Relocating to NC

[leenie715]

My husband may be losing his job in the coming months and we are thinking of relocating to the Charlotte area of NC. We have some family there. Just curious as to how the job market is fairing there? My husband works in telecommunications and I would be looking for a teaching job. Also, how is the public school system. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.

 

[JUS915]

I don't know about telecommunications jobs, but there are going to be huge budget cuts in the public school systems in Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is, and surrounding counties. Mecklenburg has a $65 million shortfall so I would say jobs in education are not plentiful right now. Charlotte is a great place to live and you can get some houses fairly cheap, but I'd check around first to make sure there is a job market for your husband. To to the Charlotte observer's website and click on Education to see the latest education news.

Good Luck

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

When you say Charlotte area, do you know where exactly? PP is correct- CharMeck sounds like a mess to me but I don't live in Mecklenburg county, so I'm getting my opinions from the evening news. I live in Rowan County, about 40 miles North of Charlotte. Our school system has not cut teaching positions and is currently hiring. It's not the greatest school system but definitley not the worst.

 

[DisneyLover83]

I live in Charlotte and the local public school system (CMS) is talking about a $65 million shortfall after a similar situation last year. They cut teachers last year and it looks to be the same this year. I also heard recently about 3 local private schools that will be closing at the end of the year due to budget problems because they have lost families and the existing families can not afford a large tuition hike.

 

[leenie715]

Thanks so much for the input. Everything is so up in the air now. Stressful times but trying to keep a positive outlook.

 

[james'mommy]

I live in CharMeck but we live in a very good area so we haven't noticed any change in the schools. Only 1 position at our school was cut last year and that was the media lady. They now run the media room with full time volunteers. Schools definately aren't hiring though. DH works in banking. The banks are hiring. Our unemployment rate is better than the state average but it's still pretty high. In my personal opinion Charlotte sucks. I would rather be back up north. The only good thing about this place is that it's 8 hours to WDW.

 

[Keke]

Well I don't think it sucks here. It is a beautiful city with lots of activities and fabulous weather. The economy is not great but we have not been hit as hard as other places. At one time we had the hottest real estate market in the country, but the economy has slowed that down. If you do come this way, you might want to consider living and working in a suburb. We live just west of the city in Gaston county (Belmont) and our school system is not nearly as stressed financially as Charlotte. My husband works in downtown Charlotte and still only has a 15 minute commute. Housing and taxes are also lower for us, yet we still have the benefits of being near the city.

I also think that east of the city is a good school system in Union County. You should also consider south of the city, even into South Carolina. There are tons of options for you in this area outside of just Charlotte city limits.

 

[jacksmom]

Hi! We live north of Charlotte in Mooresville on Lake Norman and love it here! Iredell county has lower taxes and other benefits and we are just 1/2 hour from the city!

 

[stm61]

I was hunting for a teaching job a few years back and would love to switch districts now. I can't because of the job situation. Last time I checked Char-Meck was threatening lay offs, Gaston County pink slipped teachers a while back and isn't hiring yet, Rock Hill, York 2, 3, and 4, and Chester County, all in SC, were under hiring freezes, and York 1 and Lancaster were only hiring as needed. It might be a little better now, but not by much from what I hear in my grad level class. I'm driving an hour each way and I teach special ed, which usually is a high demand area.

 

[dis-happy]

Charlotte is a wonderful place to live and raise a family!!! (at least I like it and I've lived many, many places over the years). However, I wouldn't move here without having a job lined up first. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[mhsjax]

I live in CharMeck but we live in a very good area so we haven't noticed any change in the schools. Only 1 position at our school was cut last year and that was the media lady. They now run the media room with full time volunteers. Schools definately aren't hiring though. DH works in banking. The banks are hiring. Our unemployment rate is better than the state average but it's still pretty high. In my personal opinion Charlotte sucks. I would rather be back up north. The only good thing about this place is that it's 8 hours to WDW.

