Lake Norman or Smith Mountain Lake, VA?? (Charlotte: home, neighborhoods)

[Lizzy67]

If anyone has experience with both of these areas, I'd love to hear your opinionsl. I am married with two young kids (3rd & 6th grade)...so schools, athletics, good neighborhoods are essential. I would just like those good neighborhoods to be on the lake?? Which lake would be better for a young family? I'm coming from Northern VA - where the Potomac is my playground.

[hokiehigh]

IMO...... Smith Mountain Lake is "prettier" b/c of the mountains that surround it but you will have MUCH more to do at Lake Norman. I think Lake Norman is the safe bet but I would visit Smith Mountain/Roanoke and see what you think.

[the 7 oh 4]

Smith Mountain Lake... Lake Norman has seen its better days years back. To built up on the lake and the lake can be very busy. Lake Norman was great years ago. My family had a 2nd home on Lake Norman for probably 30 years.

Especially if you are looking for retirement...Smith Mountain Lake.

GOOD LUCK!

[TalkCharlotte]

I just came home to Charlotte from our family reunion which is every 3 years. Smith Mtn Lake is really beauiful and clean! The down side is that it is very country. Lots of cows and farms. We did do some great horse back riding there. There is at least one country club community called Edge Water there that is very nice with a sense of community. Roanoke is about 40 minutes away and the closest Walmart is a ZOO! Trust me there.
Lake Norman has about the same shoreline but is a completely different lake. There are lot more communities on the lake. Commuting to Charlotte may be a problem if you need to do that daily. If I were to pick a spot to retire it would be Smith Mountain but raising kids...I have 5 ages 10,13,14,15,and 20, I would have to go for Charlotte. I think there is just more for the family to do with still being able to play on the lake.

[JLK706]

Hi, I have never been to smith mountain lake but my sister in law grew up there. She recently came to visit me on Lake Norman and her and my brother loved it! She liked this area because there is so much around. Where her parents live they had to drive 15 to 20 minutes to get to a grocery store and there is just not much around, very rural. Lake Norman is like what you are use to in Nova. I moved here 3 months ago from nova myself so I know what i am talking about! I grew up there. Now when I say it is what you are use to I am talking about amenities. A lot of people consider this area very congested and built up but its nothing compared to metro dc. I love it here! I guess it depends on what you are looking for, I am sure Smith Mountain is beautiful but probably a lot quieter and with school age children that may not be what you want.

As far as someone saying its seen better days, I am not sure what that means really, I guess just that it is not as quiet as it use to be but it's still a great area!