Charlotte Farmers Market

There are a number of private farmers markets all around Charlotte, but the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market off Yorkmont Road (near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport) is pretty centrally located no mater where you live in the area. This particular market is run by the NC Agricultural Department and is one of the largest ones in town.

Though farmers markets are well known for the organic quality, freshness and variety not offered by most supermarkets--most people seem to think that they are also expensive. This is absolutely not the case at the Charlotte Market. Last week I purchased a red pepper for just 99 cents, and huge bag of mushrooms for $1 and Chinese eggplant for just $1.50. This is way cheaper than any other market in the area, and way beneath the prices at the supermarket. There's also unusual variety of stuff that you won't find at your corner Food Lion.

Now, not everything at this market is locally grown. You will undoubtedly spot vendors selling fruits and veggies straight out of boxes that clearly show the product was not grown by them, but was purchased. For example, a vendor selling oranges will clearly not have gotten them from the Carolinas--but straight from Florida. Or apples may be boxed from New York. I'm perfectly okay with this arrangement since I'm getting it for a super reasonable price. But much of what is for sale is still locally grown by the sellers themselves.

This farmers market is huge (during seasonal months) and operates year round (and not just on the weekends). Much of it is also indoors and under roofed buildings, so its a tad more pleasant to escape the hot summer sun. In the winter there may not be as many vendors as during the warmer months, but the few that are there are still selling everything and anything you would need. In the spring and summer, many vendors sell local fresh cut flowers of amazing variety and for excellent prices. But be warned, if you are allergy prone--you will be overwhelmed by the odor and pollen count in these stalls so keep away from them.

Once spring hits, the number of vendors and variety of what they sell increases dramatically. You will spot local cheesemakers, folks selling unusual cuts of beef such as ostrich and occasionally someone selling gorgeous fish out of the back of his truck. Local honey is relatively inexpensive, as are interesting homemade natural soaps and organic baked goods. There are also vendors selling crafts and other decorative items, too. In the summer months, food vendors join the bandwagon on the weekends, so you can have a hotdog while perusing the stands of goods.

Though it might not have the charm of your small, neighborhood farmers market if you are so lucky to have one--I would bet you will find that this one is cheaper than most and perhaps a tad more convenient. It also makes for a interesting weekend jaunt with the family.

The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is located at 1801 Yorkmont Road and is easily accessible from South Tryon Street, Tyvola Road, I-77, and I-85. For more information call (704) 357-1269.

Living In: Waxhaw, North Carolina

Waxhaw is a small, cute town in western Union county which has been in a bit of a boom in the last few years. It has a high concentration of transplants who are attracted to it's quirky Main Street area, and interesting selection of homes in all price points and good schools. Once a farming town, there are still plenty of remnants of horses and cows in fields right next to new shopping centers that are popping up.

The Cureton subdivision is pretty much the anchor neighborhood in town, as it is the largest. Pricepoints vary widely here, from a $140,000 townhouse all the way into the $600k range at this writing. The neighborhood also boasts a small shopping center on Providence Road (currently being widened to 4 lanes) with a Harris Teeter, CVS, good Chinese restaurant and more. Immediately around this opened up a Lowe's home improvement store, and there's room for more shops which will inevitably come. So, there is definitely a convenience factor growing in Waxhaw. A Wal-Mart attempted to move into town a few years ago, but a lengthy legal battle ensued by the residents that claimed it would kill the small town feeling and decimate the local shops. Needless to say, they won and Wal-Mart was sent packing.

Main Street is having it's up and downs at the moment thanks to the economy. Located right on the train tracks, the town attempts to control the types of shops that open there so that it maintains its days of yore feeling. There are several interesting antique shops, a barber shop with the familiar candy stripe pole outside, and several decent restaurants. A simple wooden bridge originally constructed in 1888 enables pedestrians to cross the train tracks which is a favorite with the locals was recently renovated. It's a great spot to watch the freight trains whiz by right under you. It's pretty much a ghost town during the week, and gets visitors mostly on weekends.

Mama Lena's Italian restaurant is a favorite that has been around for some time, and the owners are native New Yorkers. It's housed in an old building with wonderful architecture and they are known for making their own bread. Everything is fresh and takes some time, so be ready to hang out a while. Rippington's offers typical American fare across the street that is a bit pricey, and it's somehow trying to be something fancier than it should be given it's location. The Bridge & Rail is well-known for it's brunch, but isn't open for dinner. Just off Main Street, Crossroads Coffee House is a super popular hangout and is situated in an old wooden home with a wooden screen door. A continual rotation of musicians keeps the place lively.

One word of caution: don't look for a martini with your meal. Waxhaw's restaurants can only offer wine as a beverage, since the town is essentially dry. There are no bars or spots to hang out with an alcoholic brew. Many non-bible belting transplants consider this a transgretion of the highest order, and they are working hard to sign petitions to get alcohol allowed in the local establishments. Heck, even the restaurants themselves want the resolution approved as it will improve their bottom line. The feeling by many is that no further profusion of eateries will come to Waxhaw without their ability to offer a drink. The usual battle is ensuing where one side wants the ability to drink so that locals don't have to trek just a few miles down the road to Charlotte for a beverage (and deposit their tax dollars into another county); while the other side fears DWI's and a profusion of crime would result should an adult imbibe in a vodka and cranberry.

In May there is an annual Spring Fest with local vendors selling all types of typical fair goods and craft art; and July 4th and Christmas parades gives local kids a chance to have a blast. I give Waxhaw's town leaders credit for continually putting on interesting little events each month to draw attention to Main Street and giving it a boost. A small children's park is hidden behind the shrubbery off Main (or around the corner from the Tack Exchange shop, where there is more parking) that also has an unexpected, but very cool skateboarding area for those interested in hitting pipes and bowls.

