Possible Relocation to Hickory (Charlotte, Morganton: mortgage, loan, transplants)

[Carolina_native]

Originally Posted by LizDave

Thank all of you for all of the great information, both positive and negative. When relocating, we want to make an educated decision, and there are positives and negatives to any place. We will be visiting the Hickory area next month and we will keep everyones suggestions in mind. If anyone has any further suggestions on what we should see and do to help us with our decision to relocate, we would love to hear them. Thanks again everyone!

The following stores will be opening in Hickory this year: Ross Dress for Less, PetCo, Lowes Home Improvement (this will make two Lowes in Hickory), Michaels, Steak n Shake, Hamricks and Walgreens are adding stores....if I can think of anymore, Ill post.

Also many banks call Hickory home. Hickory also has a growing medical field.

[nomorecold]

Originally Posted by lifesigns64

Hi, we have so much in common. I was born and raised in New York, then lived in West Coast of Florida, and now live about 22 miles from Hickory in Taylorsville, NC.

When we were looking for homes we stayed at the Gateway Conference Center in Hickory on Highway 70. My husband actually lived at the hotel for 9 months, it's very clean, has kitchenette, and a nice pool and breakfast. It ran us approximately $280 for the week.

You will love the beauty of this area, and from where we live, Charlotte is about an hour's drive, and Winston Salem 45 minutes, Statesville 20 minutes.

With the price of gas, that could be a long commute, but for us, the price of living is so below Florida, that it was well worth it. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info. . . I just booked our week in Hickory at the end of May for $311!!!! I can't wait, only 6 more weeks!

[lucky46]

How about jobs for a interior trim carpenter... how's the housing market doing in regard to new home building??

[CJ9129]

Hi, My job is relocating me to hickory in ten days. Not much time but I am managing, or at least I could manage if my mom didn't bring up the subject of race. I have three daughters ages 16,12,9 and now when I was so sure this was a great move from Brooklyn, NY, I begin to have doubt. I believed I researched Hickory as much as I could. I believe this town to be small, beautiful and a wonderful place to raise children inspite of race. Can you ease a mother's mind if only to feel confident that she is doing the right thing.

[VBmom]

Just got back to Fl from Hickory and Asheville last night.

Hickory has lovely people. We met a few at the local watering hole and had a wonderful time. Home prices seem cheap to me coming from So. Fl. We looked at a home in Hickory that would easily be $500,000 in our town and it was $279,000. 5 bd/3.5baths.

My big issue is schools. I was told Hickory High School is horrible, St. Stephens is okay but Fred T Ford is good. St Stephens is smack dab in the middle of a trailer park. I don't mean nice double wides either. I mean a run down, scummy looking trailer park. It is suppose to be a good school but the area looks bad.

Ford High School is about 10 minutes or so to the south. The school looked okay. My daughter commented that there was a horse pasture, complete with horse, right next to the high school. She got a good laugh over that. We just didn't see a lot of homes in the area. Would like to know where the kids all live.

The NW section of downtown Hickory is beautiful with older, historic homes. The are well priced for what you get. I would love to live in this area but it would be Hickory High. Don't know if there are any private schools around but I didn't see any.

The cost of living seems low. I think for anyone with out children to worry about, and with a job already in place, this would be a great place to live.
Personally, I am praying the job in Asheville comes through.

[ymalaroo]

VB mom,
What was so horrible about Hickory High? It is in a really nice area.
Did you get any info on Conover?

Thx

[EnergyHealer]

I've also been checking that area. I hear it's just one of those places that "feels good". I look forward to hearing what you learn, since I won't be going until next summer.

I have heard that there will be a major road going through, but I don't know any details, or if it's even true. It also seems that there might be a section of town where real estate is very reasonable = Id be interesting in knowing the safety of that particular area.

