A buddy and I are moving next year, help needed (Charlotte: fit in, real estate)

[wvuwhat]

Ok, So I'm at school now and will be graduating in May of 09'. I will be taking all online classes for my last semester (Spring 09') in order to be able to come to Charlotte and interview so hopefully I'll have a job coming straight out of college. It's a longshot, but I figure I'll have a "leg up" by doing this.

My buddy is fairly established as a manager at Avis at Dulles Airport right now in NoVa. He *should* be able to transfer to CLT fairly easily and has actually already been down to check out the job and the town.

My girlfriend here at school has a friend down there that has a place and her father is on the crew for the Geico car. Sorry, I'm not into Nascar, I know it's probably a sin down here, but I'm trying to get into it and will be trying to get to the Crown Royal 400 in Richmond this year. Point being, my girlfriend will most likely be moving down there, so I will have friends which is a good thing.

Anyway, me and my buddy should potentially be able to afford a 130K house on the high end. We would prefer to buy and play the market until I get serious about marrying my girlfriend, if it works out.

I am graduating with degrees in Communications and Advertising degrees and have been trying to look for jobs with BoA that I like. Is there any other employers down there where my degree may work out that are good to work for?

Basically, we are going to come and look and get it down to an area we would like to live in. Most likely, I will be working uptown (hopefully) and he will be working at the airport. What is a good safe neighborhood that will be good for early 20's college grads?

We are not opposed to renting for a while, but ultimately want to buy, because both he and I are very into investing and making smart decisions. I should have about 20 grand to put down and he may be able to match that, we are looking for pay about 1250 after utilities with this down payment.

We are not opposed to condo living as long as there's 2 bedrooms/bathrooms minimum and easy enough for me to have my dog there.

Any areas? Suggestions? I've been trying to keep my eye on houses that fit in our price range, but have no idea other than the section they are in. I think I like Lake Norman and seems like it may be easy enough of a commute for both of us, but have no idea until I get down there. I guess we wouldn't be opposed to moving just south of the border if it's a cheaper and better area.

Any help? I'll direct him to this thread and I'm sure he'll check it out as well.

[lasellc2020]

Congratulations on your education. (May 2009 will be here before you know it.) You should really enjoy the flexibility of taking on-line classes. Concerning areas, suggestions, you are in your early 20's and uptown is on the rise. New venues, new shops, retail, it is going to be HOT! Even though you're aren't into Nascar, the Hall of Fame is coming and if you are uptown you will be near alot of action. Not area of expertise, but contact a real estate agent for more suggestions. Renting is good, but having property will be in your best interest; especially when you start that great job that has your name written all over it! Best of Luck!

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by wvuwhat

Ok, So I'm at school now and will be graduating in May of 09'. I will be taking all online classes for my last semester (Spring 09') in order to be able to come to Charlotte and interview so hopefully I'll have a job coming straight out of college. It's a longshot, but I figure I'll have a "leg up" by doing this.

My buddy is fairly established as a manager at Avis at Dulles Airport right now in NoVa. He *should* be able to transfer to CLT fairly easily and has actually already been down to check out the job and the town.

My girlfriend here at school has a friend down there that has a place and her father is on the crew for the Geico car. Sorry, I'm not into Nascar, I know it's probably a sin down here, but I'm trying to get into it and will be trying to get to the Crown Royal 400 in Richmond this year. Point being, my girlfriend will most likely be moving down there, so I will have friends which is a good thing.

Anyway, me and my buddy should potentially be able to afford a 130K house on the high end. We would prefer to buy and play the market until I get serious about marrying my girlfriend, if it works out.

I am graduating with degrees in Communications and Advertising degrees and have been trying to look for jobs with BoA that I like. Is there any other employers down there where my degree may work out that are good to work for?

Basically, we are going to come and look and get it down to an area we would like to live in. Most likely, I will be working uptown (hopefully) and he will be working at the airport. What is a good safe neighborhood that will be good for early 20's college grads?