Artists abound in Waxhaw, and Eight Legs Gallery and Stewart's Village Gallery are two places that are a must see for interesting art gifts of pottery or metalwork. Rebecca's Pottery, is located in Eight Legs and let's you bring out your inner potter by offering you a chance to make your own stuff. As an aside, Stewart's is now partnering with the Waxhaws Farmer's Market to use his grounds (they were formally on Providence Road) for their stands. So look for them there.

From a real estate perspective, you can buy a modern brick contemporary on a huge property for well into the millions of dollars, a classic southern farmhouse with a front porch and shutters (check these out just down the road on Main Street) or a shack for $90k. Watch out for the property taxes here, as they are one of the highest in Union County--though transplants will laugh at how cheap they are in comparison from where they came ($10,000 prop taxes in New Jersey anyone??). You can be way out in the sticks and far from any supermarket, or you can be right around the corner from one. You can live on many acres or a manageble back yard. The great thing about Waxhaw is that it does offer you options. Typical shopping for clothing and such is going to mean a trek to the Charlotte city limits, but that's only a 15 minute drive (depending on where you live) to the Ballantyne area or South Charlotte. All the usual suspects like Target and everything else is just a drive away.

All in all, Waxhaw is trying to hold onto its days-gone-by appeal in a county that is one of the fastest growing in the US. Not an easy feat. Now, if we could just have a drink!

Moved to Union County, NC

Forgive me readers, as it's been quite some time since I've written--but I promise to get back at it since so many of you are fretting about where I've gone. To explain my disappearance, I moved from the South Charlotte city limits to just over the border into Union County. And secondly I had a third baby. God help me. So, now I have my first child born in the northeast and the second two born in Charlotte. As I've said before, I'm doing all I can to increase the native population.

You'll also notice that the site is slightly revamped. For one, we've got a new name: CharlotteInformer.com. We used to be known as Charlotte Central, but I could not get my hands on that actual domain name, so I had to search for another. Hopefully that won't confuse and screw things up for my dear readers.

In the end, we'll be writing about the usual things that interest you about Charlotte, NC. Things to do, restaurants, events, and such. I'll also continue to share with those of you who are still itching to move to Charlotte (despite this miserable economy that is making real estate a nightmare issue).

Stick with me readers. We'll continue on this road of what it's honestly like to live in Charlotte.

Where Charlotte Mommies Meet Online

Charlotte Parent Magazine has a great network of forums that provide a heap of info based on where you live specifically in Charlotte. For example, I belong to UnionCountyMommies.com. It's a free board where moms (and dad's) can post or comment on a huge variety of subjects. For example, if you're looking for local parents to recommend a good plumber--someone on the site will surely have a recommendation for you. New pizza joint opened? Well, you can bet people will be giving you an earful about the quality of the calzone.

Having trouble breastfeeding, there's a forum for that too. Can't figure out how to handle a terrible-two's issue or is your tween acting up? Hop on over and post your frustration and you can bet that there will be mom's there to support you and give you some advice. Done baby rearing and have a playpen to sell, be sure to post it in the Buy/Sell/Trade/Free section.

Moms and Dads also get together certain times to meet eachother live and bring along their kids. So, its a great potential for meeting families just like yours particularly if you're new to Charlotte or don't have family/friends in the local area. Aside from the forums, there's various community sections, and outreach zone if you're interested in volunteering and much more.

There are specific branches for various counties in Charlotte, so be sure to sign up for the one in your area. It's free and provides a great resource.

Ikea is Coming To Charlotte NC on February 18th!

Lots of transplants in Charlotte eagerly await shops that existed in their former living areas to move to Charlotte. One woman spent a year gathering thousands signatures to try to lure Wegman's to the Queen City, for example, but no luck on that happening as of yet. Trader Joe's has now opened several locations after being wooed by former customers--and such is the case with Ikea, which arrives around February 18, 2009.

Whatever you might think of big box stores invading your town, some of them are just darned convenient to have around. And Ikea seems to be one of those places that attracts folks thanks to their cheap, but relatively stylish (given the price point) furnishings. Heck, people travel to the place just for their meatballs!

Nestled between 85 and 485 in what's known as the Mallard Creek area of Charlotte, it should bring some 200 new jobs into the area and some more shopping (like we don't have enough of that!).

Restaurant Review: Zebra in South Park

Whoever says there aren't New York City quality restaurants in Charlotte hasn't been to Zebra. This gem in the heart of South Park has a solid menu that rivals any NYC eatery.

It was our wedding anniversary, so we opted to splurge on the 10 course tasting menu accompanied with the wine pairing. At $84 per person (without wine), this is certainly not the cheapest route, but it gives you the opportunity to see the true talents of the chef.

The decor is what I would call elegant English safari. Lovely pine hugs the walls with beefy and intricate moldings. A beautiful zebra painting graces the back dining room with big impact, and much of the artwork on the walls is for sale if you've got the wallet for a $2,500 framed sketch that looked like it was drawn by DaVinci. The only thing marring the look is the tacky drop-down celing with acoustic tiles and strange Christmas ball lights hanging out of the can lights. Odd for sure.

The tasting menu changes daily, and ours included a fabulous foie gras, and unspeakably divine lobster tail on a creamy bed of lemon risotto and a flaky halibut. Each dish arrived with a well chosen wine--and Zebra claims to have one of the largest cellars in North Carolina. The chef/owner, Jim Alexander, came to our table several times as well to inquire about our meal--a nice touch!

All plates were truly well thought out and not over the top. Only a rabbit dish was tasteless and features a rubbery portobello mushroom. The portions are all small, but when one is dining on that number of courses you will certainly not leave hungry. As a finale, a cocunut souflee came with a boat full of fresh, warm chocolate that proved a tremendous pairing. At the end of the meal, I was certainly struggling to get any more in, so be sure to skip lunch that day.

If the tasting menu is too big for your pocketbook or belly, then other artful dishes on the menu include bison, pheasant and Florida Pompano. Salmon, chicken, steak and other traditional fare are also up for grabs with great flair.