[hky_gal]

Originally Posted by VBmom

JMy big issue is schools. I was told Hickory High School is horrible, St. Stephens is okay but Fred T Ford is good. St Stephens is smack dab in the middle of a trailer park. I don't mean nice double wides either. I mean a run down, scummy looking trailer park. It is suppose to be a good school but the area looks bad.

Ford High School is about 10 minutes or so to the south. The school looked okay. My daughter commented that there was a horse pasture, complete with horse, right next to the high school. She got a good laugh over that. We just didn't see a lot of homes in the area. Would like to know where the kids all live.

I went to Fred T. Foard (Class of '03) and I loved it! There's a lot of nice places to live in the area that won't run you up too high (if you're used to something around $500,000). The two nicest neighborhoods are Rainbow Hills (or Valley, i don't remember which one), and Deer Field (which is about five minutes away from the school). It has a reputation of being a redneck school, but I am Asian-American, and I didn't think it was a redneck school (you can do A LOT worst). My family consists of athletes and "nerds", and we all fit in pretty well there.

About Hickory High -- most of the area is really nice, but I have heard horror stories. I am a teacher, and I was warned not to interview there.

Anyway, good luck!

[KellyCatt]

I am a former Hickory liver, I have 4 kids now 14, 12, 10, and 6. Hickory does have good schools, I am moving back after being gone for 2 years to Taylorsville. I thought not having to make the drive would be better. But the area in Hickory is great! As far as Hickory High School, I know friends who have kids that go there, and they have gotten a lot stricter, lately. Also thier all a few good private schools, "but they are Christian." Tabernacle is but I am not sure if it does high school or not. The Best thing about Hickory is the YMCA with sports indoor outdoor pool, teen center that kids can go to for free after school and don't need to be picked up until 8. My kids were really upset the new town does not have this.But be careful, husband and I moved to 127 8 years ago, we gained about 30 lbs a piece so quick because there is so much fast food here, and they just keep building more. There is lots of shopping plenty to do "hickory Alive festival" "race car driving" "oct fest" Charlotte is just 45 mins away virginia only an hour the ocean isn't to far mountains are not far. It is a good central place to live. And as I have seen with my children growing up in and around this area it is very nonracial in the schools. I think the teachers may have issues still but the children do not. If I could be of help let me know. .I really enjoy this area. and I am sure you will aswell if you have children!

[mbeckoff1]

Originally Posted by KellyCatt

I am a former Hickory liver, I have 4 kids now 14, 12, 10, and 6. Hickory does have good schools, I am moving back after being gone for 2 years to Taylorsville. I thought not having to make the drive would be better. But the area in Hickory is great! As far as Hickory High School, I know friends who have kids that go there, and they have gotten a lot stricter, lately. Also thier all a few good private schools, "but they are Christian." Tabernacle is but I am not sure if it does high school or not. The Best thing about Hickory is the YMCA with sports indoor outdoor pool, teen center that kids can go to for free after school and don't need to be picked up until 8. My kids were really upset the new town does not have this.But be careful, husband and I moved to 127 8 years ago, we gained about 30 lbs a piece so quick because there is so much fast food here, and they just keep building more. There is lots of shopping plenty to do "hickory Alive festival" "race car driving" "oct fest" Charlotte is just 45 mins away virginia only an hour the ocean isn't to far mountains are not far. It is a good central place to live. And as I have seen with my children growing up in and around this area it is very nonracial in the schools. I think the teachers may have issues still but the children do not. If I could be of help let me know. .I really enjoy this area. and I am sure you will aswell if you have children!

I recently moved to Taylorsville and go to Hickory quite often. It seems to be a very nice place to live. HOWEVER, regarding the YMCA teen center, I was there when my son played chess and I was waiting for him. There is no adult supervision at the teen center. While I was waiting for him, there were many teenage couples making out. Two kids came up to me and asked me if I wanted to buy drugs. Why the YMCA set this program up, is beyond my understanding. Many people that I have met will not allow their children to attend this program

Melissa