Singles Scene (Charlotte, Raleigh: to rent, condo, mortgage)

[Fletch]

I'm 22 and will be graduating from college in May. I and four of my college friends have all accepted jobs in Charlotte, and are curious about the lifestyle. We've taken several trips this past semester for interviews and think that it is a GREAT city!

We've all found places to live uptown but after reading some of the threads it seems that Charlotte is more 'family oriented' and that Raleigh is the place for single young professionals. Is it only because the RTP area has colleges like UNC, Duke, and NC State? I would've guessed that Charlotte is better for young people because it's a bigger city. Anyone have any insight on this??

Thanks,
Fletch

[recruiter]

Check out www.charlottecitycommittee.com for some information. They have information about a young persons group. Email them and someone will get back in touch.

[jamesuptown]

Fletch,

Uptown is the place to be - bar none. My goodness, if my parents only told me that when I moved here right after graduating ... I moved right next to (literally) next to UNCC, thinking, well, I am 22, there will be plenty of people my age, etc etc etc. WRONG. Dumbest move I ever made. Bad, bad social scene there ... unless you want to go to frat parties or terrible bars ....

AND it seemed to me, in the three+ years I lived in that area, that since 90% or more of the UNCC undergrads are from the Charlotte area, tons of people disappear on the weekends. So much for a "singles scene" if you don't have anyone around ... Uptown is a diverse, mixed group of people, with folks from ALL over the country. I have in my condo - on my floor at least, literally one native Charlottean (not saying natives are bad, or anything like that Just commenting on the fact that it is a VERY heterogeneous group of people -- and that's a good thing.

We have creative thinkers; unbelievable successful businesspeople who are sub-25 years old, yet pull down fantastic salaries because they are so talented ... I have several artist neighbors, who do magnificent paintings, photography, architecture, etc.... and it has taught me SO much. I expanded my horizons tremendously in the past two years, for certain! You guys will too, no doubt.

But hey, if you have decent jobs -- here's one secret to Uptown: it's cheaper to OWN than to rent, quite literally. And nowadays, it is even easier to put down approx 1% (no $30,000 downpayments needed any more!) and still get preferential lending treatment. . .

Compare: rent of $1500 vs mortgage of $1000 (AND fully tax deductible!)
Check out: www.avenueuptown.com (broken link)
or: www.715NorthChurch.com
or: www.citadinliving.com
or lastly: www.garrisonatgraham.com (broken link)

All of these are either built, under construction or soon to be built. My goodness, if I had known, I would have bought a condo the month after graduating !! My mortgage now is seriously less than what I paid for a 1BR apt in University area for 5 years!!!

James
jamesuptown@aol.com

[Charlotte ePro]

I think Uptown is a little overpriced right now. I'd wait for things to settle.

As far as your question... this is the city for young professionals. Sure Charlotte is family oriented, but that doesn't mean it's anti-single. If you want to see a good documentation on the nightlife scene here, go to www.carolinanightlife.com