Any advice for a newcomer moving to Charlotte? (apartments, rental)

[damienryan11]

Im kinda sad to leave San Antonio but I got a great job offer in Charlotte that Id be stupid to pass up. Ive done my research about the city but you can only google and wikipedia so many things lol. I need help/advice from somebody who lives or has lived there. Thanks

Rent! The biggest thing on my mind lol. Right now in SA, I pay $1000 a month in rent. Its just a one bedroom in a nice apt community. Nothing fancy, but nice. Should I be expecting to pay more or about the same? Ohhhh and location. My new job is in downtown so if possibe, a 15-20 min commute?

What are the better parts of town? Im from a big city, so I know that EVERY city has crime.

Club scene in downtown? Im a single, professional, 25 year old guy! Just like any other young person out there, I like goin to the club on saturday nights (sorry if it sounds like Im boasting, its not my intention).

Overall, is it a nice city? Thanks again

[hooligan]

Rent - you should be able to find LOTS of nice 1 bdr apartments within a 15 min commute of uptown at or less than $1K/mo.

If I was 20-something I'd be looking to live in the following places (in order): Uptown, South End, Plaza Midwood (Central Ave area), NoDa.

I would 100% begin the search in Uptown and I'd bet you can find something within your budget.

[damienryan11]

Thanks for your help dude. Ive started looking in those places you mentioned and am findin lots of places. The places in uptown and South End are probable my best bet. Gotta make sure I check out these places when I visit

[chuckles34]

Don't forget Dilworth. There are a lot of condos along East Blvd. and I bet some are for rent. You'd have a blast living there, just minutes from uptown.

[hooligan]

Agreed about Dilworth. I wasn't sure of the rent rates in that neighborhood, though. Plus, it's a slightly older crowd and more family-oriented.

[CRock]

If I were 25 and working downtown I would look for an apt/condo off the light rail line. Don't overlook that option!

[damienryan11]

Dilworth? Ill keep that area in mind. But im looking for an area that has a younger crowd. And I really like the Southpark area but its super expensive! Light rail line...wheres that? lol
and what exactly is Epicenter? It seems to come up everywhere I look.

[hooligan]

Epicenter is an "entertainment complex" in Uptown. Bars/restaurants/clubs/movie theater/bowling alley/etc. Google it.

The light rail runs roughly along the same path as South Blvd. It terminates just inside the I-485 loop on the south end and at 7th Street (?) in Uptown on the north end.

[chuckles34]

Dilworth is just south and east of South End. It's an older historic district in Charlotte. There are a lot of rental properties along East Blvd. which is its "hub". I drive past it every day to get uptown and it's full of young people and some very cool bars and restaurants.

[NCgirl]

Here's the EpiCentre website another popular place is the NC Music Factory.