Whats Up With Gastonia (Charlotte, Concord: rental, homes, live)

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by NCgirl

It isn't a tiny town. I don't think its fair to paint the entire city with a broad brush. There is more to Gastonia than the downtown area and W. Franklin Blvd. The entire city isn't run down in fact some areas are seeing more new retail and restaurants despite the economy. Gaston Mall has been torn down and the site is being redeveloped.



I think the stereotypes about Gastonia (and Gaston county) are perpetuated by people that haven't spent much, if any, time in the city. I think some people hear"Gastonia" and think of a podunk town out in the sticks. As a mentioned in my pp, there many different education and income levels there. There are some very nice areas with plenty of middle class and "rich" families.

And Gaston Country Club is a well established facility w/ a good membership . . . and there are a lot of retirees w/ money who have settled into the area (I am told).

There are so many nice spots in Gaston Co . . .

Play in Gaston County

I especially like the countryside. I really think there are opportunities there that just are not being publicized well.

[CouponJack]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Gastonia used to be a lot nicer decades ago. And I think it is time for a resurgence and would love to see it happen.

I think it would be neat to be in on the early stages of revitalization. You just have to see what else is around any given house you might consider. I feel the same way about Rock Hill, SC. They have some lovely old homes in bad shape but they could really be beautiful - and the town is trying very hard to turn things around and bring in new businesses . . .

Gastonia has a good hospital and some decent businesses in the area. Yes, factories have closed down but it is a prime target for new businesses to move into the area. There is a work force there as well as buildings wh/ could be leased/refurbished . . .

I think that many people see Gastonia as full of "country people" and some would say "rednecks," but that is not the way I see Gastonia. There used to be some upscale restaurants and businesses there; the town has suffered b/c of economic situations - plant shutdowns. Ashbrook HS used to have good scores - have not checked them in years.

I think the area is ripe for improvement . . .

I'm guessing you can substitute "Monroe" for Gastonia and make the same argument....

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

I'm guessing you can substitute "Monroe" for Gastonia and make the same argument....

Interesting comparison . . . have to think about that one for a while. Tax base would be the first place I would look . . .

[Patti1042]

Gastonia is a nice city. Sure there are some parts of it that are not desirable for many people, but the same could be said about that for ALL cities. There are many gorgeous homes there in all price ranges. Downtown Gastonia does have a revitalization plan that they are working on so hopefully in the future that area will change too. The older homes there are just fantastic! Some of the neatest homes that I have been in I have found in the historic area. If you have a family and are looking in historic district/york chester then you want to research the schools.

I live in Belmont and do most of my shopping in Gastonia. Yes, the Target is by far the worst Target that i have even been in, but there has been mention of a Super Target coming to the old Gaston mall site. There has not been an official anouncment yet, but there was also talk about a REI type store there too. 74/Wilkinson/Franklin does little asthecially but there are new stores, business and shops coming in all the time.

The gaston country club is a nice older club on a golf course, and has many establish neighborhoods surrounding it.
Before making an assumption about Gastonia based off of second hand information take a drive around and you will see there is so much more there.

[flyfast]

We moved to the eastern edge of Gastonia about 2yrs ago. (off Redbud Dr) I wanted an easy drive to the airport and we preferred existing homes with a decent size lot. After looking all around Charlotte and some areas of S.C. during a 2yr search we settled on Gastonia. The wife and I love our home and neighborhood. Never feel unsafe even when walking the dog late at night or running errands anywhere in the area. We thank Charlotte for being the "Gateway to Gastonia"

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by anifani821

You did the right thing - also - your proximity to highways is so good.

I was really speaking to what Native 1 had written about the houses right in Gastonia and the potential for the future.

Oh, I agree, I just chickened out

[mkforu]

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

Heard that somewhere too. Also something about some slimebag in the ER of the hospital pulling a gun on someone. Something about an off duty cop working security bustin a cap in said thug's ass. And, of course, something about said thug's mama crying that her "little thuggie" was just misunderstood, and it was society's fault we let him down! Dang, sounds a little like home!

Yes once again it's that "enabling" thing rearing it's ugly head.

[TheEmissary]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

I'm guessing you can substitute "Monroe" for Gastonia and make the same argument....

Or with the latest crime statistics "Indian Trail", or is it "Indian Trial"?

[IBrakeforTailgaters]

I have lived in Gastonia for about 3 years now. I used to have nothing but negative things to say about it, but I think that I have been wrong with some of my assumptions.

As many people have said, there are nice parts and there are not so nice parts. Some areas of the city seem to be a bit aged and unkept. Some of the buildings are not well-maintained, which makes the area look unattractive, as someone else mentioned. There were plans to put a hotel downtown, but that fell through.

There are very nice areas of Gastonia...drive down Robinwood, Hoffman, Kendrick, Gaston Day School, Union and other roads and you'd see what I'm talking about. However, the more west you go, the more run down it looks. The more rundown areas are the underlying cause of the stereotypes that the area has maintained for so long...for example, Gastonians are trailer park trash, ghetto, uneducated, don't have teeth, got lost in the 80s due to bad hair and outdated clothes, etc. Some people don't like change, though, while others do. To each his own, I suppose.

One thing that is causing the city and county to struggle--and why there isn't as much of an influx of people moving to this area--is because the schools in general aren't quite as good as in north/south Mecklenburg County, Union County, etc. Most of the good schools are in Belmont, Mt. Holly, Cramerton, and southeast Gastonia. Gastonia proper schools don't get the good rep that these areas get. As a district, test scores are generally lower than neighboring districts. School attendance was a problem last year. The district ranked 115th out of 117 school districts in the state for attendance. It seems to be improving since social workers and cops are knocking on doors, and parents are being sent to court if kids miss too many days.

Some Gastonians I've talked to don't consider the city to be a suburb. I heard that at one point Gastonia and Charlotte were head to head to become the largest city in the area. I guess there are some that are still a bit bitter that Charlotte won that battle, lol. However, eastern Gastonia is more suburban for sure--lots of subdivisions and overcrowded schools.

I think the area has potential, but it's suffered due to the loss of factories and jobs going to other countries. I think that if the right corporations came in, then maybe newcomers would find the area more appealing. While I don't feel that Gastonia is perfect, I really don't think it's as bad as I thought it was in the past.

[dredio05]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Here is an example of the young thugs engaged in crime in Gastonia:

Three arrested in violent crime spree | WCNC.com | Local News for Charlotte, North Carolina | Top Stories

3 people robbing a dollar general does not qualify.. You can't be serious, no matter where you are something is going to happen no city is perfect. lol, dollar general robbery....lol