Town for a young family?? (Hickory, Morganton: safe area, schools, camping)

[angelrena517]

We've been researching a few places online for future relocation. One that I think might work is Morganton. Is this mostly a retirement community? Ideally we would like some land (5-10acres) but also be close to town.

Are there any smaller communities surrounding the area that are family friendly. I have this 'unrealistic' dream of living in a perfect neighborhood with wide streets and mature trees...wisteria lane-ish . Also, winter is a huge thing to me. We live in Florida so I'm really looking forward to some snow, particularly around Christmas. I've looked at all the averages and it says not much snow in the area but I've looked on Weather.com and it says Flurries on 11/17 (seems early) I just am curious if the averages are actually accurate.

Anyway, just hoping for some local insight on where my dream town is located

Thanks!!

[mm34b]

MORGANTON, NORTH CAROLINA - Climate Summary

Southeast Regional Climate Center

[angelrena517]

Thanks. Any body have ideas of nice/safe areas for family?

[loveofthemountains]

Connelly Springs, still in Burke County with the county seat of Morganton. 35 Miles to Blue Ridge Pkwy via 321 to Blowing Rock. You are 15 minutes to Morganton, Hickory and Lenoir. There are also two lakes, Lake Rhodhiss and Lake Hickory for Recreation and Hickory has everthing for shopping and restaurants. Google Catawba County for Hickory and Caldwell County for Lenoir. Great Parks in Burke county as well as the State Park of South Mountains, great for camping, hiking, and family gatherings. Schools are great I have a 3 and 4 year old in the Pre-k programs with the school system. We just moved back about 3 months ago. We lived at the beach in North carolina , my husband worked as an electrician down there. Here he is working as a machinist, sort of burned out on electricity. If I can help give me a holler! We did have a few flurries on the 15th about five years ago I think we had about three good snowfalls, less than 4 inches but you are only about 25 miles to blowing rock from where I live and the get more snow if you want to get into snow tubing or sking. There is snow tubing in Jonas Ridge, Burke County. If it is cold enough the slopes still can make snow even if God is not sending it down to us.

[Zooropa]

Originally Posted by loveofthemountains

Connelly Springs, still in Burke County with the county seat of Morganton. 35 Miles to Blue Ridge Pkwy via 321 to Blowing Rock. You are 15 minutes to Morganton, Hickory and Lenoir. There are also two lakes, Lake Rhodhiss and Lake Hickory for Recreation and Hickory has everthing for shopping and restaurants. Google Catawba County for Hickory and Caldwell County for Lenoir. Great Parks in Burke county as well as the State Park of South Mountains, great for camping, hiking, and family gatherings. Schools are great I have a 3 and 4 year old in the Pre-k programs with the school system. We just moved back about 3 months ago. We lived at the beach in North carolina , my husband worked as an electrician down there. Here he is working as a machinist, sort of burned out on electricity. If I can help give me a holler! We did have a few flurries on the 15th about five years ago I think we had about three good snowfalls, less than 4 inches but you are only about 25 miles to blowing rock from where I live and the get more snow if you want to get into snow tubing or sking. There is snow tubing in Jonas Ridge, Burke County. If it is cold enough the slopes still can make snow even if God is not sending it down to us.

This is a way off topic, but speaking of snow, I really wish Sugar Mountain would not try and be open early in the season when they have bare spots everywhere. It's bad enough we pay more for a lift ticket here ($62 on a saturday)than many places in the Sierra charge, but when you open up even at reduced prices just to make a buck of some idiot who has no idea that the 1 slope you have open has more grass showing than snow on it it's ridiculous.

Sorry just had to rant and vent.

[angelrena517]

Thanks for all the info. I have seen and researched some on Lenoir too. Hopefully beginning of next year we will be making a visit to check it out. All depends on hubby's schooling though. Thanks again.