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My husband is from NY and I am from NJ. We currently live in NJ with our child (1 year). My husband has heard a lot of great things about Charlotte and has his mind set on moving there in the next year or so (he is expecting a lay-off soon). We are both in our 30's and I am nervous about not having any family or friends in the area/state. If we do move, I will be staying at home with my child and am afraid the change will be too much in a strange place and am trying to find out what area would best suit me. I visited Charlotte for the first time this weekend and saw a few homes in Highland Creek and Lexington, but I hear Ballantyne is a much nicer area? Of course we have LOTS more research to do, but I have a few topline questions:
1. Is it better to live in a development so i can meet people? (I am used to living in a city, not needing a car, walking everywhere, etc.)
2. Best area just outside Charlotte for raising children? (Would like to live no more than 20 miles from downtown, as right now we live across the river from NYC and love the city scene)
3. Which developments should we consider? We will be looking for houses in the 300-400k range
4. How is traffic getting into downtown?
5. How are the schools? Newsweek has a lot of the Mecklenberg schools in their top 1000, but I hear that kids are bussed in and they can be really rough
6. Any other tips?
I am originally from L.I., and have officially been down 1 year as of March 31. My wife followed on May 22nd. Honestly I too moved because my company was bought out, and was afraid of a layoff. I finally conviced my wife to move after throughly looking at the schools. www.greatschools.net I live in "The Reserve" in Waxhaw, and my kids go to school in Sandy Ridge, I can't comment on the schools, because of my passion, but I think I am in the best! It was hard on my wife at first, (still can be at times), but being that most transplants (7 of 10, in general) are from tri-state area, with same reasons for moving, we all feel comfort/pain together. Have made new friends, plan on making more!! When you come down, my suggestion is Rent! Get to know things/areas. If your hubby is in IT, I know a headhunter. Now I will try and answer your questions after dragging on about me.
1.) Yes, I think so.
2.) Western Union County
3.) Question ReSale or NEW
4.) Horrible
5.) Pass School system is called a "Magnet" system
6.) Union county has low taxes, price of home times .067
Post or PM me if you have more questions, and congratulations on the 1 year old, boy or girl? I just had my third, my boy, finally!
My husband is from NY and I am from NJ. We currently live in NJ with our child (1 year). My husband has heard a lot of great things about Charlotte and has his mind set on moving there in the next year or so (he is expecting a lay-off soon). We are both in our 30's and I am nervous about not having any family or friends in the area/state. If we do move, I will be staying at home with my child and am afraid the change will be too much in a strange place and am trying to find out what area would best suit me. I visited Charlotte for the first time this weekend and saw a few homes in Highland Creek and Lexington, but I hear Ballantyne is a much nicer area? Of course we have LOTS more research to do, but I have a few topline questions:
1. Is it better to live in a development so i can meet people? (I am used to living in a city, not needing a car, walking everywhere, etc.)
2. Best area just outside Charlotte for raising children? (Would like to live no more than 20 miles from downtown, as right now we live across the river from NYC and love the city scene)
3. Which developments should we consider? We will be looking for houses in the 300-400k range
4. How is traffic getting into downtown?
5. How are the schools? Newsweek has a lot of the Mecklenberg schools in their top 1000, but I hear that kids are bussed in and they can be really rough
6. Any other tips?
Thank you!
We were in a very similar situation about eight months ago. TOTALLY overwhelmed! We have three children, we wanted get out of New Jersey. My husband wanted to leave Wall Street. We had a house to sell, etc., etc. All I can tell you is to get in touch with south.charlotte&union. She is a member of this board and a realtor. She found us a home and a development that we LOVE! I found her on this board almost a year ago and she is wonderful! If you knew me, you would know, that I never promote anyone or anything, but she is the exception to my rule! Everytime I see her, I just want to give her a big hug! She stood by us through this whole agonizing process, listened to my many, many complaints, fears and questions. She's truly a gem! If you would like her contact info, please send me a PM.
Good Luck to you!
Union county is a good place to start your research, BTW
How can I respond to that stmaarten thanks I'm glad to have made a new friend too!
I agree that a development is probably a good place to start -- with young kids and your price point, I would suggest one with a community pool, an excellent place to meet others in the community. Best of luck to you and please feel free to PM me if you would like me to send you a relocation kit and assist you in any way.
South.Charlotte/Union-Wow am I glad I found this site and a great recommend for you. We are contemplating a move to the Charlotte area. We cannot sell here (MN) til late Aug/early Sept. due to capital gains! I was just in Charlotte for a week and loved it. Our situation-both retired-wouldn't want to move to a "retirement' community tho. My questions-does that State of NC tax pensions, SS? Is there a Homestead? Areas you would recommend? Would want a 3BR, 2 to 21/2 bath ranch, 2 car garage, open floor plan. Our son lives downtown city and will be looking to buy soon. This move would bring us closer to our kids on East coast plus out of MN winters!!!! Thank you.
I was going to suggest the same thing. If you like the city, why not look for something in town? Wont be such a culture shock. Just try and find something in the Myers Park School district.
do this... (im NOT a realtor so i can do this..:-) ) Go to this website, i find their search feature the best for us mortals. http://www.bissellhayes.com/selectsubarea.html
Then look in the sub areas. I suggest area's 4-1, 5-1, 99, and maybe 5-2. Maybe 2-1, but stay in Plaza-Midwood 'hood. Not sure about schools there either. Then search your parameters. I put $450k as a maximum. Here's one for example, just by coincidence its around the corner from me. It should also be in one of the better school districts, but its not listed here.
My run down(from a 6 mo resident) on in-town neighborhoods - Dilworth is very expensive for what you get. Its super nice, and the area i had my sights set on, but for the money, we weren't getting enough house. Myers Park - Ritzy in areas, nice good school. Same as Dilworth on housing, for us, when we spend 500k, we wanted an updated bathroom AND kitchen. Not one or the other or neither. Elizabeth - Our choice. Good mix of amenities and homes. More "funky" than MP or DIL. MOre people with tattoos and peace signs. But still some very upscale homes and some in your range. Chantilly - People say Chantilly is "edgy" but i just dont get that. Maybe at the fringes in some areas, but over all i find it more appealing than even Plaza Midwood as far as location. This area has some smaller homes. Its near Elizabeth, between 7th and Central. I like it. The homes were just a bit smaller than we wanted. Plaza-Midwood - We looked a lot here. Some very nice, cool areas, but to me this was "edgier" than Chantilly or the others. It does border some sketchy area's in my opinion. But i would still consider moving there. i am NOT sure about schools in this area, so double check that. Cotswold - these are the original suburbs. Its a nice combo of location and what you get for the money. Not as much an urban feeel as the other places, but still convenient and inside the loop (485). This might be good for you guys. We just wanted to be more in town...
Areas i would avoid, especially with kids.
NODA
Wilmore
You hear a lot about these places up and coming, but just dont waste your time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nyxmike
If you are more into the city scene, you should look intown. You can still get a nice house for your price range.
Thanks for the compliments all...now can I expect hugs from everyone too
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