Most land/home for $$- FL to NC or SC (Charlotte: real estate, chapel)

[LiLShorty4lyfe]

Hello. This is my first inquiry on this site, and have read over similar posts without an answer for my own interest.

I am looking to move to NC or SC from South Florida. I have a young daughter and school system is VERY important, as well as land and zoning. We want to basically purchase a farm between 4-10 acres, with a decent home w/ garage. I am interested in finding what areas or the carolinas allow horses and will give me what i'm looking for as far as land, home quality, and school systems. I'm probably asking for too much, but I also would like to be under $350k. Is this possible? I'd be willing to settle for less land-maybe 2 acres, but zoning must be liberal. We want horses and a workshop on the property. Can anyone give me suggestions of where to aim my search?
I have found a few properties but know nothing of the schools or area. So i rather hear from someone where the good areas are, and if my budget is even reasonable for what we're looking for. Thanks for any help. Realtors, please feel free to direct message me.

[roadpony]

Your question is awfully broad. There are MANY areas in NC and SC that have reasonably priced land and allow horses. It dangerous to make generalizations, but I would venture to say that most communities that have the best schools will also have higher real estate values. It would be easier for us to respond if you give us a few of the communities you are considering rather than leaving it so open-ended. Some counties in eastern and western NC do not have zoning in unincorporated areas. I'm from NC but recently moved to SC, but I'm not familiar yet with zoning regulations in SC.

[LiLShorty4lyfe]

I'd like to be outside a major city like Raleigh or Charlotte so that jobs are more abundant. My significant other is a body repair/mechanic man, so he would love to be near a track. I on the other hand am studying to go to law school, so a university that offers a law degree is important as well. I am sorry its so broad. Thats what my queston was aimed towards... knowing which areas offer what we'd like. I didnt think it was so broad, but I dont know much about SC at all, and am open to ideas.

[arbyunc]

Hi Shorty,

The law school requirement is going to limit your choices. I can think of only 5 law schools in NC. Three are in the Triangle area (Chapel Hill-Durham-Raleigh), one just outside the Triangle (Campbell), and one in Winston-Salem. I believe SC has only one law school, in Columbia.

Depends on how far you're willing to commute, but in your price range I'd think you could find a nice country property within 20-30 minutes of any of the law schools above.

[roadpony]

You could look somewhere between Winston-Salem and Statesville to be within commuting distance to Wake Forest Law School and all the NASCAR activity around Mooresville. Mocksville/Davie County is an obvious location but some of the land in Davie County is somewhat pricey (Advance area) because of high end housing developments that are close to Winston-Salem. There is a lot of equine activity in Davie County. You definitely have a lot of options. The most expensive land will likely be in the Triangle, and I would guess the least expensive will be around Campbell University (also the most rural).

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by arbyunc

Hi Shorty,

The law school requirement is going to limit your choices. I can think of only 5 law schools in NC. Three are in the Triangle area (Chapel Hill-Durham-Raleigh), one just outside the Triangle (Campbell), and one in Winston-Salem. I believe SC has only one law school, in Columbia.

Depends on how far you're willing to commute, but in your price range I'd think you could find a nice country property within 20-30 minutes of any of the law schools above.

Charlotte has a law school - Charlotte School of Law - Welcome

[rubber_factory]

Originally Posted by arbyunc

Hi Shorty,

The law school requirement is going to limit your choices. I can think of only 5 law schools in NC. Three are in the Triangle area (Chapel Hill-Durham-Raleigh), one just outside the Triangle (Campbell), and one in Winston-Salem. I believe SC has only one law school, in Columbia.

Depends on how far you're willing to commute, but in your price range I'd think you could find a nice country property within 20-30 minutes of any of the law schools above.

^SC also has a law school in Charleston. It might be possible to find some land in the Summerville area, which has decent schools.

The Camden, SC area is a big 'horse area', and it is not far from USC law (20-40 minutes?). But you might have a tough time finding a good school district. It is not easy to find a rural area, close to a major urban area, with good schools.

I would also look around the Triad area for something outside of Elon Law in Greensboro.

[arbyunc]

^ Forgot about Elon's new law school; thanks for the reminder.

Charlotte School of Law??? Never heard of that one.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by arbyunc

^ Forgot about Elon's new law school; thanks for the reminder.

Charlotte School of Law??? Never heard of that one.

Yep, it's the newest in the state. Very nice looking right on the edge of uptown Charlotte

Charlotte School of Law - Welcome

[clj2]

Originally Posted by roadpony

You could look somewhere between Winston-Salem and Statesville to be within commuting distance to Wake Forest Law School and all the NASCAR activity around Mooresville. Mocksville/Davie County is an obvious location but some of the land in Davie County is somewhat pricey (Advance area) because of high end housing developments that are close to Winston-Salem. There is a lot of equine activity in Davie County. You definitely have a lot of options. The most expensive land will likely be in the Triangle, and I would guess the least expensive will be around Campbell University (also the most rural).

I would agree. You should have no problem finding something outside of the Raleigh area especially to the south and southeast. Statesville or surrounding areas is definately worth looking in to.

SC is nice, but I would reccomend NC over it any day; bigger cities, more opportunity, more to do, MORE JOBS. Not that SC isn't a nice place (love Myrtle Beach!), but there isn't as much going on. However.....land in SC is likely cheaper.