How does Charlotte compare to Detroit? (Raleigh, Huntersville: 2009, crime, neighborhood)

[SciTeach]

I am looking to relocate to NC. I am a teacher just outside Detroit, and 90% of my students are from Detroit. I am a science teacher looking at jobs in Charlotte. I am just wondering how Charlotte compared to Detroit in terms of school safety and student poverty rates.

Thanks!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by SciTeach

I am looking to relocate to NC. I am a teacher just outside Detroit, and 90% of my students are from Detroit. I am a science teacher looking at jobs in Charlotte. I am just wondering how Charlotte compared to Detroit in terms of school safety and student poverty rates.

Thanks!

OHMYGOSH, there is hardly a way to compare the two!

First of all, Detroit has several hundred thousand more in population than Charlotte, and MUCH worse crime and inner city problems. Didn't ya'll have almost 400 people murdered there in 2007? Here in Charlotte our murder rate has been between 70 and 80 a year the last few years. This is a new, clean city with a great quality of life. Our weather is good year round - with the exception of few hot, humid weeks in August People who come here from the depressed areas of Michigan and Ohio usually love it. Our "inner city schools" won't look like what you call inner city schools - though we do have some struggling schools in our higher poverty prone areas that are high minority unfortunately. We do not bus here any longer, our kids go to neighborhood schools and our school system is county wide - one big system. We have some great award winning schools, some struggling schools a real mixed bag. Coming from what you are coming from, I think you'd survive just fine.

[chicagocubs]

not a teacher, but, as one who has visited Detroit, you will be pleasantly surprised with Charlotte as an area overall.

[Akhenaton06]

It doesn't.

[bs13690]

I would also agree that Charlotte is much safer. I have never actually been to Detroit so this is just based on news I have seen and read.

You can compare the two at:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Charlo...-Carolina.html
http://www.city-data.com/city/Detroit-Michigan.html

[ua835]

As a native Michigander now living in Charlotte (by way of Chicago) I can definitely say that moving here was one of the best decisions we've made. Note that I'm not in teaching so can't comment on the differences, and as many others have said wouldn't move here without a job already lined up.

Having lived in Detroit's far suburbs, near suburbs, and downtown, one of the main differences I've noticed is that in Charlotte, there are nicer suburbs closer to the city center than in the D. Some of the inner-ring and second ring suburbs are equivalent to what you'd have to drive all the way out to northern Macomb or Oakland county to find.

IMHO, Living here provides a better opportunity for taking long weekend trips. You can be in the mountains, the Ocean, and major hisorical sites in less than 3 hours. And if that isn't enough, having CLT as a hub airport means you can get to most of the US and many international destinations in a single flight.

I can honestly say that my biggest disappointment in moving here was finding out that the Carolina Hurricanes play in Raleigh - miss those Red Wings!

Also wouldn't mind a more relaxed attitude about casino gambling ..., but hey, that's just me.

[urbancharlotte]

Originally Posted by SciTeach

I am looking to relocate to NC. I am a teacher just outside Detroit, and 90% of my students are from Detroit. I am a science teacher looking at jobs in Charlotte. I am just wondering how Charlotte compared to Detroit in terms of school safety and student poverty rates.

Thanks!

Wow!!!! Detroit!!! Well first of all, I love older cities like Detroit with its grit and density. With that said, most folks would find Charlotte more desirable in just about every other category. If I had my pick, I would actually choose Detroit. I only say this because I truly believe Detroit will rebound and those that invest in it now will be quite pleased with their returns in about 15 to 20 years.

However, I get the feeling you are not looking to wait around for Detroit's uncertain rebound. In that case, MOVE TO CHARLOTTE and you won't be sorry!!!

[NCgirl]

If wikipedia is correct CMS has less schools but more students than Detroit Public Schools.

Detroit Public Schools (DPS) is a school district that covers all of the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The student population of the Detroit Public Schools is 94,054 (2008-2009). The district has 194 schools (2008)

As previously mentioned, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district includes all of the cities in Mecklenburg county - Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Huntersville.

Here are some "Fast Facts" from the CMS website.

[Barkingowl]

I think we have less dogfights & fires than Detroit does.

[zwally]

This is a DREAM compared to where I worked 2 years ago in Detroit (Dearborn border- Charter School). We LOVE it here! Yes, teaching here without a union is a LOT more work with a LOT more responsibility for a LOT less money. Yes, the benefits are not as good. BUT, the work environment is amazing! I picked my school very VERY carefully here- with strong administration. I wouldn't go back unless I had a job guarantee and it was in Plymouth-Canton or Rochester school districts (that's the type of school I work in now). Plus, being close to the ocean was a MUST for me (and I used to drive from Westland to Rochester every day for class on 696 at 5pm)- so I don't mind driving 3 1/2 hours and it doesn't seem very long from my perspective! PM me if you have any particular questions.