There's a small bar and a charming outdoor area where you can dine if you choose. The place is frequented by banking executives, and the waitstaff seemed happy to chat with a customer who wasn't of the usual ilk. Matt, our waiter, did a fine job making sure we were taken care of without hovering or being intrusive--a fine art for a waiter for sure. He managed to be chatty enough without being overbearing.

Zebra is worth the splurge.

Restaurant Review: Soiree in Moorseville. Yum!

For those of you moving to Charlotte for the grand weather, it's December 10th and it's going to be 75 degrees today. The whole week will be in the 70's actually....it doesn't get better than this!

This past Saturday, I visited a fantastic restaurant in Moorseville's main street strip named Soiree. It's contemporary French that is a tad pricey--heck, what French joint isn't? But the food was phenomenal and inventive. The space is truly beautiful with it's exposed brick that is thanks to the fact that it is housed in a historic building that was formerly a fry goods store. Truly, the whole main street area was absolutely adorable, with little baberber shops, antiques, artist galleries, and ice cream shops. Moorseville has done a tremendous job keeping the integrity of something that is disappearing all around the country.

The owners have managed to retain lots of the original features of the building--including the old pay phones sitting in their wooden booths. We're talking rotary dials, people! No push button. Too cool. The high ceilings, super high windows and pretty decor reminded me of a great high end restaurant in my beloved NYC. Funny how Charlotte feels more and more like home to me.

We were there for a party upstairs, so we got to try a few of the selections and desserts. Everything we had was very good, and it's a shame it's so far from where I'm living--otherwise I would sure as heck be there every couple of weeks! Still, we'll try to make a few special trips to get up there whenever possible. Totally worth it.

Since the culinary school Johnson & Wales University opened in uptown a few years ago, some pretty great restaurants and chefs have been moving in and sticking around. It's great to see.

Been Busy, Busy!

Sorry folks, but I've been wildly busy. I just landed a gig writing for startcooking.com that has been taking up a bit of my time...aside from my real full-time gig, that is. So, I'm thinking about tofu recipes and coming up with ideas on how to jazz up hot chocolate. It's a really great site, actually. So I was instantly attracted to the work even though I really don't have the time to write any more than I already am.

Anyhoo, Halloween came and went and wouldn't you know that not a single kid came to our house! No one sent this new resident the We-Schlep-Our-Kids-To-Other-Neighborhoods memo. It finally dawned on me and I grabbed my Transformer clad 4-year old and we headed over to the brightly lit Cureton subdivision which was mobbed with so many kids that half the homes we went to told us they had run out of candy! Meanwhile, that left me with gobs of tootsie rolls to eat from my own bowl. Ah well, now we know the trick or treating drill for next year.

But for the 30 minutes we were searching for candy on our block, I finally met some new neighbors I hadn't seen before simply because the homes are so far apart and heavily wooded that we can hardly see each other. I did find out from my neighbor directly across the street that he's putting up his house for sale in January to his long-time second home in Florida. So, if you're interested in buying a house with a front porch on about 2 acres of land in the Marvin school district for around the $450k range, give me a shout and maybe you can run over to my neighbor before he hooks up with a realtor. It's amazing what you learn when you just talk to folks.

The weather has gotten nippy in the mornings here, but the sun warms things up on the back deck by mid-afternoon. We're having a splendid fall here in Charlotte, but we're still in need of more rain since we're still in a bad drought. The leaves have been slow to change color with all the lack of rain.

I've gotta head back to NY in a few weeks for a wedding, and then to Philly for a biz trip. I haven't had a good cheesesteak in years, so I'm looking forward to it. In the middle of all that, my father-in-law is coming to Charlotte for Thanksgiving, and he's already telling us he may move here.

Looks like we've got another one coming down!

Halloween Up!

I can't stop eating Tootsie Rolls. I never, ever have candy in the house unless it's Halloween, so now that it's here I can't quit gorging on it. I don't even share it with Matt or the kids and just horde it until I've got to yank out the bag of candy on Halloween Day. By then, I've probably eaten half the bag myself. Well, now you know why I don't keep candy in the house....

We've got the house all Halloweened up this year, but the neighborhood has only 35 houses and just a handful of kids, so we don't know what to expect. We've only lived in this house about 6 months, so we have not yet witnessed Halloween here yet. Just one other house on my block has decorations. Hmmm...what a bunch of old poopers!

In our previous neighborhood in South Charlotte, Halloween was quite the spectacle. Every house was dressed up to the hilt for the holiday, and there was one house that was a particular huge attraction with people coming for miles to see it for both Christmas and Halloween. (It's on Long Cove Drive in Providence Country Club right off Tom Short if you're so inclined to check it out). This particular house has a great southern styled porch that lends itself well to spookiness and drama. The fog machine going wild doesn't hurt either.

If you didn't buy your fright decor two months ago, you're pretty much lost. Halloween is a fairly significant thing here in the south, and folks go all out and starting buying up all the good stuff months before. I learned this the hard way when I visited Target and Wal-mart two weeks before Halloween last year, and there was hardly a thing left. So, I made sure to get my shopping done early this year.

In the northeast, Halloween pretty much died in the 1970's after the whole razor blade and pins in the candy thing. I was thrilled to see the holiday had serious energy behind it here in Charlotte, as at least my kids will get to experience it the way I did as a child before the morons went and killed it.

Kids even get to wear costumes at some schools here. That was totally verboten in NJ when we left because we were advised that there might be some religious differences where some kids didn't participate in it. So, to be fair to everyone, they just nix the whole thing. I totally think that sucks and is completely ridiculous. I mean, if Halloween isn't your bag, then by all means exercise your right to not dress up. I think people are way too hung up on being proper and trying to include everyone. This is America, and you have every right to say no if you're not interested in being part of something. It's your right to not participate.

