Is Baxter REALLY all that? (Concord, Star: new home, safe neighborhood, to buy)

[MHW]

I keep hearing/reading that Baxter is THE place to be. I have read all about the wonderful sense of community among the residents, and how nice it is to have everything within walking distance.

We could afford a house in the lower price points, but it would be a stretch. Is it REALLY worth it?

Are there other neighborhoods in the Fort Mill area that might suit our needs just as well for less money?
- we have 4 small children
- I will not know anyone in the area, so I really would like to find a super friendly neighborhood with lots of kids' activities like play groups & a swim team.
- we would like to spend $200-$300 absolute max, and with 4 kids, need at least 4 bedrooms.
- my husband will be working on W Tyvola Rd, near the old Colisseum, and commute time is a major factor in our decision

I am also concerned that with another similar community in the plans in the future, the Baxter home values may not hold. Is this a reasonable fear? And the opposite - if Baxter is THE place to be, will non-Baxter home values hold up?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[Mr.Sippi]

We drove through there. The area looks nice. The homes are nice from the outside, not sure about the inside, but i think they lacked some things we wanted.

There is something about the area that is Disneylandish which to me is kinda creepy. But, i could live there i think....

[kmway]

I have older family members who looked there, but settled in Concord to be closer to their medical specialists. I LOVED it when I went to look at it with them. I'll tell you what...if they had something like that in my area, I'd jump on it, especially if I had a young family.

The Disneyland comment cracked me up, though! I drove through Celebration in Orlando and really liked that too! I guess I like those plastic-like, Pleasantville-looking neighborhoods.

[Mr.Sippi]

Its more like the Truman Show...
people making up Faux, idyllic neighborhoods to hide their miserable lives....

Hows that for a BAX Billboard...!!! hah!

No, its fine, we stopped and talked to some people and they were friendly.

Originally Posted by kmway

I have older family members who looked there, but settled in Concord to be closer to their medical specialists. I LOVED it when I went to look at it with them. I'll tell you what...if they had something like that in my area, I'd jump on it, especially if I had a young family.

The Disneyland comment cracked me up, though! I drove through Celebration in Orlando and really liked that too! I guess I like those plastic-like, Pleasantville-looking neighborhoods.

[getmeoutofnj]

Im not sure its worth it. I have a feeling its overhyped, but keep in mind, my opinon is meaningless because I havent seen it yet! My husband has, and he thinks its too crowded and overhyped. But anyway,

What have you heard about the new similar community? Do you know where it will be located or when it will be starting up?

I also fear(hope?) that will lower the prices, and Im also concerned about a flooded market in the future. Oh well, I still cant wait to buy a house!

Oops, I wanted to add that, I still think the homes look adorable, and I love the community idea! Any response from people living in Baxter?

[businessperson]

If you can afford Baxter and that's the type community you're looking for it's a good investment. Homes in that neighborhood are only going to appreciate. It's basically a self contained community with schools, medical, YMCA, restaurants, etc. It's a family oriented, safe neighborhood. But if you need something more affordable Knightsbridge on Gold Hill Road is an option. If you'd like a website to view homes in that area send me a pm.

[lovethecarolinas]

I live just down the road from Baxter Village (I am in Tega Cay, SC).

Baxter Village is the place to be if that is what appeals to You. While it wasn't necessarily what we were looking for...I am still able to see the attraction for others. I do happen to know several folks that live in Baxter, and quite a few of them tell me they love living there..while there are a few that seem to be a little bothered by the closeness (which strikes me as kind of strange...as I would have thought they could have seen that right from the get go?)

The name behind Baxter Village has strong Fort Mill ties...so it's not a company that has come in to make a quick buck in Fort Mill and then leave when all is done. It is a company that has their family members names (ancestors) all over the place. It is a company that has given alot back to the town of Fort Mill. I can also tell you that there are some top notch builders within Baxter and I personally don't these homes depreciating.

I believe the other location you are speaking of is: Springfield

http://www.crescent-resources.com/co...t/springfield/

It has already started with several homes already being occupied. Personally this development has a different feel to it (IMO) than Baxter Village. There are some very pricey homes located here and I don't see the retail/restaurants like Baxter has...but it is very, very nice.


Now on the other hand...are their other communites within your price range that are family friendly...you bet! If you are open to resells (as someone has already mentioned) there is Knightsbridge, along with several others. If you only want a new home..those are out there too. I could start listing more...but really just about anywhere you look there's going to be a ton of kids (in that price range).


