It doesn't matter. Mix things up by taking a long weekend to explore locales like the state capital, Raleigh, North Carolina; the gorgeous Outer Banks islands; or Asheville, known for its Blue Ridge Mountain views and arts scene. Charlotte may be one of the biggest cities in North Carolina, however, that small-town charm is not lost. The pride the city has for its teams is incredible. Bicycles are available to rent as well, which you can do daily or purchase an annual pass. Living in transylvania co is better for internet than surrounding areas. You can't drive 10 miles in the Charlotte area without going by a golf course. Sometime living in Charlotte feels boring. Uptown Charlotte, also known as Downtown Charlotte is where you will find headquarters to companies like Bank of America, Duke Energy, and the East Coast HQ of Wells Fargo. Its not uncommon to meet up with friends on a trailhead before moseying over for brunch or evening drinks. Each coffee shop offers something unique that others may not. That makes it the 17th largest city in the United States with regards to population, while the entire metro area is the 22nd-largest with a total population of almost 2.5 million. If you're moving to Charlotte you'll want to be sure you understand both the neighborhoods and the cities that surround the area. That said, driving in the Queen City can be dangerous. If youre thinking of uprooting your life to move there, though, youll want more than just a sentence of niceties. Likewise, tuition at public four-year colleges clocked in at $7,389 which is one of the lowest rates in the nation. Living centrally be better to stay near Charlotte area but traffic is a buzz kill. They note the citys BayHaven Food & Wine Festival, celebrating Black chefs in the region; the range of dishes at Optimist hall, from Indian street food, to dumplings, to microbrews; and the ever-changing injection of fresh flavors into the food scene, thanks to the Johnson & Wales University Charlotte campus. You really can't - the Ocean is about 3-4 hours away Charlotte to Wilmington is 3 hours 20 minutes. Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Catawba River are all great spots if you want to spend the day on a boat with some family and friends. New schools are being built all over the city, so if you're relocating from out of town let us know if you have any questions. Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Spend a little time in Charlotte and youll likely hear it referred to as the Queen City. It can be downright terrible in the summer months, and ladies know the struggle with keeping our hair perfect during peak humiditythere's basically no use in trying! What would you say that you like most or dislike the most about living in Charlotte , North Carolina ? Not so in Charlotte. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, the largest school district in the Charlotte area, includes 169 schools and around 150,000 students K-12. If there is anything this restaurant knows it's both high-quality ingredients and how to pair the right foods with the right wines! Pros and cons of living in Charlotte, moving to Charlotte, daily life in Charlotte, whats it like to live in Charlotte, North Carolina, perks of living in Charlotte, why should you move to Charlotte? $550,000. Many of the best neighborhoods around the downtown area so that comfort, creativity, and convenience come together in a meaningful way. 24 . It's not often it snows, though we typically see snow once or twice per year. Medical marijuana can be prescribed for a limited variety of medical issues. According to the City of Charlotte, the most common offenses are assaults and theft. No list outlining the pros and cons of moving to Charlotte would be complete without addressing the elephant in the room. Charlotte offers that photo-worthy vista, but locals also tout how it manages to maintain the friendly calm of a smaller city though with its population on the rise, that feeling may be changing. When it comes to professional sports teams, Charlotte residents are spoiled for choice. 1. It serves as the county seat of Mecklenburg County with over 859,000 people living there. On top of its booming financial industry, Charlotte has a generally solid job market. This paves the way for great local beer and wine! 9. But dont misunderstand me on this one even though living in Charlotte comes with the perks of southern hospitality, that doesnt imply its strictly traditional. There is a nature museum to find in Freedom Park, while the NASCAR Hall of Fame creates experiences which frequently change throughout the year. North Carolinians are genuinely super friendly people, but if you decide to move here from another state, don't expect us to conform to your culturewe have our own! If you're a local uptown coffee enthusiast a few of your local favorites are likely to include Corkscrew (also a wine bar so bonus points, obviously), RUSH, and Not Just Coffee which has several locations, as well as Coco and the Director. Rent contributes to a large part of the overall, Looks for areas of Charlotte, North Carolina where there is a large student population. One reason people love living in Charlotte is the ability to play golf year-round. Home to a population of nearly 880,000 residents, Charlotte is best known for kind locals, top-notch barbecue, award-winning breweries and great street art. For each individual the pros and cons will be different, whether you're moving from California, Chicago, or even from NY, there is no doubting Charlotte's awesomeness! Also on the list is Raleigh, North Carolina which is the state's capital. