Possible Relocation to Hickory (Charlotte, Mooresville: real estate, homes, motel)

[LizDave]

Hello.. We are considering relocating to the Hickory area this summer (among some other near-by areas of North Carolina). We are originally from NY and NJ and we now live in South Florida. We have 3 school aged kids and we are looking for a family oriented area. We are looking for a 3 or 4 bedroom home around $100,000 and it seems that according to some of the real estate sites that there are quite a few areas that this is possible. We will be visiting the area in a few weeks and we would appreciate it if anyone could tell us where to look and where to avoid?

[Apple Annie]

I doubt anything remotely near $100,000 is possible in the areas you are researching. You'd pay just $50,000 for the land to build a 3/4 BR home. Even doublewides are more than $100,000. If your upper limit is around that price range, you will need to get much further away from a town and be very very rural. In the Hickory area, $160,000 is about a starting point for a 3 bedroom that will need some "attention".

". . . are looking for a 3 or 4 bedroom home around $100,000 and it seems that according to some of the real estate sites that there are quite a few areas that this is possible."

Just trying to be honest about that area of NC.

[mellhick]

I hope you have jobs there already. I did some research and checked the local paper, The Hickory Record, and couldn't find a $10 an hour job. I also have friends that live near there. Try to find a job before you move because there are many out of work.

[Apple Annie]

LizDave need to get up with a good Realtor in the area, or their trip will be wasted. This area is vast, and you could drive around endlessly without knowing what is actually available, or schools, etc. Definitely have employment. You cannot buy a home unless you have good credit and a job anyhow ... unless you're paying cash.

[IslandGirl]

LizDave
I am moving to Granite Falls just North of Hickory and there is plenty there in the price range (stick built homes) you are looking for and a very nice area and growing. Check out realtor.com. Also Hickory IWanna newspaper.

We did our research for over a year before buying in Granite Falls - checking out all around Hickory including Mooresville (busy and expensive), Newton (older area lots of retirees), Denver on W side of Lake Norman (lots of high power wires and either mobile homes or fancy homes but not much inbetween and only 1 restaurant), Maiden - (closer to Charlotte - the town is really into football- we couldnt find a home that we wanted on a decent sized lot so we went North).

The highway system seems good - but, be careful on the East side of Hickory and all the way down to Charlotte - they are building Route 16 soon and there are properties for sale that will be right on the highway.

We just love Highway 70 with all of its conveniences, restaurants and any store you can think of including the Hickory Furniture Mart and if you want to skip the conveniences, take Highway 40 which parallels it.

I have not lived there yet, and am moving there soon, but every visit we have made has been very enjoyable and the people are very friendly.
Islandgirl

[IslandGirl]

LizDave -
I could give you the names of several good realtors in the area and also the mortgage company that we used was very flexible - we are self-employed and did not have a problem getting a mortgage. Let me know if you would like these references.
IslandGirl

[jadbad2004]

I have read the post concerning Hickory and the lack of jobs, does this also include the Morganton area. Thanks for any input.

[Apple Annie]

Yes. You need to be within 10 miles of a large city for employment. Like near Charlotte. Or do the commute, in which case you're better off staying where you are.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by jadbad2004

I have read the post concerning Hickory and the lack of jobs, does this also include the Morganton area. Thanks for any input.

What kind of jobs? I assure you there are people who live and work in both Morganton and Hickory. Are there many high tech jobs or high salaried jobs, no. But depending on what you do there may be a place for you.

[Apple Annie]

Here is the best way to "take the temperature" of the job market in the State of NC through the NC Employment Security Commission.

http://www.ncesc.com/

You can search by type of job, and then put in which county you want. You will need to know which county first. It will give you hourly and/or yearly figures.