Info on Charlotte (best neighborhoods, real estate, car registration)

[denny]

I am 70 and my wife is 61. We would be able to afford a house in the 350,00 to 400,000 range. Can anyone tell me what Charlotte is like for people our age and what the best neighborhoods would be should we move there. Also, how are the real estate taxes?

We are moving from suburban NY City (where, as you can imagine) taxes are through the roof). We live in a 2,150 sq.ft. condo and pay over $7,000 per year in property taxes.

Thanks for the help.

denny

[Robin2007]

Our friends Parents recently moved to SunCity in Sc...they LOVE it there. Now they joke that they can never reach their parents because they have become so social they are never at home!

[anifani821]

For a house in that price range, your taxes would be less than half. Of course, there are "hidden" taxes here - such as w/ car registration and stuff like tag ons w/ water bill, wh/ I consider a disguised tax. But since 2/3 of Charlotte is now made up of people who have relocated (and many are from NY and NJ and seem pretty happy here) . . . I would think it would be financially advantageous to check this area out.

Do you want to be near certain amenities? Are you interested in a community w/ golf access? Want near the lake?

[denny]

We would like to have reasonable shopping access nearby and some good restaurants. We would not need a golf community, but would also like access to a swimming pool in summer.

denny

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by denny

We would like to have reasonable shopping access nearby and some good restaurants. We would not need a golf community, but would also like access to a swimming pool in summer.

denny

Bet you'd LOVE Sun City just over the state line beyond the Ballantyne area You should really google it!

[anifani821]

But even if you are not into a retirement community per se - there are many established communities that have a demographic that would be fairly broad - not just young couples - in neighborhoods w/ houses in your price range. We have several retirees in our neighborhood - very quiet area, but w/in quick access to every possible amenity - from healthcare to upscale retail shopping and restaurants. I am in S. Charlotte.

[denny]

Thanks to all of you. I am going to investigate further.

denny

[berryjuice4life]

I agree I took my parents to Sun City its beautiful and that whole area is being built up..there will be a library right out of the community, Harris Teeter, Cvs Drugstore, and alot more in that shopping Center...Harris teeter should be opening soon, as well as the Library...good luck..if u need a realtor I can recommend one, as her parents live in sun city as well from NY

[bandibadji]

Originally Posted by denny

Thanks to all of you. I am going to investigate further.

denny

Check around Tega Cay and Baxter Village (Ft. Mill)

[south.charlotte&union]

My parents live in Sun City and absolutely love it. We are originally from Westchester County, and I can totally empathize with your tax situation. I have sold in Sun City -- make sure your realtor negotiates on your behalf as I know there is room for the builder to move on price.