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Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum because I am contemplating moving to Charlotte and came across this forum while doing research online.
Sooooo here's the lowdown, the 411, the info, the well you get the picture!! I currently work for Bank of America and have done so for over five years. I am fortunate to work from home full time (in another state) but I feel that it may be time to make the leap and move closer to corporate. Although I have a role at the bank, it is not nearly as stable as I prefer. The stress worrying about whether my job will be around in three months is just too much. Especially considering that I live in a state where if I must find a local job, I would make about half the salary that I currently make (horrible average salary here).
I recently interviewed for three internal roles at the bank and came in "second place" (feels like I'm always the bridesmaid and never the bride! Haha) with the feedback always being that I would have gotten the job had I been in Charlotte. At this point it probably makes sense to make the move for my long term future with the bank. If things ever do fall through there are other corporate headquarters in Charlotte, including MetLife, where I've also previously worked.
My biggest dilemma is that I own my home and am not sure that I will be able to sell it for as much as I owe on it and that will be a deal breaker!! I need some advice and suggestions regarding the best places to live in the Charlotte area (even willing to live across state line in South Carolina since I won't have to go into the office every day) for a single woman in her early 40's. Schools aren't a factor for I don't have any children. Well, I've got two fur babies but that is another story. I do need a home with a backyard fence. I probably should consider commute routes for those days that I do go into the office (or lord forbid I have to work for another firm and commute on a daily basis). One of my closest coworkers lives in Mount Holly on the lake and although her home is WELL out of my price point, it may be nice to live in the same town as she does for a built in person I know who can then introduce me to her friends.
I won't lie, I'm a bit of a princess (in the way that I work hard and therefore enjoy nice things as I can afford them...not in the way I am high maintenance for people in my life) so although I don't want to spend more than $190K (just bought a car that nearly has a monthly payment of a mortgage...hey, don't judge! Ha If I don't spoil me, who will?!?! Ha) but I have a "must have" list so new homes are preferred. I do know those will be harder to come by in my price range and in nicer areas (which is why I'm willing to live outside of Charlotte).
One of my absolute MUSTS is to live in an area with an active social life. I moved to my current location 4 years ago and since I don't know anyone in this small (country) town, don't have children and work from home, I have become a hermit and have lost so much of my spark (I thrive off personal interaction). So I need to live somewhere that isn't 45 minutes away from activities and social opportunities.
I'm sorry for the long post, you'll quickly learn that I am never short on things to say! Ha I would appreciate any and all advice and information!! Thank you in advance for your help!!!
Last edited by Im A Brat; 09-10-2013 at 09:00 PM..
Maybe my initial post was too long to get any responses!!
Just want some advice on areas to move to for single (early 40's) without kids in an active social area.
I'm sure there are others who will be able to provide you with more insight then someone like myself can, but you did provide more info than most, and I'm sure you'll get some good advice. As long as you can keep working your current job when moving here, while seeking an upgrade with BOA you'll be at an advantage compared to others who assume they will get a job shortly after moving here. While this isn't the worst place for singles, keep in mind that as a largely family oriented city, you will see more family oriented social events than ones that will cater to more of a single crowd.
I don't know anything about Mount Holly or thereabouts. Your budget is too small for the areas that come to mind for active social life as well. I hope others can chime in. Good luck though.
My daughter has been in Charlotte a little better than a year now. Being 30 something she says there are a lot of outside activities.
She loves it is looking to move closer to downtown to save gas. She says traffic is awful out in the burbs. Her employment is SE of downtown, but she rents a room in a safe area. NE of downtown so moving is mandatory.
State roads are very congested since the roads have not caught up the wonderful growth there.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Im A Brat
Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum because I am contemplating moving to Charlotte and came across this forum while doing research online.
Sooooo here's the lowdown, the 411, the info, the well you get the picture!! I currently work for Bank of America and have done so for over five years. I am fortunate to work from home full time (in another state) but I feel that it may be time to make the leap and move closer to corporate. Although I have a role at the bank, it is not nearly as stable as I prefer. The stress worrying about whether my job will be around in three months is just too much. Especially considering that I live in a state where if I must find a local job, I would make about half the salary that I currently make (horrible average salary here).
I recently interviewed for three internal roles at the bank and came in "second place" (feels like I'm always the bridesmaid and never the bride! Haha) with the feedback always being that I would have gotten the job had I been in Charlotte. At this point it probably makes sense to make the move for my long term future with the bank. If things ever do fall through there are other corporate headquarters in Charlotte, including MetLife, where I've also previously worked.
My biggest dilemma is that I own my home and am not sure that I will be able to sell it for as much as I owe on it and that will be a deal breaker!! I need some advice and suggestions regarding the best places to live in the Charlotte area (even willing to live across state line in South Carolina since I won't have to go into the office every day) for a single woman in her early 40's. Schools aren't a factor for I don't have any children. Well, I've got two fur babies but that is another story. I do need a home with a backyard fence. I probably should consider commute routes for those days that I do go into the office (or lord forbid I have to work for another firm and commute on a daily basis). One of my closest coworkers lives in Mount Holly on the lake and although her home is WELL out of my price point, it may be nice to live in the same town as she does for a built in person I know who can then introduce me to her friends.
