Birkdale Village vs. Fort Mill/Baxter + temporary housing question (Charlotte: apartments, rentals)
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We are considering a move to North Carolina from Connecticut. We are looking for an area with good schools for our 2 kids (ages 5 & 7), and a place where we can walk as much as possible.
The two areas I have narrowed our search down to is Birkdale Village and Fort Mil, SC. I have only ever been to Birkdale Village, have not yet visited Fort Mill.
Can anyone let me know if one of these areas might be better than the other? We are originally from NYC, and are in creative fields, we are somewhat liberal, not religious, like to meet new people and feel like we are a part of a community. We will work from home - so commuting is not an issue. We would like an area with lots of activities and things to do w/ kids.
Also, we would like to do a 'test' move and stay for a couple of months to make sure it is a good fit. We would prefer a furnished house in either of these areas but so far I can't find anything. Does anyone have any tips on how to find a place like this? I can only find long term rentals or apartments.
Fort Mill has some of the best schools in the region, but Baxter Village isn't as large nor does it have as many amenities as Birkdale. The plus side of that is that Baxter Village pretty much stays local and doesn't get as many outside visitors. Don't know for sure, but considering the type of area it is, I'm pretty sure the schools are good in Huntersville as well.
The main difference between the two is that Birkdale has a lot more shopping and restaurants than Baxter Village, major retailers as opposed to local businesses only. The neighborhood of houses in Birkdale is much smaller than Baxter, and a big chunk of the neighborhood is large golf course type homes - pretty sure Baxter doesn't have a golf course. There are many more apartments in and around Birkdale and don't think there are any at Baxter, plus Lake Norman is literally right there with various lake access points. I think home values have held up better in Baxter, there is a school right in the neighborhood plus an amazing YMCA with quite a swimming pool plus the neighborhood pools. In Huntersville you'd need to be very careful about the specific elementary school assignment. Torrance Creek is one of the most overcrowded schools in the state... drive by and look at the field of trailer classrooms. Really, you couldn't go wrong with either neighborhood, I live very near Birkdale and like the area but it is becoming very busy and crowded. I think Baxter is a beautiful neighborhood and judging by the prices, many people think its highly desirable as well.
We are considering a move to North Carolina from Connecticut. We are looking for an area with good schools for our 2 kids (ages 5 & 7), and a place where we can walk as much as possible.
The two areas I have narrowed our search down to is Birkdale Village and Fort Mil, SC. I have only ever been to Birkdale Village, have not yet visited Fort Mill.
Can anyone let me know if one of these areas might be better than the other? We are originally from NYC, and are in creative fields, we are somewhat liberal, not religious, like to meet new people and feel like we are a part of a community. We will work from home - so commuting is not an issue. We would like an area with lots of activities and things to do w/ kids.
Also, we would like to do a 'test' move and stay for a couple of months to make sure it is a good fit. We would prefer a furnished house in either of these areas but so far I can't find anything. Does anyone have any tips on how to find a place like this? I can only find long term rentals or apartments.
Thanks so much!
Alice
Why not look for rentals in Dilworth? Much more of a real walkable environment than either of those two options.
I'm interested to know where you ended up? My husband & I are relocating to NC from CT also, with 3 young kids. We like Birkdale, but heard not so good things about schools in the area...Ft. mill looks appealing, with great schools & such close proximity to S. Charlotte (which I love).
I live in Fort Mill and love it! Baxter is a wonderful neighborhood. It is a large neighborhood, but that means there is always something going on. Tomorrow is the annual Spring Fling. There will be a St. Patrick's Day Parade sponsered by Six Pence Pub and live music. Baxter residents are a fairly young crowd for the most part and many of them like to have a good time. About once a month the restaurants along Market St organize a bar crawl and it usually has a theme, such as dress up in the style of the decade you were born. Lots of fun!
Baxter is also home to some wonderful businesses such as Cupcrazed, winner of The Food Network's Cupcake Wars.
The schools in Fort Mill are fantastic and you will find that the majority of people move to Fort Mill for the schools.
I've never been to Birkdale, but it sounds wonderful too.
One positive of Fort Mill to Huntersville is the quicker drive into Charlotte. I know you won't need to commute, but it's still nice to have quick, easy access to Charlotte's restaurants, shopping, and sporting events.
And speaking of sporting events, if you like baseball, Fort Mill is home to the CHarlotte Knights.
Why? Rock Hill is a decent place to live. It functions more as a semi-independent town as opposed to a fully dependent suburb of Charlotte and has some good neighborhoods and solid schools.
I've never been to Birkdale, but it sounds wonderful too.
One positive of Fort Mill to Huntersville is the quicker drive into Charlotte. I know you won't need to commute, but it's still nice to have quick, easy access to Charlotte's restaurants, shopping, and sporting events.
Baxter Village and Birkdale Village are virtually equidistant from uptown Charlotte.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MovingLItoNC
We too are looking to relocate to NC.
Fort Mill, Mint Hill, or Rock Hill...which is the area that is not desirable??
Well 2 of those 3 are not in NC...I agree with Mutiny77 in that I had never heard of Rock Hill (or either of the other 2 towns) as being a place to avoid. But Rock Hill is the furthest of the 3 from Charlotte
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