You chose Charlotte instead of ATL. Still happy? (Raleigh: home, neighborhood)
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No need for a visit. If the OP wanted Charlotte, he'd be living in Fort Worth instead of Dallas. So yeah, he should focus on Atl.
Your assumption is wrong. We did consider Ft. Worth. However, there aren't many jobs in the Fort Worth area for software developers. Commute was a concern so we lived in a suburb of Dallas. Fort Worth in my opinion, and believe me I'm far from alone, has a lot more character and charm than Dallas. In my opinion it has a better arts and culture scene and caters to the everyday person. Dallas is getting better about this because they are trying to attract a lot of businesses. So, there is an effort underway to be a city that people really want to spend time in and not just work.
In terms of what we want in an area both Charlotte and ATL seem to fit the bill. We will already be getting a lot closer to family with either choice which is the primary reason for moving. Both locales have a low cost of living, good school systems, professional sports teams, access to the arts, and they both seem to have a variety of other entertainment. Atlanta probably has more because of the size of the area.
I'm sure that most people who looked at both places probably discovered the same. However, they were drawn to Charlotte. I'd just like to know whether the people who made the decision to stick with Charlotte are still happy. For me, jobs is a big concern. I know people say the economy is diverse and I have no doubt that it is. If the majority of the software development jobs are in the banking industry and that goes south, and there aren't any sectors such as health care or education for instance that are still looking for my skills, then from my perspective the economy isn't very diverse.
I do need to visit both areas. I've only driven through Charlotte once, so that really doesn't count. Atlanta, I have been to twice, each time for a week.
If you're biggest concern is jobs, and you are in an IT-related field, the Triangle may be your best bet. Plus if you said Philly was the closest area to your family that you were considering, it is closer than Charlotte.
I actually have considered the Triangle area. I see great employment potential there.
I love "the city". But, there is a caveat to that. I like them to be interesting. As my CIO said to me one day, when he's on travel, there are certain cities he wakes up looks outside and without a doubt knows where he is. Cities like Chicago, San Francisco, NY, etc. Then, there are the cities he labeled anywhere USA. I guess I really love locales with distinct character. For instance, look at San Antonio, it has a very distinct feel, but no where near the size of SF or NY, etc. (at least not to my knowledge). To me, there are cities that are great to live in, but not necessarily great to visit. I would love to live in a suburb of a city that offers both. I've only visited the Triangle area twice. Loved it both times.
Neither Charlotte or Atlanta truly top the list of cities with a very distinct character or strong, colorful local culture, but Atlanta has a bit more of that than Charlotte IMO since it was a larger city for longer. In both cities, that element is more prevalent in the old inner streetcar suburb neighborhoods, which Atlanta has more of.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Originally Posted by Mutiny77
Neither Charlotte or Atlanta truly top the list of cities with a very distinct character or strong, colorful local culture, but Atlanta has a bit more of that than Charlotte IMO since it was a larger city for longer. In both cities, that element is more prevalent in the old inner streetcar suburb neighborhoods, which Atlanta has more of.
I agree with you. If the OP didn't like Philadelphia, which has a distinct personality, I'm not certain that Charlotte or Atlanta will work. That said, Philadelphia's banks have been gobbled up over the last 30 - 40 years. The only banking jobs there would likely be in Delaware. However, there's enough eds & meds to probably keep him going. Charlotte would be better for banking jobs.
I agree with you. If the OP didn't like Philadelphia, which has a distinct personality, I'm not certain that Charlotte or Atlanta will work. That said, Philadelphia's banks have been gobbled up over the last 30 - 40 years. The only banking jobs there would likely be in Delaware. However, there's enough eds & meds to probably keep him going. Charlotte would be better for banking jobs.
