Can anyone tell me about Charlotte, NC?

[Chris in VA]

Relatives may move there, seeking better jobs, perhaps in banking.

 

Areas to avoid? They will probably rent. Bad schools/good schools areas? I'm seeing houses selling from the 500's all the way down to 99K--for basically the same sq footage. Would, say, $130K buy a house in a safe area?

 

I am just curious--of course, they are responsible for contacting a realtor or otherwise finding out about the area. Just wondering if y'all could fill me in a little.

[speedmom4]

I live in the Charlotte metro area. There are lots of great areas all around Charlotte. I live in Cabarrus Co. I would probably avoid Gastonia, but there may be those who like that area. It has a reputation for high crime. I would also avoid Uptown Charlotte, unless they had a lot more money to spend.

 

For $130,000 you could buy a small home that probably needed some updating. I believe the median house price for our area is around $240k but there are many nice homes below that.

 

Good luck to your family!

Edited March 13, 2016 by speedmom4

[Chris in VA]

Oh, that's nice to know! They may be homeschooling in the future.

 

I will look around Cabarrus Co. I hope they don't go where there's crime. I guess a lot will depend on jobs. There probably needs to be a gym very close and she formally worked at a college but needs to make a little more, so that's why she's looking at banking.

 

I'm really just frittering away a little time this am. Not feeling well enough for church.

[sheryl]

Chris,  I live in Charlotte.  PM me for details.   Or, pm me and you may call if you like.

[Chris in VA]

Will Pm you later, Sheryl! Yay! Thank you!

[Alicia64]

Tell your family to look into CityData.com (great forums to ask questions) and Zilliow.com to find a home.

 

We relocated from the West Coast to the East Coast -- I highly recommend renting first so that they can get a feel for the areas that they like.

 

Alley

Edited March 14, 2016 by Alicia64

[KarenNC]

We're also in Cabarrus. Lots of folks who work in Charlotte live in surrounding counties, including over the border into SC, for lower tax rates and more house for less money, but that needs to be balanced by commute times. Traffic on I-77 is horrible, particularly at rush hour, so beware of that if looking at the north part of the county. The light rail is currently being extended from uptown up to UNCC, which may change commuter patterns in that area. Mass transit tends to all focus on uptown Charlotte, so it  can be hard to commute in to other areas if you want to use mass transit. Price of homes really depends on the size of house and area, age of house, whether it's in a neighborhood and the amenities of the neighborhood, etc. I would not expect much for $130K close in to uptown, but possibly in a 45 min +  commute.

 

There are a number of very active homeschool groups and lots of opportunities, with much more numerous activities for younger kids than high school age, and much more abundant for those looking for Christian-specific than secular, but secular/inclusive groups and activities can be found. We have two homeschool consignment stores as well as a good used bookstore that supports homeschoolers. The local museums, histroic sites, parks and rec, and libraries are supportive of homeschoolers. Cabarrus currently is the only public school system that interacts with homeschoolers, allowing some online classes during high school, but depending on the age of her kids, things could look very different either way by the time they hit high school. Juniors and seniors can dual enroll in selected community college courses for no tuition in NC. Homeschoolers can't access extracurriculars at public schools.

 

For public schools, it varies. There are also a lot of charter schools in the area, which are also free public schools, and a good number of private schools, both religious and secular. NC has just opened two state-wide virtual charters.

 

Google Fiber is being put into some areas within Mecklenburg, which will be interesting.

 

Private gyms are abundant and there are multiple YMCA locations around the area. 

 

Banking jobs seem to be primarily concentrated in uptown Charlotte and the University area.

 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg County has an excellent public library system. If you live out of county you can get a non-resident card for $45 a year per family, otherwise it's free. You don't have to have a card or be a resident to attend their programs, but do need one to access online services or check out books.

 

There is much more cultural and religious diversity the closer in you are to Charlotte. 

 

HTH!

[DawnM]

I live in Charlotte.  I honestly don't know of many houses in the price range you are discussing that would be in a good school area.  You could get something around $200K in Union County or Cabberras Co., but I don't know what you consider nice or good schools.

 

Will there be someone working?  Where will the job be?  Banking jobs can be at home if it is the right job for it, or they will be in Uptown.

 

I am willing to privately answer questions as well, or talk on phone.

 

Dawn

 

 

[Chris in VA]

Thanks so much, all!

 

They won't be homeschooling for several years, if at all. She is the primary breadwinner, and I don't see that changing any time soon. Right now her commute time is about 5 mins, so it would take some getting used to if they moved where it's 30 mins or more.

 

I will be talking with them soon and will know more.

 

They will definitely rent, but I was wondering about home prices because I could see us moving there in 10 years. Also, that lets me know about the rental prices, too.