthews straight up 74. Depending on where you find something in Matthews, there are other ways to get there that have a little less traffic. I live three miles west from where she is working. I am on the Indian Trail side. If there are any questions about this area that I can answer, please let me know. Good luck.
I would concur with most of the advice here... either 74 North or 84 West will give you the best options commute wise. I think 84 would be better traffic wise, but it's only 1 lane. Matthews, Indian Trail, Wesley Chapel, Weddington... Ballantyne would be a tough sell IMO - although I agree that it would be a great fit here it would be more than 30min. In general , it will be more rural South.
I'd say Wesley Chapel. It's small, still being built up, but it's near Monroe, near enough to shopping like Blakeney, Stonecrest, Promenade as well as having Target, excellent schools, lots of other families and children around, and you will definitely find a house that fits your criteria. Weddington and Indian Trail would work too.
Have your wife check out Union County Mommies too. Moving to a new place with a baby is hard (it's what I did when I moved here!), and it'll be a great way for her to make friends and not feel stuck in the house with the baby outside of work.
Matthews would probably be your best bet for what you are looking for. Ballantyne would be better for restaurants, but further away than you may desire.
I get the vibe you have not visited yet? You may be in for a little culture shock (especially if you move to Monroe or Indian Trail). I don't disagree that these areas are great for family, but you may find their lack of culture and good restaurants a bit tiresome. Even Matthews does not have the greatest restaurants, but at least here you are a 20 min drive to CLT or Southpark for eating.
BTW...many of my relatives were born and raised in Monroe and Indian Trail, but my parents and siblings live in San Diego now. I have spent a great deal of time in SD as well as Monroe NC and I can tell you they are completely different in lifestyle. Best of Luck to you!
@lauralaylin- I'll pass the info about Union County Mommies, thanks.
@The Native1- I've visited a few times to Huntersville/Davidson back in early 2000's when my brother lived there which I understand is different than where we are looking. I understand about the culture change from a big city like San Diego to a rural area though. I grew up in a farmland type area in Ohio with a population of a few thousand people where the most fun thing to do was go watch the city stop light turn green.
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