There are many advantages to consider when living in the Charlotte area. Its not the same city it was, it actually sucks. See offer, thousands of New Yorkers flock to Charlotte, Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site via facebook, 15 Best Neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC, for 2023, Expect Southern Hospitality and Modern Amenities When Moving to Charlotte, NC, 15 Foolproof Packing and Moving Tips and Tricks From Someone Whos Moved 25+ Times, Pinching Pennies? Many folks want to know where the best places to live are when Moving to Charlotte. Religion is a way of life when you start living in Charlotte. Before we jump into our list, lets answer a few frequently asked questions about living in Charlotte, NC. The community is welcoming because most of the folks have relocated themselves looking for a better quality of life and more opportunities to afford the life they want! 5. The city of Charlotte has the type of personality that is easy to fall in love with thanks to the people that live here. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Never lived anywhere else in NC, but those are really the only two areas in NC with opportunity. 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. I will say, it get a little chaotic during snow days because the icy road conditions are a nightmare. Thinking about living in Charlotte, North Carolina? You will find several notable attractions are available when you start living in Charlotte as well. If youre interested, heres a rundown of 2022 stats from the Charlotte Police Department: At any rate, Charlottes crime rates well exceeds the national average. I was living in New York City and between my small dark apartment (that made a dungeon look like 5 starts) and the lack of outdoor recreation, I was clawing at the wall to get out. Why? 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! 7. You will still have plenty of travel opportunities when living in Charlotte. Required fields are marked *. Brookdale to me is true to its name. Whether you are touring there are numerous museums, taking advantage of the performing arts performances, or lingering during the citys festivals, you will find that the open arms of this community are always warm and welcoming. Although there are some households who will want to take a closer look at this opportunity, Charlotte offers a lower cost of living and plenty of opportunities to go exploring. Lets take a closer look at the pros and cons of living in Charlotte, NC. Con: population overgrowth has resulted in the reduction in the number of parks and green space 9. Some Ecards One day it's sunny and 70, the next it's 40 degrees. 2. 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. We live in a growing but super affordable city in the Mountain West. 100+ people are moving to Charlotte daily and there is plenty of room for everyone with the space and the number of jobs available. Con: Limited public transit. Here Are Your Best Options for Moving Cross-Country on a Budget, Enjoy some playful competition via bowling, ping pong, foosball, or pinball , Sample different cuisines in a cool converted textile mill turned. Both cities are active participants in the top 10 lists of best places to live! Going hand in hand with lack of culture, lets just say it like it is. Brace for mosquitos + pests. Because there are so many people who are starting to live in Charlotte, the number of parks and green space that is available in and around the city is starting to shrink. Tech is becoming much more a focus in Charlotte with companies like Amazon putting huge warehouses in the area. Although the surgeon population for the Charlotte area is beginning to minimize this advantage, the cost of living here is still lower than it is across the United States, and especially along the eastern seaboard. Thats less than the national average of 3.9 and 4.4 respectively. 10. 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! Hopefully, you enjoyed the above blog post and it found a way to provide help or value to you. Charlotte is a green city with plenty of parks to enjoy. Q: What is a livable salary in Charlotte, NC?A: According to MIT, a single person without any children requires an annual income of about $36,000 before taxes, while a couple with two children (and both partners working) requires about $106,000 annually before taxes. and our Many of the best neighborhoods around the downtown area so that comfort, creativity, and convenience come together in a meaningful way. You can bring your boat, kayak, jet skis, or paddleboards and have a good time. For the thrill-seekers, rock climbing and bouldering are available as well with a permit in designated areas. What's nice about Charlotte is that it's large enough that you meet new people every day, though, you will likely see the same people regularly if you frequent the same spots! But I dont want to fool you, the cost of living in Charlotte is on the rise, so youre bound to here complaints from long time locals about that. 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. Weed is illegal in North Carolina as a whole. 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. One of the great things about North Carolina is that there is an affordability factor you can't find in many other states which allows small businesses to succeed. