Visiting Charlotte area on 6/19 to (to buy, good, union)

[Eflow]

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. Discovery Place looks awesome. I can't wait to take the trip down there now.

Here's to hoping my wife likes it!

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by bs13690

I moved here from the NOVA/DC area a couple years ago and have found people to be much nicer. Which seems counter-intitutive because you hear a lot of "natives" talk about how many transplants there are from other areas. Maybe it is all a perception issue.

Since Charlotte is made up of only about 1/3 natives these days, visitors are more likely to run into other newcomers than natives! Even our forum has more newcomers than natives who post regularly. . . I believe that speaks well that the newcomers are pleased to live here and have assumed one of our Southern traditions - being friendly.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Since Charlotte is made up only about 1/3 natives these days, visitors are more likely to run into other newcomers than natives! Even our forum has more newcomers than natives who post regularly. . . I believe that speaks well that the newcomers are pleased to live here and have assumed one of our Southern traditions - being friendly.

Like the Borg, the happiest newcomers just assimilate

[mwaldrop]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Like the Borg, the happiest newcomers just assimilate

Hello Elflow,

My family used a guy called Dane Warren back in 2002 for buying our first home and then we successfully used him in 2008 to sell it in Charlotte. He also gives 1 or 2% of the buy back at the end to you (same for when he is selling the home). Here is his website:
www.danewarren.net and also www.rebaterealty.net

We were impressed back then with his patience with us as we told him what we were looking for, and he used the computer system (back in 2002) to get homes he thought would match, and took us all around Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties (since we had a huge preference for Northeast Charlotte).

Hope this helps!

Also, you could have your wife take the kids to Americas first gold mine (Reed's Goldmine) near Concord. Concord Mills is a great distination for shopping and some entertainment. Southpark and uptown are nice areas to wander around also. In uptown there is a Children's library called ImagineON... there is a science museum called Discovery Place, but I think it is currently closed for a little remodeling and preparing new exhibits. Nice waterfront parks are: McDowell in Southwest Mecklenburg and Jetton near Lake Norman in the north. Reedy Creek park has a nice playground area and hiking trails. I am not sure what is out in the Union county area though.

You should check Cabarrus county (or probably any areas bordering Mecklenburg County). The schools in those regions right accross the border typically are good, due to the parents moving out there for a more "stable" education and lower taxes from Charlotte.

[Eflow]

Just to let everyone know, we made the trip to Charlotte this weekend as planned.

First, I have to say that Robin Husney from Allen Tate is simply awesome. She was able to show us quite a few houses in the area while we were in town, and gave us some great info regarding the neighborhoods and surrounding areas. I'd highly recommend her. Thanks again, Robin!

Second, Charlotte/Matthews/Union County is such a nice place. The area seems to be well laid out, and is very similar to where we live now (Ellicott City, MD), just without the over population and people with attitudes.

Overall I was very impressed with everything we saw. We stayed in the Residence Inn Marriott in Southpark. We got to spend some time driving and walking downtown Charlotte (Discovery Place was very fun for my 4 year old). We ate at a restaurant called Mama Ricotta's which had outstanding service and food.

I'm just waiting for final approval from my wife, but based on everything we got to see, I'm definitely sold.

Thanks again to all the help from Robin, as well as all of the other forum-goers here. You've been a HUGE help!

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Eflow

Just to let everyone know, we made the trip to Charlotte this weekend as planned.

First, I have to say that Robin Husney from Allen Tate is simply awesome. She was able to show us quite a few houses in the area while we were in town, and gave us some great info regarding the neighborhoods and surrounding areas. I'd highly recommend her. Thanks again, Robin!

Second, Charlotte/Matthews/Union County is such a nice place. The area seems to be well laid out, and is very similar to where we live now (Ellicott City, MD), just without the over population and people with attitudes.

Overall I was very impressed with everything we saw. We stayed in the Residence Inn Marriott in Southpark. We got to spend some time driving and walking downtown Charlotte (Discovery Place was very fun for my 4 year old). We ate at a restaurant called Mama Ricotta's which had outstanding service and food.

I'm just waiting for final approval from my wife, but based on everything we got to see, I'm definitely sold.

Thanks again to all the help from Robin, as well as all of the other forum-goers here. You've been a HUGE help!

I am so glad it went well (no surprise, since you are working with Robin!!!) and that you liked what you saw.

Let us know what the next step is . . . and how we can help.

[BrianH1970]

So in other words when it's finally my turn to buy that Robin's the woman I should be going to?

[ohioaninsc]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

So in other words when it's finally my turn to buy that Robin's the woman I should be going to?

Allen Tate is a good company to work with...so that would be affirmitive

[nascarnancy]

Glad to hear you had a good time. I only wish I had known or found Robin when we were looking to purchase our home, a good realtor is hard to find.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by ohioaninsc

Allen Tate is a good company to work with...so that would be affirmitive

Awesomeness.