Apt Hunting Help in Charlotte

katie.daly

Hi Ladies,
My fiance and I are getting married in Savannah in October.  Just to make the planning that much more difficult... I have recently accepted a new job in Charlotte and will be relocating at the beginning of July (my fiance will join me after the wedding).  Any advice anyone has on good neighborhoods, or good streets in neighborhoods would be helpful.  I will be working in uptown and don't want a terribly long commute.

Thanks!

Katie

CLTKate

Hi Katie- I love the Lake Norman area (north CLT). I live in Huntersville.  I-77 is about 2 miles from my house and it only takes 10-15 minutes to get to uptown from here. Huntersville is a safe, friendly town.  Look for apts in or around Birkdale Village.  The apts in the shopping ctr are more expensive than others nearby.  I lived in University area for several years but hated it there.  Another nice area is SouthPark if  you would prefer south Clt.

CLTKate

You might consider looking into townhouse and house rentals too.  There are some nice ones here that are affordable.

katie.daly

Thanks so much!

pirategal03

I'm no help on Charlotte but I'm very jealous of your Savannah wedding.  Savannah is my favorite US city.

janice1980

Hey Katie.  I don't actually live in North Carolina.  I live in Fort Mill, SC.  About 10-15 minutes from downtown Charlotte, and I love it!  Very convenient and more cost efficient.  You may also want to look into the Rock Hill, SC and Lake Wylie, SC area. 

since you are working in downtown and worried about the commute (even though beautiful) try to avoid Ballantyne area.  I-485 (the interstate you have to take to get to downtown, without going way out of your way) is a nightmare!  I use to live there and what was normally a 10 minute commute would take me 30-40 min extra. 

Southpark is a very nice area, but can be rather expensive... but you can find something nice that doesn't cost an arm and a leg there (just keep looking)

Another nice location to look into is called the "southend" area, located in Charlotte and very close to downtown, upbeat, and artsy.

I agree with the university area (unless you are in college) stay away.

If I think of anything else, I will let you know.  Best of luck to you.

ywedding

I live in the Southpark area and I love it here! Great neighborhood and very safe. Its the best side of town to live in Charlotte. We're about 10 minutes to uptown and you don't need to get on the freeway to get there. That's what so great about it!

manda4paws

i work in southpark area and used to live in the area and it is a great area to rent in, we loved it!

however, we have since bought a house down southwest charlotte/fort mill area...i don't know how much rental stuff you will find down this way.

i totally second what kate said and look into townhome/condo rentals, check craigslist

sundrop24

My MOH lives about 5 minutes from downtown and works there.  She lives in a nice area and loves her apartment.  She's been there for 2 yrs.  I don't remember the name of the apartment community, but the street is Cranbrook Lane.  Its off Randolph Rd, which becomes 4th street.  I also second with everyone, about Southpark area. 

katie.daly

Thanks ladies for all your help.  It is certainly helping to make this very stressful process less stressful.  I am strongly considering the Southend.  Can anyone tell me what streets kind of mark the boundaries of the Southend? Some of the posts on craigslist say "southend" but then they say "near southend".

Thanks again!

Katie

janice1980

I would try to stay close to east blvd.  Also, South Blvd is a main street in Charlotte, so anywhere close to South Blvd is going to be convenient... but I would highly suggest if you have the time to make a trip down here and look around the area.  Just like any other city, one street is fine and 2 minutes down the road...uhhh, not so good.  

I found this, it might help.  (in my personal opinion) I would try to avoid the West blvd/ Remount Rd area.

http://www.findyourcenter.com/living-here/listing/area-2--south-end/

careyblackmar

Aww no love for the University Area!  I grew up there and my parents still live in the far north area near Huntersville, and we love it.  However, I agree that it's not for everyone and the area has been aging quickly in the past years.  I do know there are PLENTY of rental properties available with easy access to I-85, I-77, and I-485.  It just doesn't sound like the area is what you're looking for.  Good luck with the search!

brantina

My FI just got an apartment in Southeast Charlotte near Matthews.  He also works downtown and rides the bus in, very convenient.  The complex is called Providence Court and is a great area!

ywedding

I'm off of Fairview Ave which is also by Tyvola, South Blvd, Providence Rd and Randolph. There are tons of nice apartment complex here and its in the best side of town! But I will warn you though if you like to shop at Target or Walmart its a good 15-20 minutes to get to one.

poprockphotography

We relocated to CLT 8 years ago and I have loved it since day one!  I would suggest first pick, around East Blvd.  Then you take the light rail to your job, assuming your job isn't far away from the stops.  If you have to drive anyway.  I really like South Park area too.  Around uptown, there are different wards, look around First Ward and Third Ward.  There may be something really uptown proper too.

One suggestion is the Colony Apts. across the street from the Morrocroft Harris Teeter, these are older, clean and the best deals.  They offer 1,2 and 3 bedroom townhouses. This is where people live if they are remodeling or when they first move.  Sometimes, I don't want a morgage, I want to go back and rent at the Colony!!!  You can walk to South Park Mall, all the restaurants, you can ride your bike to the movies at Phillips Place.  If you are cooking and need a last minute item, you can zip to William Sonoma or the fancy Harris Teeter, Sur la Table in the mall or Dean and Deluca. 
http://colony-apts.com/

I would suggest getting a GPS pronto for CLT!  Congrats on new job and move, exciting!

katherineUTC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_apt-hunting-charlotte?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:bf90301f-471e-4a03-a9f6-8ec28fb37d11Post:8ed419a8-7ece-419d-982a-f06291d68d0f">Re: Apt Hunting Help in Charlotte</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi Katie- I love the Lake Norman area (north CLT). I live in Huntersville.  I-77 is about 2 miles from my house and it only takes 10-15 minutes to get to uptown from here. Huntersville is a safe, friendly town.  Look for apts in or around Birkdale Village.  The apts in the shopping ctr are more expensive than others nearby.  I lived in University area for several years but hated it there.  Another nice area is SouthPark if  you would prefer south Clt.
Posted by CLTKate[/QUOTE]

I would have to respectfully disagree with this. I-77 going into Huntersville during rush hour on a weekday will make you want to yank your hair out. Uptown to H'ville is definitely way longer than 10-15 minutes during rush hour, I'd estimate 40 minutes depending where in Huntersville you live.

CLTKate

If we are talking rush hour, I agree. I have to go to the courthouse uptown for some of my volunteer work. It takes me about 25-30 minutes to get there during rush hour.

You might consider looking at properties uptown to avoid a long commute if you are going to have to travel during rush hour for your job.

jmyhny

Yeah Charlotte is great. But South Charlotte is pricy also. In my opinion, it's the more expensive part of Charlotte. Good luck!