Help with house hunting in Charlotte area? (Greensboro, Huntersville: landscaping, established neighborhood)

[ClarkeCrew]

Hello,

My husband has just accepted a job in Charlotte, and we will be relocating from Greensboro.

I am a stay at home mom of 2 kids (5 and 2 years old) and a baby due at the end of May.

Our price range is upper $200's to about $325,000 maximum. We'd really like at least 4 bedrooms and 2.5-3 bathrooms. Also, we'd like to move in by mid-late April.

We are coming to town tomorrow and are planning to look at the following neighborhoods:

1. Chestnut Oaks in Union Co.
2. Taylor Glenn in Union Co.
3. Callonwood in Union Co.
4. Mallard Lake in Mecklenberg Co.
and possibly
5. Cureton in Union Co.

Last weekend we came with the kids and looked at Cureton and Bonterra Village. Bonterra Village isn't for us, but we did really like Cureton. I am concerned though after reading on this board about the smell. We asked about the sewage treatment plant and the realtor told us that 99% of the time it smelled like it did the day we were there, which was no unusual odor at all. But now I wonder if we just happened to go by on a good day?

My husband will be working downtown (Uptown?) and we are both concerned about the commute, but we cannot afford anything (that meets our needs) Uptown.

He has a friend who commutes from Union County who says that her commute time is only 30 minutes if she leaves by 6:30 AM, so this is what he would plan to do if we move to Union Co.

Another thing that worries me is schools. My son will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, and I think that I am especially picky about schools. I have heard people rave about Union Co schools but when I look them up online they do not look especially good to me (student/teacher ratios and test scores). Mecklenburg Co schools don't look great either, but it looks like they do have lot of magnet schools (even though this late in the game we would have to rely on their open seats lottery in early May). So, we might go the private school route whichever county we end up in.

So, all of this to say, what do you think of the neighborhoods we are looking in- PLEASE be honest- and are there any others you would recommend?

Thank you so much for any help!
Chrissy

[indraman]

Clarke Crew,

We just finished a whirlwind house hunt and move to Union Co. as well. First of all, I hope you have a great RE agent. I'm not one by the way, but you really need one to get to know Union Co. Second, after looking at practically every neighborhood in Union Co., both new and old, I can tell you that you definitely get more for your money if you are willing to go with a re-sale. We looked at both new constriction and re-sales and ended up with the latter because we got more....more house, better landscaping, no construction vehicles at all hours.
As for schools, my kids started out there this week. I'm fairly certain there is no one out there pickier than me as I used to be a curriculum specialist for our old school district. I give the district an A- for it's reading program. I have a kindergartner and I think they are doing a good job with her. For language arts, I give them a B+. There are much better curriculums and ways to teach them, but this one is ok. The specials; PE, art, spanish, are great. Math, however, is an entirely different story. In the elementary schools here, they use a very.....different....approach to math. I have to give the district a C....and that is generous. Thankfully in Kindergarten not a lot of math seems to be presented as they focus on reading and writing. I would offer an opinion that your little guy would do great there for K and you could spend that year researching which private school. As for the teachers and staff, they get an A+. I have never been to schools that are this organized, friendly and helpful. All of the schools I toured were the same. The help I received from the district office was also much appreciated. A very well run district....if only they had picked different math.
Looks like in the Middle School they have actual traditional math, so we'll be looking forward to that. Good luck. Charlotte is a GREAT city filled with friendly and wonderful people.

[NCmom]

Welcome to Charlotte. I think you will love the area! Friendly and family-oriented. I sent you a private message with more information. Hope you find it helpful.

[niknaxx]

Originally Posted by ClarkeCrew

Hello,

My husband has just accepted a job in Charlotte, and we will be relocating from Greensboro.

I am a stay at home mom of 2 kids (5 and 2 years old) and a baby due at the end of May.

Our price range is upper $200's to about $325,000 maximum. We'd really like at least 4 bedrooms and 2.5-3 bathrooms. Also, we'd like to move in by mid-late April.

We are coming to town tomorrow and are planning to look at the following neighborhoods:

1. Chestnut Oaks in Union Co.
2. Taylor Glenn in Union Co.
3. Callonwood in Union Co.
4. Mallard Lake in Mecklenberg Co.
and possibly
5. Cureton in Union Co.

Last weekend we came with the kids and looked at Cureton and Bonterra Village. Bonterra Village isn't for us, but we did really like Cureton. I am concerned though after reading on this board about the smell. We asked about the sewage treatment plant and the realtor told us that 99% of the time it smelled like it did the day we were there, which was no unusual odor at all. But now I wonder if we just happened to go by on a good day?

My husband will be working downtown (Uptown?) and we are both concerned about the commute, but we cannot afford anything (that meets our needs) Uptown.

He has a friend who commutes from Union County who says that her commute time is only 30 minutes if she leaves by 6:30 AM, so this is what he would plan to do if we move to Union Co.

Another thing that worries me is schools. My son will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, and I think that I am especially picky about schools. I have heard people rave about Union Co schools but when I look them up online they do not look especially good to me (student/teacher ratios and test scores). Mecklenburg Co schools don't look great either, but it looks like they do have lot of magnet schools (even though this late in the game we would have to rely on their open seats lottery in early May). So, we might go the private school route whichever county we end up in.

So, all of this to say, what do you think of the neighborhoods we are looking in- PLEASE be honest- and are there any others you would recommend?

Thank you so much for any help!
Chrissy

I'd recommend Rosedale in Huntersville. Right in your price range, 2900 sq ft, 5 bdr/2-3 ba/2 cg, commute to Charlotte and back isn't too bad from exit 23, my husband did it daily. Excellent elementary school bordering the community. Play dates set up in the community, if you are interested.

[miklaur]

To clarkecrew - best of luck on your new adventure and to indraman, great post. Thanks for that feedback.

[idwellinnc]

A few years back, Matthews area used to be a great place to live. Good school district - McKee Elementary, JMRobinson Middle and Providence High. What's happened that area - it doesn't seem like it's mentioned much anymore.

[businessperson]

Matthews is STILL a great place to live. I'd love to have one of the older homes right in the downtown area. I think because it's in Mecklenburg County and the CMS schools get such a bad rap that people just don't think about it.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by idwellinnc

A few years back, Matthews area used to be a great place to live. Good school district - McKee Elementary, JMRobinson Middle and Providence High. What's happened that area - it doesn't seem like it's mentioned much anymore.

One thing that happened is that Matthews is pretty much built out now - thank goodness. However, so many newcomers seem to ONLY want to look at new construction that they bypass wonderful homes in established neighborhoods to move further out to Union county. This makes Union county seem like the only real "HOT" spot, but in reality Matthews is extremely desirable for its schools and easier commutes to uptown.

[ClarkeCrew]

Thank you all for your responses! We fell in love with a house in Stallings over the weekend and we now have it under contract.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by ClarkeCrew

Thank you all for your responses! We fell in love with a house in Stallings over the weekend and we now have it under contract.

Congrats!!