Areas/Neighborhoods Based on Lifestyle (Charlotte, Raleigh: apartment complex, rental, daycare)

[JenDoyle]

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are potentially relocating to Charlotte from Myrtle Beach. We both went to Clemson and we are from the Greenville area originally so we are a little familiar with the area but it has been a while. Before anyone comments about not moving to the area without a job, here is a little background: I have been passively looking for a marketing position in the area for months but I have a six month old so changing jobs wasn't a priority. Well, recently I was unexpectedly laid off due to changes in my department at my previous company. My husband owns his own business that he can do anywhere. We are open to other areas like Raleigh and Charleston depending on the opportunities but primarily focusing on the Charlotte area. We lived in the D.C. area after college and liked the area but want to stay more south to be close to family.

I have spent so much time on numerous websites and reading through other posts about what areas to check out that I am a little overwhelmed. I have an interview in Rock Hill next week so we will check out this area and the surrounding areas like Fort Mill and Tega Cay (husband lived here when he was really little). Since obviously everyone has different tastes, budgets and are in different phases of their lives, etc., I would really appreciate any advice geared toward our needs.

-Early 30s, both parents working during the week- will put little one in daycare full time
-Looking for rental house only until we can sell our house here (renting it out for now)
-Would like to be in family-friendly neighborhood
-Would like to be close to some shopping centers and dining and no more than 30 minutes outside of the
city
-Budget is between $900 to $1300 per month

Based on this, are there specific areas or even neighborhoods you all would recommend we check out next week? Thanks!

[ex-burgher]

Fort Mill and Tega Cay is what I would recommend. If your husband is willing to commute just a bit further, you could consider the Steel Creek area. Ballantyne is really nice if you want good shopping, but may be outside your budget and the commute would be about 40 min. I am not informed enough to recommend specific subdivisions, but as rental housing is not always easy to find, this may not matter at the beginning. Since you only have one child and plan to buy a house in the future, perhaps you would also consider an apartment complex? There are many in the Ballantyne area.
For a combination of short commute and access to the city of Charlotte, Fort Mill really is best.

[JenDoyle]

Thanks for your reply. I like everything I have read about Fort Mill so far but, as you said, finding a rental house might be difficult. We have a 115 lb. chocolate lab so an apartment is not an option and this will also reduce our options. We would consider a townhouse if there were a small yard.