Relocating to Charlotte from Columbus,Ohio (Concord, Matthews: 2014, apartments, rent)

[sabe79]

We will be relocating to Charlotte in the next month or so. We are trying to figure out where to live. We will be working at central Piedmont community college, so lesser commute time is desirable. However, my 5 year old should start kindergarten this fall, so that is of importance too. I have read great things about the magnet schools, however, without settling there and getting established, I am not sure how we can enter into the lottery that is currently open. We have heard different things regarding north and south charlotte.

Any feedback is appreciated !

[ex-burgher]

You will be too late to apply to magnets for fall, but you can apply for 1rst grade. Kindergarten won't make a big difference for the school South Charlotte is more affluent, but has pockets of middle class as well. What kind of neighborhood would you like and what is your budget? I'm familiar with Columbus if you want to do any comparisons. The Myers Park area of the city of Charlotte would be like Upper Arlington and expensive. Further out: Ballantyne and Matthews would be a bit like Dublin. There are nice areas everywhere in between. You can also consider the University/Mallard Creek area - it's more affordable and the commute is not bad. But it's further away from many of the magnets.
If you want a more artsy area, there's Plaza Midwood.

[sabe79]

Thanks for the quick reply and the comparison , that definitely helps ! Right now we live in Upper Arlington, so a family friendly- safe environment is what we are looking for, and schools are of the great priority. We have some distance acquaintances in Concord, and they are saying nice things about the concord area, but I am not sure whether it is because they have lived there long. Our budget is between 350-400,000. But we most likely will rent for a couple of months before we buy.

[ZnGuy]

Originally Posted by sabe79

We will be relocating to Charlotte in the next month or so. We are trying to figure out where to live. We will be working at central Piedmont community college, so lesser commute time is desirable. However, my 5 year old should start kindergarten this fall, so that is of importance too. I have read great things about the magnet schools, however, without settling there and getting established, I am not sure how we can enter into the lottery that is currently open. We have heard different things regarding north and south charlotte.

Any feedback is appreciated !

Former Buckeye here, lived in Dublin in the 80s and 10 years ago moved from Chagrin Falls (Cleveland) ten years ago. We looked at Lake area (up north) and chose South Charlotte area and glad we did. You will find many former Buckeyes in Weddington area. One subdivision you might consider is Brookhaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G68VFO6gaLA which should have some homes in your range. Zoned Weddington schools and many parents walk their kids to the elementary school (Antioch ES). Lots of young families and top amenities, 2nd largest pool in Union County, tennis courts, basketball courts, workout center, clubhouse,walking trails. Neighborhood is 10 years old. Marvin area is also a nice area, although higher housing costs.
*I'm not promoting the realtor in this ad, just thought the video gives you good idea of neighborhood.

[SunshineCJ]

Born and raised in UA.

Biggest difference here will be the county based school systems. Not suburban based like UA, etc.

Myers Park=Bexley-old money, old Charlotte. Wouldn't be UA because of the public school demographics

South Park=Closest to UA with older suburban houses in established neighborhoods with neighboorhood swim and raquet clubs complete with the Monday night swim meets. Has a good HS and a great ES but the apartments and a big upscale shopping mall skew the comparison in more ways than one.

Mathews=Worthington

Ballantyne=Dublin

Weddington or Marvin=UA without the tradition and a lot newer but great school clusters

Waxhaw=Hillard

Lake Norman=New Albany

Concord=Westerville

[Riley09swb]

Originally Posted by sabe79

Thanks for the quick reply and the comparison , that definitely helps ! Right now we live in Upper Arlington, so a family friendly- safe environment is what we are looking for, and schools are of the great priority. We have some distance acquaintances in Concord, and they are saying nice things about the concord area, but I am not sure whether it is because they have lived there long. Our budget is between 350-400,000. But we most likely will rent for a couple of months before we buy.

I live in Concord and you should check it out. I have a rising kindergartner and will have a rising 1st grader. Our elementary school is highly ranked. We have a great neighborhood which is very family friendly in fact all the neighborhoods around us are family friendly.You could certainly find something in your price range.

[GoodDay9876]

As a Columbus (Powell) person moving to Charlotte, this thread is so helpful!!! Thank you for comparing the different neighborhoods in Charlotte and Columbus - really helps to have a feel.

[TypicalSituation77]

Do your research! NC and the South in general is not for everyone.

The Weather Channel had an article up from August explaning their concerns regarding the South
http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/southern-megalopolis-stretch-raleigh-atlanta-2060-study-20140731

As of yesterday they got some bad press about the worse schools in the US (first link). The biggest problem is that the natives don't want to hear it...if chaplain joe says its the democrat yankees in church then that must be the case... If you are from the North and speak up they tell you to shutup or leave...or they blame the issues on a time when the democrates were last in power.
http://www.news-record.com/news/north-carolina-ranks-as-worst-state-for-teachers/article_01f80560-47e6-11e4-9518-001a4bcf6878.html

Social issues driven by religion per NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/10/01/the-souths-enduring-conservativism/religion-sets-a-social-agenda-in-the-southern-united-states

Some of the unhealthiest states:
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/29/obesity-rising-southern-states-have-highest-rates/

They have the highest rates of poverties and are in economic crisis, but its the fault of the democrates during the civil war:
http://www.southernstudies.org/2011/10/the-souths-economic-crisis.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/02/1311236/-The-South-is-America-s-poverty-belt-and-Republicans-want-to-make-all-of-America-more-like-the-South
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/02/poverty-increase-map_n_5548577.html

[Riley09swb]

[quote=TypicalSituation77;36704964]Do your research! NC and the South in general is not for everyone.

The Weather Channel had an article up from August explaning their concerns regarding the South
http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/southern-megalopolis-stretch-raleigh-atlanta-2060-study-20140731

As of yesterday they got some bad press about the worse schools in the US (first link). The biggest problem is that the natives don't want to hear it...if chaplain joe says its the democrat yankees in church then that must be the case... If you are from the North and speak up they tell you to shutup or leave...or they blame the issues on a time when the democrates were last in power.
http://www.news-record.com/news/north-carolina-ranks-as-worst-state-for-teachers/article_01f80560-47e6-11e4-9518-001a4bcf6878.html

Social issues driven by religion per NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/10/01/the-souths-enduring-conservativism/religion-sets-a-social-agenda-in-the-southern-united-states

Some of the unhealthiest states:
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/29/obesity-rising-southern-states-have-highest-rates/

They have the highest rates of poverties and are in economic crisis, but its the fault of the democrates during the civil war:
http://www.southernstudies.org/2011/10/the-souths-economic-crisis.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/02/1311236/-The-South-is-America-s-poverty-belt-and-Republicans-want-to-make-all-of-America-more-like-the-South
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5548577.html[/quote]

The article isn't about NC having the worst schools but about NC being the worst state for teachers. If you even read the article you would have read the reasons and 3 of them were based on salary issues. It's not a secret that NC sucks in paying it's teachers. For the record, I'm a midwestern yankee.

[GoodDay9876]

Thanks for posting all the reasons why people should stay away from North Carolina (???) Kind of weird - I could pull up links like that for every state - and could also pull links on why each state is the best.