Considering Charlotte Home (Asheville, Huntersville: relocate, real estate, travel)

[thom]

I will be visiting Charlotte in late April, along with Asheville. Having never been, I am open to suggestions as to which neighborhoods are considered diverse, pedestrian and gay friendly and most of all, safe. I lived in L.A. for 10 years and realize that the larger a city the more crime it typically has. But even smaller cities, like the Ohio one I am in now, with 50,000 people, has its share of crime.

Ultimately a job will determine where I will relocate, but I have a feeling I need to be settled in a place first then find employment. I am a writer with newspaper reporting and a PR background, so looking for a communications job, though not necessarily looking at a newspaper or other publication.

No sense in trying to find work in one state when living in another, with the possibility of flights and/or auto travel to attend 1-3 interviews and no promise of a job. So I have already contacted some employment agencies and such.

At this point, I'll not worry so much about a commute I might have, should I choose Charlotte. No matter where you are, there's always the headache of freeway congestion.

Any input would be appreciated.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by thom

I will be visiting Charlotte in late April, along with Asheville. Having never been, I am open to suggestions as to which neighborhoods are considered diverse, pedestrian and gay friendly and most of all, safe. I lived in L.A. for 10 years and realize that the larger a city the more crime it typically has. But even smaller cities, like the Ohio one I am in now, with 50,000 people, has its share of crime.

Ultimately a job will determine where I will relocate, but I have a feeling I need to be settled in a place first then find employment. I am a writer with newspaper reporting and a PR background, so looking for a communications job, though not necessarily looking at a newspaper or other publication.

No sense in trying to find work in one state when living in another, with the possibility of flights and/or auto travel to attend 1-3 interviews and no promise of a job. So I have already contacted some employment agencies and such.

At this point, I'll not worry so much about a commute I might have, should I choose Charlotte. No matter where you are, there's always the headache of freeway congestion.

Any input would be appreciated.

Consider Huntersville NC

[savvychltsales]

HI I am sending you a PM thanks!

[queen city broker]

Just sent you a PM

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by thom

I will be visiting Charlotte in late April, along with Asheville. Having never been, I am open to suggestions as to which neighborhoods are considered diverse, pedestrian and gay friendly and most of all, safe. I lived in L.A. for 10 years and realize that the larger a city the more crime it typically has. But even smaller cities, like the Ohio one I am in now, with 50,000 people, has its share of crime.

Ultimately a job will determine where I will relocate, but I have a feeling I need to be settled in a place first then find employment. I am a writer with newspaper reporting and a PR background, so looking for a communications job, though not necessarily looking at a newspaper or other publication.

No sense in trying to find work in one state when living in another, with the possibility of flights and/or auto travel to attend 1-3 interviews and no promise of a job. So I have already contacted some employment agencies and such.

At this point, I'll not worry so much about a commute I might have, should I choose Charlotte. No matter where you are, there's always the headache of freeway congestion.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thom, so much depends on how much you can afford to spend. And will you be renting or looking to buy?

[CRock]

Originally Posted by thom

I will be visiting Charlotte in late April, along with Asheville. Having never been, I am open to suggestions as to which neighborhoods are considered diverse, pedestrian and gay friendly and most of all, safe.

Be sure to check out these neighborhoods when you get to Charlotte, Noda(www.noda.org) (broken link), Plaza-Midwood (www.plazamidwood.org) (broken link), Elizabeth(www.elizabethcommunity.com/index.htm) (broken link), & Dilworth (www.idilworth.org/) (broken link). I think they might be what you are looking for. If you are looking to buy expect to pay $250,000 and up(mostly up, even for a fixer-upper) for a home in Plaza-Midwood. If you are going to rent expect to pay $650-1200+ depending on quality and location. Go to Craigslist and enter those neighborhoods to get some ideas.

Huntersville has been very progressive about planning for the light-rail that is being "proposed". There are a couple of neo-traditional neighborhoods that might meet you pedestrian friendly criteria.

Just to touch on the job thing. I have friends that work at the Observer and it sounds like there are lots of changes happening since Mclatchey took over. That might present an opportunity but also turmoil.

Asheville is totally different than Charlotte. Charlotte is Banks and big business. Asheville is artists & tourists/retirees. Read these forums and you will learn in Asheville most of the jobs are in the service industry. Lots of people are moving there from larger metropolitan areas and are flush with cash from selling their homes so the price of housing has increased more than Charlotte.

Another web site you should check out is urbanplanet.org. They are adamantly not a real-estate site. But you can read about all the projects going on in Charlotte and to a lesser extent Asheville. There is a wealth of info there.

Good Luck!

PS: Im not a real estate agent and I wont send you a PM!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Thom, so much depends on how much you can afford to spend. And will you be renting or looking to buy?

Ditto! No pm's from me either as I also am not a realtor

[businessperson]

I live in Charlotte now because the job situtation in WNC, my home is pathetic. That's not to say you can't find a job; just not as likely. Asheville is a liberal, diverse town but has it's share of crime. My son used to be a Police Officer there and the stories he had were wild. You'll also find more nepotism and cronyism is Asheville.

There are some websites for jobs and property searches I'd be glad to share with you. Just send me a note if I can help.