Family with elemetary school age children poss relocating to Charlotte (Raleigh: apartments, to rent)
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I know this has probably all been touched on, but I am hoping to get all of my answers in one thread. Thanks in advance for the time and consideration it takes to respond.
We are a mid-late 30s couple with 4 and 8 yo boys. We will be moving from a suburb of Philadelphia (the cost of living is crushing us).We also have 2 goofy dogs and I work with dog rescue, so a dog friendly area would be nice. We are progressives/liberals and would like to live in an area where there are like minded people. We would love an "artsy" feel but safety, schools, and affordability are most important to us too. A YMCA and/or a swim club wowuld be a big plus too. We would love to rent while we get on our feet but would want to rent in an area that we could then afford to buy so that we wouldn't have to make our 8 yo change schools twice. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
What you are describing fits Raleigh/Chapel Hill better than Charlotte. Not to be unwelcoming . . . especially to dog lovers!!! But just wondering why you chose Charlotte . . . ?
I am not sure about the artsy part of what you are looking for, but we are very happy in our neighborhood full of kids, a YMCA maybe 10 min away, and also a dog park nearby. I have seen people bringing their leashed dogs to a few outdoor shopping centers. Several subdivisions have their own pools/clubhouses too.
I only visited Rayleigh many years ago so I don't know much about the comparison b/w that and Charlotte.
Why do you say that? What part of my description makes you think we would be better suited for Raleigh?
I live is SE CLT and we have a very active neighborhood association.
[Pool, clubhouse, neighborhood activities, etc]
Most are very conservative...
The one couple on our street of 25 that is very 'progressive/liberal' told me just last week they are thinking of moving back North as they feel very out of place.
The Triangle area with the unis and such is more liberal/progressive (I lived there for 9 years).
there are many liberal progressives in Charlotte and I think if you moved to SE Charlotte you would find a good place to live and when you are ready to buy you could stay within the school district. The Arboretum has many apartments and townhouses to rent and they feed into a great elementary school Elizabeth Lane. There are many neighbourhoods around there too with different price ranges from the top end to a more affordable range. The Harris Y is about 8 miles from there and there is a dog park about a mile from there. Although some people (ahem) like to think the conservatives are taking over LOL they are not it just seems that way!!!. I have many friends from all backgrounds with differing political opinions and never have any of them felt out of place in Charlotte. It will seem stepford like at first as people here all dress the same and drive the same cars etc but underneath the facade there are real people with different opinions and that is ok. Good luck with your decision.
Yes, Mullman is right - Chapel Hill, especially, is what I think of as being more progressive and/or liberal. Pretty conservative where I live in South Charlotte.
As far as great neighborhoods, good place to raise a family, I think Charlotte has that. Also, the Y is very strong here and some very nice facilities. As ChicagoMich said . . . many of the newer subdivisions have their own community pool/clubhouse, etc.
I like both Charlotte and Raleigh. The regions do have a different vibe - in my opinion. But I like both cities.
Thanks.... it's not like we need to live with a bunch of hippies, we certainly aren't hippies. But, we are liberal in our thoughs and political views. One thing i am sure of, is that no matter what peoples' politics, people down south are friendlier and that is important to us. As long as people aren't judging us, we will be fine.
Make sure you read the thread on finding jobs here.. unemployment is around 12% and not getting any better...
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We're in the Ballantyne area (S. Charlotte)
