Moving to Fort Mill in July, any words of advice? (Rock Hill: real estate market, apartment)

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by momof2boys

You know, I haven't seen anything specific, I have been looking on a realtor website at houses for sale in our price range, they're still out there, but I don't know for how long, things are going quick there. It really does look like a wonderful place, I guess we'd be willing to go "new", if it were in our $ range.

I'm looking at new because I have to stretch the closing out as long as possible.

[FLRich]

OK maybe I can help a bit, not much but it seems I am 2 steps ahead of you, here some background.

I just transfered 2 weeks ago to our Charlotte office and am responsible for locations from the Charlotte airport to Lancaster SC, quite a bit south of Fort Mill Rock Hill. I have been living out of 2 suitcases in NE Charlotte and have just checked out of the hotel and am on my way to a "Corporate Studio" (furnished older apartment) for about a month in Rock Hill. I came from the West Palm Beach / Jupiter Florida area and was/have been very shocked with crime which is a concern of mine having been a Deputy and having a wife and 6 year old back home on their way here in Mid-July.

Fort Mill is a up and coming town, and getting overpriced. I think the entire real estate market nationwide will keep it a bit under control but it's still going up. People like me who have 3 homes to sell and are selling for below value or NOT SELLING AT ALL will keep prices SOMEWHAT in control overall. Fort Mill is mostly a new community with central areas that has what people need. Schools are rated very well and as I sit here at the car dealership waiting for my truck they are talking about the Fort Mill 6th Grader at the national spelling bee. If you like to live close to the city and have a nice but small property Fort Mill is nice and worthwhile for a nice steady appreciation value. Homes are clean, cookie cutter types mostly in developed communities not my style but it may become my style soon by need.

Since I have no family here (other than by phone) and I have very little money to spend (got a move coming up and 2 NEW investment homes in FL that are not showing let alone receiving offers after 3 months with $2K payments yeach a month!) I do a lot of driving to learn the area. What I have learned is that crime is very widespread even outside of the city but it seems to be in pockets. This was a new way to think for me since in SE Florida you need to look for the crime areas and here it is more like you need to look for the good areas, different way to think! If you are looking for crime areas back home you go to the cities and then find the bad areas of town. Here it seems to be that you do not need to go to big cities, even small towns have crime ridden areas. I don't want to scare you but it's what shocked me based on where I came from. All that is different is that you need to know where to go and where not to go.

In Fort Mill this is not as much as an issue as it would be in Rock Hill, Charlotte or even in small town Lancaster. Tega Cay and such have no run down or high crime areas that I have been able to find everything seems quite new and really quite expensive, even for me where 1.25 acres of land is selling for $280K in a DEAD market!

OK I rambled on enough but that is a view from a fresh set of eyes. I am really interested in hearing from others also that live in the area that can add to my findings or more information. Even though I am checking into a small studio today I will need to be renting a home by July1st waiting for the moving company and my family to arrive. Still not sure what I can find and afford during these difficult times in the real estate market. I sure don't want to have ANOTHER morgage to deal with so I guess I will be a renter for the first time in my life!

Rich

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by FLRich

I just transfered 2 weeks ago to our Charlotte office and am responsible for locations from the Charlotte airport to Lancaster SC, quite a bit south of Fort Mill Rock Hill. I have been living out of 2 suitcases in NE Charlotte and have just checked out of the hotel and am on my way to a "Corporate Studio" (furnished older apartment) for about a month in Rock Hill. I came from the West Palm Beach / Jupiter Florida area and was/have been very shocked with crime which is a concern of mine having been a Deputy and having a wife and 6 year old back home on their way here in Mid-July.

Fort Mill is a up and coming town, and getting overpriced. I think the entire real estate market nationwide will keep it a bit under control but it's still going up. People like me who have 3 homes to sell and are selling for below value or NOT SELLING AT ALL will keep prices SOMEWHAT in control overall. Fort Mill is mostly a new community with central areas that has what people need. Schools are rated very well and as I sit here at the car dealership waiting for my truck they are talking about the Fort Mill 6th Grader at the national spelling bee. If you like to live close to the city and have a nice but small property Fort Mill is nice and worthwhile for a nice steady appreciation value. Homes are clean, cookie cutter types mostly in developed communities not my style but it may become my style soon by need.

Since I have no family here (other than by phone) and I have very little money to spend (got a move coming up and 2 NEW investment homes in FL that are not showing let alone receiving offers after 3 months with $2K payments yeach a month!) I do a lot of driving to learn the area. What I have learned is that crime is very widespread even outside of the city but it seems to be in pockets. This was a new way to think for me since in SE Florida you need to look for the crime areas and here it is more like you need to look for the good areas, different way to think! If you are looking for crime areas back home you go to the cities and then find the bad areas of town. Here it seems to be that you do not need to go to big cities, even small towns have crime ridden areas. I don't want to scare you but it's what shocked me based on where I came from. All that is different is that you need to know where to go and where not to go.

