Nothing Unique - 11/19/2007

Charlotte is a very nice 'growing" city, but there is nothing that makes the QC really standout from other cities. Charlotte is a very neutral city culturally. The people are polite (most of the time), the weather is good (most of the time), and the cost of living is reasonable (depending on where you live).

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Charlotte - 11/14/2007

I'm a transplant from NY to Charlotte, NC. I LOVE IT HERE! It's beautiful here, the people are so friendly, the City is gorgeous, and the shopping is great. Traffic is an issue but it's being worked on, and nothing compared to some other big cities. Opportunities abound here. Homes are in all price ranges and availability. Taxes are extremely low compared to NY. Crime is no different than in other big, wealthy cities. Don't like it, but it's a fact of life. Schools have a problem because the population is growing too fast, but the recent Bond issue was passed and this will result in nearly 60 schools being built. Come here if you teach! We've had wonderful medical care (Huntersville Presbyterian is great)! Weather is perfect for us. We'll take the hot summers over the long, depressing winters in New York! We just love it here and will never move!

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Charlotte's great Real Estate Market - 11/8/2007

This Real Estate Market is great. Buyers have so much to choose from and prices are outstanding. Uptown Charlotte is the place to be.

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Amazing...... - 11/8/2007

I am a long time resident of the Charlotte area (15 years) having moved here right out of college. I am completely amazed at how negative the views are of Charlotte. Having grown up outside of DC I have seen "bad traffic" which Charlotte doesn't have. Is it perfect, No. But by no means bad. Schools: schools are an issue. Charlotte does have room for improvement but amazingly we still rank pretty high when compared to other big cities. Those in Charlotte, mostly from somewhere else, have been spoiled by the ability to "choose". They chose to leave the situation they were in and come to Charlotte. Now they want to choose the level of every school. We have good schools, we have bad schools, but doesnt every big city. And guess what, if you dont like the schools you can "choose" to go to a different area with the schools that you will approve of. (just like anywhere else). Nightlife: having moved here right out of college and still looking to hang on to the college life as long as possible, I found Charlotte to provide many options. Nightlife then was 1/2 what it is now. We now have an art district, many more night clubs, restaurants, and now have many more professionals living uptown. The town is still finding its identity. Not bible beaters but not brazen yankees or rednecks either. A good mix. Employment/opportunity: The economic growth of Charlotte is tremendous. A town of young professionals, fortune 500 companies continue to target the piedmont of NC for relocation. Opportunities abound, an entrepreneurs delight. If you cant make a living in Charlotte you are not trying. A very affordable area, yes we do have our "ritzy" areas but that is not representative of the area. Every city has the "old money" areas of town and so do we. Crime: Crime is up and is a problem if you live in specific areas of town. I have lived in the East side of Charlotte the entire 15 years and havent personally experience the crime everyone has expressed concern over on the bb. I would say it is a function of our judicial system not having the capability to prosecute, and repeat offenders not being behind bars. This again is a function of growth. Most want the economic benefit but not the unpopular negatives that come along. When I moved here I drove through what Charlotteans called "the projects" and laughed outloud having been in SE DC. Perspectives are very different depending on where you are from. Dont come expecting complete perfection, but everywhere in Charlotte there is a little bit of greatness. Great weather, great people and great environment to raise a family. Do your research! Ask questions? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

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Is it really that bad - 10/18/2007

We are planing to relocate from Orlando and although I have read nothing but bad things about Charlotte, I dont think is as bad as where we live now. My main concern is education, crime and overall a beter quality of life.

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not much for active, sinlge lifestyles - 10/14/2007

Just relocate to charlotte from chicago in August for a job. I was looking foward to the cheaper cost of living and warmer climate, which Charlotte definitely has... however, it does not offer much else to young, unmarried people. The restaurant scene is mostly chains. Most touring acts seem to skip Charlotte in favor of Raleigh, Atlanta or D.C. I'm also an avid runner, and there definitely isn't a running community here. Charlotte is a great low cost city... but it definitely seems to have more to offer families than singles.

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Charlotte - a banking and business town .....but m - 9/3/2007

Facts About Charlotte, NC ... from The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Cost of living below the national average City, County and State AAA bond ratings Average of 587 airline flights daily 12,087 new jobs for 2006 $16 billion in annual retail sales 1st most popular move destination 1st America's most livable communities 1st economic strength ranking 2nd largest banking center (controls over $2 trillion in assets) 2nd best city for entrepreneurs 3rd best city for corporate headquarters 3rd best city for business 4th best city for relocating singles 6th in number of Fortune 500 headquarters 12th most active airport in the country 21st largest city • No. 2 banking center: Combined, Bank of America Corp. and Wachovia Corp. have nearly $2 trillion -- yes, trillion -- in assets, making Charlotte the second-biggest bank town behind New York. Bank of America is the No. 2 U.S. bank by assets, while Wachovia is No. 4.