For example, in the northeast no one says "Merry Christmas." You say "Happy Holidays" instead so as not to offend anyone. Here in the south, there was a big movement last year to encourage people to get over it. People took back the ownership of saying Merry Christmas. I mean, if you're not Christian, isn't it easy to say something like: "Thanks, but I'm Jewish."

We're so worried about offending people that we either don't say anything or water it down. I'm not saying it's right to assume someone celebrates Christmas or Halloween or whatever, but we shouldn't feel compelled to be all-inclusive every time either. I would be thrilled to have my kid learn about a variety of holiday customs from all different faiths and religions, and I'm opened minded enough to accept that there's more than one way to open a candy wrapper.

Speaking of candy...there goes another Tootsie Roll.

Happy Halloween people!

Recommending My Cleaning Lady

I keep getting emails for the name and info on my cleaning lady, Derly, so I've decided to put all the info you'll need on her here. Please make sure you tell her Lisa sent you! She works homes in South Charlotte, upper Union county, a bit of Mint Hill and in Cabarrus just above Mint Hill. Here goes:

Derly (704-449-5668) has been helping us keep our house neat for a bit over 2 years now, and she's been doing a terrific job. Before her, I had several other folks that helped with the cleaning, but they were downright terrible. It wasn't even that they didn't clean too well (one person didn't even lift up stuff to dust under it), but the worst thing was that they were never consistent with the day or time they came. I had one person that literally called or emailed me every week to ask if they could change the day they were coming that week. There was always an excuse: dentist appointments, doctor visits, school meetings, English classes--it was really unbearable.

Thankfully, Derly has never changed the date or time on me once since she's started pitching in. She's also very thorough and usually comes with a partner to help her, so it's like you're getting two people for the price of one. Lastly, she's also very honest. I have mistakenly left a credit card and even the check book out in the open, for example, and it was not touched. There have been a few times where I wasn't going to be home and I've given her access to the key for her to get in and out, and everything has been perfectly fine.

Derly is Portuguese, so you need to be a little patient in terms of the communication side of things. When you call her the first time, you'll likely leave her a message and her young daughter will call you back and do some translating for you. She'll set up the first appointment where Derly will come over and give your place a once over to get you a price. Feel free to haggle with her a bit until you come to a fair price you both feel comfy with. Just don't think you're going to low-ball her, because she's not a stupid woman and quite a shrewd business person. She will be cheaper than services like Merry Maids, you can trust me on that. But she's not going to let you rake her over the coals on price either.

I have no trouble telling her exactly what I want done, as Derly has mastered all the important words of her trade that enable her to do her job. She'll ask you for example, if you want your baseboards cleaned of not? Fans? etc. She's also pretty flexible, and I've tossed her some extra money to clean the inside of the windows (she doesn't do the outside) or clean out the fridge.

What I love about Derly is that she's thorough. More thorough than I am. For example, she gives a quick dust to all the oil paintings that I have on the walls. Now, I don't even do that normally. But she sure does. She even takes the garbage out of every pail in the house--including the baby's diaper pail. A couple of times I rushed out of the house because I had a few appointments, and didn't have time to make my son's bed. Well, Derly did it for me without asking. (Ok, I confess, that the beds are never made unless I have guests or Derly is coming over. Who has time for that?!).

Last, you'll need to buy all your own cleaning supplies. I just keep mine in a crate on the floor in the pantry for her to utilize. I have a box of kitchen garbage bags and a couple of rolls of paper towels and that's what she uses. When something is empty, she'll put it in your counter to signal you need to buy more. Make sure your vacuum cleaner is handy, too. She uses her own broom, and her own mop. What I love about her mopping, is that she uses this massive squeegee that she wraps a small towel around. It gives a much better cleaning than a string or sponge mop, and the everything is nearly dry, too.

I can't say enough about Derly. She's worked out perfectly for us, and those that have used her after I've recommended her just love her too. See if she a match for you. I'd love to hear what you think.

Private Wells and Septic Systems

Thank goodness the rain is still coming down here in Charlotte. We've had a devastating drought this summer and these last few days of continual rain have been welcomed by everyone. We were just weeks away from forcibly having to cut our water consumption by 50% as ordered by NC Governer Easley.

I'm on a well out here in Union County, and I've never had the luxury of having well water. Coming from New York City, there's no such thing and I'd always heard negative things. I'm on septic tank as well, and I've always heard horrors about those as well. Well, truth be told, I haven't really found a single pinch of difference. In fact, I'm starting to think it's better.

For one, my well water does taste perfectly delicious. I had it all tested before I moved in, and the water had no unusual bacteria or chemicals present. It also doesn't have any fluoride that one usually finds in local city water, so you have to make sure to use fluoride toothpaste. No big deal, as we all do that already.

I'd always heard that the water pressure coming from well water is not as good as city water. Well, that's not true either. We have the same exact pressure level. And, the best part about it, is that I don't have a water bill. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

The idea of a septic did kind of scare me I have to admit. I was warned (by city dwellers) that they always stopped up and stuff always came back up. Well, in the six months I've been on a septic that has not happened. Knock on wood. I definitely have become more conscious of what I put down the drain, tho. I thought nothing of tossing frying pan oil down the drain when I was connected to a sewer--which I already know isn't the right thing to do either. Now, I can it and throw it in the trash. We also don't allow our garbage disposal to grind up half of a meal so that it clogs the septic. I guess, overall, I've become more conscious as to what my pipes are eating. And I don't have a sewer bill. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

Even though I could have continued to water my lawn all summer despite the drought because I have my own well, but I did not. I never watered once. I have a patchy, half-dry lawn like those of you on city water. We turn the water off while we brush our teeth and all that usual fare. We're trying to be reasonably kind to the environment. Around my neighborhood, however, there are a few million dollar mansions with the lushest, greenest lawns I've ever seen. There's a big sign out front of each that warns "Irrigated by Private Wells," just in case neighbors decide to call the governing agents on them because they're being wasteful. Hmmm.....

