WakeWorld - Charlotte, NC area Lake recommendations?

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- - Charlotte, NC area Lake recommendations? (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494386)

Can some fellow boarders help me out?? We are leaving Michigan, and the awesome lake we live on, to relocate to the Charlotte, NC area. I have been visiting the area for the last year or so and I am familiar with Lake Norman and a little with Lake Wylie. Without spending 2M on a new home, we are a little concerned about finding a similar waterfront situation down there. Does anyone know of other nice local lakes within a 45 min drive to uptown Charlotte?? We are currently focusing on the West side of Norman, in the denver area, Sailview to be specific. East Lincoln School District, lower taxes... Still on the lake... Please, if you know of another lake we should check out, let me know!

Check out <a href="http://www.endofropegang.com" target="_blank">www.endofropegang.com</a> It's a website for NC/VA borders.

Tim, I sent you a private message on the above subject.

Right now there isn't much lake left..we're all dried up at the moment. They have shut all but one or two boat ramps down at Norman, and one or two left on Wylie...Mt Island lake is close, but it's really small..let me know if you have any more questions. I personally go to Wylie b/c its not as crowded and you can ride just about anywhere

Liegh, Cam, & Will, Thanks for the info. I have been to Wylie and am interested in it because it seems to be quieter than Norman, but we are very concerned about the schools in the area. Any input on them? We have a 4 year old and a 9 month old who will soon be moving through the school systems there. Thanks Guys!

I live in charlotte and I usually go to either lake norman or lake tillery in albemarle its not too bad out there the water isnt low like norman right now but its like an hour drive from uptown charlotte.

Hey Tim, Welcome to Charlotte. I moved up here about a year ago and can vouch for what was said about Mountain Island. It seems Mt. Island has gone overlooked to some degree when it comes to Charlotte - as I never hear anyone really mention it. There are definitely some nice places there and if you head up the lake there's the river. As you know - River = the best water conditions - so we spend a good deal of time up there. I've never actually ridden Norman but I've heard there's always a ton of people and there aren't as many good coves to get up into (don't know first hand, just what I've heard from various people). Wylie is nice as well, I've been out there a few times. Last Wed. I went out with a few guys from the Mastercraft dealership in town and the water there felt like a Sauna. I mean I've been in 'bathtub' feeling water before but this was by far the hottest. Anyone else on Wylie lately agree?

well my mom and dads friends live up there in the denver area and thts alot closer to lake norman than lake wylie but i think lake wylie waters are a little more calm

Tim: I have lived in Tega Cay on Lake Wylie for the last 10 years. There is some pretty good spots on Lake Wylie. The Fort Mill School system is rated very highly. Charlotte schools are in complete disarray. The New York Times just did a write up about the Fort Mill area 2 Sundays ago. One of the few areas to see real estate appreciation. I don't know much about housing on Muntain Island Lkae but it is a nice place to ride. You still have to deal with CMS Schools. You can research on the internet the CMS Schools to see for yourself. You can live on the water on Lake Wylie for under $600,000 and be 20 to 30 minutes from uptown Charlotte. Check out <a href="http://www.tourtegacay.com" target="_blank">www.tourtegacay.com</a> and <a href="http://www.tourlakewylie.com" target="_blank">www.tourlakewylie.com</a> Also, www.Southtownriders is located there. Pefect for your kids. Southtownriders.com I don't think you will find many lakes near a major city that is more affordable. PS- Stay away from the cove on Windjammer. I live there and I have seen huge gators on the shoreline. I suggest finding other coves to ride in <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0> What brings you to Charlotte?

Go to Lake norman or Mountain Island they are the best. Norman is like 2 feet low but you can put your boat in at Holiday Marina where there is a restrant and a wakeboard pro shop called CWC. You should definantly check it out if you go. If you have any questions my email is <a href="mailto:wakeboardkid@adelphia.net">wakeboardk id@adelphia.net</a>

David, OK My wife is freaked out! She says no (f#@#ing)way to riding with gators! HaHa! I'm laughing my butt off!!! think of the gas we'll save by cutting out her riding! Be on the lookout for us.... <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/494759.jpg" alt="Upload"> Thanks for the info, we will check it out when we come down. Thanks, Tim