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Banker's Hours - 9/3/2007

There's something to be said about being one of the largest banking capitals in the country, I'm just not sure what it is exactly. On one hand a person can get an MBA in this town in their sleep. There are no shortage of commuter/working adult degree programs. On the other other hand, if you're not interested in high finance you'll come to know our local economy as "the land call centers built". Indeed, even with the banks the majority of those employed work in these large call centers with medical facilities, food outlets, dry cleaning - everything you need to never leave work. Most of my 20 and 30-something friends have college educations and almost all of them find themselves "ghetto-ized" in the call center culture. Beyond BofA, Wachovia you'll find them low level supervisory roles with Sprint PCS, Allstate Insurance, Windstream Communications and everything the service industry field has to offer. There is a solid quality of life here, though. However, one might find it a bit homogenous. Whether that turns you on or tunes you out depends on what side of the "dockers brigade" you fall, I suppose. The non-khaki crowd finds it a bit difficult to find a niche but it can be found in varied degrees. There's a wonderful burlesque troop, a local bodaga-style hangout spot in The Common Market, the potential for diversity in n'hoods like Plaza Midwood and North DAvidson. However, you'll also find a fractured and bickering public school system with questionable management -- and that effects you whether you have kids or not. And the local university level offerings are a bit myopic -- its business or teaching for the most part. A new for profit law school is yet to become ABA approved, there's no medical/dentistry/vet/professional schools and UNC-Charlotte has a reputation as a large, decentralized commuter campus devoid of collegiate spirit.

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Short Winters - 8/23/2007

Anyone moving here from the North, as I did, will enjoy the short winters. You can get rid of that snow shovel, a broom will suffice for the once-a-year dusting we get. Also- forget the gloves/hat/scarf. Not necessary. I wear what is considered a Springtime Jacket (up North) all winter long here. You can even wear shorts a few days in Dec. and March!

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It's too hot! - 8/9/2007

Okay today's high of 104 is a bit exceptional but Charlotte does get very hot in the summer, so be prepared. Also, if you are a snow bunny you will need to plan on traveling for skiing etc as you can't count on getting snow in Charlotte. However it does lie between Mountains and the sea shore so which ever way you prefer isn't too terribly far away.

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You Can Do Better Elsewhere - 8/8/2007

Pleasant fall and spring. Now for the bad news. Heat index in the summer unbearable, especially when you factor in air pollution. Can you say, "choking?" I lived there for a year. Along with the pollution, the crime is off the charts. I was nearby to many a hold-up, just going about my business downtown. The downtown is only a small stretch of one road, nothing outstanding. Dates were the pits, as I am an attractive 30-something, got lots of offers, but one dud after another. Can you say "Bank of America, sexist, boring???" In a sense it's a melding of the north and the south, but with negative characteristics of both. As in, backward views of women (south) and rudeness (north). Medical care is a joke: I actually went to a doctor who talked to Me about her liability if she did this or that. I am in the health care profession. Take it from me, extremely mediocre and unprofessional. Did I mention hostile, ignorant and frumpy? Try the west, northwest, new england if you want picturesque, Charlotte is a dumping ground for all in NC who want to think they're experiencing a real city.

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Overall - 8/7/2007

I lived in Charlotte for 40 years and recently moved to escape. When I moved there, it was a sleepy southern town. Now it is a too-rapidly, crime-ridden, costly place to live. Yes, it is a beautiful city, with close proximity to both the mountains and beach -- and two lakes. It is now over-crowded; the traffic is horrible; the schools are the pits; there is crime everywhere; the roads are not maintained and the powers-to-be are more interested in making Charlotte a "world-class city" and lining their pockets than taking care of its citizens, especially for what they charge in taxes. With the influx of folks from everywhere else, especially the northern cities, it has also lost its southern personality. I miss the old Charlotte.

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Detailed info on living in Charlotte from a young - 8/6/2007

