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Ok...I've been reading posts, exploring, googling, and rent.com etc. I will be relocating to NC in June. I have been looking in the Charlotte area but I noticed just to the West is Gastonia. The city is not too big, has posted caseworker/social work jobs online...which is the work I'll be doing...soooo my real question is, What part of Gastonia would be a decent area to live? I'm looking to spend up to $700 for a small house or 2 bedroom apt. It seems to be doable in the Gastonia area. But I want a nice neighborhood and a reputable apartment complex. Any ideas???
Maybe you should check out the apartment complex called Brentwood Chase.
It is located in Gastonia and seems to be fairly nice. I drove through a couple of weeks ago and spoke with a couple of (single, female) residents who all said they liked it because it was quiet, safe, and close to restaurants, retail, etc.
A one-bedroom there rents for $610, so maybe a two-bedroom would be in your price range.
I've lived in Gastonia for 12 years and love it. I work in Charlotte and am so glad I don't live there. You really get a small town feel to Gastonia. You have everything you need except for sports and culture, which you can go to Charlotte when you need to see Nascar, Panthers, or Opera Carolina.
If you have children, carefully research the schools before choosing an apartment complex. Some are good, some aren't.
Gastonia definitely has a completely different feel and look than Charlotte. My wife and I looked seriously in the area for a home. Our main concerns were the traffic on I-85 too and from Charltote during rush hours (it gets a little thick) and the petroleum lines running through the county. I'll be the first to admit, my worry about the petroleum lines is on the same level as worrying about power transmission lines--it seems logical to worry about them, but there's no hard proof that there's an immediate danger. The kicker is that we looked at three houses in Gastonia in completely different parts of town...all three were bordered by one of the petroleum lines!
Here's a map to what I'm talking about: http://www.co.gaston.nc.us/emgt/MitigationPlan/2005-06/Page11_PetroleumPipelines.pdf (broken link)
I don't mean to put excessive worry in your mind, just keep this info in your pocket. I'd stay away from them for numerous reasons.
Gastonia definitely has a completely different feel and look than Charlotte. My wife and I looked seriously in the area for a home. Our main concerns were the traffic on I-85 too and from Charltote during rush hours (it gets a little thick) and the petroleum lines running through the county. I'll be the first to admit, my worry about the petroleum lines is on the same level as worrying about power transmission lines--it seems logical to worry about them, but there's no hard proof that there's an immediate danger. The kicker is that we looked at three houses in Gastonia in completely different parts of town...all three were bordered by one of the petroleum lines!
Here's a map to what I'm talking about: http://www.co.gaston.nc.us/emgt/MitigationPlan/2005-06/Page11_PetroleumPipelines.pdf (broken link)
I don't mean to put excessive worry in your mind, just keep this info in your pocket. I'd stay away from them for numerous reasons.
Are their none in Charlotte?
Belmont is also a beautiful area as a PP suggested...I was there last weekend on a Friday evening, and Town was alive with people out walking...very friendly town!
Yes, the lines do clip northwest CLT (that's where the lines actually go to...CLT is a stop along the way to unload or load materials and send it on down the line)...but no map is readily available like the Gaston County map. Colonial Pipeline owns them and they have a tiny piece of their website dedicated to the pipes with very large scale maps showing their approximate location...nothing useful.
Like I said though, it's more of a suspicious worry than a substantiated worry...if that makes sence.
Gastonia is alright if you stay away from from Broad Street, West Franklin, West Gastonia, and Pretty much all the shady looking areas.
The area near Brentwood Chase is right near the tip going towards Lowell. There is a decent apartment complex on Union Road but I cannot think of the name.
The Cloisters in mount holly are pretty good, for starter apartments. We were in Chateau Village, but it's gone slummy since we moved in the early 2000's. The other thing is if you are going to get a job in Gastonia, Definitly live there. There is alot of traffic in belmont and mount holly due to the interstates, airports and other industries.
Good Luck. Please PM I'd be happy to help since I lived in Gastonia for a long time. I disliked the public school set up though.
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