Serious question...is Charlotte overrated? (Fayetteville, Asheville: chapel, house, YMCA)

[Sean_CLT]

Charlotte (and Raleigh) seem to draw quite a few prospective relocators to this forum that have high expectations and demanding lists to go through. Need to find good schools, affordable, close to work, no crime, lots of shopping opportunities, near nightlife, easy to make new friends, etc. Oh, and it can't be too cold, or too hot...

People who expect to "have it all" will be disappointed. But those who want to leave the worst aspects of where they are behind, and can *compromise* on other factors, should be satisfied.

I have lived here for ten years at this stage. And I'm thinking about "moving on" to try some new ground, since I like some periodic change. But I've been here longer than anywhere else I've lived. All I wanted was a *JOB* and somewhere with reasonable restaurant options, that was not "too far" from family. Charlotte fit the bill for me, but I didn't have a big long punch list to check off either.

[monksy]

Originally Posted by JamesGTAIV

I don't believe it's overrated. I love it here.

Pros: Just about everything

Cons:

Huge lack of decent retail and other things to do in uptown.

Most of the people who inhabit downtown for most of the day commute in. A lot of those who do, come from out of the city [i.e. fort mill, rock hill, SC]. Its not a big place.

[monksy]

Depends... if you're single its crap. If you have a family then its great, high-ambition schools, low crime, bad public transport etc. Its rather difficult for non-driving teenagers to get into too much trouble here. [As long as they don't try to find a gang and take over a street during the Speed Street festival]

If you're a single your options will certianly be limited, and a lot of people have difficulty establishing a good circle of friends here. There are social groups, but they tend to be locked down by people who wish to use them to make a living and win the popularity contest. Nightlife is very rough. Everything that even touches alcohol closes at 2am. Its the south, and worse its the bible belt. The night life industry is incredibly young, a lot of people that participate in it downtown are from out of town. [Rant: Its amazing that a night club is considered to be 'an attraction' for people out of town... but welcome to NC]. Personal opinion: for Charlotte 20s and 30 year olds, they bring in the bad attitudes of all the major cities. Live here long enough you'll bond with a native LAer over people flaking, NYers about bitchy big city attitudes and/or rabid-feminists, Chicagoians with the long security lines at the airport and oversold flights, delays and the highest prices to fly, etc.. Charlotte is a new and small city in the south with lots of buffer space arround it, it should not by any means have these issues... but it does. Its taken the DNC to get some nice improvements [one that comes to mind is the public/rentable bikes] A lot of the dating that takes place is due to internet dating, and that follows the law of internet dating: its a crap shoot.

I don't understand the whole appeal of promoting charlotte. Its stockholm's symdrome. It has a lot of good ideas, but half-arsed implmenetations. [We have a light rail system that goes from the south section to the middle of the city.. but a bus between there and the airport]

Southern hospitolity... nope. I was born in NC, I know what Southern Hospitality is... its a lot more than saying hi to random passers. If anything this city is "less paranoid." I've experienced more friendliness and helpfulness in Chicago, Rochester, and in Europe than here.

Planning to drink and go out.. plan on limiting your drinks or paying quite a bit for cabs. Buses start closing down arround 1. There are very few places in this city with a high walkability score. [65+ is consider amazingly good]

Apartment costs depend on the area. Apartments downtown will cost you the amount that is equal to a small/midrange price of an LA apartment without roomates.

Upside: There are occational things to do here, and housing prices are cheap. The cokeheads/methed-out people tend to stay in particular neighborhoods.

Restrauants: We have very few restraunts that really want to try something new or provide a local flavor. The popular taste of Charlotte is more on the cheap side. Think: Lots of mexican places, and chains. Although Showmars is something I'll probably miss when I leave here.

Originally Posted by griffin96

This question is directed primarily to recent transplants. I hail from the midwest and I have an opportunity to relocate to the Charlotte area. We all know that Charlotte has experienced a great deal of growth and is a popular destination for transplants. But what I'd like to know is if the national reputation of Charlotte is consistent with the reality of living in Charlotte.

