Is Charlotte cosmopolitan? (Jacksonville, Cornelius, Nashville: airport, cities, offer)

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by nik

Charlotte is a great place to raise kids and/or shop but honestly, I cannot say that it's cosmopolitan. I think, for me, the thing that differentiates it from cosmopolitan cities is that, while it has A LOT of money, the money is the point, not the experiences.... if you know what I mean. (From a reference point, I do really like Charlotte, but I've also lived in much larger cities.... Charlotte is really just a family town that happens to have a lot of money but really hasn't translated that into the arts, etc.)

do you think that is changing? As a money center banking area , I think as places like NY get more expensive, maybe more cosmo types from the NE will move there eventually?
Do you see more of the demographic shift?

All I heard was the large Latino community is growing exponentially to the point of "takeover" according to the writer. Is that true?

I also heard the traffic is a nightmare. True? Worse than say Houston?

I come from Connecticut. I-95 is not picnic either. Thanks..I am still looking for the southern version of Westport!

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by Carolina Blue

With all due respect, I’d consider your assessment of Charlotte completely off base. When it comes to supporting the arts, Charlotte is one of the leading cities in the country, in both support and arts giving (dollars). Yes, we had one little local theater company that shut its doors recently, but there are others still kicking. You might want to check out some of these links…

SPREADING THE WEALTH; As a Booster of the Arts, One City Proves a Model - New York Times

Charlotte Observer | 11/11/2007 | City of head-turners

Top 25 Arts Destinations: From Sea to Shining Sea | Article | AmericanStyle Magazine Art Galleries, Art Collectors, Museums, Art Fairs, Handmade Crafts, Arts Travel

Charlotte, ''New South'' Top Nation in Arts Philanthropy, Surpassing ''Old Money'' Cities in Northeast and Midwest; Charlotte Also Ranks High in Volunteering And Faith-Based Engagement. Industry & Business Article - Research, News, Information, Conta

And as for jazz. There are several venues in Charlotte that have jazz shows and a few that are strictly dedicated solely to jazz music. For example, have you ever been to the Jazz Café? They’ve had people such as Alex Bugnon and Nick Colionne very recently. As a jazz enthusiast I’m sure you’re familiar with both of those names. Not bad for medium sized city, for a genre of music that quit franking is struggling “everywhere”.

The Jazz Cafe N.C. >> Great Food >> Great Sounds

As far as the topic at hand, like a lot of questions on here, unfortunately this one is very subjective. I would simply say that, in my opinion, Charlotte is very cosmopolitan; as cosmopolitan as a mid-sized southern city could possibly be.

you know a lot of those articles are "bought" thru PR -I would take a locals take on the area over all that PR which may be true but does not translate into an appreciable change in lifestyle.

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by LaLa010

I know it's nothing close to NYC and I'm not asking you to compare it to NYC.

But regardless of other cities, would you say that Charlotte has a some-what cosmopolitan atmosphere?

I think the question is somewhat flawed.If one was to use a dictionary definition I think you might be inclined to answer no.

COSMOPOLITAN: having worldwide rather than limited or provincial scope or bearing. (2) having wide international sophistication
Webster New Collegiate

On the OTHER hand isn't "cosmopolitan" an image, a feeling one might have about themselves or others? How many times have you seen an ad of people in evening clothes looking so "cosmopolitan"? Or a person ordering a negroni
(Italian cocktail) and you might think he's so "cosmopolitan"

Or, in my case. Born and raised NYer. Live in NYC.When I look over the city of Charlotte from the 32nd floor of a uptown building I say "Wow, this city is very 'cosmopolitan' "

In the eyes of the beholder or the dictionary. . . I'm not quite sure.
JE

[urbancharlotte]

Originally Posted by johne482

I think the question is somewhat flawed.If one was to use a dictionary definition I think you might be inclined to answer no.