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 6. The history of the storms that have affected North Carolina is extensive, with the season running from the beginning of June until the end of November. We have beautiful scenery, friendly people, an awesome culture, and great food! When you're in town you will realize just how passionate everyone is about making Charlotte a great place to live, and how hard people work to keep it that way. A recent Forbes study found that full-time in-state tuition as public two-year colleges in North Carolina were the 2nd-lowest in the country. Charlotte has some great nightlife for people of all ages and relationship statuses. You are only a couple of hours from whatever relaxing experience you want to have when living here. 5. Save up to 30%* on moving and storage with promo code SPRING30. If you hear mention of inclement weather, make your way to a grocery store to stock up on basics because the infrastructure to clear roads seems almost non-existent. 1,841 posts, read 1,469,157 times . There are so many great breweries and vineyards in the Charlotte area that you may never run out of places to visit! According to the U.S. Census, the per capita income in Charlotte is $43,080, while the median household income is $68,367 not far off from the national numbers. Check out the homes for sale in Charlotte to see just how far your money will go and compare that to other cities. If you are thinking about making a move, then these are the pros and cons to consider when you start looking at Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information, please see our Or maybe it's a guy's night out and you want to hit the game and jump from pub to pub. Compared to the states which are further north, winters are relatively mild here, although snow is possible in January and February. Getting to work is important. Charlotte, NC 28205. If you don't have a job and you're moving to Charlotte, have faith! Hi there! Over and over again, studies have shown how important green space is for mental health and wellness specifically in cities, where theres more asphalt than grass. If you work outside of these industries, then trying to find an open position can be quite a challenge. Property crimes were 32,335 compared to 30,637 in 2021. You will still have plenty of travel opportunities when living in Charlotte. Shop-till-you-drop types will love SouthPark mall,. The average time for commuting in Charlotte is 38.02 minutes. Even though there could be a lot of energy experienced during an evening out on the town, you will discover that Charlotte has a remarkably laid-back approach to life. Youll experiencing all four seasons while living in Charlotte, Sometimes living in Charlotte gets boring, Moving to Charlotte? You have plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors in Charlotte. For the 10-year period that ended in 2016, the number of jobs available in the technology industry increased by over 60% in the Charlotte area. This is thanks to one of the biggest banks in the world, Bank of America, which is headquartered right here in the Queen City. In terms of population, Charlotte is the 16th largest city in the country, largely thanks to an influx of new residents in 2020. The basic cost of living in Charlotte is lower than the national average by about 8% making the Queen City a great place to live! Since 1851, almost 50 storms have blown through. Going to Lake Norman is another fun outdoor experience. You will receive your first newsletter soon. The weather in Charlotte is one of the best reasons to move to the Queen City, especially if you're coming from a place where you can't go outside for 6 months of the year due to the cold. This is the third-highest percentage increase in the country, which is worth considering for anyone moving to Charlotte for a tech job. Long live the Queen City! Thank you! Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall. Additionally, some of the best golf courses in the world are found in Pinehurst / Southern Pines which is a 2-2.5 hour drive away from Charlotte. Individual breakdowns on healthcare, groceries, and fuel will ultimately determine if you can save even more or struggle to break even. One reason a lot of folks settle on Charlotte for their relocation as opposed to other cities is due to the level of quality of education their children will receive. In terms of top employers, we have Bank of America (US headquarters), Wells Fargo, Atrium Health and Dillards. i hate living in asheville. Apart from my two favorite areas (NoDa and Plaza Midwood), I often find myself thinking theres no soul in the city. Our website is focused on helping you learn about Charlotte Real Estate and helping you buy homes, we also want to share local Queen City information with you as well. Traffic congestion can be problematic in the downtown area and key access points. Obviously this wont apply to suburbs folks, but as a city gal, Charlotte leaves some things to be desired. Whether you're living in the suburbs or downtown you are going to quickly fall in love with Charlotte! The short answer is not really. There are also a few outdoor sites that are fairly close to the city that can make for the perfect day trip. On the contrary, something that surprised me after moving to Charlotte is the progressive culture of the city. Going hand in hand with lack of culture, lets just say it like it is. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. The comfortability that comes with Charlotte is something you will feel right away walking the streets of Uptown. Schools are shit, crime is everywhere. There are many reasons why someone may want to move to Charlotte. Please feel free to join the conversation by dropping us a comment below. If the beach is more your style, Lake Norman is a 25-minute drive north of Charlotte and is one of the most popular spots in North Carolina. Some of the best free music you will find just walking the streets of Charlotte or at a random pub one night when you are bar hopping. There are also two NASCAR Cup series races held here, along with productions from the Charlotte Ballet, a local childrens theater, and the Carowinds amusement park. And that doesnt even begin to cover the college teams worth watching! There are plenty of green spaces throughout the city of Charlotte that can help you to enjoy the outdoors whenever you have a few free moments. We really appreciate any insight you can give and don't want to stir up a Hornet's nest (see what I did there?) There were several factors at play, but the affordability and natural scenery drew me in. The NFL, NBA, AHL, USL, and Major League Lacrosse all have active teams in the city. