A question on Matthews... (Charlotte, Indian Trail: house, buy, movies)

[Ryan101]

What opinions do you all have on the Matthews area of Charlotte?

I had initially planned on moving into Ballantyne (and still will later) but I found a considerably better deal in the Matthews area in terms of rent.

Pro's? Con's?

thanks in advance,

-Ryan

[Miker2069]

I think you really can't go wrong with either. I don't live in Matthews but have friends who do and I've always liked the way it seems to have preserved much of character- which is very quaint. It's a good balance and blend of the historical and the new.

Ballantyne, IMO, was designed very well (despite what those may say about traffic there). I like what one realtor said here- it's a good work/live/play area.

Proximity wise, I believe Matthews would be a bit closer to uptown.

[robiewan]

let you know in a year . . . my wife and I and twin girls are moving to matthews in March and my brother, sister-in-law and two boys are moving to Ballantyne over the summer. We work for the same company, which relocated to Charlotte in July 07

I like Matthews for the charm, the proximity to uptown (sort of) to Ballantyne and to South Park. Love that matthews has some charm as a small town. Like the fact that Matthews has its own police department.

It could depend on where you will be working. Ballantyne is great for the live/work/play scenario but it is also quite a bit more congested. We have collegaues in that live in Marvin, Waxhaw, Matthews, Ballantyne etc, pretty well all over south Charlotte and everyone has their opinion - so far no negatives on either Matthews or Ballantyne.
sorry cant be more assistance, give me 3 months and I will have more concrete opinions

[cjohnsonRE]

Both are great areas, yet there are some differences. Matthews has more of a quaint, home town feel. The city plans a lot of events to be held during the year, parades, band concerts, art shows, festivals, etc. and encourages the whole town to get involved. They have sleigh rides, carolers, Santa and Victorian Tea at the Reid House during the Christmas holidays. The 4th of July is a huge celebration for the whole area. Kids decorate their trikes and makes sign. Mayor Lee Myers and the majority of the town board are on hand for all of the events. The plays at the community center also attract a lot of support. They have movie nights at Stumptown Park during the summer. I could go on and on about all of the attractions that are planned for people to enjoy. Ballantyne is a great place as well. You can go eat dinner, walk around and shop. They have music concerts in the summer. It's a very urban area. The schools are great and have wonderful parental involvement. It's very diverse area and the location is convenient to South Park, SC, Uptown. There are great rest., shopping, & movies. Everything is within 10 min. driving time.
I don't think you will regret living in either place.

[danny helms]

listen folks,

matthews is a small town of total corruption! take a close look at the mayor, eight terms, come on, do the math. i moved here 6 years ago by pure fluke. in less that one month, i was pulled over by rambo type cops four times, YES FOUR times! one event was a road block on rice road (a small country road) RAMBO type matthews police dressed in BLACK SWAP uniforms asked for my I.D.. i asked what was wrong, they said, its our normal tuesday morning swat practice. yes, do you believe that!!! don't buy it, drive thru matthews one day, a small fender bender will bring out about four to six matthews police cruiser, you'd think the president of the united states was in the car. trust me, you DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN MATTHEWS, NC. i have been there, its NOT PRETTY.

how about the farm matthews mayor, lee myers took in 2007. yes, poor old 84 year old man and his 70 acre farm, didn't want to sell. so the mayor, lee myers and the township of matthews condemned the farm and took it. don't believe me, i stopped at the farm and talked to mr. purser. he told me how lee myers said, there is nothing you can do, i own this town!!! google, "they took my farm" matthews, nc

MATTHEW NC IS BAD, BAD NEWS,,YOU DO NOT WANT TO LIVE THERE....

[danny helms]

never trust a town where a mayor would steal a 70 acre farm and tell the owner, i own this town, nothing you can do!!!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by danny helms

listen folks,

matthews is a small town of total corruption! take a close look at the mayor, eight terms, come on, do the math. i moved here 6 years ago by pure fluke. in less that one month, i was pulled over by rambo type cops four times, YES FOUR times! one event was a road block on rice road (a small country road) RAMBO type matthews police dressed in BLACK SWAP uniforms asked for my I.D.. i asked what was wrong, they said, its our normal tuesday morning swat practice. yes, do you believe that!!! don't buy it, drive thru matthews one day, a small fender bender will bring out about four to six matthews police cruiser, you'd think the president of the united states was in the car. trust me, you DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN MATTHEWS, NC. i have been there, its NOT PRETTY.

how about the farm matthews mayor, lee myers took in 2007. yes, poor old 84 year old man and his 70 acre farm, didn't want to sell. so the mayor, lee myers and the township of matthews condemned the farm and took it. don't believe me, i stopped at the farm and talked to mr. purser. he told me how lee myers said, there is nothing you can do, i own this town!!! google, "they took my farm" matthews, nc

MATTHEW NC IS BAD, BAD NEWS,,YOU DO NOT WANT TO LIVE THERE....

Well, this is still America and you are certainly entitled to your opinions, as unusual as they are

As for the rest of us who LOVE Matthews and think the city government and police are first rate we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Ryan101

What opinions do you all have on the Matthews area of Charlotte?

I had initially planned on moving into Ballantyne (and still will later) but I found a considerably better deal in the Matthews area in terms of rent.

Pro's? Con's?

thanks in advance,

-Ryan

The only con I can think of is the traffic backups thru downtown Matthews on the way out/in to Union County. Other than that it's a very pleasant place with a great hospital and all the retail you need.

[chicagocubs]

Matthews is a bit small-town in its ambience, but, Ballatine is just neuvo-riche...I like University City for it's diversity and grit.

[md to nc]

Danny Helms is correct on one thing, high police area. Especially on 74. Between Sardis Rd and 485, you have got to do the speed limit of 45 and never go beyond 50 as you will be certain to get a $130 ticket. Poor dh was on his way home with stomach virus and was a little in a hurry, got pulled over for doing 54 in 45. Explained to officer and his response, oh well don't care see you in court or pay the ticket. Just watch out for them otherwise Matthews itself is great. I live in Indian Trail which is close to Matthews, about 2 miles to the line actually. We go there allll the time, great small town feeling, yes some traffic but not "gridlock" like some areas. Even town of Matthews at rush hour you can get by in 15 min. I would choose Matthews over Ballantyne any day. Definately less traffic and more family oriented, small town feeling.