Relocating to greater Hickory area from upstate NY (Charlotte, Raleigh: real estate, rental homes)

[JpInNY]

Hi all. I am relocating with my family & 2 dogs from upstate NY to the greater Hickory area and are looking to rent a house for 1-2 years before we commit to buying anything.

Been doing some research on the area and am curious about areas where we can find a decent home to rent. Would like rent in the $1200-1800 range, 3-4 bedrooms, 2200 sq ft minimum. Ideally, a home on a lake or with a pool would be great. Any areas to avoid?

I will be working in Hickory, but don't mind a commute of 30-40 minutes one-way. I have 2 children ages 13 & 16. So looking primarily for decent high schools. Both kids are into lacrosse, so a school that offers that sport would be great.

Any ice hockey in the area? Decent nightlife outside of Charlotte? Any place to ride dirt bikes?

Thanks in advance!

[lumbollo]

On your ice hockey question, the NHL plays in the Raleigh area but that is a bit of a hike from Hickory. Maybe 3 hours one way if the traffic is good. Beyond that there have been some attempts to establish some local leagues, I think there used to be one in Asheville, but the sport doesn't have much of a following in the South. In fact it is non-existent. Since there is no such thing as frozen anything here in the winter, people don't grow up with it so they don't really identify with it.

The only exception to this would be the mountains where the climate is more like the Northern US and from Hickory less than an hours drive. Not sure about hockey, but there is outdoor ice skating and snow skiing. A friend of mine lives in Hickory which is close enough for him to be on the ski patrol at one of the NC resorts in the winter.

Hickory does have a pretty popular minor league baseball team if you are into that. I can't speak to the dirt bikes, but Lake Hickory is a good place for jet skis and boats.

[anifani821]

I can help you with areas wh/ may fit what you are looking for but finding a rental home in those areas - I have no idea.

You may best be served by contacting one of the real estate companies - and find out who is doing property management for rental homes.

Hickory High School has a Lacrosse team. Here is their schedule:

Hickory Red Tornadoes High School Lacrosse Schedule 08-09 - MaxPreps

You might consider living in Mooresville and commuting back to Hickory, since you mentioned living near the lake. Your kids might like the high school better and as far as Lacrosse . . . looks like Mooresville has a nice schedule w/ other teams in the MECK area. We have some forum members who work in Hickory and live in Mooresville.

You can find a home near Lake Hickory, but finding a rental home in the right school district may be more of a challenge in the Hickory area than in Mooresville.

I would find out what realtors are saying about rental homes b/f I decided whether to live in or a few miles outside Hickory or considered some other spot wh/ allows for a commute back to Hickory.

[JpInNY]

Thanks for the advice anifani821. We are busy mapping out rentals in the general area. Mooresville is on the list along with Cornelius, Sherrills Ford, Mt Holly, Statesville & Lincolnton.

We are trying to avoid Hickory as we have not heard great things about the schools there.

[chide]

I am also moving to Hickory and I have been looking for a house with 4 rooms to rent in a good neighbourhood. My kids are in elementary schools,I have thought about Mooresville, Denver if I cannot not get a house to rent but the commute from Mooresville is about an hour which is a lot, pls let me know if you find a house to rent. my email is Starrydera@yahoo.com.thanks

[anifani821]

I would mention to consider something in the St. Stephen's High school area = as that is a well recognized school outside the Hickory City school district. Also, anything in the Fred T. Foard High School district, wh/ includes some very nice areas, such as Startown and Mtn. View.