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up for helpful guides, interesting topics, and tips from locals. With some great reviews online and even a presidential visit under their list of accolades, Midwood Smokehouse will not disappoint. My wife and I are thinking about moving to North Carolina (Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, any good cities in the state with good career opportunities). No list outlining the pros and cons of living in Charlotte, NC would be complete without mentioning the breathtaking seasons. Charlotte places high importance on education and with colleges like Davidson, UNCC, as well as Duke, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest all within a couple of hours' drive, it's no wonder. Much like other US cities, Charlotte has its fair share of crime. Its unemployment rate in January 2023 was just 3.5 (slightly down from 3.7 a year prior). With so many great companies realizing the opportunity in Charlotte there have been a lot of relocating businesses. In addition to 2023 Commencement on May 6, these unique ceremonies provided an opportunity to appreciate our differences and commonalities by creating a space that fosters inclusion and champions diversity on campus. Otherwise, you are going to want to get used to seeing the Bible everywhere you go. The infrastructure is struggling to keep up with everyone who wants to be here, which means you may see a decline in all of the advantages listed above. Take solidarity in the fact that many folks who are moving to Charlotte do so without a job and find employment pretty shortly after. You will enjoy living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its hard to put my finger on it, but I know several coworkers that feel the same way after moving to Charlotte from larger cities. If all else fails, grab a coffee in Uptown and walk the streets. A combination of gastropub fare with some great signature cocktails. One of the best parts of the Charlotte community is the passionate sports fans. Be prepared for welcoming greetings from the locals who don't know you and will soon become your friend. The Charlotte Area Transportation Service, or CATS for short, will provide you with several bus routes throughout the city, and it offers an airport shuttle too. Researched and written by our staff writer who enjoys contributing about their state for our site. Home to a population of nearly 880,000 residents, Charlotte is best known for kind locals, top-notch barbecue, award-winning breweries and great street art. The mall is just a few years old, very nice stores, every store around that you need in multiple directions, and we're getting an Ikea next year. Tirades, Welcome to Charlotte, Things to do, Buying/Selling, and Charity are all weekly topics. If you dont work in finance or tech, your job opportunities could be slim. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. 1-3bd. Niche gives Charlotte an above average rating when it comes to the citys public school system, so families with kids have a good shot of finding an excellent school in Charlotte. Builders love North Carolina and most citizens aren't thrilled about it. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Not far away is Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC north of Charlotte closer to Lake Norman. If you think it is bad where you live with this disadvantage, then you havent seen anything until you spend a week here at peak season. Theyre nowhere near as brutal as the Midwest or our neighbors to the north. Prepare to soak up the sun, though summers are known to be warm and muggy, with temperatures averaging in the upper 70s. If youre looking to work in finance, Charlotte surely has plenty of job opportunities to offer. The US National Whitewater Center is just west of the airport, and it was originally built as part of the Olympic training center for the region. If youre after a saltwater beach, youll have to trek a bit further to Myrtle Beach, which is about 3.5 hours southeast of the city but itll be worth it to dip your toes in the Atlantic. Those coming from the Northeast will see their real estate taxes decrease dramatically. Both cities are active participants in the top 10 lists of best places to live! For example, some people may experience a lot of negative events such as job loss, sickness and relationship troubles but still, stay remarkably positive about themselves and their lives. Located in NoDa, a great neighborhood 2 miles north of Uptown. There's so much to love (and not love) about calling this pretty place home. Some residents have stated on online forums that their lawns have stopped growing when there is a need to remove soil because the quality there is so bad. Whether youre a die-hard Panthers fan or just tagging along for the tailgate, Charlotte has so much going on in the way of sporting events that youre likely to go to a game at some point. The sales tax for Charlotte is 4.75%. Charlotte is ranked as the #14 best city to live in the U.S.in a recent U.S. News article. Moving to Charlotte in 2022 seems to be the trend and it should continue to grow well into 2022 and 2023 with the number of people moving here steadily growing. People drive like theyre in a high-speed movie scene and Ive seen way too many accidents over the past 8 years. Heres our list of 22 things to know about living in Charlotte. One of my biggest personal reasons for moving to Charlotte boiled down to outdoor recreation. You will also find potential employment opportunities in the healthcare industry, air travel, or education.