Hi. I'm currently living in CT. My husband and I would like to move to the Charlotte region. We are thinking of moving in May/June time frame. However, we are unsure of the best areas in the region to live. We currently live in a large town that is growing tremendously. We would like to live in a more low key area that is close enough to Charlotte to drive to work. What are your thoughts and suggestions?? We've received relocation info, but we are unfamiliar with the towns and what they are like down there. It's somewhat overwhelming. Please help and provide us with any info that you can. We are looking forward to meeting up with our fellow Mini owners down there. Thank you!!!!!

 

Hi there. I moved to Charlotte a little over two years from a small town in FL called Lakeland, but I've lived in PA, MD, and SC in addition to NC--life with an engineer . Charlotte is VERY congested. The roadways are too small and it takes forever to get any where. I chose the Ballantyne area of Charlotte which is a very lovely area and not as busy. Although, it is growing like crazy here now. It's close enough to my husbands employer in Ft Mill, SC and we both have been very pleased. This area is very close to the SC border and homes range from the $200,00 to multi millions. The schools are great. We have the Ballantyne resort and the Ballantyne golf course in addition to a great YMCA. Shopping is abundent with many upscale stores.

I had a hard time choosing a place to live that was close to my husbands work place and didn't stick me the woods. Personal preference--I like the city.

Charlotte is a pretty decent size city. Where will you be working? The University area isn't bad, but again TRAFFIC. Traffic without a commuter systerm stinks.

Tell us a little bit about your personal preferences and perhaps we can direct you in the right area. The city does have a variety to offer.

Cheers,
Debi

 

Hi Debi. Thanks for your input! We do not want to live in the city. The town we live in now is big and growing by leaps and bounds. We live between 2 cities so there is a very large population surrounding us. Connecticut is a congested state in the Hartford area. We are looking to live in a quieter town that isn't congested with traffic. We are considering living in the SC area too. We do not have work down there yet. We are trying to get out of New England and feel that the Carolina's will be the perfect place for us.

 

How far would you like to commute? The Shelby area is a nice place. It's about an hours drive. Great real estate prices.



http://www.cityofshelby.com/

 

We'd like to have a commute of no more than a half hour. Right now my commute is about 40 minutes, and it would be nice to not waste so much gas - even though I do get to drive a Mini.

 

Try the Harrisburg, NC area. It's still a relatively small town with easy access to Charlotte. I485 close by for access. Lots of new housing, with new school just been or being built. Taxes are less than Charlotte. People are very friendly.

 

Basset is right,Harrisburg is a great area.

I live just a few miles from Harrisburg, but still in Charlotte. If I had it to due over I would be in Harrisburg.

Good luck on your move

George

 

It really helps to get an idea of the area from the people that actually live there. We are taking your suggestions to heart and looking into the Harrisburg area. We are really looking forward to moving to a friendlier state with better weather. The temperature has been hovering around 12 today with lots of snow on the ground. Yuck. I can't wait to get outta here.

 

Check out Lancaster, SC, Monroe, NC, Waxhaw, NC. My father moved from Miami to Waxhaw 25 years ago (no skyscrapers in Charlotte) and all of these towns are within commuting distance but still rural.

Good luck.

 

If you're interested in Harrisburg, they have a web site. Harrisburgnc.com it has some info on the schools and some of the things going on around the area. If you're into racing Lowes motor speedway is 2 miles, Charlotte is 15 minutes away. Charleston is 3 hours, myrtle beach is 4 hours and the mountains are a couple hours away, that's where the dragon is. You can have the best of both worlds, mountains and beach. New high schools and elementary schools, if you have kids.

 

I live in a little town about 20 minutes from charlotte called Dallas, It is very small and has alot of country areas but just close enough to charlotte

 

I would stay away from Lancaster, SC. I worked there for a year and I think it has nothing to offer you. Especially, coming from CT--I think you'll be disappointed. Waxhaw is growing--I would definately take a look at it, along with Monroe.

A few more areas to consider--Ft Mill, SC just across the Charlotte/Mecklenburg line is growing like crazy. Just go South on Johnston Road from the Ballantyne area into SC. We have friends that live in these areas and they really like the short distance to everything. Also, the Rea Road area into Waxhaw has sooooooooooo much new development. These are becoming very desirable areas to live in and the housing is truly becoming an investment in this Waxhaw, FT Mill, Ballantyne area. I've seen a 20% increase in the value of my home in two years which isn't bad--hey this isn't CA.

We have friends that live very close to the speedway and any time something is going on it takes forever to get home. My recommendation or 2 cents is to find out where you'll be working and then take a look at where you want to live, then try a commute.

Mecklenburg county which is Charlotte has the highest taxes. Waxhaw is in Union county NC and the taxes are less. Ft. Mill is in York, SC and has lower taxes also. But, I bet Mecklenburg taxes are still cheaper then CT :smile: Also, something new to some Northeners is personal property taxes. I know I was floored when years ago I moved from MD to SC and was slammed with $1400 worth of taxes for owning two cars. NC has these taxes as well, but they are not nearly as much. I just received my statement for my 03 Cooper S and it was $235.00. My 99 M3 is $318.00. When this car was new back in 99 in SC, it was $1000. So consider that too when looking at SC.

