Anyone NOT like Charlotte? (Gastonia, Concord: house, rent, lease)

[sweattea]

Originally Posted by NJmomof2

yes its very safe here in Freehold NJ always go to the mall by myself or target and night or walmart
Crime is very very low here that is the ONLY good thing about where I live in NJ.......lol

You should never feel safe, even if you feel safe

[saralee]

Originally Posted by NJmomof2

yes its very safe here in Freehold NJ always go to the mall by myself or target and night or walmart
Crime is very very low here that is the ONLY good thing about where I live in NJ.......lol

Seriously, not trying to start an arguement but, I know people who live in Freehold Township who would quickly disagree with you. And these are people living in $600K + homes. Freehold certainly isn't what it used to be. It's no slum (well now even that depends on where we're talking about) but it's certainly no utopia.

SL

PS

I grew up in Howell, so I do know the area.

[Miker2069]

I've seen this question asked directly/indirectly for almost a year now. There is a single theme that's common among those that ended up not being happy in Charlotte or NC in general. That theme is "my housing costs will be cheaper...". When asked what are some of the other reasons, way to much thought has to be given, or, there just aren't any. If housing is the only reason, then it becomes study in random probability theory if the other aspects of the area will become favorable to you.

[LOLZ]

Originally Posted by CharlotteAgent

The malls will are fine. Plus they are not downtown.

I have been here less then a year and don't watch the news nightly, but during the times I have watched the news I have seen a gunpoint robbery in the Carolina Place Mall parking lot, a gunpoint robbery in the South Park Mall parking lot, a gunpoint robbery in the Concord Mills Mall parking lot, and a gang fight in the Carolina Place Mall food court.

[MJPost32]

I live outside of philly now and things like this don't happen. I am scared to move to union county now. I go to the malls all the time and all hours and no one is robbed. I have a very nice car and now have to worry about someone smashing in the windows. Does stuff like this happen in the suburb communitites? If we want to go out in the city at night like we do here where should we avoid? I a little nervous b/c we have some really nice stuff and gosh I hope we don't look like targets.

[berryjuice4life]

freehold twp is very desirable I wouldnt go into the boro at night by myself but the area around the mall is very nice and I sell a Ton of Freehold and Howell...and I go shopping at night for years here and it totally safe....I dont know how long you have been out of howell but these areas have changed, and a ton of shopping, so I disagree with you...MJ I agree with you also, I go out all the time to shop and with hearing all this crime..eeshhhhh

[saralee]

Originally Posted by NJmomof2

freehold twp is very desirable I wouldnt go into the boro at night by myself but the area around the mall is very nice and I sell a Ton of Freehold and Howell...and I go shopping at night for years here and it totally safe....I dont know how long you have been out of howell but these areas have changed, and a ton of shopping, so I disagree with you...MJ I agree with you also, I go out all the time to shop and with hearing all this crime..eeshhhhh

My mother's home was at Spruce Hollow Drive in Howell. She just died this past Februray. I'd consider it a desirable area. Of course, you're free to disagree.

I seem to recall Freehold is the same township that is lobbying heavily to keep day laborers out of the community. In fact, the politics surrounding the perceived problem are very emotionally charged, as township residents view them as undesirables and place blame on this population for an increase in crime in the area. I've driven through Freehold and seen storefronts with 100s of day laborers in the early morning hours, waiting for contractors and such, to come select them for daily work assignments.

The point is, I think people need to accept a level of responsiblity for their own safety. Do I think Freehold and Howell are safe places to raise a family? I sure do. Is there no crime? I beg to differ.

While there are areas that are more dangerous than others, why make yourself a target by engaging in unsafe practices? I don't consider a female shopping, alone, at night, safe in any mall. Don't fool yourself into thinking that there is such a thing as crime-free areas. No place is immune from crime. And those who bury their heads in the sand about it, are the easiest targets. Predators spot them from miles away.

And again, with the holidays here, crimes in places like shopping centers tend to rise. The bad guys know that people are out shopping, generally with lots of cash or newly purchased valuables in their possession and overall, the excitement of the season results in a lot of inattentiveness to one's surroundings.

It's within your right to shy away from Meck or Union Counties because of reported levels of crime that take you out of your comfort zone. Better to be informed than to make a purchase and regret it.

SL

[Emily_B]

I think it's important to keep it in perspective. Considering the population explosion, and the large area the malls in Charlotte serve, the odds of being the victim of a 'hold up' at a mall are really quite low.

[LOLZ]

Originally Posted by Emily_B

I think it's important to keep it in perspective. Considering the population explosion, and the large area the malls in Charlotte serve, the odds of being the victim of a 'hold up' at a mall are really quite low.

There is also the perspective of it not happening even once that I can remember in well over 25 years living in a different metro area in the north with more than double the population. I never saw a grocery store needing a guy with a gun to guard the door until I moved to Charlotte. Crime in the Charlotte area is just crazy. I will be leaving early next year for somewhere that I can feel safe walking alone at night.

[CharlotteAgent]

Originally Posted by LOLZ

There is also the perspective of it not happening even once that I can remember in well over 25 years living in a different metro area in the north with more than double the population. I never saw a grocery store needing a guy with a gun to guard the door until I moved to Charlotte. Crime in the Charlotte area is just crazy. I will be leaving early next year for somewhere that I can feel safe walking alone at night.

Your vision of Charlotte is different than mine then. Plus the security guard is 99% sure not to have a gun. Maybe pepper spray. or one of those little sticks. They are only there incase someone tries to steal from the store. I feel safe in Charlotte even when I am driving around the not so safe areas.