Keeping up with the Jones Syndrome (Charlotte, Lexington: jobs, live, neighborhoods)

[postij]

I think it depends who the "Jones's" are to you. I moved to Ballantyne a year ago and have met so many people who are couple's that are educated and family oriented. I have never seen so many families together in one area like this. I have no issues trying to keep up with those values at all. People that earn a good income that I meet use it towards educating their children, living in a neighboorhood where other families share their values, and taking vacations that enrich their lives. Even the wealthiest families seem to make sound decisions in regards to spending like buying second hand children's clothing (and I have no issues with spending a little more on name brand such as J Crew, Boden, and Gap because IT IS BETTER QUALITY!)

I have also never seen so many active families who have their children in activities that they are right by their child's side.

I grew up in the Hamptons and there is just no comparison at all. I think this is a wonderful family oriented area and see no issue in people wanting to do well financially as this is the world we live in and no matter... what having money can afford you many more opportunities.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by vanyali

I don't see this stuff confined to younger people. When I moved in, it was late December 2004, and the weather was in the '70's. My next door neighbor put on her fur coat to walk over and knock on the door to see who had moved in. She took one look at us, said "You won't see much of us, we travel" and turned right around and left. I'd say she's at least in her 60's, and definitely a Charlotte native.

ROFL. Wow. Was that your "welcome to the neighborhood?" Hee Hee. Have you ever seen "Steel Magnolias?" Remember Weezer - Who wore her fur coat even in the Spring? I know women here in CLT (more in their 70s than 60s) who regularly wear their fur coats to go grocery shopping "to get the use out of it." And some of them have their everyday fur coats and their "good" fur coats, wh/ they reserve for church and special occasions. I saw this growing up and continue to see it today . . . altho not as much since the 90s.

[vanyali]

Originally Posted by Doorway

That's interesting. Did you have that problem in Maryland? Did you live in an "affluent "area there as well? Just curious.........

I just put a contract on a house in what can be considered an "affluent" area in Maryland, but really, it's just a neighborhood that's pricey for what you get because it's close in to the city and has a couple of metro stops. The houses are old and dumpy, on tiny lots, and I love it.

I was up there last week, and met a neighbor from up the street. He was wearing ratty shorts and a T-shirt, and walking a dog. He stopped and chatted for a few minutes, let my kids pet his dog, and then had to go because he promised his wife something or other.

Contrast this with how I met my current next door neighbor in my last post.

[the 7 oh 4]

"Keeping up with the Jones's" syndrome goes on in EVERY city in EVERY state.

Nothing new!

[berryjuice4life]

it does but you know what its much worse here in our opinion..

[vanyali]

Originally Posted by postij

I think it depends who the "Jones's" are to you. I moved to Ballantyne a year ago and have met so many people who are couple's that are educated and family oriented. I have never seen so many families together in one area like this. I have no issues trying to keep up with those values at all. People that earn a good income that I meet use it towards educating their children, living in a neighboorhood where other families share their values, and taking vacations that enrich their lives. Even the wealthiest families seem to make sound decisions in regards to spending like buying second hand children's clothing (and I have no issues with spending a little more on name brand such as J Crew, Boden, and Gap because IT IS BETTER QUALITY!)

I have also never seen so many active families who have their children in activities that they are right by their child's side.

I grew up in the Hamptons and there is just no comparison at all. I think this is a wonderful family oriented area and see no issue in people wanting to do well financially as this is the world we live in and no matter... what having money can afford you many more opportunities.

I would think that there's not much that could compare to growing up in the Hamptons. I imagine you got such a strong dose of this stuff growing up that anything else seems like a breath of fresh air.

How much to the townies manage to insulate themselves from the Hamptons "scene"? I managed to get out there exactly one time before I left New York, just to see it, and I think it was enough for me. I've heard enough stories (from friends of friends who manage to wind up in the social pages out there) to know that it's not the place for me.

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by berryjuice4life

it does but you know what its much worse here in our opinion..

Of course it is. Charlotte is the 2nd largest Banking city in the US only behind NY (Manhattan). There are ALOT of wealthy people that live in Charlotte. ALOT!

It is what it is...it exist everywhere. Not saying I agree or disagree.

Charlotte is a large city. It goes on in Atlanta, Washington...etc!

[berryjuice4life]

yes I was born and raised in brooklyn, dh worked on wall street most of his life, and then we moved to snobville in NJ..lol again I have to say I was very taken back down here on how much worse it is...

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by berryjuice4life

yes I was born and raised in brooklyn, dh worked on wall street most of his life, and then we moved to snobville in NJ..lol again I have to say I was very taken back down here on how much worse it is...

I am sure there are 10 times the amount of people with money here than in your small NJ town. You can't compare. Did your town in NJ have 700,000 people just in the city limits? You can't compare the 2. It is not apples to apples. Lets not talk NY...you lived in NJ.

[berryjuice4life]

I only lived in NJ for 10 yrs...im going to be 40..lol so basically I lived in NY most of my life.. and I lived in a huge town of NJ, 1 hour or so from the city...