Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetbottoms
I'd worry more about the education system here than them failing in love with it.. cause it's pretty subpar. We opted homeschooling.. also their views on things (as a Yankee) may not be as welcomed as you may hope here. As I'm finding out myself. A lot of conservative Jesus freaks. I had several friends showing pics of teachers/ students praying around the school flag on the first day of school. Imo not cool at all.
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We moved down from PA about 4 years ago and I don't agree with the above response.
Schools: We've had no issues with the schools. There are good and bad areas in the county, but from a South Charlotte/Matthews perspective (which I can speak to...don't know about Cornelius) we haven't had any issues with the schools.
Religion: This was a bit of a culture shock for us, though I wouldn't say there's a bunch of "conservative Jesus freaks" around. Whereas in the Northeast it felt like maybe 20-30% of people went to church and never mentioned it to others, here it's the opposite. Maybe 20-30% of people don't go to church and it does come up in conversation. Not that people try to convert you...moreso along the lines of: "Our kids can come over and play after church on Sunday morning". Whereas in the northeast people would just say: "Our kids can come over to play around noon".
Locations: Matthews & Cornelius are very far apart. Where will your job(s) be located? I wouldn't recommend commuting from one location to the other...that'd be over an hour commute each way.
Things to do this weekend:
- If the weather holds out, there'll be a festival in downtown Matthews all weekend ("Matthews Alive")...definitely try and attend it to get a feel for the people. There's food trucks, games, rides, craft booths, entertainment, etc. One of the better festivals in the area.
- In terms of culture, it does feel like there's less history here than in the Northeast so you need to look for culture a bit deeper.
- Science museum uptown (Discovery Place) is really good for ages ~12 and younger.
- Levine Museum of the New South is a good museum with Charlotte/NC history for ages ~7 and up.
- There's Adventure Landing with 3 good mini-golf courses down in Pineville.
- Sports Connection in Ballantyne is a good indoor place with bouncy-houses, laser tag, bowling, video games, etc.
- You can take a tour of the NASCAR track where they take you around the track at 85+ mph in a 15 passenger van.
- Don't bother with the aquarium in the Concord mall...too small to waste your time/$$
- Crowder's mountain is a great hike if the weather holds out...take the Backside trail up and the Tower trail down.
- Whitewater center is great, but it's a full day event and you need to ensure your 5 year old is brave enough to tackle the zip lines.
- Freedom Park just south of uptown is a great park to just walk through. Large pond to walk around, nice playground to expend some energy and a Panther themed NFL-Play obstacle course.
- Carolina Place Mall/Southpark Mall/Concord Mall are always good rainy day diversions.
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want them to love this state as much as I love it .
