Considering Moving to Charlotte - Need input. (Greensboro, Cary: houses, neighborhoods)

[Moving2NC2010]

We are looking at moving to Charlotte next year and need some guidance on where to look. Important factors are listed below:

1. Close proximity to airport
2. Good school district
3. Neighborhood that is family friendly with homes 4000+ square feet.
4. Easy access to I85 for trips to Greenville sc and research triangle
5. Close to newer shopping areas that include Target, Walmart, Publix other Big Box retailers as well as some upscale shopping.

I had heard the south west section near the loop was a good area. Please specify areas and maybe potential neighborhoods.

I appreciate your help. We also were considering Greensboro or the Cary areas. Any pros or cons on those areas would be helpful too.

Thanks again.

[ilovethemountains2]

where are you moving from? NY or NJ?

[lumbollo]

Go to Cramer Mountain.

[Sean_CLT]

I almost typed a reply to this, but can't get over the 4,000 square foot criteria. Good grief, buy a smaller home and do something else with the money you'd save. It would offer a lot more flexibility on the other criteria.

[Barkingowl]

What price point do you want to stay within regarding the house?

[NCgirl]

Originally Posted by lumbollo

Go to Cramer Mountain.

I was thinking this as well, LOL. Cramer Mountain is in Cramerton. I suggest looking at homes in the neighboring town of Belmont as well. Eastern Gaston county has what you are looking for, except for upscale shopping. You'd have to drive to Charlotte but South Park mall is only about 25 mins. away.

ETA: No Publix in the Charlotte area

[Moving2NC2010]

To clarify, all the homes in the area do not need to be 4000+ square feet, but we do need at least 4000 with 5+ bedrooms. Price point up to $850,000.

We are moving from Naples, FL.

Thanks again for the help.

[XcapefromNJ]

Originally Posted by NCgirl

Cramer Mountain is in Cramerton.

Is that in Cramerica?

[NCgirl]

Out of curiosity I did a search in Belmont, Mount Holly and Cramerton. Houses with 5 bedtooms, 4000+ sq. feet are generally mid $400s - upper $700s. I found.....

Cramerton Subdivision:
Cramer Mountain

Belmont Subdivisions:
Misty Waters
Reflection Pointe
Hawthorne

Mount Holly Subdivisions:
Stonewater
Forest Hills South

There are more listing in Gastonia but that puts you 10 -20 mins further away from the airport.

ETA:

I had heard the south west section near the loop was a good area. Please specify areas and maybe potential neighborhoods.

I live in that area, Steele Creek. It has close proximity to airport, a few family friendly neighborhoods with homes 4000+ square feet, newer shopping areas that include Target, Walmart, other Big Box retailers. It does not have top rated schools or upscale shopping. You need to take I-485 or I-77 north to reach I-85. Personally I love the area but it doesn't seem like exactly what you are looking for.

FYI -85 runs through the W and NE side of Charlotte. Here is a good map

Originally Posted by XcapefromNJ

Is that in Cramerica?

Cramerton is a small town in between Belmont, McAdenville and Gastonia. It was named after The Cramer family that owned the local Mill years ago. So it just might be Cramerica.

[superk]

I'm curious about the "Close proximity to airport" requirement? What is "close"? And what airport? From where I live in Huntersville, using I-485 to get to Charlotte-Douglas takes about 30 minutes.