What are the desirable suburbs of Charlotte for families? (Boone: real estate, 2009)

[bs13690]

I like living in Matthews. Depending on what part of Matthews you live in, uptown is about 30 minutes away even in rush hour traffic. I live near Idewild and Rice Road and 30 minutes is about my average commute to Gateway Village (13.5 miles from my house).

[NCgirl]

Originally Posted by K. Dunn

Hello and thanks NCgirl and Chicagocub fan!

Don't worry chicagocub I have read all the post telling all the negatives regarding the job market, but like lots of other post have said, their are literally thousands of metro area's being effected right now, and most of them are hovering in that 6.7-7.1 % unemployment rate just like Charlotte. I definately won't be moving anywhere until a job is locked in, that is why I am researching areas in advance, trying to find that location that we both like physically but will also support me job wise. I am always optimistic that everything happens for a reason and that will end up being the deciding factor where we end up!

Now back to NCgirl, thanks for the welcome! No job locked in yet, a few ranging from inner metro area to some in the outer areas. So kind of vague still on that point sorry to say. Now I can say I am willing to commute generally about 15-20 miles max [30 minutes with traffic]. Huntersville and Matthews were the first ones to pop up on my radar due to demographics, I hadn't noticed Pineville and Mint Hill yet, so I will research those too, thanks. It seemed to me any of the outer counties might be too far, but like you said that just depends on where my job is eh?

You're welcome. Yes it really depends on your job location. One question for clarification. When you say suburbs do you mean a town outside of Charlotte or any area outside of Charlotte's uptown (downtown)? Since you mentioned that you are also considering the Triangle towns of Apex, Holly Springs, Cary, & Chapel Hill, I assume you mean a non-Charlotte town. I ask because I've seen a few posters from other states refer to the 'burbs as any place outside of a downtown area.

If you want to live outside of the Charlotte City limits you'll need to live on that side of the county/region. Charlotte takes up the majority of Mecklenburg county so living in a neighboring county may not be too far from where you'll be working. Here's another good map! As you can see in some areas Charlotte is thisclose too other towns and counties. However because the city is spread out it can take a long time to get from one location to another. That's why people recommend living close to your job. After you learn more about this area, it may help you decide which job offer you take. On the other hand you may fall in love with a house/town and decide that you can make a longer commute.

Originally Posted by K. Dunn

The Triangle area especially Apex, Holly Springs, Cary, & Chapel Hill attracted us for their great public schools and strong economy in these hard times, but unfortunately the school district has been doing a lot of re-districting in the area that is really making the parents uncomfortable and annoyed because some families have different siblings going to different schools at different times and then being moved again the next year, so no security and familiarity for the children which makes us back off a bit. So were looking at options and that is why we also researching the burbs of Charlotte. Thanks again! I will probably post an another new post asking for the pro's and cons of the Charlotte area vs the Triangle. Ciao.

FYi - All public schools in Charlotte, Pineville, Mint Hill, Matthews and Huntersville are in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District. In general the Metro area doesn't have the same redistricting issues. There are newer areas with high population growth that are experiencing overcrowding and therefore seeing a need for new schools/redistricting. The best way to avoid this is by buying (as you indicated in your OP below) a home in an established area. Again, the redistricting here isn't as common as in Wake county.

Originally Posted by K. Dunn

Usual high priorities for us are great public schools that score high, affordable homes [looking for 3+2's or bigger in the $175 to $225K zone, in a somewhat spaced out community of 1/4-up acre size lots] in a established community that puts an emphasis on families with parks, trails, and bicycle paths nearby.

[jstn]

Originally Posted by K. Dunn

The Triangle area especially Apex, Holly Springs, Cary, & Chapel Hill attracted us for their great public schools and strong economy in these hard times, but unfortunately the school district has been doing a lot of re-districting in the area that is really making the parents uncomfortable and annoyed because some families have different siblings going to different schools at different times and then being moved again the next year, so no security and familiarity for the children which makes us back off a bit.

If that's the case you may still want to consider Chapel Hill as they are not part of Wake County and the whole redistricting mess.

