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I have a degree in marketing, and my soon to be wife has a degree in Health Science. We are looking to move to an area with more opportunity than what we have now. Currently we live in a small town in Georgia. Basically what I need is your opinion on where the best places are to live, cost of living, opportunities, things for fun, taxes, and what we can expect once we do move. It will most likely be closer to the end of the year before we move. I have done some research, and I'm siding with Charlotte as of right now. We plan on visiting both places before we move, but you don't really get a since of things until you actually live there.
If you're just asking a vague question about "good places to live in the US", probably the General US Board, or its subforum "City vs City" are best to ask for comparing two different places in two states.
There is a forum for Charlotte, and one for Tampa in the FL forum.
Simply asking "Where are good places to live?" with no other parameters or info is too general for anyone to be much help.
Basically what I need is your opinion on where the best places are to live, cost of living, opportunities, things for fun, taxes, and what we can expect once we do move.
Guessing you're a young couple. Not knowing what price ranges I'll just name a few areas and let you sort it out. Plaza-Midwood is a fun urban area with lot's of walkability and very close to uptown.
Not far is NODA. Vibrant nightlife, great restaurants. Neighborhood Theater is one of my faves.
The Southpark area consist of largely the mall and the surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. Lot's of new apartments recently built, expensive area for the most part. Further south is Ballantyne. Also on the high end for the most part.
University City is another option. The new light rail extension to UCity will open later this year.
Cost of living may be about the same as Tampa but don't take that as fact. My sister lives there and we often compare prices of certain "things" like car insurance, etc. Their property tax rate is a bit higher (I think she told me that) but they have no state income tax.
Fun things? We have a pretty nice greenway system for walking or biking. We have Carowinds amusement park, the National Whitewater Center, pro sports teams. Two and a half hour drive to ski-slopes. Three to four hours from the coast.
I can't tell you what to expect without knowing what you are expecting. Overall, the people are generally nice in Charlotte. As they are the times I visited Tampa. We have incredible Spring and Fall days. Summer is blazing hot and winter can be bitter cold in Jan/Feb but usually tolerable. I was in Tampa last Jan when it dipped to 37º but their cold spells are usually short-lived.
I moved from Florida. Advantages are the lower taxes, i.e. flood, and property, etc. I like both places but to be honest, I need some change in temperatures and seasons and except for July, August and Sept, weather is great. I miss the Gulf Coast for fishing and diving. Honestly, Charlotte probably has more variety in job opportunities but are likely similar. I won't suggest any areas as it depends on your desires and nobody knows them. Overall, look at what is most important to you. You can adjust to all else.
Its a vague question and i know both cery well having lived in Charlotte for 6 recent years until a year or so ago and traveling to Tampa quite often and actually doing the same research and deciding between both places as well for a summer move.
Its like this....
If you want to have a nice, quakity lifestyle and not be burden by certain factors that ordinarily may drive peoole nuts like super humid weathet or tourism then Charlotte is the ticket. I dont think i need to get into all the specifics since there are plenty to brag about but.....
If you want to have excitement and fun in your life and arent affraid to pay a little more for car and home insurance, Tampa can provide a more vibrant city with mych more happening than charlotte. Plus tampa has a lot of projects going on right now to revamp a lot of area that will attract a lot of people. Theres a few good viedos on YouTube if you search it. There are also some great news articles.
Its a very difficult decision vetween the two. Charlottes weather is more mild and seasonal. TAMPA is fun in tge sun. CHARLOTTE is a great place to raise a family i soeak from experience) Tampa is up and coming though and lays claim that ot is one of tbe 2 best places ok the country to raise a family.
If yiu wajt to direct message me ill share my thoughts on questions you may have. Good luck
Its a vague question and i know both cery well having lived in Charlotte for 6 recent years until a year or so ago and traveling to Tampa quite often and actually doing the same research and deciding between both places as well for a summer move.
Its like this....
If you want to have a nice, quakity lifestyle and not be burden by certain factors that ordinarily may drive peoole nuts like super humid weathet or tourism then Charlotte is the ticket. I dont think i need to get into all the specifics since there are plenty to brag about but.....
If you want to have excitement and fun in your life and arent affraid to pay a little more for car and home insurance, Tampa can provide a more vibrant city with mych more happening than charlotte. Plus tampa has a lot of projects going on right now to revamp a lot of area that will attract a lot of people. Theres a few good viedos on YouTube if you search it. There are also some great news articles.
Its a very difficult decision vetween the two. Charlottes weather is more mild and seasonal. TAMPA is fun in tge sun. CHARLOTTE is a great place to raise a family i soeak from experience) Tampa is up and coming though and lays claim that ot is one of tbe 2 best places ok the country to raise a family.
If yiu wajt to direct message me ill share my thoughts on questions you may have. Good luck
You did a good job in your assessment of the cities. I would add that living in Charlotte you have access to the mountains, which Tampa can't offer. Don't feel you can go wrong with either city.
You did a good job in your assessment of the cities. I would add that living in Charlotte you have access to the mountains, which Tampa can't offer. Don't feel you can go wrong with either city.
Very true. This came up in our conversation
From charlotte you can be a lot of places in 7 or less hours and 7 hours from Tampa will get you to ... well more Florida cities or almost to Atlanta. So Charlotte wins tat hands down
Last edited by rtloucks; 01-09-2017 at 06:58 PM..
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