I've heard that Charlotte is a great place to purchase a nice, affordable home and to raise a family. But when I read many of the threads on this forum, I get the impression that Charlotte may not be all that it's touted to be by outsiders.

I'm a 30something family man, educated and professionally employed. Is Charlotte still an attractive destination for young, middle-income (sort of) families? What are the pros and cons as you see them? What are some alternatives to Charlotte?

[vindaloo]

It is all relative. If a young professional guy moves here expecting to find the streets paved with gold, crystal clear rivers, beautiful summer temperatures, smiling lollypops floating in the air, 43 virgins awaitig their arrival, traffic where everyone is smiling and curtious, people of all races and nationalities sitting on a hill singing the coca cola song, safe streets everywhere, they could be a bit disappointed.

On the other hand, if this person is looking for a city that has most of the things they likely need,ie. good entertainment, arts, restaurants, reasonably priced housing, good medical facilities, good roads, sports, it is pretty good. Not NYC, but as good as you could expect for a metro of 2 million. It isn't much different than most equivalent places, ie. Columbus, Indianapolis, etc.

In a nutshell, it is probably overrated by some and underrated by others. It is all relative to what an individual reasonably expects. Charlotte is probably just a good mediocre city.

You will no doubt be told that Charlotte isn't like Chicago, but you probably already know that. Good luck and welcome to town if you come.

[Feltdesigner]

Originally Posted by monksy

Depends... if you're single its crap. If you have a family then its great, high-ambition schools, low crime, bad public transport etc. Its rather difficult for non-driving teenagers to get into too much trouble here. [As long as they don't try to find a gang and take over a street during the Speed Street festival]

If you're a single your options will certianly be limited, and a lot of people have difficulty establishing a good circle of friends here. There are social groups, but they tend to be locked down by people who wish to use them to make a living and win the popularity contest. Nightlife is very rough. Everything that even touches alcohol closes at 2am. Its the south, and worse its the bible belt. The night life industry is incredibly young, a lot of people that participate in it downtown are from out of town. [Rant: Its amazing that a night club is considered to be 'an attraction' for people out of town... but welcome to NC]. Personal opinion: for Charlotte 20s and 30 year olds, they bring in the bad attitudes of all the major cities. Live here long enough you'll bond with a native LAer over people flaking, NYers about bitchy big city attitudes and/or rabid-feminists, Chicagoians with the long security lines at the airport and oversold flights, delays.......

Southern hospitolity... nope. I was born in NC, I know what Southern Hospitality is... its a lot more than saying hi to random passers. If anything this city is "less paranoid."

Upside: There are occational things to do here, and housing prices are cheap. The cokeheads/methed-out people tend to stay in particular neighborhoods.

Restrauants: We have very few restraunts that really want to try something new or provide a local flavor. The popular taste of Charlotte is more on the cheap side. Think: Lots of mexican places, and chains. Although Showmars is something I'll probably miss when I leave here.

Wowwwwwwwww.... tell us how you really feel.

[vindaloo]

Originally Posted by monksy

Depends... if you're single its crap. If you have a family then its great, high-ambition schools, low crime, bad public transport etc. Its rather difficult for non-driving teenagers to get into too much trouble here. [As long as they don't try to find a gang and take over a street during the Speed Street festival]

If you're a single your options will certianly be limited, and a lot of people have difficulty establishing a good circle of friends here. There are social groups, but they tend to be locked down by people who wish to use them to make a living and win the popularity contest. Nightlife is very rough. Everything that even touches alcohol closes at 2am. Its the south, and worse its the bible belt. The night life industry is incredibly young, a lot of people that participate in it downtown are from out of town. [Rant: Its amazing that a night club is considered to be 'an attraction' for people out of town... but welcome to NC]. Personal opinion: for Charlotte 20s and 30 year olds, they bring in the bad attitudes of all the major cities. Live here long enough you'll bond with a native LAer over people flaking, NYers about bitchy big city attitudes and/or rabid-feminists, Chicagoians with the long security lines at the airport and oversold flights, delays and the highest prices to fly, etc.. Charlotte is a new and small city in the south with lots of buffer space arround it, it should not by any means have these issues... but it does. Its taken the DNC to get some nice improvements [one that comes to mind is the public/rentable bikes] A lot of the dating that takes place is due to internet dating, and that follows the law of internet dating: its a crap shoot.

