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From experience , I'd have to go with the Queen City , nothing to do with it being home , but the proximity of the metro to the mountains , several decent lakes , and 2 national forests to the west and east , respectively. I prefer to head east , but I think that particular one has gotten too much publicity , as it was too crowded this past weekend. I like to head out there on days like the one depicted in the profile picture.
As a Charlotte native, I'd say there are still things about both cities in which you could argue either way. Raleigh has more rolling hills and a much different layout than Charlotte which can make it seem that it has more 'greenery' throughout the city along with its suburb areas but in terms of parks, recreational areas, lakes and ponds, I'd say Charlotte pulls ahead in this area.
I also believe Charlotte to be one of the cleanest cities in the Southeast which helps bring out that 'natural beauty'.
Considering what the OP said, there isn't much difference. Charlotte is ~2 hours from the mountains, Raleigh is ~2 hours to the beach. In either case, both attractions are more than 1.5 hours away and have nothing to do with either city.
I would give a slight edge to Raleigh because its metro is right on the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line. It means a dramatic change in the topography as one travels from East/West. West side is like Charlotte, East side is like the Beach. Columbia, SC has the same characteristic.
Raleigh has William Umstead State Park just on the outskirts. Charlotte does not have something as nice as that. I've always wished there was more public lake access here.
As a Charlotte native, I'd say there are still things about both cities in which you could argue either way. Raleigh has more rolling hills and a much different layout than Charlotte which can make it seem that it has more 'greenery' throughout the city along with its suburb areas but in terms of parks, recreational areas, lakes and ponds, I'd say Charlotte pulls ahead in this area.
I also believe Charlotte to be one of the cleanest cities in the Southeast which helps bring out that 'natural beauty'.
I never noticed the rolling hills in Raleigh, but I have noticed them in Charlotte. Not sure i agree with this comment.
^ Yeah I'd have to agree with you. Raleigh seems to be pretty flat. The Charlotte area has several mountains around, Crowders Mountain, Kings Mountain, Spencer Mountain, Morrow Mountain. Also Raleigh seems to be be mostly pine trees where as Charlotte seems to be more Hardwoods which I think adds a lot more beauty.
Raleigh is flat in some areas and in others have nice rolling topography i.e. Ebenezer Church Road. Though to me, Charlotte is more rolling.
As to OP, natural beauty would go to Raleigh. I have never seen so much greenery until I came to Raleigh. I-40 is lined with trees pretty much the whole way. Umstead Park is massive, nothing in Charlotte like it. Neighboring Cary is loaded with park after park. A lot of shopping centers are hidden due to the trees/plants. I
Actually, Greensboro and Winston-Salem are pur-d-er as it related to topography and hills. Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill (the name itself, chapel on a hill) are rather hilly in areas, so is Charlotte.
Hands-down, although not in the competition, this award goes to the Triad area and the distinction between Raleigh/Charlotte is a wash.
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