Stokesdale info needed! (Oak Ridge: crime rate, homes, taxes)

[Newby in G'boro]

We are currently looking at a home in Stokesdale we LOVE about a mile from the Belews Lake Marina. Love being near the lake and like the rural feel. My problem is the lack of convenience in this area, where is the shopping? The closesgrocery store looks scary and other than that nothing seems to be nearby. Does anyone know anything about this area to ease my mind? The value of home and lot size seem just too good to pass up!

[Anarchangel]

Ive been using google earth recently to try to get a good feel for the area we are going to be moving to (boonville) it has an option to turn on places of interest, so this might help you in finding those businesses that you are seeking

Google Earth

its free, and very informative

(small download required)

[yourhometriad]

There's a great deal of stuff at the intersection of highway 68 and 150, all recent. Not too far from Stokesdale. There's also a proposed Lowe's Home Improvement Center going in at 68 and haw River road. Then there's Stokesdale proper which has some cool little shops and such. Along with a friend of mine's Subway, so there's definitely a little bit of convenience nearby. not a lot, mind you, but the area is growing.

Moderator cut: No realtor solicitation
Good luck!

[NCSouthernLady]

Originally Posted by Newby in G'boro

We are currently looking at a home in Stokesdale we LOVE about a mile from the Belews Lake Marina. Love being near the lake and like the rural feel. My problem is the lack of convenience in this area, where is the shopping? The closesgrocery store looks scary and other than that nothing seems to be nearby. Does anyone know anything about this area to ease my mind? The value of home and lot size seem just too good to pass up!

I basically grew up in Stokesdale... grandparents owned the farm that is now the Rachel's Landing development... Was estimated to be the second-oldest farm in all of Guilford County by the HP Museum, with the original homestead dating from 1790's-era still standing until the developers burned it down to build a house. Took my first steps in that old cabin 'bout 20 years ago. Sad to see the place sold, but developers started hounding soon after my grandpa's death, and it's hard to keep a farm going with rising taxes... Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.

Stokesdale is a small town, but there's a lot good with that. The neighbors are great from my experience, and the Bi-Rite (the only grocery store there) actually has very friendly staff. Although it probably hasn't seen any improvements to architecture since the thing was built, you still have a great small-town feel. Crime rate is low. If it's something bigger you want, Oak Ridge's shopping center isn't far at all-- maybe 10 minutes or so. This includes a Lowe's Food and other higher-end shops and the like. Growing up in this town, there wasn't many people whom my family did not know, and whenever there was a need, there was always a neighbor at the door ready to help.