Young family thinking of relocating to NC (Charlotte, Raleigh: trip , wage)

[Coquiee]

Hi everyone! I am a Latina mother of 3 young children. My husband is white, we are both originally from NY (NYC/Upstate andLong Island) but currently reside in FL. We are considering relocating, but not sure where yet. We have several places on our list including NC. I'm an elementary school teacher and my husband is a mobile DJ. Any information on where are the best places in NC for a young family? We both seem to like Asheville and the surrounding areas and are planning a trip this summer. How are the schools in the area? What about teaching opportunitites? Is there a market for a mobile DJ (weddings and other parties). We would like to buy a home in the 200-250k range...is that possible? Are there any other areas in NC that we should look into? We are thinking of making a move within 1 1/2 - 2 years. Any information and input would be greatly appreciated!

[LumbeeNDN]

...I'm sure you'v seen other places on this forum that jobs are hard to find in Asheville. I think the way to do it would be for you to apply for jobs starting up in the fall, and see if you have any luck. If so, then you could move, and see how much work your husband can find. A job like his requires a good size population which Asheville has less of relation to Raleigh/Charlotte/Greenville. Those maybe places you might want to apply for work for the fall also. 200-250K is reasonable for a home around Asheville, but won't buy you what it would in the other citys mentioned. Good luck!

[fred bauknecht]

We live in Cullowhee, NC The schools are great We are not too far from Harrahs Cherokee Casino Small town but close to Atlanta and Charlotte FRED

[kroseman]

Hi! I came across your post, and because of similarities I see in my own family, I just had to register and reply. We're a white/hispanic family with three young children, and have purchased a Boone, NC, house in the range you mentioned. My wife has worked as a teacher's assistant and a substitute in the elementary schools here.

The Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina are an incredible place to live and raise a family. The largest city is Asheville, and I would also recommend the areas around Western Carolina University (Cullowhee/Sylva area) and Appalachian State University (Boone).

In the Boone area, sounds like you would have no trouble at all finding a teaching position (if you are bilingual, I bet you'd be in high demand). I know that there is mobile DJ work to be had in Boone and in closeby towns (school functions, weddings, etc.), but I really don't have a good idea of how much. There are a couple of DJs that work in the area, though I am not sure if they are BASED in Boone. Maybe an online search on Boone NC mobile DJs would return some names and prices?

Housing prices are all over the place in Western NC. Second homes are in demand, and prices on those can be quie high. In very isolated rural areas, prices on family homes can be quite low. In a city, my guess is that there would be homes for a family of five from 250K-350K. If you look hard, you will find some for less. We have another home (a 3/3 with plenty more room to finish a 4th bedroom, big yard, woods, great views).

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Have you considered western So. Carolina? Cheaper than Asheville, for sure! and some good schools: GreatSchools.net

[louise50]

Hi! Come on down- we are very friendly here in the South! Please read my posts to get ideas on towns in Western , NC. (LOUISE 50, posts).

[blueridgemama]

I live in Brevard. Schools are great and I know several Latina mothers who have young children that attend the playgroup my child attends. It is a very family-friendly community with activities all the time...festivals, special kids programs, etc. We have some nice parks and are situated between the national forest to the north and state forest to the south. I live in town, and within a 20 minute drive of my house I can access several major waterfalls, picnic sites, hiking, canoing, river tubing, swimming holes and more. It is a wonderful place for kids and families.

[great8]

I'm a NC native now living in Chicagoland. Asheville is definitely the best place to live in NC. There's plenty of fun, outdoor activities there, and the pace of life is much less stressful. You may want to consider other states, though, if you're used to a faster pace. North Carolina schools aren't that great, also. It's a good place to retire, but it's a little isolating for kids/teens.

[tammyraye]

Originally Posted by great8

I'm a NC native now living in Chicagoland. Asheville is definitely the best place to live in NC. There's plenty of fun, outdoor activities there, and the pace of life is much less stressful. You may want to consider other states, though, if you're used to a faster pace. North Carolina schools aren't that great, also. It's a good place to retire, but it's a little isolating for kids/teens.

I'll second the Asheville vote - the city schools have alot more resources than the surrounding areas and are more integrated. My son is now a young adult, but he always had an active social life. Asheville is a good size for kids - lots of diversity, but small enough that lots of people know who your mom is.

The cost of living/wage relationship could be better - but there's alot of growth in the county school system. The city enrollment is fairly stable and because of the city wage supplement there is probably more demand for the jobs in the city system.

Don't know about your husband - it might take a while to build up his business here. There's a great program at Mountain BizWorks to help people start & grow micro businesses - if you move here I would highly recommend that for your husband.


Good Luck

[jalan]

If you are interested in a small community that is accepting of all, consider the Tryon area of Polk County, NC. We have four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in this small county. The HS is considered by the US News and World Reports to be one of the top 1300 high schools in the nation.

We have whatever one needs for a safe and secure town. We are almost always in need of a new teacher in the area. Your husband could work as a DJ in any one of several large towns. Within 45 miles of Tryon are the towns of Spartanburg (24) and Greenville (35), SC, Hendersonville, (18), NC, Brevard (35), NC, Rutherfordton (25), NC, and Asheville (45), NC.

These towns have Wofford College, Converse College, Furman University, Brevard College, Spartanburg Methodist College, USC-Upstate, North Greenville College, Blue ridge Tech, Isothermal Community College, and UNC-Asheville.

Housing is not cheap, but you can find the $250K-$300K range in many areas here.

J Alan Peoples
Mayor: Tryon, NC