Anyone NOT like Charlotte? (Wesley Chapel, Star: house prices, buyer, construction)

[Swimmom32]

Originally Posted by Whytewulf

I don't mean to harp on this.. but i didn't make any misleading statements. This thread is what we don't like about Charlotte. And I stated, I wanted more Parks (and more single women ))) and still believe that, is it a priority, hell NO.. Get the schools and traffic system fixed first. Thats why my list and taken in context, makes sense, it is sometimes the little things. I mean you didn't point me to the perfect house.. Now that would have been helpful.. And thanks for telling me about Google... Now where were you 5 years ago, when I bought Xerox stock and not Google!!! Anyways, there are still no Sonics near me and I want one, even wrote to Sonic and said they need to put one at North Lake Mall, not Concord Mills mall!!! I need my breakfast burrito.. mmmm...

Thanks LovesMountain for the acronym info, seems like I wasn't the only one, but the only one who wanted to ask. ha ha.

If I was to put a serious list of dos and donts for charlotte, I am not sure I could, outside of obvious ones, I haven't been here long enough. But there are things I really like COMPARED to where I have previously lived. Especially the weather.. Holy Smokes.. it was 60 degrees the other night and 79 in the afternoon. In Phoenix is was 114. Traffic is still better than Phoenix, Dallas and Chicago, though I am a bit nervous. New laws put in place, should help the over culdasacking (not a real word for those keeping Scrabble Scores). They seem to be overdeveloping new houses and like the rest of the country making .20 acres the good lot. I find the mix of cultures refreshing but some people could be turned off by it. I don't see crime any higher than other metro areas. I see a city struggling to take the next leap to major City. We want to be big, but avoid the issues with being big,, it's tough and the next 5 years will be interesting.

OK .. time for some fish tacos!!!

Go Cubs!

so true..our friends came in yesterday and they were coming from 77 and she called and said ok we are sitting in traffic literally then 15 min later they were on rea rd..so then she laughed and said Oh this is the Traffic they all talk about..lol..coming from NY and NJ it really is no where near as bad..

[pj.poway]

I moved to SD 31 years ago (OH MY) and have enjoyed watching 'my town' grow and develop and taking part in that growth. I look forward to being a part of the growing city and lifestyle of Charlotte. I dont want to move to a 'finished' place, not yet anyway. I am still young enough to be a part of it all. That is what I like about Charlotte, there are problems and issues and wonderful people and parks etc. And well ok the grandbaby.....this will be her home town. Wow can't wait. Sure hope this condo sells quickly....

[reebear]

I am from Saint Louis, MO. I want to move to Charlotte but am afraid. I'm a single mother of 3 and have never really been anywhere. Anyone got any advise on the safest places to move to and the better schools. I can't afford to be a victim of a crime. These messages are alarming. Please give helpful advise.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by reebear

I am from Saint Louis, MO. I want to move to Charlotte but am afraid. I'm a single mother of 3 and have never really been anywhere. Anyone got any advise on the safest places to move to and the better schools. I can't afford to be a victim of a crime. These messages are alarming. Please give helpful advise.

I would say your safest bets as a single parent would be not in Charlotte, but in one of the smaller towns or cities surrounding it. In particular I like Concord, which is just northeast of Charlotte and Clover, SC, just over the state line in southwestern Charlotte. Both towns have good schools and are family oriented areas. Why not take a trip down and see what you think? Hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained

[JLO]

Hi:

There's nothing not to love about Charlotte. It's a wonderful place to raise kids. I relocated here 3 years ago from NYC. I grew up in Albany, NY. I have traveled to almost all 50 states covering stories in small towns across America. When I settled in Charlotte, I felt I'd come home.

The Siskey YMCA is a great place to go to meet people, work out, have your kids take swim lessons, play flag football and soccer. My husband coached flag football and I can tell you that sitting on the sidelines cheering for my step son while his father coached were some of the simpliest yet best memories for me.

I am sad to say that we have to relocate from Charlotte to Dallas TX. I am in tears over this. Some people may come to Charlotte from the North East and say, "this isn't NY or CT." There's nothing to "do" in Charlotte. Well, if you don't like Charlotte, can't appreciate what a quality of life you have here ... move back up north. That way, they'll still be room for me when I move back in 10 years.

