How does it compare? Hospitalist moving to Charlotte in a few months from Cleveland :) (Monroe: car insurance, crime rates)
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Comparing SA to any place else is nearly impossible. Texas is a universe unto itself, first of all. Don't get me wrong - I really like many regions in Texas. Really fond of the Dallas burbs. You have to understand - if you live in Texas, especially SA, you have a very different history there. The region is heavily influenced by all things Spanish/Mexican. Plus, the climate and weather are very different than here.
I have spent time in SA and really love visiting there. Love the vitality along the River Walk. However, it is not some place I would choose to live fulltime. But that is a very individual decision. You may love it there! But comparing any of NC to SA . . . I don't know how to even do that. To me, it is like two different worlds in many ways. It would be like trying to compare Interlaken, Switzerland to Dubai. You see what I mean?
First thank you for your reply,
Well I cannot change my mind now and go to SA, too late, hahaah, I signed a contract long time ago, and I don't regret it, because my feeling is that I am gonna be upgrading regardless of which one,,,, because I am gonna be coming from Cleveland, in which we really froze to death this winter, we witness -10 fah. degrees and felt like -25 according to them? Oh my sweet Jesus? you have no idea what this felt like,,, you can freeze a pop in less than a minute if left there "I called it liquid nitrogen effect ",, so either way, I am gonna be happy with the move, but asking about SA, because my best friend is moving there, we are very close, moer than brothers, and he just had a job in SA, and loved the city, but he didn't see CLT,,, so tough to ask him about a comparison... that is why I am fumbling for some one who had the feel of both cities like you ,,, and tasted both,,,,
by the way what do you look for in a place to live in? because I don't think it can be that individual? and why SA couldn't satisfy that for you?
Apple to Oranges uh,,, I see,,, then what is so distinguished about Charlotte?
Like I said I am gonna be working In CMC-Union hospital... and thinking about Matthiews for houses 28104 is gonna be my zip code,, I think for schools are better than Mcb 28105,,, is that right too?
are house in Charlotte cheaper than Cleveland? I felt that but people say not really?
Thank you so much for your elaborated, and detailed message, I appreciate your time spent typing all this about it, you must be really a fan of CLT.
And compared to Clevelan how does it compare?
What about the schools? does it have to be private?
If you live in Matthiews and your commute is to Monroe daily, is that a bad commute?
There is tax on food I heard, there, which we don't have in Cleveland.
Compared to Pittsburgh how does Charlotte compare? because I spent a lot of time in Pittsburgh, but didn't wanna go there because the weather is not that much different from ours in Cleveland? besides the very high liability on physicians known in PA.
soooma
You are very welcome. No, I am not a huge fan of Charlotte - I actually like many things about living in the Kansas City metro more than I like about Charlotte. I also liked my neighborhood there better than any place I have lived in my entire life. However, there are things here that I really enjoy, especially our mountains and the access to the coast. Plus, my family has been here since the 1700s, so this is my home. I have a life that is very entwined w/ the history and people of this region - and with Southern Culture and traditions. My roots are here, but I actually loved living in the Midwest - even tho I missed the Blue Ridge mountains the whole time I was living west of the Mississippi, LOL!!! You might say I clearly see the deficiencies as well as the assets of this region.
Pittsburgh and Cleveland . . . I think there are some areas of Cleveland that would compare to some areas of Charlotte and perhaps the same with Pittsburgh. With Pittsburgh - a more industrial history . . .also, you have Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne and Pitt there, wh/ is a big plus. Pittsburgh's urban center is a lot more dense than Charlotte's. There are things about Pittsburgh which remind me of Kansas City more than Charlotte. Also, the fact that it is a port has a big role in the "feel" of Pittsburgh as a city.
I don't live in Matthews so can't comment on the commute to Monroe, so maybe someone else can advise on that.
