Find out why more than 100 people move to the Charlotte area every day!
Moving to Charlotte is very popular these days and people who live here already know why. people who thinkMove to North Carolinaoften end up in Charlotte or Raleigh thanks to the advantages without many of the disadvantages that other places have. We've put together this article about what it's like to live in Charlotte to help people who are considering moving here. There are many reasons someone would want to move to Charlotte. Be it a job change, a fresh start, better weather, good food and entertainment, or even the affordability of theHomes for sale in Charlottemakes it an attractive place to live for everyone! Charlotte really is one of thembest places to liveand here's why we think you'll agree:
It's one of the reasons more than 100 people move to the Charlotte area every day. The Queen City now has a population of 872,498 (US 2019 Census). In comparison, there are over 70 peopleMove to Raleighwhich now has a population of 470,000, making these two NC cities some of thefastest growing in the country.
Moving to Charlotte in 2022 appears to be the trend, and it should continue to grow well into 2022 and 2023 as the number of people moving here continues to grow. Our website focuses on helping you learnCharlotte real estateand help you buy houses, we also want to share local Queen City information with you. So, without further ado...
Here are 17 things you need to know about Charlotte BEFORE you move here:
community
One of the best reasons to move to Charlotte is the community. Although Charlotte is a big city, the small-town charm is not lost. When you're in town, you'll see how passionate everyone is about making Charlotte a great place to live and how hard people are working to keep it that way.
The convenience that comes with Charlotte will be felt immediately as you walk the streets of uptown. Prepare for greetings from the locals who don't know you and will soon become your friend.
The beauty of Charlotte is that it's big enough that you'll meet new people every day, but you'll likely see the same people on a regular basis visiting the same places! Getting around the Charlotte area is relatively easy, with great public transportation making owning a car unnecessary depending on where you live.
A large city with easy access to the mountains and a short drive to get thereLake Normanto enjoy a day at the beach or on the water. Charlotte really has it all.
One of the best parts of the Charlotte community is the passionate sports fans. It's hard not to notice how passionate people are when it comes to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets, the Knights, and let's not forget NASCAR!
persons
Over 100 people move to Charlotte daily and there is plenty of room for everyone with the space and number of workspaces available.
The people you meet in Charlotte are some of the best parts of Queen City life. There must be something in the water, or maybe it's the weather, either way you'll find that the energy and vibe is different than most places. People in Charlotte appear to be happier than most other cities, and that may be a direct result of the pride people take in where they live.
Charlotte is featured in a recent U.S. News article ranked #14 Best Cities to Live in America. Also on the listRaleigh, North Carolinathat is the capital of the state. Both cities are active participants in the top 10 lists of the best places to live!
People are drawn to these cities. The community is welcoming because most people have moved in search of a better quality of life and more opportunities to afford the life they want!
City of Charlotte jobs
The city of Charlotte is one of the best places in the United States for jobs. It doesn't matter if it's bank jobs, staff jobs or a job in general.
Glassdoor recently ranked Charlotte the 24th best place to find a gig. Our colleague in North Carolina, Raleigh, came in 4th.
With an unemployment rate of 4.9% in 2017 and an average salary that is above the US average, Charlotte is an attractive choice for anyone looking for a good paying job!
Bank of America and Wells Fargo are two of the top employers in the Charlotte area. Lowe's and American Airlines are two other large organizations that provide many jobs for Charlotte residents based in the area.
Charlotte's job market is strong in finance and insurance, but what most people don't realize is that healthcare and social work is actually #1 when it comes to overall employment numbers. Technology is increasingly taking center stage in Charlotte as companies like Amazon build massive warehouses in the area.
With so many great companies realizing the opportunity in Charlotte, there have been many corporate relocations. With the move comes a move for the employees. It's one of the reasons the city is growing so fast and why the job market has outperformed the national average.
affordability
People who live in Charlotte know how affordable Queen City is. The median home value is well below the national average (190,000 for Charlotte versus 211,000 for the US average). In recent years, Charlotte home prices have risen far more dramatically than they did in the early 2000s. This is in line with the rest of the United States, with Charlotte increasing in value at a slightly faster rate.
