Okay, so be honest.... (Charlotte, Raleigh: how much, home, good schools)

[linearity]

Are there ANY suburbs that my husband can drive to and from in rush hour traffic in under 30 minutes from I-77 and I-85 (uptown - the location of my husband's potential job)? I'm beginning to think this is just an unrealistic expectation. We'd be coming from Albuquerque, where his current commute time is 10 minutes (of course, we live in and work in Albuquerque), so this is a really hard idea for us to get used to!

We're primarily interested in Cabarrus County, Iredell County, and Union County because of the schools. But if there are any other towns outside of Charlotte (or even areas inside Charlotte itself) that offer good schools, decent cost of living, safety, young families, etc. that are somewhat close to uptown, we'd love to hear about them.

My husband doesn't believe me when I'm telling him that his commute time is looking more like 45 mins. to an hour at the VERY LEAST. He just got done interviewing with some companies and they assured him that with "normal" (normal being hte key word) traffic, he could get to these places in 20-30 minutes. I've told my husband that everyone on this board and others says that dramatically changes during rush hour (even if he worked 730-430) but he doesn't believe me.

So, what's the truth! We don't want to be in for a shock. This commute time really is an important thing for us, because he doesn't want the stress of it and I want him around for hte kids each night. THanks so much!!

[SeattlitefromNC]

I'll put it this way: there is a (relatively long) stretch of I-77 that is used by many commuters ... and it is just two lanes. TWO LANES!!!

Now imagine a city of over 600, 000 people using a highway that goes down to two lanes on each side. I've seen faster driving in parking lots than on I-77 during rush hour.

I don't know how much difference a half an hour makes, but I do know that you do not want to be on I-77 at rush hour.

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by SeattlitefromNC

I'll put it this way: there is a (relatively long) stretch of I-77 that is used by many commuters ... and it is just two lanes. TWO LANES!!!

Now imagine a city of over 600, 000 people using a highway that goes down to two lanes on each side. I've seen faster driving in parking lots than on I-77 during rush hour.

I don't know how much difference a half an hour makes, but I do know that you do not want to be on I-77 at rush hour.

just curious...where on the I-77 is it just 2 lanes?

[SeattlitefromNC]

It was just after you get off I-85.

I was going to Carowinds and as soon as I got onto I-77, the traffic just ... stopped. It was terrible.

[hapaleeretired]

Downtown it is multilaned but north of I-85 it is all four lanes (two in each direction) and it is a nightmare! It crosses the lake a couple of times and drunken young ladies on the lake have taken to exhibitionism, flashing the traffic. Cars are slowing down to watch and the truck drivers are going insane. They have debated about making the areas near I-77 non idle zones or putting up barriers. The entire area is a mess and it is disgraceful that they have not better prepared for the growth. To make matters worse if they ever work on 77 they will have to reduce it to one lane. Traffic will back up to the VA border.
Most of the east/west roads off of 77 are two laners too.
Raleigh has done a little bit better job preparing for the growth but it still is not adequate to handle the traffic.
Wish I had better news for you.

[RaleighRob]

Everyone I know who has gotten a job in Charlotte has made it a point to live IN Charlotte to avoid those scary commutes. Sure prices are somewhat higher, but as one old friend told me: "I'd rather live in a smaller home than a bigger one and have to drive in that crazy $&#% everday!"

[CharlotteNC]

Honestly....probably not. At least not from the areas that you mentioned. It may be do-able from just inside the Cabarrus County line (Harrisburg) but Union or Iredell would be about a 45 minute commute during rush hour.

For a 30 minute commute, try Huntersville/Cornelius/Davidson. They're within Mecklenburg County so it would be CMS schools and taxes would be a little higher. Or think differently than everyone else and go west of Charlotte. Gaston County has a great little town called Belmont that is easy access to I-85. I lived there and worked in the University area of Charlotte - which is further north than he'll need to go - and my commute was about 25 minutes.
Taxes are not any lower than Charlotte there, but the schools are decent and there is a neat small town feel to it. Or, go up Highway 16 into Lincoln County. There's lots of development around the Hwy 16/Hwy 73 intersection and taxes are way lower there.

[mmikulak]

"" It crosses the lake a couple of times and drunken young ladies on the lake have taken to exhibitionism, flashing the traffic. ""

So is the right lane slower than the left?? he he

[mhogan10010]

I lived in both Western and Eastern NC for 12 years, from 87 - 99, when the boom really started there. The state in generally didn't do a good of planning for growth.
They do a better job with BBQ than roads.
Just get lots of books on tape and learn to love it.

[linearity]

Thanks, CharlotteNC, that was very helpful!