ATl people how do you really feel about Charlotte?? (Atlanta: transplants, homes)

[Carolina Blue]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I can't remember who they all were, but if memory serves, I do think representatives from Charlotte were part of that group that came here. Also Austin, and a few others. So anyway, if the earlier comments about how nice (and bumless) downtown Charlotte is are true, it looks like they did indeed learn some things on their visit.

And Atlanta reps have recently come to Charlotte for "advice"...

Article 1: Charlotte transit plans leave Atlanta in slow lane | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/03/31/saporta0331.html - broken link)

Article 2: Charlotte shows state support for transit is vital | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/04/07/saporta0407.html - broken link)

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[johnatl]

Yes, Carolina Blue. We (Atlantans) have a little Light Rail envy going on, we admit it.

[JoeP]

Charlotte certainly looks very nice and offers amenities beyond its city limits
Asheville, mountains, ocean all not terribly far - Atlanta does not necessarily differ much in this regard - but Charlotte is building a nice dense core of a business district, but unless it makes sure that it does sprawl like Atlanta and have a very fragmented region, it will be another Atlanta/Dallas/Houston.

I agree with above comments about the somewhat more progressive nature of North Carolina which is refreshing as both Charlotte and the Triangle area seem to invest more in education etc.

As for specific comparisions about dining, or entertainment etc, but I can't speak to that and can assume that Atlanta would logically offer more given its size, but population doesn't alway = more of something better.

New Orleans has most cities beat for great food.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by JoeP

As for specific comparisions about dining, or entertainment etc, but I can't speak to that and can assume that Atlanta would logically offer more given its size, but population doesn't alway = more of something better.

When it comes to dining, entertainment and shopping there simply is no comparison between the two - at all. In these categories, Charlotte's offerings do truly reflect its true size vs Atlanta.

[JoeP]

Which is what I said. I was just adding that some cities like New Orleans offer much more for their size than much larger areas.

[johnatl]

Sorry, JoeP - I thought you were asking a question re: Charlotte vs Atlanta.

And I would agree with your assessment of Nawlins' food offerings.

[WilliamM]

Originally Posted by johnatl

This is very true, WilliamM. The biggest shaft the State of NC ever gives Charlotte is shorting them on transportation funding in favor of the RDU area. There really isn't the out-and-out hatred of the States largest city like what we have to deal with here. Hell, North Carolina already has intra-State rail up and running - has for several years now.

We USED to be the most progressive State in the South. That was a long time ago, sadly..........

Interesting point. You know it reminds me that another factor here is the difference in NC with having two different and decidedly mid-sized metros like Charlotte and the Triangle, growing rather more slowly, creating a situation which might have been able to better diffuse the ire of the backwoods rubes better than in GA where you had a runaway metropolis poised to someday become another Chicago.

Great point about the progressive mantle clearly going back towards the mid-Atlantic part of the South, which became crystal clear in November. I had always thought Georgia (having Atlanta) would become the de-facto progressive Southern state (and live up to its state nickname), but no more. Somehow progressiveness metastacized in the South via DC and down through the NC metros, instead of Atlanta. Too bad. That's a real missed opportunity. In my view.

[johnatl]

^Could not agree with you more.

[WilliamM]

Originally Posted by JoeP

Which is what I said. I was just adding that some cities like New Orleans offer much more for their size than much larger areas.

It's because New Orleans is that rarest of phenomena in North America: a true decadent city, an Old-World style city that's declined.

Don't forget, at one point it was one of American's true cultural capitals, a real rival to Boston and NY. So, that's all still there now, but its cultural elements now just live on as simmering embers without a dynamic city to surround it. Like an old spice in a gumbo. Yum.

[johnatl]

Mmmm. I could really go for an oyster po boy right about now!