In Fort Mill this is not as much as an issue as it would be in Rock Hill, Charlotte or even in small town Lancaster. Tega Cay and such have no run down or high crime areas that I have been able to find everything seems quite new and really quite expensive, even for me where 1.25 acres of land is selling for $280K in a DEAD market!

OK I rambled on enough but that is a view from a fresh set of eyes. I am really interested in hearing from others also that live in the area that can add to my findings or more information. Even though I am checking into a small studio today I will need to be renting a home by July1st waiting for the moving company and my family to arrive. Still not sure what I can find and afford during these difficult times in the real estate market. I sure don't want to have ANOTHER morgage to deal with so I guess I will be a renter for the first time in my life!

Rich

Hey there Rich...welcome! I will start off by saying I agree with you that Charlotte and the surrounding areas are going up in price...do I wish that we had bought a home on the water (Lake Wylie, Tega Cay) 2 1/2 years ago...instead of a block away...you bet (a swift kick to the head usually cures that for ahwile). But so much rides on what part of the country we have come from. We came from CA...and while I do see the prices going up in the areas around here....all I need to do is a quick search online and see what the houses are selling for where I originally came from in CA (then I am back to feeling like we got a really good deal here). On the other hand I met someone else in Tega Cay who came from Texas...and had trouble affording this area (and blaming it on us California transplants ) Then I have also met another young family from New York who sold their place in New York..turned around and bought a new home in Fort Mill (double the size), along with another home for thier parents, and another that they will use as a rental in Tega Cay. I don't see this part of the country being dead for sometime...just the opposite. It's true too that the places that we lived prior...we knew where the crime was and stayed away...I think once you get more familiar with the areas around here...you will find this to be the case here as well. I think you have a great idea to rent first then see what areas you like best...of course you need to keep your child's schooling in mind too. Okay I too have now rambled on (sorry) and the kids are beginning to get antsy (Fort Mill school district is on summer vacation already you all!) Best of luck to you!

[Marks]

Originally Posted by FLRich

...I came from the West Palm Beach / Jupiter Florida area and was/have been very shocked with crime which is a concern of mine having been a Deputy and having a wife and 6 year old back home on their way here in Mid-July.

...I do a lot of driving to learn the area. What I have learned is that crime is very widespread even outside of the city but it seems to be in pockets...Here it seems to be that you do not need to go to big cities, even small towns have crime ridden areas. I don't want to scare you but it's what shocked me based on where I came from. All that is different is that you need to know where to go and where not to go. Rich

Good morning Rich,

No offence, but you make it seem that SC has all these areas of high crime. From all the people I've spoken with, those that live in SC, people moving to SC, and extensive research I really don't see that. Maybe I'm wrong, but SC has one of the lowest crime rates in the country!

Maybe others that live in those areas could put forth a more reasoned and satistical answer than I could. It's always interesting to see what others are doing in their move.

Thanks for your input

Mark

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by Marks

Good morning Rich,

No offence, but you make it seem that SC has all these areas of high crime. From all the people I've spoken with, those that live in SC, people moving to SC, and extensive research I really don't see that. Maybe I'm wrong, but SC has one of the lowest crime rates in the country!

Maybe others that live in those areas could put forth a more reasoned and satistical answer than I could. It's always interesting to see what others are doing in their move.

Thanks for your input

Mark

Hey there Mark-when I was responding to the post by Rich...I was taking it as more of Charlotte and the surrounding areas (not so much as SC). While I know we will never be crime free anywhere I also know that the worst pocket of Fort Mill is over by Carowinds (with drug activity and car theft) but since it is right next to the NC state stateline...I will just blame that on NC

[momof2boys]

Thank you FLRich, it's so nice to hear different opinions when you're sitting here trying to plan out your future, and your so far away! Fort Mill is at the top of our list, so all the help is appreciated. (lovethecarolinas- you've been awesome!! ). I will definitely keep crime in mind when travelling the area, here in Seattle area, our small town has nothing to speak of, but you go 10 min. away, and that town is horrible! We too, will most likely be trying to find a rental, which is fine, but I don't want to bounce my kids around when it comes to schools. I guess it depends on our time frame, we can't be sitting in a hotel when school starts, I don't think they consider that residency . We have an added challenge as well, in the form of 2 dogs. So if anyone hears of a rental allowing dogs, here I am!! Boy, school starts so early out there! (we have 2 wks left here ).

[Bound4NC]

What areas to stay away from in SC then?

[MJPost32]

is that a crime pocket?

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by Bound4NC

What areas to stay away from in SC then?

That is a very broad question.

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by MJPost32

is that a crime pocket?

No..it is a very nice town...have you looked at the Clover Police department website yet...or gave them a call?...and what is a crime pocket?