One needs to maintain these systems as any other part of your home, of course. You should have a septic company come out and check your system annually, and there's recommended products such as BioSafe that you're supposed to flush down the toilet to keep things clean and in working order. You can also get a water check test kit for under $10 bucks to check the bacteria levels in your well annually.

In Charlotte, most of the newer neighborhoods within the city limits are connected to sewers and public water, but out here in greener pastures there's many homes with quite the opposite situation. In fact, most people living in the USA do not have access to public water or sewers. So, don't be afraid of being in charge of your own water and sewage. You won't miss the bills!

49% of Residents Want to Leave NJ and Come to NC/FL

An interesting tidbit appeared in yesterday's Charlotte Observer newspaper, claiming that a recent poll said 49% of the residents living in New Jersey wants to move out of the state and go to either North Carolina or Florida.

Digging around, I found the story in the Star Ledger which appeared on October 17th. Don't just read the story itself, but also read the near 50 comments from readers that wrote in to voice their thoughts. Here's one particularly entertaining one:

"New Jersey, if the fumes, taxes (personal and corporate), traffic, and corruption don't kill ya, the stupidity in government will!

Hey, here's an idea, let's tax the people who don't make as much; an idea that will work right? Less tax to those who make more, more tax to those that make less. This state is in dire straights right now, along with many towns. Towns need more help financially, and the state has no funds to help.

$3.5 BILLION in deficit? The state just keep running up the credit card bills, chasing out the businesses. There is soon to be a tax on the tax.

I guess discussing this is like trying to introduce logic to an illogical equation. Nothing will change, anytime soon. Get used to it, or be prepared to move. I felt exactly like these people about living in the northeast. Taxes too high, cost of living is nuts." -1lvdherelong

I can totally relate to what these people are feeling, as I was one of them over 3 years ago. Between the taxes, the cost of living and the traffic, you simply don't feel like you can get ahead in the northeast. You're working like a maniac to pay bills.

A friend of ours who still lives with his wife in northern Jersey is purchasing a house and told us the property taxes were going to be $9,000. He said it without any emotion or shock...as if it was all normal. I guess in Jersey people just accept those numbers. I held my breath when I heard the figure and said to Matt--can you believe we're paying $2,200 property taxes for 3 acres??

So, I don't blame folks in New Jersey for wanting to run as fast as they can. And you won't be alone, because your buddies that left a few years ago are already waiting here for you.

Use the Internet to Research Your House or Neighborhood

I was talking to a realtor last week on the condition of the market in Charlotte, and she confessed that it has slowed down quite a bit from spring time. She explained that the the housing bubble elsewhere in the country has finally affected Charlotte in that folks can't sell their homes to come here. In other words, someone in New Jersey who is itching to get south is having to sit on their unsold house and can't make the move until it happens.

In Charlotte, homes have never really sold for those inflated prices around the rest of the country. There's been a slow and steady increase in home values that work with the national average. We also enjoy moderate property taxes in comparison to other areas. That gives those looking to purchase a home here good buying power. You get a heap for your money. I recommend using the Charlotte area MLS site, Carolina Home, versus Realtor.com as the listings are more accurate and give you better photos.

If you want to do a bit of research and find out what your house or the homes in the neighborhood have sold for within the last 5 years, check out websites such as Zillow and Domania. I used these tools successfully when buying in New Jersey as I was able to get vital information that helped me devise an offer. All you do is plug in an address and the info is all there at your fingertips.

When I was living in Morganville, NJ, for a year in one of those terrible cookie-cutter neighborhoods where the houses sat 12 feet away from each other. The house I lived in could be bought here in Charlotte for $125,000, and I won't tell you what unspeakable sum of money I bought the very same house for there (with $10,000 property taxes!). I purchased the home from someone that was selling it themselves and not using a realtor. So, I was left without an intermediary to the offer haggling for me. I had to do it myself. I went to Domania and looked at the recent comps in the neighborhood, but then I was also able to see that the seller had purchased the house two years before and that he was attempting to get over $100,000 more in that short time period! With this information in hand, I was able to tell him, "Look, I know you paid $X for this house just two years ago, and the comps say $Y. I'm ready to walk away if I can't get this house for this offer." He looked aghast and a bit sheepish when I told him EXACTLY what he paid for the home, and we were able to come to a reasonable number--well, at least what was reasonable in New Jersey!

The internet is an amazing source of information when it comes to home buying and selling, and not when it comes to purchase price either. Want to know how many registered sex offenders live within a certain mile radius from your home--or worse, perhaps right next door to the house you are buying? Check out The National Sex Offender Registry site and plug in your address. You may be duly delighted or horrified by what you find out. North Carolina has it's very own site, NC Find Offender, that does the same thing. And many of the local counties have their own version of this as well. Just do a google search for "cabarrus county nc" and "registered sex offender."

Need to know if you're buying or living near an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) superfund site? Check out their site to determine if you're going to be living near a toxic dump. Scorecard is a site that takes it even further, and can help you determine things like agricultural and water issues.

If schools are a concern for you, there's a number of interesting tools such as Great Schools that give you general data about every school in the country. In North Carolina, students have to pass the ABC standardized test. The scores have gone up this year, check out how yours did here. There's plenty of info if you go directly to the counties themselves to research what is happening in the local schools, too.

Property taxes are another issue for home buyers to consider. You should be thrilled if you're coming from the northeast. My property taxes were $10k per year, and now they are $2,200 for three acres of land! For tax numbers, check out these sites and do the math:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• Gaston
• Iredell
• Union
• York, SC

So, as you can see the internet can provide a wealth of info before you go ahead and dump hundreds of thousands of dollars into a humungo purchase like a house. Happy searching!

Indian Land, SC

Ah, Indian Land. I really, really wanted to live there, but couldn't find a darned house to buy since it's so tiny! Indian Land is in Lancaster County and is part of the Fort Mill, SC, zip code as it does not (yet!) have it's own post office. It's just minutes from the Ballantyne area on highway 521 just a bit away from primo property in NC. You can buy a house for a song, with dirt cheap property taxes. It's a real estate buyer's dream.

