Need some advice on where I should move! (Charlotte, Wilmington: 2009, apartment)

[KoutureKitten]

I currently live in Upstate NY (in a very suburban area) and I plan on moving about April 2009. I have family that lives in Charlotte, and I'd like to live within 2-3 hours from them, but I want to live near (no more than 30 minutes away from) a beach. I have a 16 year old daughter and she's very artsy, so I'd like to live in an area where she could utilize that. I have another child on the way, so I'll need a good school for the both of them, as well as a safe neighborhood. I'm a nurse, so I'll need to live in an area with a major hospital. My parents will move with us, and I'll need a duplex or a house with an in-law apartment for them. My dad enjoys golfing (perhaps he could join a country club?) and my mom would need to live within 10 minutes of quality shopping (as well as a mall). Animals are extremely important to me; I rescue them and I have a lot of my own. I'll definitely need a good veterinary hospital (I currently live near one of the best that NY has) and a very animal-friendly community. I'd like to spend no more than $250,000 on a house, but I'm not sure what I could get for that. I'm not aware if these things are unrealistic, but I would appreciate some advice!

[gigimac]

Anywhere in and around Wilmington NC will work fine, you can get a good house for that money. Also, consider in and around Charleston SC, too, same thing on the cost of housing. You can do a forum search for all sorts of info about the southern NC coastal area, and also over in the SC forum stuff about Charleston and its surrounds, everybody has their favorites. Both cities have much smaller towns and communities nearby that will still give you access to all the amenities you are asking for, but provide a more suburban and small-town vibe.

[coffeebean330]

Where in upstate NY are you?

[Bill Hitchcock]

I plan on moving about April 2009. I have family that lives in Charlotte, and I'd like to live within 2-3 hours from them, but I want to live near (no more than 30 minutes away from) a beach.

A retro-active move?? (I plan on moving about April 2009) Just joking-I couldn't resist.
Wilmington is your only option if you want to stay close to Charlotte-Although you'd have to drive pretty fast to make it to the beach in 2-3 hours (plus 30 minutes)
Bill

[swilliford]

With all of the things you're looking for, you are probably going to want to stay away from small towns. Wilmington probably is your best bet. I live in a small town just under 1 hour away from Kill Devil Hills and we are a golfing community, but other than that you are looking at driving for shopping, large hospital, artsy community, etc. We are a historic town, attract a lot of tourist, and housing prices have skyrocketed.

[LLN]

I would take another hour or os from Charlotte and live in or near Morehead City. Not sure what $250K will get you down there, not a lot, I don't think, but the water is SOOOO much better near MHC. The only downside is the hospital is not all that great, but still IMHO it beats Wilmington handily. I have lived near both and been to both many times.

[caseystay]

Wilmington!

[coffeebean330]

Originally Posted by LLN

I would take another hour or os from Charlotte and live in or near Morehead City. Not sure what $250K will get you down there, not a lot, I don't think, but the water is SOOOO much better near MHC. The only downside is the hospital is not all that great, but still IMHO it beats Wilmington handily. I have lived near both and been to both many times.

I'm guessing the hospital in Wilmington isn't the best?

[gonetocarolina]

Originally Posted by coffeebean330

I'm guessing the hospital in Wilmington isn't the best?

Personally, I've never heard anything but good reports on New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

[melbern]

Wilmington will probably be more similar to where you are now in terms of suburban lifestyle, with the same stores, chain restaurants, blah blah. The hospital there will also be the biggest unless you move to Greenville but that is too far from the water. Mind you all the coastal communities are more than 3 hours from Charlotte. I've never been anywhere in eastern NC that is anti-pet, though you can't bring them in restaurants and things! Most of the beaches have leash laws too.

Which is more important, proximity to the beach or proximity to family in Charlotte? If you want to compromise, move to the Triangle, as you'll be closer to family though a couple of hours from the beach. It will also give you more of that suburban lifestyle with better shopping, as well as school choices, housing choices, and plenty of hospitals to work in.

Otherwise, come see for yourself. Personally I love Morehead/Beaufort, but I think it might be a bit provincial for what you are looking for....