Part of the reason Charlotte is so affordable is because of how affordable land is. Since there is space to build houses, new builders can take advantage of affordable land prices and build quality products at an affordable price. Homes in desirable, developed locations are far more expensive than you would expect. You may even find them to be more expensive than expected depending on where you are relocating from.
Those coming from the Northeast will see their property taxes drop dramatically. Some people pay less on their mortgage than they had in their taxesNew Yorkor New Jersey.
neighborhoods
If you're moving to Charlotte, be sure you understand both the neighborhoods and the cities that surround the area. To help people, we have an article about the 19best neighborhoods in charlottefor those relocating and wanting to learn more about the area.
With so many great neighborhoods in Charlotte, it can be difficult to narrow down your apartment search to just a few. If you have any questions or want to tell us more about what you're looking for, we can help point you in the right direction.
Many of Charlotte's best neighborhoods are in the areaDowntownCharlotte, where comfort, convenience and creativity meet.
Some of the great neighborhoods in Charlotte are Uptown (aka Downtown Charlotte),Myers Park(a prosperous community) and more distant places likeLake Normanor Gastonia, each of which offers something different, whether it's a lake or the mountains.
Coffee
If you're anything like me, coffee is a big part of your life and you love championing great, happy and energetic local cafes.
Charlotte is a great place for coffee lovers, quite simply. If you're a local Uptown coffee enthusiast, some of your local favorites are probably Corkscrew (also a wine bar, so bonus points, of course), RUSH and Not Just Coffee, which has multiple locations, and Coco and the Director. Each cafe offers something unique that others may not have. One thing they all have in common is the delicious coffee and great customer service/experience. If you are a coffee connoisseur, Charlotte is a great place to check out.
Many of these coffee shops offer great remote offices for those of you who want to skip the office or just can't work from home (like me).
While coffee can start your morning, you may want to switch to something stronger after work.
beer Wine
Charlotte is largely committed to the beer and wine scene, with seemingly hundreds of breweries, excellent vineyards, and some unique experiences you won't find in other cities.
There are so many great breweries and vineyards in the Charlotte area, you'll never run out of sights! Whether you're relocating to Charlotte or just visiting a handful of must-visit breweries including: Blue Baze, NoDa Brewing, Legion Brewing, Triple C Brewing, Catawba Brewing, and Birdsong Brewing. There are probably almost a hundred other local craft breweries in Charlotte, you don't have to go far to find some good ones!
Some of the vineyards in the Charlotte area that are worth exploring are Dennison Vineyards, Vesuvius Vineyards, and Stony Mountain Vineyards.
One of the great things aboutNorth Carolinais that there is an affordability factor that you cannot find in many other states that allows small businesses to thrive. This paves the way for great local beer and wine!
Essen
Restaurants in Charlotteare part of what makes the city such a livable place. If you have a chance to visit Charlotte or have recently relocated, here are some you must try!
Haberdish – A Local Charlotte Restaurant You Must Try! A Southern Milltown kitchen and cocktail bar brings the history of Charlotte to life by creating an experience that combines both cooking techniques and country tables that bring the milltown history to life through food!
Located in NoDa, a great neighborhood 2 miles north of Uptown.
Midwood Smokehouse - If you are looking for a BBQ in North Carolina, the Midwood Smokehouse is a great place to enjoy a meal. With some great reviews online and even a Presidential visit on the list of awards, Midwood Smokehouse won't disappoint. With 5 locations in the Charlotte area, there is bound to be one near you!
Fine Dining on Montford - 'Flavours Without Boundaries' This restaurant does things differently. Award-winning chef Bruce Moffett has created a tapas-style restaurant that has been named a premier dining spot in Charlotte by The New York Times.
The Fig Tree Restaurant - Located in the historic Lucas House, The Fig Tree Restaurant is one of Charlotte's premier dining spots. The menu is inspired by seasonal French and Italian cuisine. If there is anything this restaurant knows how to combine both quality ingredients and the right food with the right wines!
The Cellar at Duckworth's - Winner of the 2017 Diner's Choice Award at Open Table, The Cellar at Duckworth's is an American gastropub. A combination of gastropub fare and some great cocktails. TCAD takes this a step further and pays great attention to detail, especially when it comes to their rare beers, which are only served at the temperature appropriate to their style.
