Davidson or Mooresville (Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius: real estate, HOA, houses)

[readytoleaveNY]

Hello All,

My husband and I are seriously considering moving down to the Charlotte area sometime next year. We are thinking about moving to either Davidson or Mooresville. One of the main reasons we are choosing these areas is because the school ratings seem to be pretty good...++ after visiting a few times, we thought they were really nice. We are looking for a newer community and a family friendly neighborhood where we can get to know our neighbors. Both my husband and I work from home...and periodically he will have to go to the office located in downtown Charlotte. Can someone please give me some pros and cons of both areas? Thanks so much!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by readytoleaveNY

Hello All,

My husband and I are seriously considering moving down to the Charlotte area sometime next year. We are thinking about moving to either Davidson or Mooresville. One of the main reasons we are choosing these areas is because the school ratings seem to be pretty good...++ after visiting a few times, we thought they were really nice. We are looking for a newer community and a family friendly neighborhood where we can get to know our neighbors. Both my husband and I work from home...and periodically he will have to go to the office located in downtown Charlotte. Can someone please give me some pros and cons of both areas? Thanks so much!

They are both great areas with good schools. In Davidson you'd be closer to Charlotte and feel more a part of the Charlotte metro area. Mooresville is in another county (Iredell) and has it's own identify separate from Charlotte. There are nice places to live in both and I think it's really going to come down to personal preference once you start house hunting. If you post your price range others can make specific suggestions on neighborhoods. Best of luck in your move!

[readytoleaveNY]

Thanks lovemountains....Right now our price range would be between 600-700K...My parents are disabled and will be living with us, so we are looking for a house with a basement that has a bedroom, bathroom and possibly a 2nd kitchen.

[lumbollo]

Both are nice places. The difference really comes down, in very broad term to Davidson => Liberal, Mooresville => Conservative. For example, Davidson is a big supporter of the proposed commuter rail line that is supposed to be built through there. Mooresville does not support this same line being extended to there. Both have valid arguments, for and against. Davidson usually votes Blue, Mooresville usually votes Red.

Mooresville generally does not have good zoning so there is a lot of automobile oriented sprawl, Davidson has some of the most stringent land use controls in the area which means you will have to go some where else if you like to big box shop.

Real estate tends to be a lot more expensive in Davidson, in part because of the University, whereas Mooresville has a lot more options given that it is also a lot larger.

Davidson and Mooresville are probably closer to each other in terms of local issues than either would be with Charlotte. Both will team up Huntersville and Cornelius to form their own governmental organizations that are seperate from those found in Charlotte. Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, transit organization and so forth are examples.

[MikeyKid]

Mooresville is Iredell county - Davidson is Mecklenburg county... As so often is the case, you find great Elementary schools in nice areas, but things change at the Middle school and High school level. At the High School level is where the difference between Iredell and Mecklenburg schools will be the most obvious.

Mooresville is a much better choice from that perspective.

[lumbollo]

^Part of Davidson is in Iredell too.

[thesearch]

Mooresville has Wal-Mart and other shopping right there at exit 36 versus Davidson which to me is older and more of a college feel. But I have only seen one area. There is a neighborhood called The Point [ in Mooresville ] that you might want to check out. I think you would find more houses that you are looking for in th west side of town. If you have any questions just post!

[readytoleaveNY]

I checked out the point sometime in July when I was visiting and it was beautiful. I hear the HOA costs are very high which we are trying to avoid.

[thesearch]

Try looking online at www.realtor.com. You can find homes listed by different realtors and most of them give their website so you can check out houses that way too.

[thesearch]

Also, I don't know about schools, but if you can't find what you are looking for in Mooresville try Troutman. It is just a few minutes north of Mooresville. If you go to the State Park and take the road just before it and go down a short way there is this really nice neighborhood. It has a communtiy park area and lots of trees. I don't know home cost or hoa, but you can check it out if you want.