The Importance of Knowing Your New Area
Whether you are moving to a new area from another city or you are moving from one end of town to another, Charlotte, and its many diverse and interesting neighborhoods, is a great place to live. But if there is one thing you do before you move, make sure and research the new location—in a detailed manner. A pretty home, a fun new area with exciting places to explore, new people to meet, yes these all matter. But let’s not forget those little “pop-up” issues that produce just to remind you that the research you did before the big move, well, it wasn’t quite thorough enough. Don’t experience “buyer’s regret” because of the things you didn’t think about before you moved. Let TNT Moving Systems help get you started towards your new home.
Let’s not forget about school zones, crime rates, and traffic; the cost of living, the cost of buying, these are all very important to consider when thinking about moving. What about issues with sewage? Yeah, this is something to think about before you make that move.
Certain areas of Charlotte are experiencing some interesting issues with sewage, and for people who recently moved to these areas, this could become a serious problem. Can you imagine moving into a new spot in Southend only to find you can’t flush the toilet and that it could be months before the problem is fixed? That’s not good. Not good for anybody.
Southpark and Southend are two of the fastest-growing areas in Charlotte. Hip restaurants, cool hangouts, and plenty of shopping—not to mention beautiful parks, fun breweries, a bustling train system, and plenty more—have been drawing crowds of new and displaced Charlotteans for years. But a memo sent back in 2017 from Charlotte’s water company to all new developers in these areas warning them to halt production due to sewage issues has caused major problems in the last two years.
According to an article in the Charlotte Observer titled “Why toilets might be the one thing that holds back growth in Charlotte’s hottest areas,” the sewage systems in both Southend and Southpark were never meant to handle so much…well, you know. The system just can’t keep up with the amount of growth the city is experiencing. And even though the city is rushing to add more sewage lines, growth and development have been reduced to a slow pace. In some areas, there are still people who can’t even flush their toilets.
So what exactly does this mean? Well, you can still buy and rent in these areas, but you definitely want to find out how you will be affected by the restriction in sewage lines before you make the move.
Reactions to such a setback in production have been as expected. Those who are still experience problems and can’t use toilets (both residentially and commercially) have voiced frustration. Some companies, such as D.R. Horton, True Homes, Lennar Carolinas, CalAtlantic Group, David Weekley Homes, and Shea Homes have filed a class-action lawsuit against the city of Charlotte because of extra fees to ensure waste is managed properly. It’s all a big mess, to say the least.
Charlotte is one of the top-ten fastest-growing cities in the U.S., but can the city keep up with this rate of growth? While we certainly hope so, for those who are getting ready to move, there is some research to be done.
For starters, contact Charlotte Water to find out if your new area has been or will be affected by the city’s little sewage snafu. If you are moving to or around Southend or Southpark, chances are you will be affected in some way. But it’s always better to be prepared.
Here are a few initial things to consider before you move anywhere inside or outside of Charlotte:
- City Reviews. Niche is a city review website that lets you narrow a review by zip code. This is a great way to find out what people are saying about your new area. Niche also pulls up interesting data on diversity, family-friendliness, etc. so you can get a good idea of the type of area you are about to move into.
- Activities & Nightlife. What are your weekends like? Do you typically stick around the house with the family, or are you one to be out and about hitting up breweries and walking trails? The nice thing about Charlotte is there are plenty of neighborhoods connected to greenways and within walking distance to fun areas for dining and drinking. Move to an area that suits your lifestyle—you will be so much happier in the long run!
- Cost of Housing. Currently, housing costs are up in Charlotte, but this doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Cost also depends on where you plan to buy. You could spend time researching the market to help you make predictions of where you can buy, or you could simply find yourself a nice realtor who can (and probably already has) do this for you. One recommendation is Michael Booe at Helen Adams Realty. Michael can answer any questions you have about possible areas of interest in and outside of Charlotte.
- Commute Time. It’s always tempting to let this one slide when looking into new areas. “I’ll get used to the long drive”—this might sound possible, but it rarely is. It’s those things we do the most that tend to matter most, so it is worth the effort to find an area that doesn’t put you too far away from your place of employment. When shopping for areas to live, narrow them down to a handful then take the time to drive the commute for each. See which seems to be the most reasonable and stick with that area.
- Schools. If you have children or plan to have them one day, you know school zones are important. Typically, we want our kids growing up with the same class of memorable faces, which means you don’t want to have to pull your kids from one zone to place them in another. Perform a Niche search to see what people have to say about the many different school zones within the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. This can help you determine where you plan to plant roots and establish a family.
- Cost of Living. When moving to a new city, the cost of living is usually something researched. But when moving from one end of town to another, like Cotswold to Uptown, we don’t usually think about the price difference. But it is a good idea to consider the closest grocery stores (think a Trader Joes versus Whole Foods) and gas stations and eateries. These are the places you will most likely spend a lot of your time and money, so it is a good idea to seek out those living areas that provide you with the type of shopping that’s best for your wallet.
- Crime Rate. This is another great search for Niche. Crime rates change a lot, and though we hear differing viewpoints from the local news, friends, and family, it’s best to find the facts. It wouldn’t hurt to contact the Charlotte Police Department in order to get some factual insight into the crime rates of the area you are looking into moving as well. Driving around your prospective living area at night is also a good way to get an idea of what the area is like, but nothing beats looking at the cold, hard facts.
Living in the Burbs
Considering a move away from the hustle and bustle of the city limits? Check these growing suburbs out:
- Fort Mill. About eighteen miles from Uptown, Fort Mill has become quite a popular area for families to move. Its low property tax, highly-rated school system, and affordable housing continue to attract retirees and newly formed families from all walks of life. And with neighborhoods such a Baxter Village it is not necessary to have to venture into Charlotte for a fun night out.
- Indian Trail. Looking for something a little more rural and off the beaten path? This is your place. With beautiful countryside views and backyards that open to clear, blue skies, Indian Trail is quickly growing in popularity. About fifteen miles from Uptown, this is a place to settle down. Check out Sun Valley Commons for some great places to eat, drink, and enjoy the slow life.
- Huntersville. Great schools, nice and affordable homes, and only twenty minutes from Uptown—Huntersville has been one of Charlotte’s top suburbs for years, and it’s only getting better with time. With the great restaurants and retail of Birkdale Village, and the enticing boat-life that Lake Norman provides, it’s no wonder people are scrambling to get here. Plus, with the promise of a LYNX transit system running from Charlotte on up to Huntersville, it might just become the most popular suburb yet.
- Mount Holly. This is the place for those who are always on the move, looking for that next great hiking spot or river to kayak down. Mount Holly is the home of The U.S. Whitewater Center and Crowders Mountain State Park. Two wonderful spots for outdoor fun. Best of all, Mount Holly works on multiple levels: there are trails and camping for the uber-active plus plenty that are more family-friendly.
Finding the best fit takes work, but once you find that new area to move into you will be so glad you did the research (you’ll also be happy your toilets flush!). Contact TNT Moving Systems today to get a quote on your next big move.
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