COSMOPOLITAN: having worldwide rather than limited or provincial scope or bearing. (2) having wide international sophistication
Webster New Collegiate

On the OTHER hand isn't "cosmopolitan" an image, a feeling one might have about themselves or others? How many times have you seen an ad of people in evening clothes looking so "cosmopolitan"? Or a person ordering a negroni
(Italian cocktail) and you might think he's so "cosmopolitan"

Or, in my case. Born and raised NYer. Live in NYC.When I look over the city of Charlotte from the 32nd floor of a uptown building I say "Wow, this city is very 'cosmopolitan' "

In the eyes of the beholder or the dictionary. . . I'm not quite sure.
JE

Well said JE!!! This is a tough one because there are so many "levels" of cosmopolitan. In the most strict definition of the word, I say Charlotte is not. I think the OP feels the same way because they did say that Charlotte is not like New York.

[Carolina Blue]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

you know a lot of those articles are "bought" thru PR -I would take a locals take on the area over all that PR which may be true but does not translate into an appreciable change in lifestyle.

So since NY is noted as the top arts destination, it’s because their Chamber “pays magazines to say this”, not because it is a top arts destination? I think not.

To your second point, there are locals who have commented on this board favorably regarding Charlotte’s arts scene. And I don’t see a needed “appreciable change in lifestyle". That’s a subjective statement. Many people here don’t have a problem with the city’s current arts scene. Keep in mind, some folks will never be happy, regardless of where they live.

Also, here’s a timely article that notes the continued vibrancy at our performing arts center despite the economic downturn…

Article: Bold arts outreach attracts fresh faces - CLT | CharlotteObserver.com

[bandibadji]

This is still one of the silliest threads that I have ever seen. Everyone has a different opinion. If you are from here, you think that the city is cosmopolitan, if you are not, you likely don't want to admit that it is. Charlotte has a 12 percent population that was born in another country. It has banking interest all over the world. It has an international airport, it's business community is one of the leading cities in the U.S. for foreign businesses. There are communities where billboards are written in Spanish or Asian. There are restaurants all over the city representing countries from all over the world. There are festivals representing countries from all over the world. Over sixty percent of the population is from some other place. There is a very active performing arts scene. If one goes uptown, it is apparent that the arts scene is expanding tremendously. Charlotte is definately no NYC or Boston, but there definately is an element of being cosmopolitan. The level at which Charlotte is cosmo is in the eyes of the beholder. This really just seems like another thread to compare Charlotte with the place from where one comes. Anotherwords, an opportunity to argue about an ambiguous topic. Go for it!

[metro.m]

Originally Posted by bandibadji

This is still one of the silliest threads that I have ever seen. Everyone has a different opinion. If you are from here, you think that the city is cosmopolitan, if you are not, you likely don't want to admit that it is. Charlotte has a 12 percent population that was born in another country. It has banking interest all over the world. It has an international airport, it's business community is one of the leading cities in the U.S. for foreign businesses. There are communities where billboards are written in Spanish or Asian. There are restaurants all over the city representing countries from all over the world. There are festivals representing countries from all over the world. Over sixty percent of the population is from some other place. There is a very active performing arts scene. If one goes uptown, it is apparent that the arts scene is expanding tremendously. Charlotte is definately no NYC or Boston, but there definately is an element of being cosmopolitan. The level at which Charlotte is cosmo is in the eyes of the beholder. This really just seems like another thread to compare Charlotte with the place from where one comes. Anotherwords, an opportunity to argue about an ambiguous topic. Go for it!

Those same attributes can be claimed by small cities as well.

[spankys bbq]

Born and raised here and I don't think this place is cosmopolitan.

[GoPlayNC]

[SIZE=3]Are you kidding? IMHO, Cosmopolitan City refers to a fun fast paced, 24-hour dining/dancing, global thinking economy (sorry - two dinky little grocers for European candy, meats and breads doesn't cut it). Not even close. The only existent nightlife in Charlotte consists of criminals with repeat offenses. Global economy is more about who can offshore their business services faster. NASCAR, NBA & NFL are great to have but it does not make a city. [/SIZE]

[bandibadji]

Originally Posted by metro.m

Those same attributes can be claimed by small cities as well.

Absolutely. Many smaller university towns especially.