close commutes to research park (Charlotte, Concord: apartment, rentals, condos) - North Carolina (NC) - City-Data Forum

sleepygirl · 07-10-2008, 04:13 PM

Hi Everyone. My husband and I are moving to Charlotte. He will be working in research park. We both like living either in the core of a city or in a small town/rural area; neither of us really want to live in suburbia at this point. We are also interested in keeping his commute down to 25 mins or less one way. Can anyone tell me what the commute time looks like to research park from the downtown area where all of the new condos are being built? Also, are there any nice small towns that are short commutes to research park? If neither of these options pan out we would also consider neighborhoods in suburban areas in which you can walk to retail/parks/coffee shop/restaurants- and don't have to drive every place. Thanks for any input.

QC Misfit · 07-10-2008, 08:26 PM

your price point will be key.

sleepygirl · 07-10-2008, 09:05 PM

We would like to rent the first year and likely buy after a year or so. I'd like to try to keep rent at no more than $1300 per month for 2-3 bedrooms.

QC Misfit · 07-10-2008, 09:20 PM

Your best bet would be around university area. While it is kinda suburbia it would be hard to find anything Downtown for a 3 bedroom in that price. You maybe able to do a 2 bedroom. Sorry rentals in downtown are not my specialty....

sleepygirl · 07-11-2008, 06:20 AM

Thanks for the response QC. We may be willing to go up in monthly rent if it's the right place. I'm unsure at this point what rents look like in Charlotte. I am still wondering about the length of commute from the center of the city also.

QC Misfit · 07-11-2008, 09:44 AM

you would be going the opposite way of traffic in the morning so that should not be to bad. The commute home might be a little worse especially if your living downtown.

sleepygirl · 07-11-2008, 02:01 PM

I hadn't thought of the fact that it is a reverse commute. That helps some. I keep hearing about how bad Charlotte traffic is.

QC Misfit · 07-11-2008, 02:03 PM

...its all relative.....

rmathis · 07-11-2008, 03:14 PM

I commute from just outside downtown to University Research Park and the traffic is not an issue at all. It will take 25 minutes or longer depending on what area but he will not be sitting in traffic. You should definitely be able to find a 2 bedroom apartment in/near downtown for that price but it won't be a huge, brand new place. If you are looking for a house you could find an older house near downtown.
University area is definitely suburbia so I wouldn't recommend living there. If you do want to go the small-town route you could check out Concord. He would be driving with all the traffic going downtown toward Charlotte though.

sleepygirl · 07-11-2008, 04:06 PM

Thanks for your reply Rmathis. That is really helpful to know what we'd be looking at for commute time. He is used to commuting in northeastern traffic and though we're sure it is a major improvement over that, we are really hoping to position ourselves differently in Charlotte and keep driving to as minimal as possible. I was excited to hear about Charlotte's recent opening of the light rail, but upon further investigation saw it goes the wrong direction for him. So great though that the city is starting that process.