There's a neighborhood in Indian Land named Black Horse Run that I adore. It's an equestrian friendly community that allows owners to have 2 horses on every 1 acre of land (though many residents do not). Much of the neighborhood was built in the 1980's, so you have mature landscaping and decent sized lots. There is also a neighborhood pool, a barn, riding trails and a wonderful lake. The homes are a bit smaller than what you find new right now, but they are at a pricepoint that affords updating and in adding on. Houses in the subdivision generally go quickly...if you find one for sale at all.

Indian Land is set to explode, as you've got a heap of growth happening on the 521 corridor. Del Webb's 50+ neighborhood, Sun City at Carolina Lakes, is driving much of the growth and is sells out quickly each time a new building pod area starts up. Sun City has incredible amenities for those who fit the over 50 age profile, including a golf course, boating and a club house. Del Webb plans to build another similar subdivision in the next few years that does not have golfing for those that are not inclined. Investing in these neighborhoods is money in the bank.

Many property owners along 521 have recently put their larger parcels for sale to capitalize on the real estate boom that's happening, and they are being snapped up for retail and homes. And, it's proximity to Ballantyne doesn't hurt either. Gasoline is cheaper in SC, so you'll find lots of NC plates visiting the closest gas stations over the South Charlotte border. Plus, it's also home to Southern Spirits, our favorite liquor store here at Charlotte Central.

This area is served by Indian Land schools, which are decent; and not Fort Mill schools, which are excellent. In my opinion, however, I think the schools in Indian Land will get even better as the area is further developed.

Do not miss out on a little gem of an area--check out Indian Land, SC. You won't be sorry you bought ahead of the boom.

Fresh Milk Delivery to Your Home in Charlotte and Fort Mill

Yep, it may sound crazy, but the milkman still does deliveries to your house. About two months ago, I contracted with Lakeview Farms Home Delivery, which has a farm up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and does home delivery in the Fort Mill/Union County area.

I confess I'm not one of these organic, health food crazed people and I am usually not willing to pay more for something organic. In other words, I don't actively seek out organic foods at all. What I did seek, however, was convenience. I have two young boys at home that consume milk as if they were little calves, so I couldn't keep racing to the supermarket every few minutes. I concluded that I was willing to pay a wee bit more for my milk if someone would bring it to my door (I guess that's the New Yorker in me coming out). Little did I know, that Lakeview was not just going to bring me convenience, but way better tasting milk.

You get a chance to talk to the owner of Lakeview Farms, Jim, when you call to set up your service and make sure you're in the delivery area. He describes their offerings, which includes much more than milk--they've also got eggs, cheese, yogurt, butter, juice and all other sorts of organic goods. They come to your door and bring you a small, metal insulated milk box that you keep by your front or back door, and this is where Jim will drop your goodies. Last week, while I was traveling to NYC on business, I gave Jim access to my garage refrigerator and he simply put my order in there for me since I wasn't home.

The milk comes in those wonderful glass bottles like your grandma had. What I love about them right off the bat, is that they have a handy plastic handle to carry them around. Also, they're recyclable glass, so when I'm done with them I simply rinse them out and put them in my milk box for Jim to take away. But the absolute best part is the quality of the milk. The stuff is thick and rich--even the 2% variety!

You need to give the bottle a shake before you pour so the creaminess swishes around. One of the delivery men advised me that milk in the supermarket is easily a month or more old before you buy it. It's completely pasteurized to the point that it is sterile so that it lasts a long time on the shelf. Plus, it comes from hormone filled cows. He told me that my Lakeview Farms milk was just pulled from the cow a few days before and that the pasteurization process is a little less severe than mass produced milk. It kills all the necessary bacteria without rendering it completely sterile. My milk dude also advised that my milk came from happy cows--roaming freely to eat pasture and not tied to some stall eating feed. I like happy cows. I want them to be happy so they can make this tasty milk for me.

My 4 year old outright asks me for milk to drink since we hooked up with Lakeview Farms. He loves the stuff and says that it's as creamy as ice-cream. I get the full milk for the kids, and the 2% for the adults. The stuff is dreamily divine. Yummy even.

To be straight, it is more expensive than the supermarket stuff--$3.39 for a half gallon. But it is completely worthwhile as far as convenience and taste, in my opinion.

Lakeview Farms doesn't deliver everywhere, but a call to them will let you know if you're within their delivery footprint. Owner Jim was telling me that a couple of folks in one particular Weddington neighborhood wanted their milk so badly, that they petitioned the rest of their subdivision and got a dozen other families interested and they successfully scored a place on the delivery route.

Here's other home delivery services around the Charlotte region:

Absolute Organics - Veggies and fruits

If you know of any others, please let Charlotte Central readers know by submitting their names here.

New Garage Doors: Cox Door Company

I've been busy ripping our house apart from top to bottom. We started with the kitchen reface, and now my beaten down garage doors were the next target. The poor wood doors that have served this house since 1987 had finally given up. To start, they had water damage and were rotting; and the openers were opening and closing whenever THEY wanted to, instead of when I needed to get in and out of the house. Basically, everything had hit the statistical end of it's life and needed replacing.

I used Cox Door Company, a family-run outfit out of Indian Trail. They were professional, courteous, came out when they said they would and offered me a fair price for the work. First, we tried to repair the existing garage door openers to see if they had any life left in them. The repairman warned me that this was not the best route of action given the condition of everything, but being a cheap New Yorker, I had to at least give it a shot. Sure enough, the very next day they started acting up again. The repairman came back at no charge with brochures for new doors and openers.

Now, I've never purchased a garage door before, but I was amazed at the options and price ranges. I knew that I wanted a carriage house (barn) styled door, as you drive directly up to my garage and it's a big part of what you see. I figured it should at least be attractive.

