Are transplants really welcome? (Charlotte, Huntersville: home, neighborhoods, schools)

[warden]

In bed sick today and wondered if the people of Charlotte are happy with the influx of us northerners, etc.

From what I've read so far on this site the overwhelming numbers of families moving to Charlotte and the surrounding counties have put a definite strain on the infrastructure of many areas. Is everyone really happy about that? We all have our reasons for selecting NC and those reasons are near and dear to us. But how does the general population really feel?

Even though the housing prices for some of us seem cheap, are we driving up the price for the locals and shutting them out of the market? I hear the traffic situtation is not so great now and it could be because of poor planning or the recent influx of families. Taxes are low now, but for how long. We've created overcrowding in the schools. I just don't want to have on rose colored glasses and think everyone is happy about the recent demands we are putting on many small town governments.


When B of A, Capital One, and the other large finanical institutions moved to Charlotte the local economy improved. How many of those jobs are now being taken by us? In some cases we are creating new opportunities and businesses that improve the quality of life for everyone. But is everyone happy about us?

Just throwing this out for insight? All right Charlotte, you tell me!

[miklaur]

I know as a transplant heading that way, the folks on this site have been so willing to help with everything and also very kind.

[berryjuice4life]

that is a catch 22 question..Living in jersey MOST of the influx the last 5 years majorily have been Staten Island NY and surround areas of NY to Monmouth/Ocean county NJ....In the same token people were really p'od about all of us moving in the roads are horrible, the schools are overcrowded and tons of traffic..However our schools also Improved so much because of the influx it wasnt such a bad thing in the long run....I think it holds true with most places, right now ITS NC in a few years it will be somewhere else....People are being forced out of their home towns because they just cant afford to live there...but I agree with MIK alot of the people have been very helpful and I have to say alot of people on the boards have said most of NC are transplants...because unless you were born and raised there you ARE NOT a native...so to speak...JMO....

[warden]

Just trying to get a feel of how people feel about all the added expenses of our move to NC. Sometimes we forget how it is for the other side. I guess there are ups and downs on both sides. Just depends on which window you're looking at the situation from. No harm intended. I know lots of folks review this site without responding. I just wanted to get the natives opinion.

[SummerGirl]

I am a 'native' of charlotte - one of the few you will find. Personally, I can say I have mixed feelings about the influx of transplants from the midwest and northeast.

As far as the strains on our infrastructure, I really feel that the economic growth outweighs that.

I work for Bank of America, and am aware of the benefits brought to Charlotte by banking. Charlotte has grown by leaps and bounds just in the last 10 years. When I was growing up, people rarely went uptown for anything unless they worked there. Now, uptown has a fairly booming social scene of young professionals. I even live uptown myself. Those kinds of changes are great, and I hope to see more! Charlotte has always felt like a great city that never got the 'big city' recognition it deserved - we kind of fell in Atlanta's shadow.

That said, I do kind of regret that Charlotte is losing its character somewhat. It doesn't even feel like a southern city in a lot of ways. I've always loved old southern towns like Savannah and Charleston, and I hate to see Charlotte lose that part of itself.

We native Charlotteans will have to embrace the city Charlotte is becoming - which is really a big melting pot of people from everywhere, and a mish mash of local cultures from around the U.S.

[JakeDog]

Transplants far outnumber any "locals". Most of my friends are from somewhere else, but I've found the locals (at least the educated ones) to be very nice and welcoming. Charlotte is an easy place to make friends b/c so many people are relatively "new" to the area and don't have pre-existing social contacts.

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by SummerGirl

I am a 'native' of charlotte - one of the few you will find. Personally, I can say I have mixed feelings about the influx of transplants from the midwest and northeast.

As far as the strains on our infrastructure, I really feel that the economic growth outweighs that.

I work for Bank of America, and am aware of the benefits brought to Charlotte by banking. Charlotte has grown by leaps and bounds just in the last 10 years. When I was growing up, people rarely went uptown for anything unless they worked there. Now, uptown has a fairly booming social scene of young professionals. I even live uptown myself. Those kinds of changes are great, and I hope to see more! Charlotte has always felt like a great city that never got the 'big city' recognition it deserved - we kind of fell in Atlanta's shadow.

That said, I do kind of regret that Charlotte is losing its character somewhat. It doesn't even feel like a southern city in a lot of ways. I've always loved old southern towns like Savannah and Charleston, and I hate to see Charlotte lose that part of itself.

We native Charlotteans will have to embrace the city Charlotte is becoming - which is really a big melting pot of people from everywhere, and a mish mash of local cultures from around the U.S.

Suumer, Very nicely said!

[miklaur]

As a transplant on their way, what you said makes me kind of sad Summergirl . I would think "southern" was part of the draw of folks heading your way. I would think a lot feel that way so it is sad to hear that it is being lost somewhat.

[SummerGirl]

It is kind of sad. You will still find parts of 'Old Charlotte' that have that spirit, but they are dwindling somewhat.

Don't get me wrong, you will still find a lot of friendly southerners around! My view is a little disorted because I live, work and often play uptown where a native charlottean is a rare thing indeed! Most of the people I interact with have moved here to work for the Bank, or one of those other banks... In the suburbs you will find more natives.

There is still a lot of the south here - we do bbq our own way, racing is obviously pretty big (not a fan myself), family is important, being sweet and polite is important , we like our streets wide and tree-lined, etc. My family is from Charlotte, and all of their friends and their families are from Charlotte, so it definitely exists. It's just kind of a mixed bag of old and new right now, and I'm afraid the new is going to lose out. We are losing some folks to huntersville to the north and fort mill to the south. Hopefully the city will be smart about planning and preserving the old neighborhoods and historic buildings. we shall see!

[Carolina_native]

Huntersville is pretty much devoid of any culture. The culture of Huntersville is retail. Its true. Most Lake Norman cities and towns have been built up only recently. About 90% of these towns didnt exist 5-10 years ago.