[K. Dunn]

Thanks again NCgirl, your a wealth of information and you do seem to know both areas which helps us! Yes we generally are looking into outer suburb areas usually within 15-30 minutes max of a downtown area. Won't rule out something closer though if it's a nice area!

Also thanks Jstn, your right we have been recommended to Chapel Hill numerous times when considering the public school district issue, only one problem, a whole lot less homes in our price range in Chapel Hill compared to Apex, Cary, and Holly Springs, but we do like what we see.

Plan on coming out in January for a drive-around to help narrow down the search! Ciao.

[Metallisteve]

Originally Posted by K. Dunn

...Plan on coming out in January for a drive-around to help narrow down the search! Ciao.

If you can delay just a tiny bit (or maybe work in two trips), I'd recommend visiting in the spring (late March through early May) to see the real beauty that our trees can put on. Bright green leaves, flowering dogwoods, fresh crisp air...it's awesome. It'll really give you a bias toward our city! Not that I'm trying to hide winter or anything, but if you have only one token to play, play it in a beautiful time of year!

[K. Dunn]

Yes, I know what you mean, we were also originally looking at Oldham County which is just east of Louisville in Kentucky. Did three trips two in fall, one in winter, my what a difference? Still found it beautiful either way, but oh right you are about the difference. I will probably still come up once in January for a whirlwind drive-around, then back again probably in the spring with the wife to see it at it's best! So your recommendation is well taken!

[jstn]

Originally Posted by K. Dunn

Yes, I know what you mean, we were also originally looking at Oldham County which is just east of Louisville in Kentucky. Did three trips two in fall, one in winter, my what a difference? Still found it beautiful either way, but oh right you are about the difference. I will probably still come up once in January for a whirlwind drive-around, then back again probably in the spring with the wife to see it at it's best! So your recommendation is well taken!

Curious, what did you think of Oldham County and Louisville?

[mfogarty5]

I lived in uptown Charlotte for 5 years and recently moved to the Mountain Island Lake Area. Most people have never even heard of it because it's the smallest of the 3 lakes(Norman, Wylie, Mountain Island), but it is the source of drinking water for Charlotte so the lake is heavily wooded.

It takes 20 minutes to get downtown(real 20 minutes not the "20 to 30 minutes" from South Charlotte that is really 30 to 50 minutes) and there are many parks in the area.

Check out the link below for information about the area as well as some of the neighborhoods.

Mountain Island Lake | Charlotte's Only Lake

[K. Dunn]

Originally Posted by jstn

Curious, what did you think of Oldham County and Louisville?

We loved Oldham county for its spread out hilly feel, affordable homes, small communities, and fantastic school district [with no redistricting going on*], and larger pieces of land, "but" like a lot of parts of KY, lacked any real town to speak of. Originally looked in Boone County which is south of Cincinnati also because of housing cost and great schools, but that area had no town to speak of at all [basically a suburb of Cincinnati], and only strip malls for shopping. Then we found Oldham which does have the town of La Grange which does have one little cute old town part to it with a train going through it, but the towns of Goshen, Prospect, and Crestwood basically are just some shopping areas [mostly chain stores] with nice house subdivisions built around them.

By far all of our real small towns with real main streets appeal to us a lot more that what East Louisville had to offer. Now one thing very cool about Louisville is the Ohio river running by it with cool restaurants right on the river, and their annual huge fireworks display in April for the Derby week! Beautiful tree lined and covered roads everywhere, but I'm sure that is just like your location. Also a lot of beautiful horse country of course along with all that bluegrass! Can't wait to see it. I will insert some images I took that forum ended up using as examples of the area....

[*Louisville is also getting a lot of flack over their redistricting going on, with busing of children over 2 hrs away in some cases, but that is not happening in Oldham County]

[the 7 oh 4]

If schools are of importance to you...I would check out Mooresville, NC (Mooresville Graded School district ONLY) or Fort Mill, SC. Both have the TOP schools in the entire Metro area. Depends on where you would be working...Fort Mill, SC is much closer to Uptown Charlotte and most of Charlotte. Rush hour from Fort Mill, SC to Uptown is about 20-30 minutes...Mooresville can easily be 45min -1hr. GOOD LUCK!