Should I move here?

[Moving]

Hi,
My family and I are moving to North Carolina and I am looking at Statesville. I was just wanting some opinions from those of you that already live here. Would you recommend this town? and please tell me what you like and dont like. Thanks in advance!

[turtle479]

I enjoy living in Statesville overall, but there are definitely pros and cons.

PROS:
* close to interstates 40 and 77 which makes several major cities accessible in a decent amount of time.
* cheap taxes and property prices make owning a nice home affordable.
* people are friendly and overall they attempt to accommodate you-especially at the many hometown businesses in the area.

CONS
* often even nice neighborhoods are very close to higher crime or problem neighborhoods. This creates some issues with the school districts.
* it can be difficult to get a job in some places due to a high rate or nepotism.
* some extremely religious people in the area have a great deal of power which has hindered some more progressive policies/people.

Overall, I really like living here and the pros for me definitely outweigh the cons. Please ask if you have any other specific questions.

[Eddie Ramsey]

Taylorsville is a the foot of the Appalachian mountains, centrally located 20 miles from Statesville and 20 miles from Hickory (also the same distance between Wilkesboro and Lenoir). Blowing Rock and Boone are about one hour away. Nice, friendly people and lower tax rate. The Catawba River is 5 miles south of town and is a nice lake for boating, picnics and swimming. I suggest that you google the town page and check out the information for yourself on the web site. Great school system, too. Little or no problems with high academic standards in the event that you have kids. Google Alexander County Schools. Good luck. We would love to have you.

[Moving]

turtle479 wrote:

I enjoy living in Statesville overall, but there are definitely pros and cons.
PROS:
* close to interstates 40 and 77 which makes several major cities accessible in a decent amount of time.
* cheap taxes and property prices make owning a nice home affordable.
* people are friendly and overall they attempt to accommodate you-especially at the many hometown businesses in the area.
CONS
* often even nice neighborhoods are very close to higher crime or problem neighborhoods. This creates some issues with the school districts.
* it can be difficult to get a job in some places due to a high rate or nepotism.
* some extremely religious people in the area have a great deal of power which has hindered some more progressive policies/people.
Overall, I really like living here and the pros for me definitely outweigh the cons. Please ask if you have any other specific questions.

First off Thank You for taking the time to tell me a little about the town. I am looking at a few houses and was hoping you could let me know where the better area to live in is. Some of the streets I am looking at are- Wilson Blvd, Miller Ave, Opal Street, Front Street, Race Street, Sharpe St, and Taylorsville Hwy. If you do not mind please give me your opinion on these areas and tell me honestly where the best areas are. Thanks for your help.

[Moving]

Eddie Ramsey wrote:

Taylorsville is a the foot of the Appalachian mountains, centrally located 20 miles from Statesville and 20 miles from Hickory (also the same distance between Wilkesboro and Lenoir). Blowing Rock and Boone are about one hour away. Nice, friendly people and lower tax rate. The Catawba River is 5 miles south of town and is a nice lake for boating, picnics and swimming. I suggest that you google the town page and check out the information for yourself on the web site. Great school system, too. Little or no problems with high academic standards in the event that you have kids. Google Alexander County Schools. Good luck. We would love to have you.

Thanks for letting me know about Taylorsville. I had never looked into it and it does look like a nice place. Just like I asked the person from Statesville, do you mind to let me know where the best areas to live are? I found some houses that interested me on Jim Barnes Lane, 6th Street, 4th Ave, NC Hwy, Center Street, and Watson Ave. I would appreciate any opinions that you have about these areas. Thank You!

[Eddie Ramsey]

Moving wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks for letting me know about Taylorsville. I had never looked into it and it does look like a nice place. Just like I asked the person from Statesville, do you mind to let me know where the best areas to live are? I found some houses that interested me on Jim Barnes Lane, 6th Street, 4th Ave, NC Hwy, Center Street, and Watson Ave. I would appreciate any opinions that you have about these areas. Thank You!

2nd Steet Southwest is where I live and the best place in town. Northwood Park is a good development. 2nd steet is Tree lined with tall oak trees and across from Matheson Park. Several locations are now avialalbe to my knowledge. The former Ray Padgent house is the best one of these. The former Beth Arndt home is good. It is next door to my property.Both are brick homes. I would prefer Ray's. Well manicured yard and classy. You may wish to check this out. Marissa Cooper at Cooper Southern Properties had it at one time. By the way, this is not my real name. Good luck.

[turtle479]

What kind of place are you looking for? An average 3br/2bath or something a bit larger or smaller? This would help me give you some ideas.

[Moving]

turtle479 wrote:

What kind of place are you looking for? An average 3br/2bath or something a bit larger or smaller? This would help me give you some ideas.

We are wanting at least a 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom house. We like the idea of having about 1 acre of land as well because we have 2 small children who love to be outside. However, I am also fond of the character of older homes and dont mind if they need a little repair.