Wetter
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 the cold doesn't allow you to go outside 6 months of the year. If you love skiing or the mountains, you don't have to go far for a great day of snow sports! With Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Boone not too far away, you can enjoy a great day on the slopes. If the beach is more your style, Lake Norman is a 25-minute drive north of Charlotte and one of North Carolina's most popular spots.
Charlotte has all four seasons and some absolutely stunning leaves come in the fall. The winter months are relatively easy compared to the north. It doesn't snow often, although we usually see snow once or twice a year. Heading into the mountains you will find fresh white powder when the temperature drops.
Summers in Charlotte can get a little hot at times, but you'll get used to it. Summers don't compare to the sweltering heat of southern states like Florida or Texas.
Moving from Boston to NC allowed me to spend far more time outside than I could up north. If you like being outdoors like me, you'll love the weather here in Charlotte!
education
One reason many people choose to relocate to Charlotte over other cities is the level of education their children receive. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Borough, the largest school district in the Charlotte Borough, includes 169 schools and approximately 150,000 K-12 students.
Some great places to learn more about Charlotte schools are websites like Great Schools or Niche which will give you varying feedback on the best schools in the Charlotte area. One of the things to keep in mind when moving to Charlotte is that with all of Queen City's growth, schools can often be redistributed. 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
Charlotte places a high value on education, and with colleges such as Davidson, UNCC, Duke, UNC, NC State and Wake Forest all within an hour's drive, it's no wonder. These state colleges all offer excellent value for Charlotte residents.
Sport
The Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, BB&T Knights, NASCAR and more make Charlotte a great sports city. The pride the city has in its teams is incredible. If you walk down the street in Uptown Charlotte, you'll see the logos for every team across the city.
If you like going out, the teams in Charlotte offer great entertainment. The BB&T Knights are a triple A baseball team and the stadium is absolutely amazing. Located right in the heart of Uptown, see skyscrapers surrounding the beautiful baseball park. Whether you're at a Panthers, Hornets or Knights game, when the game is over you have plenty of options to keep the night going with dinner or a drink.
nightlife
Charlotte has great nightlife for people of all ages and relationship statuses.
Center City's nightlife includes a wide range of bars, restaurants, clubs, pubs, live music, events, entertainment and more!
If you're looking for live music, you'll find it in Charlotte. Whether it's rock, jazz, hip-hop, country or bluegrass, there's live music somewhere in Charlotte. Or if free is more your style, there are always free concerts or free live music too. Some of the best free music you'll find if you're strolling the streets of Charlotte one evening or at a random pub if you're going from one bar to the next
Maybe it's girls night and you want to have dinner and a glass of wine at a wine bar. Or maybe it's a guys night out and you want to play the game and bar hop. Or maybe it's a family night and you're looking for dinner and maybe a concert/movie in the park. There's always something going on in Charlotte for everyone!
Whether you're a weekend warrior or not, it's always nice to know you have the option to enjoy a night out if you choose to.
Music
For those living in Charlotte, it should come as no surprise how passionate the community is about their live music! Whether you're in a local bar, coffee shop, or a major music venue, there's always live music playing in the Queen City.
For those relocating to Charlotte, you'll find that the big concerts take place at venues like the PNC Music Pavilion, The Fillmore Charlotte, Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater, Spectrum Center, and more.
Don't feel like spending money on a concert? You're guaranteed to find free live music somewhere in Charlotte!
Bars like Connolly's, Howl at the Moon, Corkscrew have live bands and pianists that will blow your mind.
Last summer there seemed to be free concerts somewhere in Charlotte every weekend.
When all else fails, grab a coffee uptown and wander the streets. There are always random live performances on the streets and these are often so engaging that large crowds form and are engulfed by the music.
Strand
One of the best beaches in the Charlotte area is at Cornelius on Lake Norman. Other lakes include Lake Wylie and Catawba River Mountain Island Lake. Charlotte doesn't border any oceans, although the vast lake makes it easy to forget. If you're looking for places to hang out on the water or relax on the beach, Lake Norman is a great spot.