These doors can cost you a fortune, but I settled on two eight foot Haas Doors. The repairman advised that though there were other options that were more expensive, that he considered these doors to be the best on the market. They provided a tight seal against the elements and were a sturdy and paintable steel with an insulated center. These were $700 a pop--which is way cheaper than other doors that were easily twice that to start. I decided to go for the style with no windows, as the fix-it dude said that they allowed heat to enter and they might be a security issue with someone peeking into the windows. There goes $1,400 bucks for two.

Next came the openers. Luckily, my home warranty covered both of these since they were both barely functioning. There were two options: the first was a $300 residential Liftmaster with a 5 year warranty; and the second was a $450 Elite Series Liftmaster with a lifetime warranty on the motor. The warranty would only cover for the cheaper one, but I ended up springing for the more expensive model and sucking up the difference. Bang! Another $300 bucks for two openers.

At the end of the day I spent $1,700 for two new doors and opener units, and the things work like a dream. Who new a garage door could be so quiet? Finally, I don't have all sorts of creepy-crawlies getting into the garage since the new seal is super tight. Plus, the temperature in the garage has dropped at least 25 degrees with these new doors. How do I know this? Well the opener wall control unit tells me the exact temperature in the room, the time, and date and a whole bunch of other things. Now, if it would only tell my husband to take out the garbage, I'd be set!

Getting a NC Driver's License

I'm not proud to admit it, but even though I've lived here for three years, I never traded in my New Jersey driver's license. Once I heard that you had to take the written test in order to get your license transferred, I clung onto my old license like a toddler hangs onto her favorite blankie. I hate tests. Let me repeat--I hate tests. I still wake up in a cold sweat some nights dreaming that I've forgotten to study for some college final.

When I moved from NYC to New Jersey, they also had the written test system, and I hung on until they changed the rule and you didn't need to take the test anymore. Amen! I waited out the system and won! One day I was hugely pregnant with my first son, and I got nailed by a Jersey cop going 60 in a 45 mile zone. I handed over my NY license, and pretended I'd just moved to NJ (reality was that I'd been living there two years). My parents were in the back seat, and the cop took one look at my huge belly and let me go with a warning.

Now, let me say that you are required to change your old driver's license to the NC one after 30 days of living here. Ahem. And what I was doing was completely wrong. After about a year of living in Charlotte, I got pulled over by a cop as I was racing home to make a business phone meeting. I was going 60 in a 45 zone again (sorry!). The police man asks me for my license, and I tell him that my husband has moved here, but I'm not officially moved yet (sorry again!). Okay, I fibbed! He carefully took down the address in Charlotte and entered it into his cop computer, and he told me to slow down. No ticket, only a warning. A bit after this, instead of studying for the NC drivers test, I purchased a radar detector. I didn't get caught again.

Last month, I realized that my NJ license was about to expire within 4 weeks. The other issue, was that I was going to be boarding a plane for business travel, and my only form of picture I.D. was about to kick the bucket. I HAD to suck it up and take the darned test. I basically had no choice. I used this handy cheat sheet and read it over until I had it committed to memory. I went to the Monroe DMV and grabbed the road signs card at the front desk and sat in the waiting area for about an hour studying the thing like a fiend.

I'm nervous as hell, but get called into the testing room finally. I did my eye test by looking into the little contraption and reading the letters. Passed. I then do the signs test in the same little contraption. Passed. The man then sends me over to the computer where I would be taking the actual driving test. There's a young guy already there in the throes of his exam, and I sit down and put on the headphones to listen to the test and get ready to go. I'm sweating. I'm scared. I gotta pass or I can't get on that plane with an expired license. I can't drive either.

You have to get 20 out of 25 questions correct, and I race through the thing with flying colors because all the questions are EXACTLY the ones on the cheat sheet! I got just one wrong at the very end because it was worded in a funny/tricky manner. I see the kid next to me still stammering through his test and I pump my fist in the air as I knew I passed. He glances over at me in dismay and I shrug (sorry!).

I go back to the fellow that tested me, and he grins. He sends me over to get my photo snapped and minutes later they hand over my brand new, legit North Carolina Driver's License. I could not have been prouder, and it got me a bit closer to feeling like a native Charlottean. I was no longer sporting an transplant license...now no one would be able to tell the difference between me and a long-time local.

I still have my radar detector, but I've also slowed down quite a bit--after all, I live in Charlotte.

Went Back Home to New York for a Few Weeks

You guys already know that though I'm living in Charlotte, I still work remotely for the New Jersey company I've been at for the last 6 years. It's truly a lucky break that the place allowed me to move here three years ago and still keep my job AND my old salary. And this week, we happened to be going IPO, so I was invited to the festivities at the New York Stock Exchange. I also decided that I wasn't going to visit family when I went back to New York, and was just going to work, shop and chill out. Shhhh....don't tell my mother!

Anyway, last week I did my thing at work 12 hours a day, and then enjoyed some shopping at Loehmann's, Century 21 and Daffy's--stores that would make a killing if they ever moved to Charlotte. One thing I do find in NC, is that the clothing is pretty pedestrian unless you go to one of the many boutiques in the area--but the who the heck wants to pay those prices? Everyone, for some reason, seems to dress exactly the same here. Every time I return to New York for work, I go with an empty suitcase and load up on clothing to bring back to Charlotte.

I booked my travel at the very last minute, and there were no hotels available in Manhattan, so I had to stay in a little rathole in Jersey City just across the river. At 7AM, I took the path train over to Wall Street, which is nothing more than a 5 minute trip. The train swoops around Ground Zero, and there was activity going on there much as it has been for the last 6 years.