Best of luck. Let me know if I can do anything for you.

 

Thanks for all the info! We have considered the SC area. From what I understand, NC requires vehicles to be inspected yearly, as SC doesn't. This is a big plus for us. We already pay personal property taxes, and no matter where we choose to live down there, it will STILL be cheaper than CT. This state is expensive with everything. We will be taking a long weekend trip down there within the next few months to scope out some areas and get a feel for the state. I can't wait!

 

Debi,

$235 for tax on your MINI? Here in Catawba County, the tax on my 03 S is like less than $100. What a huuuuge difference! I suggest you guys from CT consider living as far away from Charlotte/Mechlenburg Co. as you can. There are many nice areas within 30 to 45 minutes that are much less expensive.
Just my 2 cents.

Eric

 

I completely, 110% agree with debiw.


SC car taxes are very, very high. Taxes on my old Civic (97) were still over $300 a year last time I paid them in 2002. They were higher than that every year before. I dread seeing what my S will be when I take her back down there. People in Indiana tell me how high their taxes are.. $400 or so on a nice, new car and I tell them about paying taxes on the cars we owned at my old office... some were near $2000. A friend of min bought a new Galant not long before I moved and she paid $850 in taxes.

I also would not recommend Lancaster. It's just too backwoods for my taste. I've only been there a few times so I'm not expert, but I've never seen anything "nice" in the times I've been there. Last time I was there was less than a month ago actually.

Ft. Mill is a nice area and has really good access from highways. I would totally agree that you find out where you are going to be working and go from there.

I am originally from Charlotte and I know as well as anyone that it's a pretty spread out city and the traffic can be insane. You will notice that the highways are not all that large for such a city and the public transport is barely anything. But Charlotte and the nearest parts of SC have nice areas on all sides... so no matter where your office is.. you will be able to find a haven within a reasonable distance.

 

Eric, it is .4200 per value for Charlotte tax, $30.00 Char Auto fee and Mecklenburg tax of .7567. No tax would be great, but it sure is better then SC where this would probably be $600.00.

 

There are a number of communities in Union County you might want to take a look at: Monroe, Waxhaw, Weddington (very expensive area), Mineral Springs, and Wesley Chapel to name a few. Union Co. is the fastest growing county in the state, but you can still find some land and homes at a reasonable price if you go out from Charlotte far enough. I live in Mineral Springs and can make it to outskirts of Charlotte in 20 to 25 minutes. Just about any direction outside of Charlotte has new sub divisions going up (almost on a daily basis). If you are interested in the names of some let me know...I think they have websites.

 

Travelling to Charlotte from the south (Fort Mill) is rough. Travelling from the north (Salisbury area where I live) is much better. I may have an hour commute, but it's at highway speeds (70+) nearly the whole way with light traffic usually.There are folks that I work with that live in Gastonia and Huntersville that have almost the same drive tiem as I do with half (or less) as many miles.

 

We live in just over the border into Union county but still only about 1/2 mile from Mecklenburg county. We save about $2000 in taxes just by driving the extra mile not to mention being able to buy a little more house. Ballantyne is nice, as are some areas down Johnston, Rea, and Providence roads. Only downside is traffic gets backed up on 485.

http://www.co.union.nc.us/

check out the GIS parcel access for tax values.
http://maps.co.union.nc.us/sdx/index.asp

also check out
http://www.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/ and tax value lookup
http://maps2.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/we...ate/viewer.htm

also great MLS search http://www.carolinahome.com/

Good luck!

 

We've been in Fort Mill for almost 5 years now. I much prefer being just outside Mecklinburg county, with it's tax and school issues. I have pinned the commute times down pretty well, and suspect it is easier to travel north to the city, rather than travel south or southwest. I also do alot of flying out of Charlotte Douglas and have alternative routes to and from there to home depending on the time of day.

We both feel pretty lucky with our choice and really like the town.

Cirbo

 

i would say find out where the new office is first. then we can all give you advice about where to live. traffic here is bad for the am and pm commutes. i live 1.2 miles from work and traffic is bad. where will you be working around town. that's the most important thing.

 

Right now I'm currently in the interview process with the Hartford. Not exactly sure what the address is though in Charlotte...I'm interviewing with people up my way right now. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get the job. Once I get the offer, I will be able to find out where the location is.

 

I was wondering if anyone could help me out with something since this subject came up a little in this thread before.

I live in Atlanta but do own property in SC and was wondering if it would be financially beneficial for me to register my car there instead of here.

I know my insurance would be less, but I worry about the taxes... having lived in SC for 25 years, I know how bad they can be.

Has anyone paid their taxes yet this year on a 2004 S? How much were they? Especially people living in Richland County would be very, very helpful but any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!