Housing between Kannapolis and Gastonia (Charlotte, Concord: jobs, special needs, university)

[dhorrall]

My daughter and her friend are both first year teachers moving to the Charlotte area from northern Ohio. One girl got a job in Kannapolis and the other in Gastonia. Is there somewhere safe and young that would be commutable for both? They would like to live together if possible. Thanks for any advice/help.

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by dhorrall

My daughter and her friend are both first year teachers moving to the Charlotte area from northern Ohio. One girl got a job in Kannapolis and the other in Gastonia. Is there somewhere safe and young that would be commutable for both? They would like to live together if possible. Thanks for any advice/help.

That is a very broad area...including the large city of Charlotte and also Belmont & Concord on either side of Charlotte. You would need to narrow it down a little better. That is about a 45 minute drive between Gastonia & Kannapolis.

I might suggest the "University City" area of Charlotte...but stay WEST of I-85 and NORTH of Harris Blvd. That would be about 1/2 ways in the middle...both are off of I-85 and so is University City.

Commute would be about 25-30 minutes to either Gastonia or Kannapolis...not bad.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by dhorrall

My daughter and her friend are both first year teachers moving to the Charlotte area from northern Ohio. One girl got a job in Kannapolis and the other in Gastonia. Is there somewhere safe and young that would be commutable for both? They would like to live together if possible. Thanks for any advice/help.

Wow, sorry to say, there really isn't - not that there isn't a safe place, just not a practical place. With the high price of gas they would each be better off living in their respective towns I'm afraid. Charlotte is smack dab in the middle of the two and the rents would be most expensive there. Plus, if they tried to live together and split the distance they would each have a much longer commute than necessary. Study the map, you'll see what I mean. If they are determined to live together the only thing I would could half way suggest is that they look to live in Huntersville - it is safe and the commute would be as bad as one as for the other. Sorry!

[dhorrall]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the input. Is uptown safe and commutable for both?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by dhorrall

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the input. Is uptown safe and commutable for both?

Uptown is one of the safer areas in the city - but very expensive. Places tend to be smaller and more "loft" style too. There are some places in the Dilworth neighborhood just south of uptown they might want to look at. Living there would put them both going against traffic to get to work for 75% of their commutes. But remember, they would have at least 30-40 minute commutes depending on where exactly their jobs were located, which adds up in gas costs. Is there no chance of one of them switching schools to teach where the other one is teaching so they can live in either Kannapolis or Gastonia?? Life would be so much more affordable that way!

[dhorrall]

They are trying to get jobs in each others districts, it is just a tough market. One is elementary, and one is special needs. I will have them look at Dilworth--thanks so much.