I see this swarm of bodies running out of the train and up the long stairs that lead everyone up to the street level. It's this twice-daily rush hour ritual that always appear perfectly choreographed and everyone moves like a swarm of ants heading out of the hole to get up to the surface. I sure don't miss it. I don't miss standing on a NYC subway platform in August when there is zero airflow and everyone is sweaty and aggravated. I don't miss cramming onto the F train while the guy next to you is unknowingly jabbing his briefcase into your ribcage. And I sure as heck don't miss rainy days when you're jumping over puddles at the crosswalks while hoping not to get sloshed by the crosstown bus.

I finally come out onto Church Street and I immediately get that rush that happens to me every time I step in Manhattan--I always wish I could live here again. Of course, when I'm considering this I don't have my 2 young kids tugging on me and I'm not thinking about the fact that to live in NYC well, it requires you to be a millionaire. There just is something about Manhattan that is like nowhere on earth. I see Trinity Church around the corner and my knees feel weak...what a marvelous building.

Later in the day, I headed back up to our office on 19th and 5th Avenue, and I started looking for the restaurants and bars that I used to frequent as a single twenty-something. The Coffee Shop is still there....Union Square Cafe still around....Chat n' Chew check!....Steak Frites outta business...ah well! It's amazing how much things change in New York every time I go.

It's 11AM, and the 3 other women I'm with and I settle on the Coffee Shop on the corner by Union Square Park. The moment the menu hits the table, the waitress is immediately asking us what we want to order with a surly attitude. We haven't even had a chance to look crack it open, so we're struggling to come up with an answer and after 10 seconds she walks off in a huff. Clearly, I'm no longer used to the fast-paced pressure of everything in New York.

I order a Cuban sandwich, since there's virtually nowhere to get a decent one in Charlotte other than at Carlos Cafe in Rock Hill, SC, which is a bit of a hike for me when I get the craving for it. I also order a pomegranate mimosa--what the heck, I'm in New York! At the end of the day, we head over to the bar at the Soho Grand Hotel for a drink, and I make my way over to the elegant walnut bar as a bartender with a mohawk takes my order. And we end the night at the Canal Room, a club on West Broadway. I felt content that i had a fully quintessential New York City day.

Finally, I get on the plane at Newark and there's delays. Someone can spit on the tarmac at Newark Airport and you're guaranteed a delay due to "weather." The claim is that it's second in delayed flights to O'Hare Airport in Chicago. At some point I get to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and I grab my car and get on 77 South. I turn on the country music station and sing along to the Dixie Chicks' Cowboy Take Me Away.

I'm home. I'm happy here. I love living in Charlotte.

Charlotte Day or Weekend Trips

Another advantage of living in Charlotte is the proximity to many recreational areas close enough for a day trip or a weekend getaway. We're near the mountains and not that far from the beach. Here is a small sample of what's nearby.

Within 4 hours:
Myrtle Beach - Great for kids with lots of things to do around the beach.
Charleston - History, fine dining, romance.
Hilton Head - Golf, golf, golf, beach, golf.
Savannah - A taste of the Old South with great restaurants, tours of historic homes and plenty of hospitality.
Atlanta - Culture, sports, history, traffic. Go catch a Braves or watch the Panthers beat the Falcons.
Asheville - Funky mountain town, home to the Biltmore Estate. Don't miss the galleries and restaurants in town too.
Grandfather Mountain - There are lots of great places to visit in the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This will get you started.
Gatlinburg, TN - Spectacular Smoky Mountain scenery, and the home to Dollywood.

A Bit Further Out:
The Outer Banks - Closer to 6 hours out of Charlotte, but worth the drive. Beautiful scenery and beaches, with lots of outdoor activities.
Nashville - Music City is home to more than just the Grand Ole Opry. Also about 6 hours by car.
Colonial Williamsburg - History galore and Busch Gardens too.

Buying Furniture in Charlotte

You’ll find lots of info out there on the Hickory Furniture Mart, just an hour outside of Charlotte that is home to many of the popular furniture manufacturers. Personally, I found it interesting for ideas, but too expensive. I kept hearing for years how this was the place to go and get everything, and when I finally get here it was a serious disappointment, and went home empty handed. Matt can vouch for the fact that I rarely come home with nothing.

Through word of mouth–which is how you find out about all the good stuff–I discovered Furniture Factory Outlet on Lancaster Highway in Waxhaw. The darned thing is is the middle of nowhere, but so worth the trip. For one, it’s huge. It is a former factory that now has nothing more than great quality finds at terrific prices, including mattresses. Want a grandfather clock for $500 bucks? It’s here. A whole bedroom set in burl wood with a poster bed? Hop on over.Some things can be ordered, but most stuff is straight off the floor (but in immaculate condition). The catch is that they pretty much don’t deliver (except for the ordered stuff), so people drive up with rented U-haul trucks or those $19 an hour Home Depot pick up trucks. If you’ve got a friend with access to a large vehicle or van, they you’re in luck.

Ashley Furniture and Value City are pretty inexpensive, but the quality reflects it. You’ll pay darn near the same thing as the place above, but it won’t be as good. If you need an inexpensive couch for $450 bucks and you don’t expect it to last more than 3 or 4 years, then this might very well be the place to go. Expect the couch arms will be made of particleboard and have fabric that will not be durable.

Honestly, you’d be better off heading to family-owned Tyndall Furniture or Efirds. There’s heaps crammed onto the floor, and you can also browse their books and purchase something specific that way. You can get a Rowe couch for just $650 (depending on the fabric), and it will be 8-way hand-tied and real wood–and it will last you 15 or more years. So, do your math and make sure that that $450 couch is really worth it. Some of the bigger furniture stores do have outlets, such as Boyle’s, who just opened a new one out on Highway 74.

Decor can be found in virtually every shopping center around Charlotte. Home Goods just opened two locations in Charlotte and is a mecca for inexpensive, but interesting goods. There are people that swear by the Black Lion, which has two locations and hosts small shops that are individually owned by regular folks like us who want a way to have their own business. I prefer the one in Pineville versus the one in the Concord Mills Mall.

Charlotte Interiors is a great web source for finding local places to shop for all your home, furniture and decorating needs.