I have to say that in the literally hundred of people that I have asked, (we tak to everyone when we go up 2 or 3 times a year) That you are the only one I have ever heard that says that> most people even the ones from up north LOVE it, and tell us that we should not hesitate to move there.

 

[disneyandme]

I live in Charlotte and the local public school system (CMS) is talking about a $65 million shortfall after a similar situation last year. They cut teachers last year and it looks to be the same this year. I also heard recently about 3 local private schools that will be closing at the end of the year due to budget problems because they have lost families and the existing families can not afford a large tuition hike.

Which 3 private schools are closing? I haven't heard this.

 

[DisneyLover83]

The only one I remember from the article is Providence Christian School because it is near where I live. That school will be cutting all elementary and middle school classes next year. The article was in the Observer a few weeks ago, I can not recall what day exactly but a google search would probably locate it.

 

[tar heel]

I would be cautious about picking up and moving to the Charlotte area without at least one of you having a job. Our unemployment rate is 10-12 percent, depending on which county, and almost every industry has laid off people. Finding a teaching job could be hard depending on what you teach -- if you're secondary math and science, you're probably still good. If you're elementary, it could be really hard.

 

[diamondpixienc]

I live in Clt, NC & I am curious too about which private schools may be closing. I haven't heard about this either. Can you send me the CLT observer link if you have it?

 

[james'mommy]

I have to say that in the literally hundred of people that I have asked, (we tak to everyone when we go up 2 or 3 times a year) That you are the only one I have ever heard that says that> most people even the ones from up north LOVE it, and tell us that we should not hesitate to move there.

There are plenty of people I know who would kill to go back North. Not in the cards for us. DH works at BAC in an area that is based soley in Charlotte.

 

[DisneyLover83]

I live in Clt, NC & I am curious too about which private schools may be closing. I haven't heard about this either. Can you send me the CLT observer link if you have it?

I did a quick search of "providence christian closing" hoping to find the article that listed the other two schools this is all that came up:

http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/local/84300292.html

I do not recall the names of the other two schools that were in the Observer article, they were not schools that I had ever heard of before so I did not pay much attention to the names, sorry. Dh seems to think that one was named Resurrection School or something close to that name.

 

[LadySiren]

We're not in the Charlotte area, so this is more a general opinion of NC...I love it here!

Due to my prior profession, I spent more than a decade or so moving around the country. Prior to that, my family and I split our time between CA and Hawaii, which is where we're from. I've lived in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Maryland, and now NC. Because of extended family, I've also frequently visited SD, AZ, and MS. Of all of the places I've called home, NC and Hawaii are it for me.

I love the people here, the weather, the sweet tea (LOL)...okay, so I don't like NC-style BBQ but I'm not gonna quibble about it. This is a beautiful state and yes, like everywhere else right now, we've got some issues with unemployment. Hopefully, that'll change in the next couple of years. Overall though, this is a great place to live, IMO.

 

[Jacoby 46]

When you say Charlotte area, do you know where exactly? PP is correct- CharMeck sounds like a mess to me but I don't live in Mecklenburg county, so I'm getting my opinions from the evening news. I live in Rowan County, about 40 miles North of Charlotte. Our school system has not cut teaching positions and is currently hiring. It's not the greatest school system but definitley not the worst.

I also live in Rowan County (Salisbury) and my kids go to Elementary school here and love it! I have no problem with the school system here and really like their teachers so far!

We came from New England and moved to NC about 4 years ago and I can honestly say I LOVE living here!! Hardly any snow (I hate snow!) and it is so beautiful in the summer! So much to do and see in Charlotte and best of all we are closer to Disney now!!

 

[james'mommy]

I admit that I really dislike CHarlotte but there are a few things I do like. I love sweet tea (but rarely drink it because it's full of calories). And the q rocks. I could eat pulled pork and slaw every day. The weather is nice but the pollen is horrible. My allergies have gone into overdrive since we moved here. The allergist said my body reacted so severely because of the change in the pollens that it actually caused me to develop food allergies. I pretty much am pretty much allergic to all foods.