You asked why I would not choose to live in SA. Now, if transferred there, I would put a smile on my face and find everything I could about the area to enjoy it!!! I do love Tex Mex food, for one thing! Heat is one reason I would prefer not living in SA, but again, one adjusts. I just find a lot of SA's outlying areas to be kind of depressed and unkempt, but that is me. I like very manicured burbs. I truly love living in the burbs, so that is one reason I like Charlotte. We have beautiful suburban neighborhoods here, w/ upscale shopping, restaurants, healthcare, etc. nearby.
You asked why I would not choose to live in SA. Now, if transferred there, I would put a smile on my face and find everything I could about the area to enjoy it!!! I do love Tex Mex food, for one thing! Heat is one reason I would prefer not living in SA, but again, one adjusts. I just find a lot of SA's outlying areas to be kind of depressed and unkempt, but that is me. I like very manicured burbs. I truly love living in the burbs, so that is one reason I like Charlotte. We have beautiful suburban neighborhoods here, w/ upscale shopping, restaurants, healthcare, etc. nearby.
Well I didn't have much of an option, because when relocation, I have to look for certain Egyptian communities to socialize with and be able to speak my native language, which quenches my homesickness
So where you would rank Charlotte as a place for relocation "a small family like us".... According to USA magazine #1,,, but according to some locals and transplants,,, which baffles me,,, it is bland,,, and nothing to see in Charlotte itself,,,
I love the idea of access to the ocean,,, and I don't know what's special about the blue mountains,, not the slightest idea about what a family can do or enjoy there? do you drive on the mountains? do you hike? what exactly?
and by the way,,, what are the really nice beaches on the east coast, that are considered good access from Charlotte?
Wow finally a Clevelander responded,,, I appreciate your input, what about Legacy village and Crocker Park style in CLT?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZnGuy
I moved from Cleveland (Chagrin Falls) about 4-1/2 years ago with kids 8 and 10yrs old. We have never regretted it. I could have moved anywhere east of Mississippi River with my job and never put a foot in NC prior to considering move. I researched Raleigh and Charlotte and could have ended up in eather town but somehow locked in on CLT. We built in Weddington and back then there housing was probably 15% or so cheaper here than in Chagrin which is a costly area. My house up there had property taxes of $12k, comprable house here is $4-4.5k in taxes. Housing seemed to be a little more expensive in nice areas in Raleigh. Some things I noticed down here is the sun shines many more days, the weather is very pleasant, people look at you when you walk by and say hello, and people seem very happy in general here. Most people are transplants from the North and in neighborhoods most seem motivated to meet and make new friends. The area seems to be young and I know in Union County the K or 1st grade level is the largest class. There are many beautiful neighborhoods and most have great ammenities (pool, tennis, etc) which is great for kids. I do run into other ex-Clevelanders and many just love it here.
Well,,, what about the
roads, malls what else otherthan Southpark,,,,, is there any place in Charlotte,,, like Legacy village and Crocker park because these are really very nice places,,, that I am 100% gonna miss much,,,
and if you missed Cleveland let me help you reminesce a little here? to help you with a possible nostalgia for snow and icicles.
Oh, homesickness. It is just not an easy thing to deal with when making such a big change as you have. I hope you will find others who will be supportive and can share memories of Egypt with you. I can only imagine what a change this is going to be.
Well, when we were deciding if it were time to "come back" home (I have elderly parents here) . . . we felt that if DH could get a job in Charlotte, it would definitely be one of the best places in the South to make our home. Charlotte is very family-oriented. As I have mentioned, I prefer suburbs, but I want very robust suburbs.
I live in S. CLT and w/in 2.5 miles of my house - I have everything I need. I don't want just the basics; I want upscale shopping (as well as bargain shopping, LOL) . . . I want big box DIY stores, cause we like to do home projects. I want centers of excellence w/ the healthcare nearby . . . excellent schools (both public and private) and a great variety of restaurants - mom n pop restaurants, fast food, Indian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Italian, Mexican . . . I want upscale restaurants for that special nite out as well as chain restaurants, such as Olive Garden. Then throw in a Post Office, Fed Ex, Staples . . . and a good Y or gym . . . bank branches . . . I want it all, and want it close by so I don't waste time and money driving all over the place. Hairdresser/barber, bookstores . . . and that is what I have where I live. I want to be very comfortable in a safe neighborhood where kids can play outdoors. I want to know if there is an emergency, EMS will be there quickly! Charlotte has these things, but some areas are more this description than others. However, the point is - you can find what you want here for your family. And great outdoor activities - especially golf, tennis, hiking.
