Charlotte, NC

[nynole1]

My cousin and her husband are moving in April, and will rent in the short term, but hope to buy within a year. She is 30 and expecting her first child in June. Any advice on places to live and ones to avoid? Also, any other useful information in terms of the area (restaurants, activities, etc) is welcome. Figured I would ask the all-knowing LR for their sage advice!

 

[nole71911]

Moved here from Tampa in May-2011. How much is she willing to spend on a house? That will dictate where she gets to live. If you are trying to live anywhere near downtown, Ballayntne, Providence Road Corridor, or Lake Norman you are going to spend $500K plus at a minimum. There are cheaper areas with solid schools though like Indian Trail, NC or Indian Land, SC or Fort Mill, SC.

 

[OrlandNole]

Avoid NYCNole's hood. His neighbors are all crazy.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Myers Park or hit the bricks.

 

[NYCNole]

Avoid NYCNole's hood. His neighbors are all crazy.

Left that hood in 2010 and never looked back. Two people from that block are now in jail, shame of it was people buying homes they couldn't afford. Great job CountryWide.

As for places to live in CLT, look at towns right over the Mecklenberg County line for cheap taxes and excellent schools. Union County desirable towns are Marvin($400k-900k), Weddington($300-500k) and Waxhaw($300-400k). I live in Marvin which provides a 35 min commute to Uptown or 10 min commute to Ballantyne Corporate Park. Stay away from I-77, its Long Island traffic bad!

I will always love & miss NYC but dadgummit Charlotte is a great place to live.

 

[nynole1]

Moved here from Tampa in May-2011. How much is she willing to spend on a house? That will dictate where she gets to live. If you are trying to live anywhere near downtown, Ballayntne, Providence Road Corridor, or Lake Norman you are going to spend $500K plus at a minimum. There are cheaper areas with solid schools though like Indian Trail, NC or Indian Land, SC or Fort Mill, SC.

They do well, she is a senior actuary and he is a trader. I wouldn't know exactly what they would spend, but I am guessing they wouldn't make that kind of financial commitment until they are sure they will stay longterm.

 

[nole71911]

They do well, she is a senior actuary and he is a trader. I wouldn't know exactly what they would spend, but I am guessing they wouldn't make that kind of financial commitment until they are sure they will stay longterm.

If they both do those kinds of jobs I am sure they net over $350K a year together..............so they can live most anywhere in CLT just not sure what they want to spend. Money being no object:
1. Meyers Park
2. Providence Road Corridor
3. Ballanytne
4. Lake Norman

Weddington and Waxhaw are nice but I do not see a point in passing a bunch of houses like those closer to the city for around the same kind of cash. My builder in Indian Trail builds houses for 400K - 500K. Literally some of the same houses in my neighborhood closer to the city are being built by my builder for $700K - $800K! Location will definitely cost you in CLT.

 

[NYCNole]

If they both do those kinds of jobs I am sure they net over $350K a year together..............so they can live most anywhere in CLT just not sure what they want to spend. Money being no object:
1. Meyers Park
2. Providence Road Corridor
3. Ballanytne
4. Lake Norman

Weddington and Waxhaw are nice but I do not see a point in passing a bunch of houses like those closer to the city for around the same kind of cash. My builder in Indian Trail builds houses for 400K - 500K. Literally some of the same houses in my neighborhood closer to the city are being built by my builder for $700K - $800K! Location will definitely cost you in CLT.

Taxes are nearly half in Marvin/Weddington & pools/tennis courts are nice to have in neighborhood. Schools are newer & well kept.

Location will cost you!

 

[appynole]

Depends on what they want to spend and how close do they want to be to center city and or their job locations. I got out of Charlotte in 2005, built a home across the river in Belmont, lived there for 10 years and absolutely loved the small town feel with an easy commute up I85. But due to NC's homeschool restrictions on after school activities for our two little ones, we moved across the border and built another home in Lake Wylie, SC. Love the lower cost of living with the same commute. As mentioned Fort Mill area is growing leaps and bounds, heck all of York county pretty much in the same boat. Lots of growth in Cabarrus County too. Have friends up that way and they're pretty high on the school system. You could not pay me enough money to live in the South parts of Charlotte nor any where up I77 towards the lake I can not deal with that traffic. If money is of no concern then I'd buy close to center city, Myers Park, Eastover, Cotswold and Elizabeth. They could rent in the South End part of town while looking. The NODA area is starting to turn the corner more with a lot of infills going up. Again as mentioned it will come down to how much do they want to spend and do they mind a commute. Meck taxes are crazy so I let everyone pay and I still get all the benefits.

 

[appynole]

Since you asked about restaurants I only give one to anyone that asks in my opinion the best Mexican in Charlotte is off Little Rock Road and I85...bar none. Also when they're ready to build I know a great GC!

 

[squiffynole]

http://www.city-data.com/city/Charlotte-North-Carolina.html

The census mapping tool is helpful once you get the hang of it.

 

[nynole1]

Since you asked about restaurants I only give one to anyone that asks in my opinion the best Mexican in Charlotte is off Little Rock Road and I85...bar none. Also when they're ready to build I know a great GC!

Did I miss the name?

 

[appynole]

Did I miss the name?

Duh...sorry Miguel's. It's a dive nothing pretty but the food is worth the drive.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Charlotte is a culinary wasteland. Dining is on par with Tallahassee.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

I'm in Charlotte right now. Tons of Yankees. Tons of strip malls and chain restaurants.

I did have some pretty good Vietnamese though and they have a good little Asian strip. I could have probably bought a human toe or found an intriguing game of Russian roulette in that shopping center.

No comment on where to live.

 

[canoli]

I'm in Charlotte right now. Tons of Yankees. Tons of strip malls and chain restaurants.

I did have some pretty good Vietnamese though and they have a good little Asian strip. I could have probably bought a human toe or found an intriguing game of Russian roulette in that shopping center.

No comment on where to live.

What is the name of the Asian strip club? Asking for a friend.

 

[NoleInNC]

Been in Charlotte 20 years now and have lived in university, Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood in Charlotte proper. Then moved to Mtn Island Lake (Mt Holly, Gaston Cty) and now live in Denver on Lake Norman -Lincoln Cty. Love it out there. Commute is not too bad but definitely more house for your money if you can get away from Charlotte proper.