Where should we look for a home in Charlotte? (Raleigh: house, lease)

[CentralJerseyMomof2]

Our home in NJ closes mid-June, so we need to get cracking on finding a new home!

DH may be working at: Mallard Creek Rd in Charlotte, zip 28262... we'd like to keep his commute (with traffic) to no more than 20-30 mins.... we can afford up to $350k for a house... what towns developments would you suggest?

Musts for us: great schools (one of our children is starting kindergarten this year), safe neighborhood.

Thanks!

ETA: We originally were looking at Raleigh and suburbs but Wake County Schools are a MESS. Are Charlottes any better?

[misfit]

Can't remember where Mallard Creek Rd is....I *think* that it is in/near Union county though....But so not sure...

Anyway...Union county has great schools and low property tax's!!...Check into the Weddington/Waxhaw area

[superk]

The number of options is too much to even think about listing. Anything in the WT Harris, David Cox, Mallard Creek, Prosperity Church, Highland Creek, Moss Creek, Concord, Harrisburg, Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson areas would meet your criteria.

I'm partial to The Heathers at Arbor Hills, a Pulte development in Charlotte right off of Mallard Creek Church Rd.

http://www.pultehomesinc.net/homefinder/community_print.asp?commorg_acctcode=1905&ss={FA54 7DBC-E151-4D94-8DF4-9C7449303F34}

[jennej]

Mallard Creek is in the university area. Take a look at the town of Huntersville. I used to live in Huntersville and commuted to TIAA-CREF, which is located near Mallard Cr., and it took 20-25 minutes (taking back roads).

Check out Northstone, Macaulay, Birkdale, Skybrook.

Can't help you with Charlotte-Meck schools; we don't have any kids.

I believe Huntersville is a much safer location than living in any neighborhood in or near the university area of Charlotte.

[Doorway]

Just moved here myself, so I can't help w/ locations, but I am VERY pleased w/ the schools.

[cheesehead1]

Try using CarolinaHome.com to search. Areas 1, 2, and 9 would be closest to that location, I think. There is a ton of new building up there, so with that price range you shouldn't have too much trouble finding something.
I'm not super-familiar with that side of town, but I do know people talk very highly about Highland Creek.
Good luck!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by CentralJerseyMomof2

Our home in NJ closes mid-June, so we need to get cracking on finding a new home!

DH may be working at: Mallard Creek Rd in Charlotte, zip 28262... we'd like to keep his commute (with traffic) to no more than 20-30 mins.... we can afford up to $350k for a house... what towns developments would you suggest?

Musts for us: great schools (one of our children is starting kindergarten this year), safe neighborhood.

Thanks!

ETA: We originally were looking at Raleigh and suburbs but Wake County Schools are a MESS. Are Charlottes any better?

Check out the suggestions SuperK made, they would be some of mine too - especially Highland Creek

[sstarrx3]

Try SW Concord. I live here and there are quite a few neighborhoods in your price range. I work in the University area as well and it takes me 25 minutes to get to work on a bad day. The schools here are excelllent and we don't have a bunch of trailers sitting outside our primary schools. We live in Glen Grove which also has some larger lots. The builders are MI and (South Hampton just bought 50 lots to build in here as well. ) The Standard Pacific Homes have all been sold. Plenty of other nice neighborhoods in your price range as well.

[Union county hopeful]

Macaulay is a great neighborhood with so many preschoolers and new kindergartens - It is a social neighborhood - I put some neighborhood pictures on a while back - go to the search button and put in Macaulay - you should be able to get the pictures!