I never said I didn't like Philly. I really like Philly but in my current situation and with the cost of living there it's not practical. Also, just because I like cities with distinct character doesn't mean it's a must have or will make or break my decision. It's a preference, a like, y'know not a must. Don't concentrate so much on this aspect.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Originally Posted by MrDarkKnight
I never said I didn't like Philly. I really like Philly but in my current situation and with the cost of living there it's not practical. Also, just because I like cities with distinct character doesn't mean it's a must have or will make or break my decision. It's a preference, a like, y'know not a must. Don't concentrate so much on this aspect.
I can tell you that property taxes are cheaper in the Charlotte area. NJ income tax is lower than NC. Car insurance is higher in the Philadelphia metro. Real estate prices are not significantly cheaper in Charlotte than the Philadelphia metro. It's been that way for decades, since the mills closed in Philadelphia & there was a big migration of mill workers to NC.
The Triangle is worth checking out IMO if you get a good job offer. It's got a brainy, hip vibe to go along with the good old North Carolina vibe. Two scientists, one at UNC and one at Duke, were just awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry today.
The universities in the Triangle add to the culture and there are lots of arts offerings, good schools (best in the state in Chapel Hill), best college basketball in the country (which I, like all good North Carolinians, prefer over the NBA), great restaurants and breweries, museums, etc. Charlotte is bigger and has taller buildings, pro football, pro basketball, the Whitewater Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, etc. It has more of a business vibe and may offer more of the city-ness you say you're looking for. If you come to visit NC, I think with your skill set it would be worth taking a quick look at the Triangle, too, and seeing what you think. Both Charlotte and the Triangle are crawling with newcomers. Neither area can build fast enough for all the new people moving in every day.
The Triangle is worth checking out IMO if you get a good job offer. It's got a brainy, hip vibe to go along with the good old North Carolina vibe. Two scientists, one at UNC and one at Duke, were just awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry today.
The universities in the Triangle add to the culture and there are lots of arts offerings, good schools (best in the state in Chapel Hill), best college basketball in the country (which I, like all good North Carolinians, prefer over the NBA), great restaurants and breweries, museums, etc. Charlotte is bigger and has taller buildings, pro football, pro basketball, the Whitewater Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, etc. It has more of a business vibe and may offer more of the city-ness you say you're looking for. If you come to visit NC, I think with your skill set it would be worth taking a quick look at the Triangle, too, and seeing what you think. Both Charlotte and the Triangle are crawling with newcomers. Neither area can build fast enough for all the new people moving in every day.
You've convinced me to give the triangle area a second look.
I'm not sure how this thread has turned to the triangle area, Philadelphia, etc., but since the question was about Atlanta va Charlotte, I will stick to that topic. I am happy that I opted for Charlotte. Although Atlanta has some great areas and towns in the metro area, I prefer Charlotte's uptown. I find central city (uptown) more walkable and safer. And, as bad as traffic may be a times in Charlotte, there is no letting up 24/7 in Atlanta. Culture, sports are alive and well in both cities if one gets off their ass and makes an effort to seek. Overall, I personally fee that either city is a good choice. And seriously, Atlanta is over twice the size of Charlotte. You are comparing a large city to a super large city. The super large city will likely have more amenities in any case.
I'm not sure how this thread has turned to the triangle area, Philadelphia, etc., but since the question was about Atlanta va Charlotte, I will stick to that topic. I am happy that I opted for Charlotte. Although Atlanta has some great areas and towns in the metro area, I prefer Charlotte's uptown. I find central city (uptown) more walkable and safer. And, as bad as traffic may be a times in Charlotte, there is no letting up 24/7 in Atlanta. Culture, sports are alive and well in both cities if one gets off their ass and makes an effort to seek. Overall, I personally fee that either city is a good choice. And seriously, Atlanta is over twice the size of Charlotte. You are comparing a large city to a super large city. The super large city will likely have more amenities in any case.
Because the reason OP asked the question was to decide where they think they wanted to be, and after hearing his criteria the Triangle is a good option. Honestly that was kinda my original point....I feel like more often people are choosing between Charlotte and the Triangle than they are choosing between Charlotte and Atlanta.
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