For all you newcomers, embrace Charlotte. Give it a chance. Check out magazines like "Charlotte Parents," Charlotte Woman ... and for all you NY'ers that complain you can't find a "good NY pizza" ... Go to Hawthorne's on 7th St. ... there you can taste of Pizza from the old neighborhood (Brklyn).

Best of Luck Newcomers.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by JRS_EAV

I can't believe all the comments about crime in Charlotte! All I can say to you folks is "Don't ever come to Atlanta!" It's out of control here. The ELEMENTARY school we're zoned for had over 30 violent incidences last year. These are just 5-11 yr. olds! Imagine how violent their parents must be. But here in Atlanta, even if you live in Buckhead or The Highlands, you still have to deal with thugs and crappy schools. I'm over it.

This touches on a question I have for "Charlottons" (well, or whatever you call yourselves. LOL )

When I moved to Atlanta 23 years ago, it was roughly the same size that Charlotte is today, give or take. Many of the positive comments I shared with people about Atlanta back then, are very similar to the things I see people saying in here now.

Charlotte is growing nearly as fast as Atlanta was then (and still is). It seems at least to me who passes through, that you are in the beginning stages of "uncontrolled and unplanned sprawl" that we were back then. There also isn't even a rail system in place, which at least we did have to slightly ease traffic as early as the late 70s/early 80s.

So my question is - aren't you guys freaked out that you'll simply be the next Atlanta 20 or so years from now? That in 2027 you'll have the same traffic, crime, and sprawl that we have down here today?

Personally I'm looking to "downsize" at some point and move to a smaller area, but one that still has at least some larger city ammenities. I had considered Charlotte, but I'm very leery of some of the growth trends I'm seeing up there as it really does remind me so much of stuff I've seen happen here years ago - and now look where we're at here. UGH.

I certainly hope that Charlotte's leaders are taking regular trips to Atlanta to see what not to do. If they're not, the public should encourage them to do so on a regular basis so they don't forget. It would be a shame to see Charlotte become Atlanta's "mini me".

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

This touches on a question I have for "Charlottons" (well, or whatever you call yourselves. LOL )

When I moved to Atlanta 23 years ago, it was roughly the same size that Charlotte is today, give or take. Many of the positive comments I shared with people about Atlanta back then, are very similar to the things I see people saying in here now.

Charlotte is growing nearly as fast as Atlanta was then (and still is). It seems at least to me who passes through, that you are in the beginning stages of "uncontrolled and unplanned sprawl" that we were back then. There also isn't even a rail system in place, which at least we did have to slightly ease traffic as early as the late 70s/early 80s.

So my question is - aren't you guys freaked out that you'll simply be the next Atlanta 20 or so years from now? That in 2027 you'll have the same traffic, crime, and sprawl that we have down here today?

Personally I'm looking to "downsize" at some point and move to a smaller area, but one that still has at least some larger city ammenities. I had considered Charlotte, but I'm very leery of some of the growth trends I'm seeing up there as it really does remind me so much of stuff I've seen happen here years ago - and now look where we're at here. UGH.

I certainly hope that Charlotte's leaders are taking regular trips to Atlanta to see what not to do. If they're not, the public should encourage them to do so on a regular basis so they don't forget. It would be a shame to see Charlotte become Atlanta's "mini me".

Well that's a good question, and I do know every major southern city that's experiencing any type of growth has looked at ATL as what "not" to do. I'd love for someone though (and I've asked this question a lot without an adequate response) to name any major city that has ever exhibited controlled growth that's allowed the roads, the schools, etc. to catch up. There's no old city (Boston, New York, Philly) or revamped cities like (ATL,CLT, even Nashville) that's gotten this right.

Do we a) become "communistic" in our approach and start directing people to other places they should/must live (because there's more open space over in say Utah). I'm not making excuses for public planners, but a lot of this is a result of the the type of open society we have (which includes capitalistic greed) . We could have zero crime if we put cameras in all homes and had a curfew of 6pm, but that changes the nature of our society.

