Help Please! Wanting to Relocate to NC-Looking for a Mountain area w/ Urban Amenities Very Close & Young Families?? (Raleigh: home, schools)

[pap/paws]

You have other options other than western NC.

Just outside of the city of Charlotte NC are many towns that have reasonable acreage. And you can get quite a nice house in town if you were willing to have it on a lot. Also, have you ever checked out eastern Tennessee? The OTHER side of the Smokies (not necesarily the touristy Gatlinburg area). Land is very much more reasonable, and I have a couple of friends seriously thinking about looking there. Look at a map, and then research on your computer. Townsend is very pretty. Lots of places are. Only really check out the job situation as some places have it a little rough job wise. But I had a friend who was really struggling, living in a poorer section of town, moved to TN and was able to get a place with quite a few acres. Really elevated their lifestyle.

[pap/paws]

Yes, i drove down from Morganton, pass the South Mtn. Pk, to Rutherford and it was very pretty. I wouldn't exactly say it was mountain views, compared to WNC, but yes, very pretty. And very rural, yet going north you could be in towns for activities.

Now, MOMTOMANY is from Boca, and since I'm from Naples, I can relate, & I think her urban would be more "trendy". People in S. Florida DO get accustomed to numerous activities at the park departments (dance, yoga, karate, sports, cooking classes, drama, etc.ETC.) and the library systems are competitive as well, to attract the kids.They have so much to choose from. Guess our taxes pay for all this.

I earlier posted to MOM a suggestion to look at TN. However that was BEFORE I read she was from Boca. I would not suggest that now.

So, I think, (and correct me MOMTOMANY) that although there is resonable pretty land with nearby towns,(ie. Hickory, Marion, Morganton, etc) if these towns don't offer the ammenities that a person is used to and asking for, then it won't work. I don't think most places have all the "stuff" that caters to kids like So. Florida has. I don't think even most people realize how very much is offered to the kids here. Don't even need to get up to Orlando. Although I have spent summer weeks every year for years in NC and would absolutely love to be in the mountains, my kid really likes the lifesyle here. I think the closest place in WNC that would have SOME of the ammenities which MOM is refering to is Hendersonville. My neighbor moved there last year, they love it, but I do know from their kid that there is less "to do".

Coming from Boca, with the land/home values there, there should be enough cash flow to buy well with a move to NC. of a place of your choice. But remember that your taxes are what provides all the ammenities that you are accustomed to, so you WOULD be looking in pricey areas. And what will provide you with more happiness.....2 acres (????why), or doing the things that you and your kids like to do.

[Bobb]

Check out the Mountain View area in Hickory. You will like it and no you do not need soooo much money, very good school, unusual for NC...
Hope this helps.
Let me know, if you have more questions.

[cooperwx]

Originally Posted by Bobb

... very good school, unusual for NC...

???

Anyways, why are people trying to steer the OP away from where she's decided to focus her move?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by cooperwx

???

Anyways, why are people trying to steer the OP away from where she's decided to focus her move?

I think it's because her last post said "in the moutains, but closest to Raleigh" - That means Taylorsville, or Hickory, as far as I am concerned

[kristy979]

hey if you want beauty and mountain life think TN. at least it won't cost you an arm and leg and anything you have left. east TN people seem very helpful.

[craiggerry]

We live in the Mars Hill (Madison County) area and have about 1 acre of land. Check out Weaverville, NC which is still in Buncombe County, Barnardsville, NC, and then maybe Madison County (Mars Hill) is closest to Buncombe and not really too far away.

[FLRelo]

Try the Boone area, you'll find it more affordable and stay away from Asheville it has a crime problem and is overrated.

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by FLRelo

Try the Boone area, you'll find it more affordable and stay away from Asheville it has a crime problem and is overrated.

The 2007 crime data from the NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The numbers have already been adjusted for population size.

Total Crime Index

Statewide Average - 4,658.9

City of Asheville - 4,754.0

Asheville Metro Area

Buncombe County - 3,617.7
Haywood County - 3,185.6
Henderson County - 2,683.3
Madison County - 1,531.9

2007 SBI Report - http://sbi2.jus.state.nc.us/crp/publ...Summary%20.pdf

[FLRelo]

Eastern Tennessee is nice but schools are not good in Tennessee, so with school-going kids you're better of in Western NC. Watauga and Ashe county are exactly 3 hours West of Raleigh. You'll be in "the high county" near skiing and the schools are rated high. It seems that Asheville has a fair amount of drug related crime (mostly meth labs). My inlaws just visited Asheville and were very dissappointed and prefered Boone, it has the University and the town is a little more progressive compared to some of the surrounding more "church-going" counties