We are not opposed to renting for a while, but ultimately want to buy, because both he and I are very into investing and making smart decisions. I should have about 20 grand to put down and he may be able to match that, we are looking for pay about 1250 after utilities with this down payment.

We are not opposed to condo living as long as there's 2 bedrooms/bathrooms minimum and easy enough for me to have my dog there.

Any areas? Suggestions? I've been trying to keep my eye on houses that fit in our price range, but have no idea other than the section they are in. I think I like Lake Norman and seems like it may be easy enough of a commute for both of us, but have no idea until I get down there. I guess we wouldn't be opposed to moving just south of the border if it's a cheaper and better area.

Any help? I'll direct him to this thread and I'm sure he'll check it out as well.

Don't worry. MOST people in Charlotte are NOT into Nascar either.

It is usually your smaller town country people and 90% are probably from out of state.

Charlotte is a Banking Center and a very nice city!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Don't worry. MOST people in Charlotte are NOT into Nascar either.

It is usually your smaller town country people and 90% are probably from out of state.

Charlotte is a Banking Center and a very nice city!

Uh-oh, 7 oh 4 I fear you have just put your foot in your mouth on this one, LOL! Hard as it may be for you to believe, NASCAR is bigger with folks in Charlotte than you know. It is not just the country folks from smaller towns that are big fans. I know several people who never miss a race, though they are long time Charlotteans, not newcomers.

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Uh-oh, 7 oh 4 I fear you have just put your foot in your mouth on this one, LOL! Hard as it may be for you to believe, NASCAR is bigger with folks in Charlotte than you know. It is not just the country folks from smaller towns that are big fans. I know several people who never miss a race, though they are long time Charlotteans, not newcomers.

But real Charlotteans only make up probably 30-35% of the population. At work I don't know of any Nascar fans. Last year they were trying to give away free passes to a race and no one took them. I think they actually got thrown away. Now the Wachovia Championship is a totally different story.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

But real Charlotteans only make up probably 30-35% of the population. At work I don't know of any Nascar fans. Last year they were trying to give away free passes to a race and no one took them. I think they actually got thrown away. Now the Wachovia Championship is a totally different story.

OHMYGOSH, say it isn't so!!!!! PLEASE, keep me in mind if that happens again, I know some folks who would have LOVED those tickets!!!!

And I guess you are right, again. I forgot for a minute that the yanks now outnumber the southerners in Charlotte

[wvuwhat]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

But real Charlotteans only make up probably 30-35% of the population. At work I don't know of any Nascar fans. Last year they were trying to give away free passes to a race and no one took them. I think they actually got thrown away. Now the Wachovia Championship is a totally different story.

Ok, you've reached a serious point I'm looking into as well. Where are the decent golf courses? Golf is just so expensive in Northern VA, upwards of 90 dollars a round for just a decent course on the weekend.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by wvuwhat

Ok, you've reached a serious point I'm looking into as well. Where are the decent golf courses? Golf is just so expensive in Northern VA, upwards of 90 dollars a round for just a decent course on the weekend.

We have some great public courses in Charlotte where greens fees were pretty affordable last time I knew. In addition, there are some really nice private courses, but I'll let the golfers tell you about them

[wvuwhat]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

We have some great public courses in Charlotte where greens fees were pretty affordable last time I knew. In addition, there are some really nice private courses, but I'll let the golfers tell you about them

Sounds great. I'm planning on trying to find a yearly membership that some courses in my area offer. Anyone know of any nicer courses that offer a yearly membership. They vary from 3-8 thousand here. If I could find one down there for about 2500 or so it would be amazing.

[flyingscotsman]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

OHMYGOSH, say it isn't so!!!!! PLEASE, keep me in mind if that happens again, I know some folks who would have LOVED those tickets!!!!

And I guess you are right, again. I forgot for a minute that the yanks now outnumber the southerners in Charlotte

All these damn incomers

I still prefer Formula 1 to Nascar but then again I have driven a formula 1 car so I guess I am jaded