I won't lie, I'm a bit of a princess (in the way that I work hard and therefore enjoy nice things as I can afford them...not in the way I am high maintenance for people in my life) so although I don't want to spend more than $190K (just bought a car that nearly has a monthly payment of a mortgage...hey, don't judge! Ha If I don't spoil me, who will?!?! Ha) but I have a "must have" list so new homes are preferred. I do know those will be harder to come by in my price range and in nicer areas (which is why I'm willing to live outside of Charlotte).
One of my absolute MUSTS is to live in an area with an active social life. I moved to my current location 4 years ago and since I don't know anyone in this small (country) town, don't have children and work from home, I have become a hermit and have lost so much of my spark (I thrive off personal interaction). So I need to live somewhere that isn't 45 minutes away from activities and social opportunities.
I'm sorry for the long post, you'll quickly learn that I am never short on things to say! Ha I would appreciate any and all advice and information!! Thank you in advance for your help!!!
I'm female, older than you, & live alone further out on the west side. It all depends on what you are looking for, for socialization. Right now there are museums etc. where you can become involved. A casino with an entertainment venue has been proposed.
Someone I work with is also single in her 40's and relocating to Charlotte (we work for MetLife). But her budget is much higher than 190K for a house. Unless you go the rental route I don't think you'll find much for that price in an active social area of Charlotte.
My co-worker is looking at Pineville, you might find some townhouses there in that price range.
And don't hedge your bets too much on finding a job with MetLife. Though the company is relocating, it's also in the process of a huge restructure.
Someone I work with is also single in her 40's and relocating to Charlotte (we work for MetLife). But her budget is much higher than 190K for a house. Unless you go the rental route I don't think you'll find much for that price in an active social area of Charlotte.
My co-worker is looking at Pineville, you might find some townhouses there in that price range.
And don't hedge your bets too much on finding a job with MetLife. Though the company is relocating, it's also in the process of a huge restructure.
I'm hoping my need to look outside of BOA is never needed. I'm very well aware of the restructure as my sister is a regional operations manager and has worked there for over 20 years. I visit their branch on a regular basis. But thank you for letting me know as it is good information to know. MetLife must be paying her a lot more than they do in this region because there would be no way a single woman/man around here on a Met salary could afford a $200K mortgage. Umm unless they are reps not office staff. Sad really!! But again, this area has very low salaries in general. But thank you for the feedback! Much appreciated!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by southbound_295
I'm female, older than you, & live alone further out on the west side. It all depends on what you are looking for, for socialization. Right now there are museums etc. where you can become involved. A casino with an entertainment venue has been proposed.
Thanks for the info! To be honest I'm not sure what I want to get involved with, I just know living so far out now to any nightlife or city life has been really hard for me. I moved from Dallas, where Meetup. com is a VERY useful way to get involved in local activities but this town doesn't have any groups other than a mom's day out and a LDS group. Of course just working in a location where I can go into the office when I want will allow me the opportunity to meet people that I do not have now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Francois
You posted at 11 PM and were shocked that nobody was up in the middle of the night answering your questions?
Patience is a virtue...
Patience is a virtue, not necessarily one I possess, but thanks. Ha I posted again because I had noticed that over 60 people had read my post but no responses. Hence my comment as to maybe I wrote too much and no one was really reading it. So I summarized in one sentence. Regardless, it seemed to have helped.
Thanks to everyone else who has responded as well! I'm a bit surprised that everyone feels $190K home is not readily available given the research that I've done. Maybe that price point is unlikely in more adult living (versus family oriented) but I am not going to increase my mortgage budget to then get myself spread too thin. I'm happy to compromise on my house to keep my new luxury car, which puts a smile on my face every time I see it.
Thanks to everyone else who has responded as well! I'm a bit surprised that everyone feels $190K home is not readily available given the research that I've done. Maybe that price point is unlikely in more adult living (versus family oriented) but I am not going to increase my mortgage budget to then get myself spread too thin. I'm happy to compromise on my house to keep my new luxury car, which puts a smile on my face every time I see it.
Just to clarify, you mentioned night life and highly social area, that's where your budget is low for being close to the "action". But you are correct, you can purchase with that price point in outlying areas, especially Mount Holly from what I just saw. In that area, you can live like a princess with that budget.
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I currently work for Bank of America and have done so for over five years. I am fortunate to work from home full time (in another state) but I feel that it may be time to make the leap and move closer to corporate. Although I have a role at the bank, it is not nearly as stable as I prefer. The stress worrying about whether my job will be around in three months is just too much. Especially considering that I live in a state where if I must find a local job, I would make about half the salary that I currently make (horrible average salary here). 
Anyone, anyone?!?!