Here are some stats: Email me and I will take you out on the lake. It is hard to read but the first category is zip 29708, next is state and third is national. FORT MILL, South Carolina 29708 County York County Population 11,971 Number of Households 4,539 Median Household Income $67,484 Median Age 36.85 Demographics 29708 State National Female 51.12% 51.30% 50.83% Male 48.87% 48.69% 49.16% Single (never married, separated, widowed) 3,178 1,703,642 118,372,252 Married 6,104 1,716,929 121,019,942 People per Household 2.63 2.48 2.58 Households with Children 1,894 581,243 39,230,063 Median Age (more details) 36.85 35.21 35.10 Income and Jobs 29708 State National Median Household Income (more details) $67,484 $39,832 $45,135 Average Household Income $79,327 $51,634 $60,600 Per Capita Income $30,078 $20,467 $23,201 White Collar Jobs (more details) 0.7184% 0.7501% 0.7760% Blue Collar Jobs (more details) 0.2815% 0.2498% 0.2239% Ethnicity 29708 State National White 91.87% 67.86% 76.93% Hispanic 1.77% 2.85% 13.79% African American 5.66% 29.83% 12.60% Asian / Pacific Islander 1.40% 0.90% 3.75% Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.07% 0.04% 0.14% Native American 0.24% 0.34% 0.90% Other 0.73% 1.00% 5.65% Education 29708 State National Less than 9th Grade 2.47% 8.31% 7.57% Some High School 6.63% 15.35% 12.05% High School Graduate 20.94% 29.97% 28.55% Some College 24.39% 19.26% 21.09% Associate Degree 8.15% 6.67% 6.31% Bachelors Degree 25.94% 13.54% 15.55% Graduate Degree 11.45% 6.87% 8.85% Climate 29708 State National Average Jan. High 51.80° F 53.74° F 43.88° F Average Jan. Low 32.50° F 31.50° F 23.77° F Average July High 90.10° F 90.05° F 86.75° F Average July Low 70.00° F 68.60° F 62.98° F Annual Precipitation 48.32 " 52.80 " 59.18 " Geographical Risks 29708 State National Earthquake Risk 83 172 100 Hail Index 150 99 100 Hurricane Index 164 248 101 Tornado Index 89 79 100 Weather Risk 133 167 101 Wind Index 149 123 99 (100 = National Average) Pollution 29708 State National Air Pollution Index* 95 87 100 Carbon Monoxide Index* 95 87 100 Lead Index* 41 43 100 NO2 Index* 103 79 100 Ozone Index* 107 105 100 Particulate Matter Index* 107 112 100 (100 = National Average) Crime 29708 State National Total Crime Index (more details) 38 122 100 Personal Crime Index 55 134 99 Property Crime Index 21 111 100 (100 = National Average) Residential 29708 State National Homes Owned 3,620 1,180,729 73,359,325 Homes Rented 919 437,810 36,450,939 Vacant Homes 464 232,150 10,872,994

Damn where was all this info when I was asking a few months back? ;) I am also considering a move to Charlotte and had a contract on a house on lake Wylie for $470,000. That is about as cheap as you will find at any decent part of the lake. We looked at Tega Cay but not really my preference. I have heard that Mountain Island is a little more expensive. Also, There are not alot of places to Launch in General much less keep the boat in dry storage on or near the lake.

David, Wow, Thanks for the offer! That is tremendously kind of you. I'll have my laptop w/me when we are in town... We plan on flying into Lincoln County Airport tomorrow (Thursday night)and heading out from there. I'll look you up... Also, Thanks for the info on Tega Cay and Fort Mill area too. We did some research online and will be down there to see it for sure. Tim

I live in the MIL area so let me know if there is anything you wish to know. Overlook, Stonewater, Preservation Point and Mountain Island Harbor are the larger waterfront communities. The only consideration with MIL I can add(other than the CMS school district) is that there are no commercial establishments on the lake....no marinas, etc. Lake Norman is only bad if you are restricted to boarding weekends. During the week it's very nice...and it's the cleanest lake out of the three IMO. Wylie is also very nice for boarding, but its shallower and muddier (at least on the north end). Best of luck with the search/move. If you are looking for a realtor in the LKN area talk to George Smith at Team Newport. He lives on the Denver side and is a close family friend. If he's not busy he would probably love to show you the lake by water. Tell him Ryan and Nancy say hello.

**Hijak** Mr. Hair, I met you one day in windjammer cove (the old Army Green STR Supra). One question for you, you said something to the affect of the river part on the north part of the lake? Is that by the Botanical Gardens? There is that fork as you go north and I always go left to visit a friend but is the water any good if you go straight/right? It is a long way for me to haul from Tega Cay but Beaver is starting to scare me at the end with the lake being down. Thanks. Nathan

There is some great water up there. Majors lives up there and they did some of the "Chick Flick" video there as well. 20 to 30 minute boat ride from Tega Cay so drain your sacks.

Thanks to everybody who has contributed their advice on this thread and by PM. I have been sent numerous PM's on this subject! Thanks guys! The great response is very encouraging. We hope to enjoy a lifestyle equal to or better than that that we are accustomed to in Michigan. We are in Va now, driving down rather than flying... BTW any one else a Private pilot on here??? We will be bringing a nice Piper Lance dow with us and selling 2 shares possibly!!!