I'm not deflecting the question, but, I think we need to understand the trade-offs before we get to far into the "sky is falling..." mindset.

[XNYgirl]

Originally Posted by reebear

I am from Saint Louis, MO. I want to move to Charlotte but am afraid. I'm a single mother of 3 and have never really been anywhere. Anyone got any advise on the safest places to move to and the better schools. I can't afford to be a victim of a crime. These messages are alarming. Please give helpful advise.

Sorry, but this post sounds really negative. How do you know you'd come here and be the victim of a crime? I don't beleive I've read anywhere that Saint Louis has one awards for being america's safes City like say, Amherst NY has. Maybe you should not come to charlotte.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Miker2069

Well that's a good question, and I do know every major southern city that's experiencing any type of growth has looked at ATL as what "not" to do. I'd love for someone though (and I've asked this question a lot without an adequate response) to name any major city that has ever exhibited controlled growth that's allowed the roads, the schools, etc. to catch up. There's no old city (Boston, New York, Philly) or revamped cities like (ATL,CLT, even Nashville) that's gotten this right.

Well, it's just one example, but I think Portland, Oregon would be a good example. Although it's not a "Southern" or even East Coast city for that matter.

Portland has very strict codes as to what sized business can be built where, etc. Their greenbelt around the city is kind of a barrier as to what sized/density projects can be built inside the city, and what has to be built outside the city. They even did something that I know would cause leaders in Charlotte or Atlanta to poop bricks - they actually tore down a section of highway in their downtown area to build... a PARK! (a sin here that would condemn your soul to the pits of urban sprawl hell). They also have an extremely popular and always expanding light rail system (MAX), and homes/businesses along that line sell for top dollar, while people in many of their suburban areas are literally begging for it to come out their way.

So while it's just one city - Portland does show that certain types of control CAN be done. I think the problem many of OUR cities have over on this side (Charlotte, Atlanta, etc) is that we have too many "old school" leaders who are stubborn, and frankly, maybe a little inflated mentally as to their importance, without looking at other areas that have done better as examples of what they should do. Maybe all we need to do is change our voting habits and look for younger, progressive city council and planning leaders and stop voting for our dad's best friend he went to school with Billy Bubba Junior Bob. Time for the 21st century!

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Well, it's just one example, but I think Portland, Oregon would be a good example. Although it's not a "Southern" or even East Coast city for that matter.

Portland has very strict codes as to what sized business can be built where, etc. Their greenbelt around the city is kind of a barrier as to what sized/density projects can be built inside the city, and what has to be built outside the city. They even did something that I know would cause leaders in Charlotte or Atlanta to poop bricks - they actually tore down a section of highway in their downtown area to build... a PARK! (a sin here that would condemn your soul to the pits of urban sprawl hell). They also have an extremely popular and always expanding light rail system (MAX), and homes/businesses along that line sell for top dollar, while people in many of their suburban areas are literally begging for it to come out their way.

So while it's just one city - Portland does show that certain types of control CAN be done. I think the problem many of OUR cities have over on this side (Charlotte, Atlanta, etc) is that we have too many "old school" leaders who are stubborn, and frankly, maybe a little inflated mentally as to their importance, without looking at other areas that have done better as examples of what they should do. Maybe all we need to do is change our voting habits and look for younger, progressive city council and planning leaders and stop voting for our dad's best friend he went to school with Billy Bubba Junior Bob. Time for the 21st century!

Greg, you're absolutely right. I totally forgot about Portland's "Great Wall"- they had the fore site to implement controls back in the late 70s. I've heard back and forth on it, but I think overall it's been beneficial and hasn't had a negative economic impact.

The other issue that you've touched on is the root cause. If you want to control growth, it has to start with the issuing of building permits. However the problem is a council rep. is buddies with a local land owner or farmer who wants to sell 20+ acres for $100K/acre. The town holds a meeting, the local say things like "not over my dead body...", the council votes to approve a big walmart or sub-div anyway. Happens all the time and I believe that's exactly how the new Target here in Wesley Chapel "came to pass...".

Anyway I haven't looked at Portland (from a city planning perspective) in quite some time so I'll take a peak and see what their up to.

Thanks for a well thought-out response.