For the NC ladies...

my sister is thinking of making the move to NC. My step-brother lives there, in the Raleigh area, but she's looking for info on some other areas.

Can you tell me where YOU live...do you like it? School district? Property taxes? Job market? ANY Info would be helpful!!

TIA!!

Re: For the NC ladies...

Bump for the NC crew

Re: For the NC ladies...

We live in Charlotte. The school district here sucks....we are thinking of moving about 10-15 minutes north into either Concord or Harrisburg (different counties than the one we live in now) where the schools are a bit better but NOTHING like NY, IMO

As far as taxes, we pay 1,300 a year on a small ranch.

I have a great job in the financial services industry and make good money

dh owns a home improvements company

edited b/c I forgot we can say sucks now

Message edited 4/18/2008 8:53:40 PM.

Re: For the NC ladies...

We also live near Charlotte, though we are in Indian Trail, which is in Union County.

The schools here are AWESOME. I work for one of the best in Union County; we have excellent test scores and very dedicated teachers and administration.

What I like about Union County is that we have the convenience of being near Charlotte, but less traffic and better schools.

We pay $2000 a year in taxes on our 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home.

As I mentioned before, I am a teacher, and DH works from home for his company in NY.

We love it here and wouldn't dream of moving back!

Re: For the NC ladies...

I lived and taught in Wilmington, NC for 2 years and I will moving back this summer. The schools aren't good compared to NY but New Hanover County has some of the best schools in the state. I absolutely LOVE it there and can not wait to move back!

Re: For the NC ladies...

We live 15 minutes north of Charlotte in the Lake Norman area. It is gorgeous! The schools up here are CMS schools that are run by our local (town)government so they are a step up from CMS (Charlotte Mecklenberg Schools).

The job market depends on your industry. DH still works his NY job (from home).

I don't know about the property taxes up here because we are waiting a year to own.

Re: For the NC ladies...

We live in the Piedmont Triad area (winston-salem, high point, greensboro)

It's about 1.5 hours North of Charlotte & West of Raleigh.

WE LOVE IT!

Job market really depends on what you do. My DH is in medicine and does very well. I on the other had am a PE teach or in fitness and am having trouble getting a job.

But real estate is cheaper, taxes are low. We are currently looking for house and have narrowed it down to our favorites, based on house size we want, cost, taxes and SCHOOLS (which is super important to us).

Re: For the NC ladies...

Stacy, if your sister heads down here, then I think you would HAVE to make the move!

We live in South Charlotte(Ballanytne).

I love it in Ballanytne. From what everyone tells me, schools are great. Tons of transplants.

Walking distance to anything you can imagine...
2 movie theaters
tons of restaurants
2 YMCAs(they are super nice down here)
Hair salons
spas
Dr offices
different shops
parks
walking trails
Catholic Church and school
post office
bank...I could go on and on

so, we are not "country" here at all.

I love it like that.

Crime is a problem...but they are getting it under control with extra security and police.

Charlotte is such a mix of different communities. I have lived in 3 neighborhoods so far, all gorgeous...all great schools.

I don't worry about schools too much, I am pulling for catholic school anyway.

They also have a great charter school program here as well. Arts and specific languages. I need to find out more about all that.

Jobs...Leo is in restaurant management.

When he worked in the city(privately owned, his pay was slightly more)...

He wanted to go corporate, found a starting pay to match NY's.

Right now, his company is at a franchaise stand still, once the hold is liftd, he will get his promotion. then, his pay will be slightly higher then the NYC GMs.

As far as restaurants, these people down here LOVE to go out and eat. They are on a 40 minute wait on a Wed night.

The lady I work for is a 1st year elem guidence counselor. She got a job at a brand new Union County school.

For admin assistants, there are jobs all over. Pay is def not the same as in the city...

Once Leo gets his promotion, we will buy. (we have to wait to hear what location)....

Currently he is in union county, I am not ready to live out there yet...not as a lonely SAHM...too rural for me at this time in my life.

But, a great town in union county-Waxhaw. If you don't have to commute, like us, its super nice, crazy low crime rate.

Weather is PERFECT. Our seasons change, just without the intensity of a full on winter.

TONS AND TONS AND TONS to do. Its a centralized location.

Beach on one side, mountains on the other.

wow...this is long!

MAJOR downside currently:Gas prices.

It costs me way more then I ever wanted to pay to make the trips back up to NY.