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Well, Im happy to report that mild winters are yet another perk to living in Charlotte. Charlotte offers an affordable cost of living that brings many people to the area each year. Trader Joe's is around the corner. And that doesnt even begin to cover the college teams worth watching! Between affordability, kind people, the great food scene and charming neighborhoods, theres something for everyone to love. 3. Along with the amenities and mix of people, part of the allure of living in a city is the look of it: the skyscraper view you can catch driving into the city, or the dramatic skyline you can snap a photo of from a rooftop bar. 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. Based on data collected by NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Charlotte is considered to have one of the most favorable climates in the country based on comfort and number of days with clear skies. Something most folks dont realize before moving to Charlotte is the biggest perk of all. Where residents and visitors alike can share news, events, gatherings, stories, and more. Archived post. 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. These in-state colleges all offer great value for Charlotte residents. One reason people love living in Charlotte is the ability to play golf year-round. Where residents and visitors alike can share news, events, gatherings, stories, and more. 2009 northern iowa football roster. I think the prevailing thesis underlying most of my complaints is the shock to find what in my mind is a wholesale acceptance in Charlotte of a boring, uncreative, uninspired, passive way of living. Required fields are marked *. I lived in Mpls from 97-01. If you're looking for places to hang out on the water or relax on the beach Lake Norman is a great spot. This is the tax that you will pay on things that you buy. The temperature throughout the year averages about 62 degrees Fahrenheit, and winters tend to be mild (most of the time). In this case, its realizing that where you live in Charlotte will greatly impact how much you enjoy the city. Were spoiled when it comes to cleanliness on our city streets. When it comes to professional sports teams, Charlotte residents are spoiled for choice. There is definitely the stark racial divide, however - as time goes forward, it has gotten better - I live here now. Heist Brewery is great for brunch and hanging out in their covered beer garden, for example, while Lenny Boy Brewing Co. offers alternatives for non-beer drinkers such as kombucha and food trucks. With a lower-than-average cost of living, strong financial industry, relatively mild climate, and an up-and-coming food scene, its no wonder its one of the top 20 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Q: Why are people moving to Charlotte?A: You may have heard that Charlotte, NC, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and wondered why. The summers are nothing like the blazing heat found in southern states like Florida or Texas. Im always aware of my surroundings and try to be smart about what I do after dark. Last summer there were free concerts happening seemingly every weekend somewhere in Charlotte. Love North Carolina? Theres so much to love (and not love) about calling this pretty place home. You will discover that there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself with living in Charlotte. If you are not used to that level of hospitality, then the initial experience of interacting with local residents could be somewhat intimidating. Other lakes include Lake Wylie and the Catawba River Mountain Island Lake. Two hours to the mountains, three hours to the beach? Heres a fun fact: After New York City, Charlotte is the second largest financial hub in the country. Home. Literally nothing to do besides go to breweries on the weekend, unless you like the occasional Panthers or basketball games. However, even then, when compared to other similar-sized cities, Charlotte is deemed more affordable. It doesn't matter. Theyre nowhere near as brutal as the Midwest or our neighbors to the north. This makes it difficult to plan the day.. Speaking from personal experience, that hasnt been the case for me while living in Charlotte. After 8 years of living in Charlotte, Im still confident I made the right call. People drive like theyre in a high-speed movie scene and Ive seen way too many accidents over the past 8 years. Copyright © 2023 The Honest Local | This post may contain affiliate links - read our Standards, Corrections, & Privacy Policy. Granted, winter temperatures can get chilly during cold snaps (daily highs of 59F and daily lows of 34F December February), and we get our fair share of rainfall. Moving down to NC from Boston allowed me to spend far more time outside than I was able to up north. I prefer the Triangle area. Moving to Charlotte NC has many pros and cons depending on your own unique situation. One commonality among them all is the tasty coffee and great customer service/experience. Combined with the reasons above, Charlotte is looking more and more attractive to many people. With so many great companies realizing the opportunity in Charlotte there have been a lot of relocating businesses. The Charlotte metropolitan area is part of a sixteen-county market region or combined statistical area with a 2016 census-estimated population of 2,632,249. The worst part? And although I dont necessarily agree, I thought that was a clever description. Living centrally be better to stay near Charlotte area but traffic is a buzz kill. Otherwise, you are going to want to get used to seeing the Bible everywhere you go. Location is one of the primary advantages that you will receive if you decide to start living in Charlotte. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall, The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. It's not often it snows, though we typically see snow once or twice per year. You can also opt to sunbathe on several beaches or enjoy a picnic in the nearby State Park. It is a place where traditional values have value if that is an important part of life, even if the city has a somewhat liberal stance on politics. In its region, only Jacksonville, FL is larger. It is up to you to get out of the house to see what you can find. It's just one big sprawl with sh*t roads, bad traffic, and poor city planning/cohesiveness. 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). I've actually seen Charlotte featured alongside cities like LA in random like car commercials recently, though it's mostly just skyline shots. With mountains like Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Chimney Rock, and mountain cities like Asheville and Boone you don't have to go far to enjoy some truly great hiking and scenic trails. Nothing makes a city feel more like a community than a festival, and by that measure Charlotte is one big, celebrated community. The average salary is about $54,000 per year in the area, with the unemployment rate averaging less than 5% on par with the overall U.S. average. Looking ahead, the North Carolina job market is projected to add more than 300,000 new jobs by the end of 2028, and most of those jobs will be created in Charlotte and Raleigh. $975 - $1,875/mo. The weather in Charlotte is ideal. There are so many great breweries and vineyards in the Charlotte area that you may never run out of places to visit! A few great places to learn more about the schools in Charlotte are on websites like Great Schools or Niche which will give you different feedback on the best schools in the Charlotte area. It also has an assisted living aspect, and it also has a memory, in separate buildings. Theres an electric buzz in the city that feeds into ambition, but its calm enough to keep the priorities clear: life is about enjoying. 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. From July 2020 to 2021, the citys population increased by nearly 3,000 people (about 0.3 percent), while another study found that the Charlotte metro area is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Since 1851, almost 50 storms have blown through. It is consistently ranked as one of the 100 fastest growing churches in the United States, and there are questions about its overall lack of financial transparency. There are several world-class golf courses to enjoy when you start living in Charlotte. Every perk is accompanied with a disadvantage. The insects love to come out during the hot, sticky months of summer and that can be a problem since there isnt much of a breeze to provide relief. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while North Carolina's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2023. The Charlotte metropolitan area's population ranks 22nd in the U.S., and had a 2016 population of 2,474,314. Charlotte, NC is located in Mecklenburg County with another seven counties surrounding including Gaston Country, Cabarrus County, Union County, Iredell County, Lancaster County, Lincoln County, and York County. Charlotte, NC 28205. Dont hesitate to reach out with any questions, Im here to help. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Sofia Rivera is a Boston-based lifestyle editor and frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. It took me 4 years to stop hating Charlotte (and you can too) By Katie Levans | | April 7, 2015 Views: NaN "This time last year you hated Charlotte and were dead set on moving to New York." That's my friend Jen speaking truth over wine and frozen yogurt in my apartment last Friday night. 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. If you're anything like my Mom, you will leave at 6 am and you can be the first one on the Beach :). Since 1995, it has been the second-largest banking center in the country. You will find friendly faces almost everywhere you go in the city. 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? But with anything in life, theres good and theres bad. 3. 5 things People Hate About Charlotte | Moving to Charlotte NC | Things to Know About the Charlotte http://www.SirAshley.com Call/Text 704-775-1236 Subscrib. Even the coffee shops in town get in on this advantage by offering at least one menu item that is truly unique. The average time for commuting in Charlotte is 38.02 minutes. 4. In terms of top employers, we have Bank of America (US headquarters), Wells Fargo, Atrium Health and Dillards. 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. Sometimes I just get bored and find myself needing to escape elsewhere for a few days in a bigger city. Charlotte and its resident county are named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of British King George III during the time of the citys founding, explains the citys official site. Elevation Church has nine different satellite congregations throughout the city, along with another nine in the various communities throughout the state. The city exudes a small town charm few can resist. Since groceries are an essential part of you, I love basketball. Whether it's banking jobs, human resource jobs, or a job in general. Its no secret that Charlotte is a mosquitos paradise. We've gotten used to it but it's sure annoying to use both heat and air conditioning in the same week. Hope you enjoyed this roundup of the pros and cons of living in Charlotte. Even if it's not your dream gig, it's a starting point! 