Some of you may be reading this and thinking 'a lake?' How does this compare to the ocean? You really can't - the ocean is about 3-4 hours away...Charlotte tooWilmingtonis 3 hours 20 minutes. If you're anything like my mom, you leave at 6am and you can be the first on the beach :)
With so many large lakes in the area, you may find that you don't have to travel as far to find water. Lake Norman, Lake Wylie and the Catawba River are great spots if you want to spend the day on a boat with family and friends.
Berge
One of the best parts of moving to Charlotte is that not only are you close to the beach, but you are also close to the mountains.
You have the urban lifestyle of a big city in Charlotte with a truly epic outdoor lifestyle outside of the city subway.
Crowders Mountain State Park is a 30-40 minute drive from CharlotteGastonia. The mountain offers challenging hikes, beautiful views, towering cliffs and 25 miles of surrounding Piedmont. With 11 hiking trails to choose from and 9 acres of lakes for fishing, this is a great place to enjoy a day outdoors. Grab a canoe rental and spend the day exploring all areas of the lake! Campsites are plentiful! For the thrill seekers, rock climbing and bouldering are also available with a permit in designated areas.
With mountains likeBanner moose,Blowing rock,Schornsteinfelsen, and mountain towns likeAshvilleandBooneYou don't have to go far to enjoy some really great hiking and scenic trails.
Golf
One reason people enjoy living in Charlotte is the opportunity to play golf all year round. You can't drive 10 miles in the Charlotte area without passing a golf course.
Some of the best golf courses in the city of Charlotte are Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte Country Club and Myers Park Country Club. Not far away is Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC, north of Charlotte, closer to Lake Norman. In addition, some of the best golf courses in the world are located in Pinehurst / Southern Pines which is a 2-2.5 hour drive from Charlotte. Definitely worth the trip as at Pinehurst No.2 the men and women occasionally play the U.S. Open!
Because Charlotte is so close to South Carolina, you have the opportunity to play at a few out-of-state courses as well.
Other things to note about Charlotte:
Living in Charlotte, NC isn't the right move for everyone. However, it is one of the best places to live in the country, especially if you love a big city with a small town feel! The city of Charlotte has the kind of personality that is easy to fall in love with thanks to the people who live here. Whether you live in the suburbs or downtown, you'll fall in love with Charlotte in no time!
Charlotte cost of living
Charlotte offers an affordable cost of living that attracts many people to the area each year. Over 40% of Charlotte's population moved out of state in search of the southern charm that Charlotte has to offer.
Real estate in Charlotte is lower than the national average. Combined with the above reasons, Charlotte looks more and more attractive to many people. Try thisHomes for sale in Charlotteto see how far your money goes and compare that to other cities. Charlotte's affordability means you'll find a lot more square footage, better locations and commuting options, and a higher quality of life!
The cost of living in Charlotte is about 8% below the national average, making Queen City a great place to live!
What are the pros and cons of moving to Charlotte?
Relocating to Charlotte NC has many advantages and disadvantages depending on your own unique situation. For one, it's far more affordable than most other cities, has a much wilder winter than folks living up north, and the community itself is very welcoming to newcomers. Each individual will have different pros and cons, whether you are relocating from California, Chicago or even New York, there is no doubting Charlotte's awesomeness!
Moved to Charlotte without a job
If you don't have a job and you're moving to Charlotte, have faith! Many people before you have done it and made it successful. Charlotte is one of the best places in the country to work and has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any major city.
If you're looking for employment, you'll have an easier time finding it in Charlotte than most places across the country. Show solidarity with the fact that many people who move to Charlotte do so without a job and find employment fairly soon afterward. Even if it's not your dream gig, it's a start!
What county is Charlotte, NC in?
Charlotte, NC is located in Mecklenburg County, surrounded by seven other counties, including Gaston Country, Cabarrus County, Union County, Iredell County, Lancaster County, Lincoln County, and York County.
Residence when moving to Charlotte NC
Many people want to know where the best places to live are when they move to Charlotte. There are so many great neighborhoods out there, so it really depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a new development with lakefront views and a golf course, look no further than NeighborhoodThe palisades. Maybe you like the hustle and bustle ofDowntown Charlotteas well as the convenience of all the action Charlotte has to offer! Either way, you're sure to find something to love in the Charlotte area and the surrounding areacontact us We can help you find the perfect spot!
#blog-moving-cta#
#blog-best-neighborhoods-cta#