There are some really neat towns/villages in our mountains. Besides the gorgeous views, places to camp and hike, our mountain range is the OLDEST IN THE WORLD!!! Yes! Whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing . . . fly fishing . . . hunting . . . and some of the most beautiful, romantic spots anywhere.
As for the coast, my favorite trip is to Charleston (MUSC there - great medical center). But also, I like the Georgetown - Litchfield Beach - Pawley's Island area. Isle of Palms . . . Bald head Island are also areas I enjoy. A longer trip would be to the Outer Banks, Nags Head, Manteo and Ocracoke Island. Or on up the Chesapeake Bay region in Virginia.
We moved from Hudson and out of the snow!! I definitely LOVE the weather here, hands down, even in winter is better than up there. There are plenty of warm weather days in winter, tomorrow it's supposed to be 65 degrees. Can't beat that. Even if it does snow, it's one day and it's melted same day. I haven't worried about weather issues here.
Neighborhoods that you are directed toward, I would say Southpark area, South Charlotte is what you're looking for. Ballantyne, Piper Glen area... check those locations out. When you talk about Legacy Village it brings back memories. I was there when that was first opened. I like comparing that too a few shopping areas around Charlotte. There is one up in Northlake area near the mall. In south Char, there is Blakeney. Awesome place to shop.
Please clarify number 12. What do you mean? Charlotte city has over 700,000. The metro area has 1.5 million. The CMA has 2.3 million. What do you mean when you say, "Is the city really losing its identity? because of people like us? I would like to respond, but I don't know what you mean. Who are people like you? Also, it might be helpful to know where you are from originally for the purpose of providing information, ie. restaurants, etc.
There has been a drought all over the southeast for the last couple of years. We are out of it now. It happens occasionally. It doesn't affect one's lifestyle very much though. Charlotte is a mediocre city that is growing at the rate of over 50,000 per year. It has nice everything. It probably isn't better than other cities at many things, yet the standard of living is higher than in most of the U.S. The climate and the location is good. We are three hours from the ocean and two from the mountains. There is an international airport here where one generally faces less hassles than other airports. The towns of Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville are great towns with all ammenities. They are very close to large hospitals (Mooresville, Huntersville) and, they are next to Lake Norman. What is your medical specialty? There is a lot of money around Lake Norman so there is a extraordinarily large amount of plastic surgeons.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soooma
Well,,, what about the
roads, malls what else otherthan Southpark,,,,, is there any place in Charlotte,,, like Legacy village and Crocker park because these are really very nice places,,, that I am 100% gonna miss much,,,
and if you missed Cleveland let me help you reminesce a little here? to help you with a possible nostalgia for snow and icicles.
soooma
Those pictures are the reason why I left Cleveland's snow belt, great town but just in wrong part of country. By the way, Southpark runs circles around Beachwood Place. We went to Legacy over the Holidays. There are many shopping spots Ballantyne, Blakeney, etc. but I would say Birkdale in Huntersville (north suburb of Charlotte) is probably close to the same concept. As far as the mountains (2 hrs away) Blowing Rock is a neet town to stroll around, beautiful country, neat shops and Biltmore Mansion in Ashville is unbelievable.
As for housing price comparison, you find taxes much lower. I'd think Weddington or Marvan may be a nice area for your family (good schools, close proximity 15-20min to Monroe). Housing in these areas are similar to some of the nice suburbs on east side of Cleveland. It was about 15% cheaper in Weddington than Bainbridge 4 yrs ago...not sure of current numbers. I sure don't miss the looong winter up north.
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