In regard to play groups...not trying to be silly here...but what are play groups? All I know is that I have neighbor kids over my house all the time, or my kids are at the neighbors house (they just come to front door...next thing I know there off and out the door..nothing planned...heck there kids ).

We have a swim team in Tega Cay (Breakers), and there is also a swim team at Leroy Springs Rec. Complex, and the Baxter YMCA.

Good Luck with your search!

Originally Posted by MHW

I keep hearing/reading that Baxter is THE place to be. I have read all about the wonderful sense of community among the residents, and how nice it is to have everything within walking distance.

We could afford a house in the lower price points, but it would be a stretch. Is it REALLY worth it?

Are there other neighborhoods in the Fort Mill area that might suit our needs just as well for less money?
- we have 4 small children
- I will not know anyone in the area, so I really would like to find a super friendly neighborhood with lots of kids' activities like play groups & a swim team.
- we would like to spend $200-$300 absolute max, and with 4 kids, need at least 4 bedrooms.
- my husband will be working on W Tyvola Rd, near the old Colisseum, and commute time is a major factor in our decision

I am also concerned that with another similar community in the plans in the future, the Baxter home values may not hold. Is this a reasonable fear? And the opposite - if Baxter is THE place to be, will non-Baxter home values hold up?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[DawnW]

Actually it reminded me more of Stepford Wives than Disneyland.

Dawn

[rscap]

Originally Posted by MHW

Are there other neighborhoods in the Fort Mill area that might suit our needs just as well for less money?
- we have 4 small children
- I will not know anyone in the area, so I really would like to find a super friendly neighborhood with lots of kids' activities like play groups & a swim team.
- we would like to spend $200-$300 absolute max, and with 4 kids, need at least 4 bedrooms.
- my husband will be working on W Tyvola Rd, near the old Colisseum, and commute time is a major factor in our decision

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Mhw,
My family of 4 just visited Fort Mill last weekend, and visited Baxter, Lakeshore in Tega Cay, Lynnwood Farms and Huntington Farms. Here was my opinion. I LOVED Baxter. Yes, it is "Disney", "Stepford", or "Wisteria Lane" (Desp Housewives) as I prefer to call it. It's not a place for people who need their privacy (such as my husband, which is why, unfortunately, we will never live there).

We took a tour of the middle school (I have a 10 and 11 year old), and the tour was given by a 7th grade girl. I asked her where she lived. Her parents were divorced and her mom lived in Baxter and her dad in Tega. She had lived in Fort Mill all her life, not a transplant. I asked her, "If you had a choice to live anyplace in the school district, where would you choose and why?"
She said Baxter, because that is where all the younger action is, where all the kids come to hang out, even if they don't live there. But from what I've found, finding a 4br for under 300k will be tough, especially if you want a garage.

One neighborhood that I hear so much positive about and is much less expensive is Whitegrove (also Fort Mill). There are a couple of posters on this board who live/recently bought there and they rave about it. Do a search and see if you come up with anything. Or LoveTheCarolinas in all her(?) infinite wisdom can tell you more.

By the way, the middle school reminded me of something right off the Disney Channel also.
good luck!
renee

[baggleflap]

I am one of the people that live in Whitegrove. Yes, I love it. We have a big house on a fairly good sized yard (.4 ac) with a pool and the price was very reasonable. The neighborhood DOES NOT have a pool but lots of neighbors have private pools. Leroy Springs rec center is just up the road (between us and the school) and of course there is the Baxter Y. We've heard that Whitegrove is THE PLACE to come for Halloween. We moved in right after that so haven't had the pleasure. I'm stocking up on candy now! WE just had our Easter Egg hunt and I heard that 150+ little kids showed up. Some neighborhood teens helped with the games. 1400 eggs GONE in 10 minutes! lol

Ah Baxter.....Yes, it's very pretty and I can definitely see the attraction. Being able to walk down to Starbucks or go over to the "Pub" in the evenings, etc. Sitting on the front porch talking to your neighbors. Idyllic. But I've just spent the last 6 years on postage stamp sized lots in TX and in CA and I DON'T want to be that close to my neighbors again. I could hear my neighbors alarm clock in the morning for Goodness Sake!

Fortunately, Ft Mill has lots of neighborhoods to choose from. You can't go wrong with any of the schools (altho you may want to read up on the enrollment freeze) and the surrounding areas have so much to offer. LOTS of activities for the kids and grownups alike.

As for playgroups, there are several area groups like MOMS, MOPS, York County Mommies, Rock Hill/Ft Mill/Tega Cay SAHMs, etc. The library has weekly and monthly reading and activity time for several age groups.

This forum is a GREAT way to get info on the area!