starting the process (Charlotte, Weddington, Marvin: real estate, homes, neighborhood)

[ckatch]

Hi all,

I'm new to the board, and so anxious to relocate from Long Island, NY to NC. My husband and I are thinking about the Charlotte area, and are making a trip to check it out this summer. I've read many different opinions about which schools are best, which towns are best for young families, and have become dizzy from confusion.

Can anyone recommend a good relocation specialist? (I'm assuming they would have such info??) I've also read that Exclusive Buyer's Agents are better than regular real estate agents when it comes to relocating. Any thoughts? Also, do you know where I can get concrete data (literature) comparing the school districts? I've checked out a bunch of websites but can't make sense of it all.

Thanks!

[marblmom]

For info on Union County schools, go to:
Union County Public Schools

For Mecklenberg County schools, go to:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

You can also try: ReDir

For Fort Mill, SC schools, go to:
eChalk

If you come down for a visit, you can pick up a magazine (free) called Observer Homes in any grocery store. They summarize all the school test scores. They also have a website Charlotte Observer | Real Estate

Don't let people scare you about CMS schools. There are lots of good ones, and some of the magnet schools are also excellent.

There are also many great private schools here. Charlotte Latin, Charlotte Country Day and Providence day are a few of the big ones. VERY expensive, however! But, I guess they are not bad compared to the cost of private schools in the northeast.

I don't know much about buyers agents. You can go to Allentate.com to find some info. They are a big realty company here. Where to live depends a lot on what you are looking for and your price range. Do you prefer to be very close to the city, with a good amount of $$ to spend for a home? Then Myers Park is the place to be. If you prefer something a little further away, South Park is a great area but is pricey. A bit further out, but very nice, is South Charlotte (areas like Ballantyne, Piper Glen, Providence Plantation). Union county is also very nice, particluarly areas in Weddington and Marvin. You really can't go wrong with these areas. Again, let me know what you want to spend and what type of area you want, and you can get it narrowed down!

Hope this helps!

[ckatch]

Wow, that info helps. We'd love to be able to afford the more pricey areas, but we're just starting out... I will definitely check out those areas. By "magnet" schools, are you talking about charter schools? Up here, I think they're not viewed upon as prestigious schools, but rather a good alternative for those people who can't afford a private school education, where entry is based on a lottery system. Is it different in NC?

Thanks again!

[ckatch]

we're can spend $250K tops and are looking for a cute, family neighborhood that's in close proximity to shops, restaurants, schools, etc.

Originally Posted by marblmom

For info on Union County schools, go to:
Union County Public Schools

For Mecklenberg County schools, go to:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

You can also try: ReDir

For Fort Mill, SC schools, go to:
eChalk

If you come down for a visit, you can pick up a magazine (free) called Observer Homes in any grocery store. They summarize all the school test scores. They also have a website Charlotte Observer | Real Estate

Don't let people scare you about CMS schools. There are lots of good ones, and some of the magnet schools are also excellent.

There are also many great private schools here. Charlotte Latin, Charlotte Country Day and Providence day are a few of the big ones. VERY expensive, however! But, I guess they are not bad compared to the cost of private schools in the northeast.

I don't know much about buyers agents. You can go to Allentate.com to find some info. They are a big realty company here. Where to live depends a lot on what you are looking for and your price range. Do you prefer to be very close to the city, with a good amount of $$ to spend for a home? Then Myers Park is the place to be. If you prefer something a little further away, South Park is a great area but is pricey. A bit further out, but very nice, is South Charlotte (areas like Ballantyne, Piper Glen, Providence Plantation). Union county is also very nice, particluarly areas in Weddington and Marvin. You really can't go wrong with these areas. Again, let me know what you want to spend and what type of area you want, and you can get it narrowed down!

Hope this helps!

[marblmom]

It sounds like your charter schools are like our magnet schools. We also have a lottery for them. While I wouldn't really say they are prestigious, it is pretty competitive getting into some of them! For under $250, if you want new, I would check out Brandon Oaks and Lawson in Union County. Balmoral, Dominion Bridge, Regent Park in Fort Mill. There are also good resales all over. Let me know if I can help more!!