Town of Salisbury, NC? -- any feedback? (Charlotte, Concord: appointed, 2010)

[IG712]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

Hi, also you can look for work in Winston Salem High Point Greensboro Concord with the Salisbury location
Salisbury is cute old style downtown If I was to look in the area stay south or east of the city avoid northern part close to Spencer. They finally finish expanding I 85 in that area so commuting into charlotte will be a breeze.
If heading towards Greensboro only problem you may face is the bridge on 85 between spencer and Lexington after that is smooth sailing again ( I would learn a back road that goes into lexington to get back on 85). The bridge is only 2 lanes each way narrow and only 55 mph speed limit

Lots of chain restaurants and stores and nice theaterr called Tinsel Town.
Some real cute restaurants in the downtown area I do not know the name of the one I went to but it appear to be a locals favorite it was on Innes ST.

There is one of the original Krispy Kreme Stores located there so definite a good place to stop when you see the HOt n Now sign lit.

Fun things to do is Dan Nicholas PaRK large size park. Lazy 5 ranch is within minutes it a drive thru zoo. High rock lake and on salisbury side of lake they have a wonderful fireworks show for 4th of july. Location is great due to you will be within 20 minutes of Concord Mills or Hanes Mall in Winston.

I am wondering as to the reason of avoiding Spencer? My husband has been transferred with his job and we may possibly have to move towards Charlotte. Wanting "the good" "the bad" and "the ugly" inside info.... We could live anywhere from Salisbury to Rock Hill,SC from Gastonia to Rockingham. Any info would be appreciated. We would like an "All American" town... historical, full of charm, close knit, quiet, patriotic, slow paced town.We do have children so schools and crime are definetly a concern. Do you have any suggestions? Thank You for your time.

[silverwing]

Originally Posted by IG712

I am wondering as to the reason of avoiding Spencer?

Well, it's literally on the other side of the train tracks from Salisbury

It could be a neat town; has the same kind of historical home inventory as Salisbury; but it's just on a lower rung economically and it shows. There have been efforts to play up it's railroad heritage with the Spencer Shops Welcome to the North Carolina Transportation Museum and the events held there are always well attended.

As always, people should check things out for themselves.

[silverwing]

Originally Posted by Raivere

It really should fill up. Soon or later, Charlotte's population will override.

Unfortunately

Then again.... Salisbury once held a position of higher importance that Charlotte. It would be nice if the town was regarded with esteem without becoming bloated like Concord.

[Dallasparker]

So if I want the small town life then Salisbury is the place for me? My husband has an opportunity there in a large coorporation and we are very interested in relocating in the next year or so. We want the small town life to raise our two boys in. Does anyone know how the school system is in Rowan County? Especially the elementary schools? Any suggestions on surrounding cities/counties that offer that same small town feel?

[jaynarie]

In regards to the comments about avoiding Spencer, East Spencer is what you REALLY want to avoid, not that Spencer is all that much better. My first encounter with East Spencer (I was going to the RSS Long Street Office) had me get redirected due to a murder investigation I wanted to turn around and go back to Michigan!
East Spencer has a median income of about $12K and is full of crime. Spencer is better, but too close to East Spencer for me! I avoid that side of town.

[jaynarie]

Originally Posted by Dallasparker

So if I want the small town life then Salisbury is the place for me? My husband has an opportunity there in a large coorporation and we are very interested in relocating in the next year or so. We want the small town life to raise our two boys in. Does anyone know how the school system is in Rowan County? Especially the elementary schools? Any suggestions on surrounding cities/counties that offer that same small town feel?

RSSS is one of the weaker school districts in the area (compared to Iredell-Statesville, Mooresville Graded and Cabarrus County). Faith Elementary typically gets the best test scores. Enochville, Millbridge, Landis, Bostian and Morgan are pretty much the best. Cleveland, Mt. Ulla, Knollwood and Shive are not bad. The only school I mentioned that is actually in Salisbury is Knollwood. On paper, it does not look great (but most of the county does not look good on paper), but I have visited and they have some wonderful teachers and I was very impressed. I am actually thinking about transferring there (I teach in the county at one of the better schools- most people would think this is a step back, but as I said, I was impressed!)

Avoid Isenburg, North, Overton and Hanford-Dole at all costs.

[Dallasparker]

Thank you for your input. I did notice that on a website I found that ranked the counties Rowan was not in the top 100. I can't really go by that though. We live in FL and I know our school system is probably viewed as horrible, but I love my kids school and am very active in their classes and have no problems at all. Are Isneuburg, North and the other ones you said to avoid schools or towns? We don't neccessarily have to live in Rowan County either. We would just like to be within 30 to 45 minutes of Salisbury and Charlotte. I know Concord is in the middle but they seem a little pricey when we look at land compared to other towns. Do you know anything about Abelmarle? Any other small towns say northeast of Charlotte you might recommend I check out?

[LLN]

A lot of 1/2 truths here.

I grew up in Salisbury, and in fact there is still, among the old money, a very "better than thou" look and feel from those that live there. Fortunes were made by many, many people riding Food Lion, until it went south in the early 1990s. Of course, they were all out by then.

Salisbury High School may not have great numbers, but for those on college track it is excellent with top notch facilities. There is tremendous loyalty to Salisbury High and it shows in gifts, etc. Again, this is something that gross statistics cannot and will not show.

Salisbury has a wonderful historic district. Like many small towns in the south, entertaining is done in people's homes, not at some tacky restaurant. For those that need to go to a restaurant to achieve self actualization, there is always Charlotte, Greensboro, and even closer Winston.

Many times I rode in the back seat with my girlfriend or wife, drink in one hand, babe in the other, headed to a big night in Charlotte. Even better on the way back, as long as the driver was near sober!

North Rowan, takes a lot of heat, again, based on overall demographic and the resulting total test scores, but it too is ok.

East, West and South are not on par with Charlotte Country Day, but they don't cost as much either.

What is funny is that the newbies on the Charlotte board continually dis Salisbury and its lack of fine restaurants such as Olive Garden (choke), while the old money/old southerners in Salisbury look down there noses at Charlotte and all the immigrants. Too me it is a hoot.

If you don't believe me, check out the interstate by lil ole Salisbury and ANY interstate around Charlotte. It ain't a random occurrence.

To recall a phrase from the Navy, "Money talks, BS Walks." Go ahead, haters, check it out.

lln

[Dallasparker]

Hey thanks for that reply. It makes me feel like it might just be what we are looking for. We will be up there in June and I can't want to check it out!!

[ClevelandMike]

Salisbury is "Redneck Heights" NC - look at living in Concord, NC.