I don't understand the whole appeal of promoting charlotte. Its stockholm's symdrome. It has a lot of good ideas, but half-arsed implmenetations. [We have a light rail system that goes from the south section to the middle of the city.. but a bus between there and the airport]

Southern hospitolity... nope. I was born in NC, I know what Southern Hospitality is... its a lot more than saying hi to random passers. If anything this city is "less paranoid." I've experienced more friendliness and helpfulness in Chicago, Rochester, and in Europe than here.

Planning to drink and go out.. plan on limiting your drinks or paying quite a bit for cabs. Buses start closing down arround 1. There are very few places in this city with a high walkability score. [65+ is consider amazingly good]

Apartment costs depend on the area. Apartments downtown will cost you the amount that is equal to a small/midrange price of an LA apartment without roomates.

Upside: There are occational things to do here, and housing prices are cheap. The cokeheads/methed-out people tend to stay in particular neighborhoods.

Restrauants: We have very few restraunts that really want to try something new or provide a local flavor. The popular taste of Charlotte is more on the cheap side. Think: Lots of mexican places, and chains. Although Showmars is something I'll probably miss when I leave here.

Interesting but opinionized comments not shared by the majority of the population. Whether a person fits into any city depends on the friendliness and adaptability of the individual.

[westcoastbabe]

depends... If you're single its crap.

[

if you're a single your options will certianly be limited, and a lot of people have difficulty establishing a good circle of friends here. There are social groups, but they tend to be locked down by people who wish to use them to make a living and win the popularity contest. Nightlife is very rough.

its taken the dnc to get some nice improvements [one that comes to mind is the public/rentable bikes]

spot on with your post.

[monksy]

Originally Posted by bindibadji

It is all relative ... 43 virgins awaitig their arrival,

I can promise you this. You'll get more than 43 virgins, but you won't get the romantised girls dedicated to you. You'll get the southern bible belt "sex before marriage is wrong" types. Even if they aren't religious the girls [in their 20s _tend_] to be concerned about their conservative friends' opinion of their behavior.

I tend to view the friendliness of the young professionals/post college singles in different 3 lights: 1. the people who don't go out at all [hermets] 2. the people who will go out with smallish verified group/friendcircle or 3. people that are willing to expand their social circle and jump from one location to another. [I.e. a cookout turns into group bowling, or bar turns into a group going to fuel pizza etc].

99% of Charlotte is the 1s and 2s.

I like #3s.

According to the "Science Of Single" author which had an interview on Charlotte Talks last year there were about 4k more single girls than guys in Charlotte. That doesn't make them less picky.

WFAE 90.7 FM

Despite all the vitrol... the hipsters aren't that bad. They're more of the "i want to do experimental things" type people.

[Big Aristotle]

Originally Posted by bindibadji

Interesting but opinionized comments not shared by the majority of the population. Whether a person fits into any city depends on the friendliness and adaptability of the individual.

It really does but don't you love those kinda rants...sounds like most cities in america...lack of public transportation, not great for singles, etc, etc,...move to NYC, LA or Chicago and live there for a while, then let me know how friendly you think it is. It's ok to have geographical preferences but don't think you're gonna escape the reality of dealing with people or personalities with a new address.

[Sean_CLT]

OK, the public transportation doesn't measure up to NYC or Tokyo, but Charlotte has the most comprehensive transportation system of any city in NC hands down. I've always had a car, and will continue to - but if I wrecked mine, I could stand going several months on public transit while saving up for the next one.