Gastonia (Charlotte, Belmont: city hall, insurance, daycare)

[KNOTTE]

Hi!!

My family is considering relocating from VT to NC and my cousin has recommended Gastonia - she lives there... Don't worry. We might be yankees but we're nice yankees.

I am hoping you all could give me some info on the area. Here are my questions:

1) How are the schools (we have an 8 yr old and a 3 yr old)?

2) Is Gastonia a nice area to raise a family?

3) How is the job market? I'm an accountant and HR manager. My husband can keep his job regardless of where he lives.

4) Is there a lot for the kids to do?

5) How safe is the area?

6) Will we be accepted there since we are northerners? I've read some other threads about how Northerners are not welcome.

7) How much are property taxes? Insurance?

8) Is the area liberal or conservative? We are definitely more conservative and are sick of liberal VT.

9) How much does Daycare run?

Your help is really appreciated.

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!

[cgballer]

I'll try to answer a few of your questions.

2) Is Gastonia a nice area to raise a family?
Depends on where in Gastonia. South-eastern part is pretty nice, the rest can be iffy.

3) How is the job market? I'm an accountant and HR manager. My husband can keep his job regardless of where he lives.
Job market is very tight. Do yourself (and your family) a favor and don't move here w/o a job.

5) How safe is the area?
It really depends where you are in Gastonia. I'd consider south-eastern Gastonia safe, the rest can be iffy.

6) Will we be accepted there since we are northerners? I've read some other threads about how Northerners are not welcome.
We moved here from out West and had no problems getting accepted. You wrote that you are from Vermont and folks from New England are not like the people from NJ or NYC. I wouldn't worry about it.

8) Is the area liberal or conservative? We are definitely more conservative and are sick of liberal VT.
Very conservative.

[KNOTTE]

Thanks cgballer for your insight. I really appreciate it.

How big of a city is Gastonia?

[NCgirl]

Gastonia's population is probably around 70,000.

City of Gastonia's website

[jerseygirl34]

Just wondering how/why you picked Gastonia? Why not try for Charlotte itself?

[groove1]

Think of whichever town your area currently makes fun of and that's Gastonia:

Creative Loafing Charlotte | News | Signs of Life in Gastonia

[KNOTTE]

Originally Posted by jerseygirl34

Just wondering how/why you picked Gastonia? Why not try for Charlotte itself?

Actually my cousin really wants us to move there - I'd personally rather live closer to the shore, but since we will be far from home, it would be nice to have a loved one around. Any other areas to recommend??

Thanks again everyone!

[KNOTTE]

Originally Posted by groove1

Think of whichever town your area currently makes fun of and that's Gastonia:

Creative Loafing Charlotte | News | Signs of Life in Gastonia

Good to know!!!! Thanks!

[KNOTTE]

Originally Posted by jerseygirl34

Just wondering how/why you picked Gastonia? Why not try for Charlotte itself?

I'm kind of afraid of Charlotte, only because coming from VT, it might be a culture shock moving to a large city. The "city" we live in - (used to be the 2nd largest - is only about 15,000 people). We'd really like a small quite area within a neighborhood, but enough elbow room so we don't share a yard with our neighbor. Any suggestions?

[cgballer]

Check out Belmont (the city, not the neighborhood in Charlotte). It is real close (5-10 mins) to Gastonia but IMHO much nicer. The housing is more expensive than in Gastonia but:
- Right around 10,000 folks
- Very child friendly
- Minimal crime
- Solid middle class, relatively little poverty, rich folks have riverfront houses
- Great historic downtown area
- Conservative

Chamber of commerce:
Home

Pics:
Belmont, NC : Belmont - City Hall photo
Belmont, NC : Belmont - Historic Downtown photo
Belmont, NC : Belmont - Historic Downtown photo

Originally Posted by KNOTTE

Actually my cousin really wants us to move there - I'd personally rather live closer to the shore, but since we will be far from home, it would be nice to have a loved one around. Any other areas to recommend??

Thanks again everyone!