Moving to Charlotte (Winter/Spring): Best Safe Areas to Rent in Mecklenburg County (Y

Hey BP,

Relocating to Charlotte this winter/early spring with my family. Safety is our top priority, so I'm renting my first year inside Mecklenburg County to learn the market before buying our first house hack (small multifamily or single-family with ADU/basement potential).

Looking for recommendations on:

Safe, quiet pockets within Mecklenburg County (under 25–30 min commute to central/medical hubs).

Areas positioned well to scout future house-hacking corridors.

Local REI meetups worth attending once we land.

Ballantyne, SouthPark, Matthews (Mecklenburg side), or other specific spots? Appreciate any boots-on-the-ground advice. Thanks!