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. In general, you're probably going to see more religious people, more black people, and more Central/South American people than you would up in MI. 2338 Mecklenburg Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205. . The bipolar weather. Athletic teams that play in Uptown include the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Charlotte Knights. 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. According to a 2022 report by Stacker, Charlotte ranks number 27 among the 50 U.S. cities with the most green space per capita. If you dont mind a little spirituality in your life, then this may not be a disadvantage. The job market in Charlotte is hot right now. Despite recent increases in housing costs and rent, it still is 5% cheaper to live in this metro area than the national average. Rush hour will provide you with the same challenges in Charlotte as you will experience and most larger cities. The soil in and around Charlotte makes it challenging to grow a garden. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 1-3bd. If you have a chance to visit Charlotte or recently relocated, here are a handful you have to try! Save up to 30%* on moving and storage with promo code SPRING30. People who are living in Charlotte know how affordable the Queen City is. I heard one coworker describe living in Charlotte as living in a place where everything is just good enough. Most of what the city has to offer could be rated as 5/10 not bad, not good, not always memorable. 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. Take it from Food & Wine, who named Charlotte, North Carolina, in their 2022 list of Americas Next Great Food Cities. There's always something going on in Charlotte for everyone! Raleigh, on the other hand, enjoys a bustling but more suburban vibe, thanks to the several universities and colleges in the area. $550,000. People tend to stick to themselves and their small groups of friends here. Comparatively, 70+ people are moving to Raleigh which now holds a population of 470,000, making these two NC cities some of the fastest growing in the country. Charlotte is nestled between two lakes, Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, both accessible in under an hour by car for boating, swimming and fishing. 42 reviews. What are some of the reasons you regret making the move? If you love skiing or the Mountains you don't have to go far for a great day of winter sports! 2. 1,841 posts, read 1,469,157 times . 11. One of the most popular times to visit the city is during the fall when the foliage begins to change colors. Thats taking into account race and ethnicity, birthplace, and language. My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I am a REALTOR. Lets kick off this list of the perks of living in Charlotte, NC with a personal favorite the small town feel and unique neighborhoods. This is part of the reason the city is growing so fast and why the job market has outpaced national averages. Charlotte, being so close to South Carolina, affords you a convenient opportunity to play on some courses outside of the state as well. The area checks A LOT of boxes for us as far as recreation, demographics and culture. There's so much to love (and not love) about calling this pretty place home. Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC, vs. the National Average. I've lived in Charlotte and hated it. Charlotte is the most populous city in the state of North Carolina. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Ramsey Creek Park, for instance, is a mere 45-minute drive from Charlotte and features a 46-acre waterfront park with picnic shelters, a playground, nature trails, and more on the Lake Norman waterfront. For city dwellers flocking from larger hubs like New York, Charlotte offers the twinkly skyline and surplus of things to do (think: brewery tours, ball games, festivals, and museums) but with blissfully lower rents and real estate prices and even a slightly lower cost of living than the national average. Others . Overall yes. 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. A lot of the best Charlotte-area neighborhoods surround downtown Charlotte where comfort, convenience, and creativity all collide. Unless one of the significant annual events is happening in the city, Charlotte can sometimes feel like there is no one living there. Here are some ideas for keeping the romance alive in Charlotte: If you relish the changing of the seasons but hate packing on layers of parkas, youll love the weather in Charlotte. If you're anything like me coffee is a big part of your life and you love a commitment to great, upbeat, and energetic, local coffee shops. In fact, Charlotte is home to two of the states deadliest stretches of road Interstate 85 (between Brookshire Boulevard and Sugar Creek Road) and Interstate 77 (between Remount Road and Exit 13A). Each coffee shop offers something unique that others may not. There are always random live performances on the streets and these are often so engaging that large crowds will form captured by the music.