I am a single female in my early thirties. Here is my view of Charlotte in several categories: Night Life: For ongoing nightlife you're best off if you enjoy bar hopping downtown, laid-back cafe type settings, or clubs geared towards the college crowds. Unfortunately, Charlotte is lacking in variety. I love live music, but most venues tend to have similar bands (like classic rock or folk music). Noda (the "arts district") has some unique spots for people who don't want to deal with the usual suspects. FYI - Many popular musicians who aren't mainstream skip Charlotte. I can't tell you how many times I've been disappointed to see someone skip Charlotte for the smaller city of Greensboro or straight to Atlanta or another large city. Culture: Just ok. There is the performing arts center, which has some good shows. There are a few museums, but most people only need visit them once and that's enough. During the summer there are some festivals. On the plus side, if you are a parent there are many good family-friendly events, entertaiment, etc -- Discovery Place is always a hit. Remember, this is a "banking city" and it tends to be someone conservative. Outdoors: Weather here is hot to mild, depending on where you are from. I'm from farther south... Charlotte summers get hot, but still not as hot and humid as what I'm accustomed to. If you are the outdoorsy type you can hike or Ski in the nearby mountains (about an hr drive) or visit the new white water rafting center. Cost of Living/Jobs: If you're in finance/banking this is the place to be. If you're in healthcare and not wanting to work in a hospital you will struggle. If you are interested in the arts those jobs are few and far between. Cost of living is good compared to many cities, and on the same note, housing prices are decent but on their way up. If you're on a budget you will likely end up 30 minutes outside of the city for a nice neighborhood. Safety: I live in Fort Mill, SC... 20 minutes outside of Charlotte. I feel very safe. Charlotte has a high crime rate, but you just have to be careful and vigilant. P.S. The schools here are great also, but I don't have any children so that's not an issue for me. Race Issues: I have never experienced overt racism here, but have witnessed a few incidents. Overall I think race relations are no worse than anywhere else, although the news tends to focus on African-American youth and there are elected officials who have made overtly racist comme

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To Previous Poster - 8/4/2007

No thank you, we'll keep our current mayor and Mayor Nagin can just stay in NOLA and he might need his school buses (maybe he'll use them this time). PS your post was funny though!

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Charlotte as a Place to Live - 7/17/2007

I am always amazed at the rankings that come out about cities in the USA as a "Best Place to Live". Statistics are there to make you create a certain answer I guess. I live in the Dallas, Tx metro but lived in Charlotte for a number of years and travel back for clients on a frequent basis. I also have a daughter who lives in the Raliegh area and I personally went to school in the area (Chapel Hill) as many from NC do. There is a significant difference in these two cities and even though the National Ratings seem to rate Raleigh in the Top 10. I really invite you to look at both. Charlotte has much superior, downtown, architecture, neighborhoods, restaurants, pro sports, airport, diversity, job market, entertainment, arts, concerts, nightlife, music scene. Charlotte also has a much better proximity to the Mountains and the South Carolina Beaches as well as very developed lakes north and south of the city. The only downside is the lack of road infrastructure, Charlotte gets much less state support than Raliegh for road construction even though Charlotte is over twice the size of Raliegh and grows faster in numbers of new people each year. I have been in Dallas (Great Metro) now for a number of years and would move back to Charlotte in a second if I could.

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Hot, Hot, Hot! - 7/5/2007

If you like it hot, you'll like it in Charlotte, NC. The past few winters have been great with nice temperatures, and little if any snow. Spring and Fall are almost non-existant. The summer starts too soon, ends too late, is way too hot and humid. It is miserable to leave the house in July and August.

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Unrival Beauty and Unrival Arrogance - 7/4/2007

I moved to Charlotte from Ohio in March 07. Charlotte has many transplants from other states and the southern hospitality certainly has been erased. Although parts of the city is among the most beautiful I've seen (and I've seen many), the arrogance of the residence is evident in the stores and driving down the streets. I've yet to conclude the reason for such attitude. I've not met anyone here that is deserving of such a high opinion of themself. The climate is average for this geographic lattitude.

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Been Here Since 2000 - 7/4/2007

A lot has changed since June 2000 when I moved here. The apartment complex where I lived at that time was paradise to me (I have since moved) but now it is turning into a run-down sewer pit. The clubhouse burned down in April 2006 and they still have not rebuilt it. Traffic has increased greatly and many people think they are Nascar-wannabes and are dangerous on the roads. The cost of living is sky-rocketing--you cannot buy a starter house for under $200K in a decent area. The only new houses builders are completing are McMansions starting at $500K plus! All the posts you see about crime is true. If you live in a McMansion neighborhood, be prepared not "if" but "when" your SUV will get broken into at 3:00am. The criminals are definetely targeting the wealthy neighborhoods at this time. A woman had her Explorer carjacked in one of the country club neighborhoods not long ago. She was delivering phonebooks at 3:00am when she was car-jacked. I don't have children in the public school system but every time I turn on the TV some CMS employee is getting arrested for pedophile or child porn behavior--a teacher, janitor, assistant coach or assistant teacher--this has been going on since 2000. School buses are always getting in wrecks and flipping over. On the positive side the weather is good especially if you like humid hot weather and you can find pockets of friendly people. I think you can get plugged in easier if you are married with children. I believe there are a lot of single adults here in Charlotte but unfortunately the single's scene is not very good. There are literally hundreds of churches in the area and only a handful have an actual official "Singles Ministry." If you are married (with or without children) don't forget to invite single people to your parties, we like to be included too.

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city roads - 7/2/2007

the roads are not well maintained

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Boring? - 6/21/2007

Hot at times, yes, humid, most definitely, but boring?? If you are bored in Charlotte, you must be a boring person.

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