trying this again (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro: new home, buying, schools)

[shakerp]

This is a second try any ANY response.
My husband and I own a furniture restoration shop in CT. We aslo sell antiques. We have been contemplating moving to North Carolina for a good year now but we could use some guidence as to where a good area to continue our work would be. We love the ocean but feel a larger city area would be more productive. Another issue we have is my parents. We care for them so they would need to come with us. We would need to have medical facilities nearby to accomodate their health issues. We have been drawn to the Raleigh area but certainly would consider other areas(Charlotte?....), that would fit out criteria. We have considered looking at land(this move has to be a gradual change for my parents). Also, to have a building for our restoration business in a nearby town vs on the property we reside on is another option. Any information or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. One more question....Is it best to post a question in several areas(Raleigh...Charlotte..ect)? Thank you kindly in advance

[niknaxx]

Originally Posted by shakerp

This is a second try any ANY response.
My husband and I own a furniture restoration shop in CT. We aslo sell antiques. We have been contemplating moving to North Carolina for a good year now but we could use some guidence as to where a good area to continue our work would be. We love the ocean but feel a larger city area would be more productive. Another issue we have is my parents. We care for them so they would need to come with us. We would need to have medical facilities nearby to accomodate their health issues. We have been drawn to the Raleigh area but certainly would consider other areas(Charlotte?....), that would fit out criteria. We have considered looking at land(this move has to be a gradual change for my parents). Also, to have a building for our restoration business in a nearby town vs on the property we reside on is another option. Any information or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. One more question....Is it best to post a question in several areas(Raleigh...Charlotte..ect)? Thank you kindly in advance

What about Asheville/Black Mountain? Black Mountain has some antique stores, craft stores, and seems like it has a Labor Day weekend craft festival. 7 Sisters was a cool store there, too, and oriented toward jewelry and smaller homey stuff. There used to be a health store there, too, we haven't lived there in over 5-6 years, though, so you need to look into it. I think Asheville has a lot of retirees and could probably accommodate your healthcare concerns. It's not a huge city but it might fit your needs...

[dandevder]

Have you tried to travel down here to check out some of the areas? I think you will be able to tell which areas would be a good fit for you with your line of work. I do not know enough about furniture restoration to say one area would be better than the other.

I am just outside of Charlotte. As you go away from Charlotte, you can find some really nice antique shops. I wish I could give you more info!

[badgertim]

Hello,
I couldn't help reading your message. My wife and I moved here from

CT in 1976 with a 5 yr old and one on the way... Winston-Salem

is a great town to raise children...plenty of culture, average traffic only IN

town and fabulous medical facilities ---2 excellent, top-notch

hospitals ...major college sports with

Wake Forest here....a plethora of churches of 50+ denominations ,,, it is truly

a hidden gem... 2 hours to the mountains for summer heat relief and 3 1/2 to

the coast... the furniture manufacturing capital of the World, High Point is

only 20 minutes away and might give you connections for your business

Good hunting to you... tim

[liveInNC]

I'd suggest that you find something near High Point since that's where all the furniture business is. There's decent medical care in the general area. You would probably want to stay out of (most of) High Point for housing (it's rather run down) but surroounding areas can be really nice. Greensboro iis right near High Point.

[cfagan]

Hi-

You may be best served living in a more rural area, like a suburb operating your business there and being close to a big city. Charlotte has excellent hospitals and medical care, and being a big city we have a good market for antiques. If you are looking to purchase land buying somewhere like Gaston county,(its like 15 min from Charlotte) is something you should think about. Alot of the smaller towns have nice historic districts and those are popular places to shop for antiques. That way you would still be close to a big metro area.

Just a thought.

I am realtor in Charlotte, so feel free to PM me with questions.

[shakerp]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will continue to research different areas and try to make arrangemens to come exploring. It's so difficult to close down and leave. Someone also suggested taking a look at South Carolina...near Columbia? I have reservations about going that far south though. Thank you all again! I love this forum.

[TerryMcDonald]

Yes, relocating a family and a business is tough... but it is done quite regularly to get here.
Let's start with business first: this is a pro-business city in a pro business state. It is the largest business area in the Carolina's and is literally bursting with energy. New homes, new shopping areas, new schools, state of the art medicine, this is not the "Old South"... it is a large modern city in the south. And northerners love our low taxes, plus very mild winters making Charlotte inviting-- and causing quite a stir up north too-- as family after family have someone, friend or someone they know, leave for Charlotte.

Three Recomendations
Visit my online relocation guide: removed especially the community slide shows and relocation links

To search for homes, try removed, search zip code 28173, close in Union County--this area has subdivisions and horsefarms.

Plan a "feasibility visit." A long weekend is best, bring your parents if they can travel, and let them see what you get for your money here... NC is the 4th most retired to state because fixed incomes go far. We'll show you areound some, look at some houses and you'll have time to explore on your own too, and see for your self what the excitement is about!


Give that a try and Good Luck! terry