clemmons/ lewisville area (Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Wilmington: new home, neighborhoods, theater)

[rrails]

We are looking to move to the clemmons/ lewisville area from ny. We have 2 small children and I have heard that these are very nice areas. I am not that familiar with the area except for what i read and see on the internet, if any one can give me some information i would appreciate it. Also what is the difference from forsyth and davidson counties? Is one better? We are looking at spending around 250,000 for a house, is at reasonable to assume that i can get a new home in a good area for that? We will be down there in july to check it all out so if anyone can give me some insight as to where to go and what to see i would be very grateful.

[dsobotta]

Originally Posted by rrails

We are looking to move to the clemmons/ lewisville area from ny. We have 2 small children and I have heard that these are very nice areas. I am not that familiar with the area except for what i read and see on the internet, if any one can give me some information i would appreciate it. Also what is the difference from forsyth and davidson counties? Is one better? We are looking at spending around 250,000 for a house, is at reasonable to assume that i can get a new home in a good area for that? We will be down there in july to check it all out so if anyone can give me some insight as to where to go and what to see i would be very grateful.

The area has seen tremendous growth. I grew up in Lewisville on Styers Street. Our family used to run Styers ferry which crossed the Yadkin River before the bridges were built.

I have visited a number of times over the last few years, and I still have a few friends living there. I am always pleasantly surprised about how nice Lewisville seems.

Beck's General Store is long gone as it the old style hardware we used to frequent.

Our old road was long ago paved. I wish we still had the house there that we sold in the sixties for $20K.

This is a post I did about growing up in Lewisville in the fifties and sixties.

Forsyth County will likely be hard to beat. Lewisville has great access to Winston-Salem.

[kehinnc]

Having lived in northern Davidson County all of my life until we moved 3 years ago, I suggest checking out both Davidson and Forsyth Counties.
Davidson County is south of Forsyth County.
Davidson County is more populated in the northern areas but still has that rural feeling.
Below are a couple of website that may help you with school information.

Davidson County Schools - Home

NC School Report Cards

As I said Davidson County is rural in nature but you could expect short drives to various things such as stores, malls, theaters, etc.
The mountains are about a 2 to 3 hour drive and the beach is about 6 to 8 hours, depending on which coastal area, from both Davidson and Forsyth County.

[rrails]

Also what kind of night life is there in these areas for young married couples? Comming from NY we are used to access to everything at all times but i expect different not bad different. Are these areas young couples? We would like something not as busy as NY but not totally isolated either

[Friars]

How can it be 6-8 hrs to the ocean when Wilmington is only 221 miles away from WS?Shouldn't be 3 1/2 to 4 hrs or is it a 30 mile an hour highway? Thanks

[Lester1970]

I live in Charlotte now, but grew up in Clemmons in the 80s and 90s. It's such a good place to live, and I miss the high quality of life there. Clemmons has all sorts of activities and if I might make a suggestion: I grew up in Clemmons West. My home backed up to Tanglewood Park (which I am sure is all over the internet and info you have on the area) and this was great for me as a kid because I would spend my summer days there at the pool, they had bike tracks, horseback riding, hiking, canoe, etc. It was right there over the fence!!! There are good schools and community amenities, such as a small county library (my old study hall ;-) ) and just about everything you might want with a family, etc.

Davidson Co. was right down the road from me and it is also very nice, and a little more rural.

Best of luck to you! Who knows, I may even be back up there one day myself!

Lester Morris

[kehinnc]

Originally Posted by Friars

How can it be 6-8 hrs to the ocean when Wilmington is only 221 miles away from WS?Shouldn't be 3 1/2 to 4 hrs or is it a 30 mile an hour highway? Thanks

With no pit stops or traffic delays, yes you can drive it in about 4 hours or less to Wilmington.
To the northern Outer Banks, you are looking at 5 to 6 hours.

[cak270]

Don't know what part of NY your coming from but if is from NYC or surrounding area property taxes here are not like another house payment If you are this will probably not make a difference to you - but property taxes in Davidson are cheaper then in Forsyth. I think you will be able to find a nice home. As a former New Yorker myself I will say - I think you will love it.

[Local Knowledge]

OK, I've got to say, I live in Clemmons and I love it. But I imagine if I moved from New York, Clemmons would be a pretty big change! Probably some of our in-town neighborhoods will still give you the rural feel/big yards/kid friendly feel you're after without sacrificing easier access to "stuff to do". The new home part of the equation might be a little tougher - you won't find a ton of new construction in the Clemmons area (or much of Winston-Salem) in the $250 range. You can find smaller, tract built homes at a lower price and larger more luxury homes at higher prices, but fewer in between. You will find plenty of resales in that price range though, so if you can try to keep an open mind to that possibility, you'll have plenty to choose from!

If you enjoy the arts, we have tons of opportunities for entertainment thanks to the NC School of the Arts, a GREAT Symphony and Piedmont Opera. There are also free Music in the Streets concerts all summer long on each Thursday, Friday and Saturday night (downtown Winston-Salem). Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing to do here - you just have to want to do more than sit in a bar and watch life go by! One more reason you might want to consider being in-town - sometimes it's hard to pry myself off the couch and back into the car to enjoy what we have to offer!

Hope you find the perfect spot!

[Want-to-be in NC]

We actually checked out a couple of homes last month while in the area and were very pleased. The neighborhoods were quiet, well kept, and seem family oriented.
Some of the homes were older but compared to the NE area, you get alot for the money(not to mention taxes that are incredibly lower!!).
Good Luck!