[Eddie Ramsey]

Moving wrote:

<quoted text>
We are wanting at least a 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom house. We like the idea of having about 1 acre of land as well because we have 2 small children who love to be outside. However, I am also fond of the character of older homes and dont mind if they need a little repair.

The Padgent or Arndt houses in Taylorsville would suit you perfectly as they fit the description of what you want. The elementary school is two blocks away, and Matheson Park with all kinds of kid's play item (swings, slides, walking track) is one block down the street. I hope you will check these places out. Good luck.

[Moving]

Eddie Ramsey wrote:

<quoted text>
The Padgent or Arndt houses in Taylorsville would suit you perfectly as they fit the description of what you want. The elementary school is two blocks away, and Matheson Park with all kinds of kid's play item (swings, slides, walking track) is one block down the street. I hope you will check these places out. Good luck.

I am not sure what houses you are talking about but I will call a realtor down there to find out. There is a house at 217 south center street that we are really interested in. Do you know anything about this house? I believe that it is near the park you are talking about.

[turtle479]

If I larger track of land is what you are looking for I would look near Troutman/Barium Springs or even Harmony/North Iredell. There are several large tracts available for a reasonable price in this area as well as nice, well built, seasoned homes like you are speaking about.

Not to bash anyone, but depending on where you are moving from, Taylorsville could be a big disappointment or the perfect match. I grew up there and went through their school system, and it is rather good, but also very old timey. For some people, this is the type of environment they are looking for, but some would prefer a more technology savvy, diverse school system. Also, it is very rural and, again, depending on what you are used used to or what you desire this may be good or bad. The closest emergency room is 20 minutes away (not in the county),and the closest Target is 30-45 minutes away just to give you an idea of its rurality.

I hope I can answer any more questions you have!:)

[thirsty]

turtle479 wrote:

If I larger track of land is what you are looking for I would look near Troutman/Barium Springs or even Harmony/North Iredell. There are several large tracts available for a reasonable price in this area as well as nice, well built, seasoned homes like you are speaking about.
Not to bash anyone, but depending on where you are moving from, Taylorsville could be a big disappointment or the perfect match. I grew up there and went through their school system, and it is rather good, but also very old timey. For some people, this is the type of environment they are looking for, but some would prefer a more technology savvy, diverse school system. Also, it is very rural and, again, depending on what you are used used to or what you desire this may be good or bad. The closest emergency room is 20 minutes away (not in the county),and the closest Target is 30-45 minutes away just to give you an idea of its rurality.
I hope I can answer any more questions you have!:)

Another reason why everyone should vote yes for countywide alcohol sales.It will help bring more businesses keep more tax dollars at home and maybe then the county could afford better medical care for its citizens.. FYI look closer into the schools they are top notch, well above state average. To bad the best and brightest from these schools are leaving the county for greener pastures

[turtle479]

thirsty wrote:

<quoted text>Another reason why everyone should vote yes for countywide alcohol sales.It will help bring more businesses keep more tax dollars at home and maybe then the county could afford better medical care for its citizens.. FYI look closer into the schools they are top notch, well above state average. To bad the best and brightest from these schools are leaving the county for greener pastures

That's exactly what I did. I graduated from ACHS, moved to Charlotte for college, and never came back. There's just nothing there, and it's so as because I know many friends that could have had bright futures if they had only been able to move on.

[Moving]

What about Hickory then? Is it any better? I am coming from a pretty small town in Kentucky where there is not anything and looking for a city with a small town feel yet close to everything.

[Native NC 2 cents]

Moving wrote:

What about Hickory then? Is it any better? I am coming from a pretty small town in Kentucky where there is not anything and looking for a city with a small town feel yet close to everything.

South Taylorsville...clean and low taxes...good place to raise kids.

[turtle479]

I would still look in to Statesville or Mooresville. I don't have anything against Taylorsville, but if you want your kids to experience diversity of thought and cultures it is not the place for that.

Another good area would be Mocksville/Lewisville they are near the Winston-Salem area.

[WFO 24-7]

And piece of advice... 10 years here and there are many many cons... The rate of drug addiction and crime in Statesville per capita exceeds that of many major cities.The areas you mentioned looking at houses in are dead smack dab in the middle of the projects, where open air drug sales and closet prostitution and liquor houses exist all over the place. The job prospects here are abismal unless minimum wage is your thing, so a commute to Charlotte will be in your future if you want a living wage..there are nice things here as well, but the town is very much an eye opener.Most folks are friendly on the surface but that is pretty much it.. On the surface..and there really are few entertainment options here, and most shopping at any Nationally recognized stores other than Walmart are 20-40 miles away. Sorry if it seems negative, but just don't want you to make an uninformed decision..

[YouDoucheBags]

Statesville sucks move to Mt Mourne or Mooresville