Review of Charlotte, North Carolina


For Heaven’s Sake!
Star Rating - 6/27/2019
At first glance Charlotte appears to be an attractive place for families and singles of all ages alike. Scrutinizing it in depth however, revealed to me that below the towering banks and luxury apartments of uptown, there just isn’t a great deal of substance. I lived in Charlotte in the mid ‘80s. At that time, Charlotte was one of the best cities in NC for nightlife and entertainment and that remains true today, but the energy just isn’t there! I moved back to the metro area almost 20 years ago and settled in a suburb about 30 miles from uptown. Maybe living in the city limits would prove to be a more favorable experience, but it is not on my list of destinations if I ever decide to make another move. It is growing rapidly and the city leaders are working diligently to keep up with the growth by investing in new infrastructure, but for a city of over 800,000 the urban feeling is simply not there. Moving back to the area helped me come to this conclusion, southern hospitality is a myth and the phrase “bless his heart” translates to “what a f#@*ing idiot!!” If you are considering moving to a city in NC, check out Asheville, Wilmington and Winston-Salem, before you settle on Charlotte!
Keith | Kings Mountain, NC
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6 Replies


Totally agree. I left Charlotte this April for Arizona. Charlotte has no personality, no identity, etc. Just a bunch of people moving here from OH/NY/PA, so the city just throws up apartments everywhere with terrible roads. I personally can't stand that place, and I have no interest in ever going back...because it doesn't offer anything of substance.
Fakle | Scottsdale, AZ | Report Abuse

I'm not sure what kind of "nightlife" Heaven's Sake is looking for, but for everyone's sake who is reading this, please keep in mind that in the past 10 years Charlotte has gotten light rail, multiple museums for children, fine art, cultural history, and so on, as well as the Music Factory which has great national acts, the Comedy Club, the EpiCentre, beautiful world-class 5 star hotels, a baseball field, Romare Bearden Park, we have an NFL team, and NBA team, Nascar Hall of Fame, the Spectrum Centre, and so much more! I cannot think of a better place to live and explore. I'm not from here, but here is where I want to be!
Julie | Cornelius, NC | Report Abuse

I disagreed to your comment because AZ has no personality and no identity, no substance etc. Just a bunch of people moving here from CA/WA/OR. so the city just throws up apartments everywhere. ;)
Katina | Goodyear, AZ | Report Abuse

Southern hospitality isn't a myth...it's means to be welcoming towards outsiders, not exactly to be polite towards them. If you want "polite" people move to the Midwest. If you want "southern hospitality" move south.
Kris | Tulsa, OK | Report Abuse

I lived in Charlotte for 18 years about a mile from Lake Wylie and Carowinds. I really loved it there. I don't go to clubs but there are tons of open-air cafes, with live music. Indian, Ethiopian, Thai, Latin American, Viet Namese, Soul Food/Country, and Caribbean restaurants, museums, and cultural events, lakes, and boating. Also, Freedom Park is a beautiful place to take the kids for a day out.
Pamela | Douglasville, GA | Report Abuse

I lived in Charlotte for a little over 2 years. I also lived outside of NYC, BOS, Asheville, Greenville, SC, Adirondacks Mtn(NY), and I got to say Charlotte was by far the best option "on paper". Bar none you get the best apartment, there are the best assortment of jobs per cost of living, and the atmosphere generally pleasant with a decent amount of activities to do (whitewater center, Midwood Plaza boozing, football games). However, I must say after living in small mountain towns all the way up to the biggest metro in the the country that I would rather live in smaller towns or bigger cities because that have much more sustenance than Charlotte. I know all the real estate agents are going to get upset, "bless your hearts", but its just that Charlotte comes off as a "giant suburb" with heart and a character that only housing developers can provide. I rather take the weirdness of Asheville, the chaos of NYC or Bos, or the small city charm of Greenville, SC. Although, you will probably by far make out in Charlotte (especially families), it just feels like living in Charlotte is like living in a giant mall. Overall - not bad by anymeans.
Ryan | Greenville, SC | Report Abuse
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