Do I belong in Charlotte? (apartment complex, lease, loans)

[woahdell]

I know this is just a forum and people do not know me exactly, but let's just say this...I am currently a college student from Carbondale, IL (almost in Kentucky)..many people hear IL and immediately think that everything is like Chicago..but it isn't. I would definitely consider it much much much more Southern than Chicago. I really like St. Louis, and I am going to Charlotte this summer to check it out..but I was wondering what you guys though prior to me going.

Some facts:
-I'm going to be 22 when I go there
-I'm moving by myself
-I'm looking for a job (my majors are advertising and sociology)
-I prefer warmer weather
-I think Chicago is too fast paced for me
-My dog will be around 12 pounds full grown

Now my questions are...is it easy to meet people? Are there many job opportunities in the marketing/ad fields? How fast paced is Charlotte? Are most apartments pet friendly (and don't require ridiculous deposits)? Where would be the best place to live but still manageable on a recent grad paying off loans? THANKS to anyone to has any answers!

[DGarth08]

Hey there!

I can provide some input based on my experience moving here. I was also 22 when I moved to Charlotte back in October and I am 23 now. I can say that I have had some trouble meeting people that are "my age". In that, I'm saying people 21 to 25 years old. I have met a lot of people, however, that I socialize with regularly. May I strongly recommend the website Meetup.com? There you can join tons of social groups around the Charlotte area and meet many new friends and acquaintances. I, myself, am part of Charlotte Young Adults and Usual Suspects, two great groups of people. Plus, it's free! =)

I decided to live in the Dilworth area which is south of Uptown (Downtown). You're close to Uptown plus you get to enjoy the trees and other suburb-like qualities. Plus East Blvd is full of shops, places to eat, etc. The apartment complex I went with was Camden Dilworth, but it's pretty expensive and I plan on moving somewhere cheaper once my lease is up. You'll have to shop around, but the general rule is the closer to Uptown you go the more expensive it's going to be. However, for people our age, Uptown's supposed to be the place to be with everything that goes on there on a regular basis. =)

[chicagocubs]

FIRST AND FOREMOST: SECURE YOUR JOB BEFORE CONSIDERING YOUR MOVE.

Our job market is much worse than even Chicago's. There are literally thousands of very well qualified and experienced people looking for work here. So, before you even THINK about moving, HAVE A JOB!!!

[DGarth08]

Chicagocubs is absolutely right! Make sure you have a job before moving. I didn't move here until I found a job and almost didn't move here because the market seemed to be pretty tight back then also. Just to throw this out there, I would never think of moving ANYWHERE without having a job first. I figured it was just common sense. Maybe I'm wrong? =/

[jstevens44]

I'm from St. Louis. Go Cards.

You'll like in Charlotte. Get a job first though...just like they say.

[JanuaryGirl]

I think a lot depends on what kind of job you are looking for... The Chicago/Chicago suburban area is going to have many more advertising and market research companies that are likely to hire people with your educational background. There are not nearly as many ad firms here, nor are there the consulting/market research firms that Chicago has that may hire you if you have SPSS/questionnaire knowledge. Do you know what type of work you're looking for? Do you have any specialized experience/skills?

That being said, as a Chicago native, I find this area to be much slower-paced (in a good way), people much nicer, traffic and weather much easier. There's not as much in the way of nightlife, so meeting people may be more difficult, but if you are proactive I'm sure you will make friends.

As far as the cost goes, just know that a lot of the trendier/more in-demand areas rival the prices found in Chicago neighborhoods and the burbs (although, places here will have more amenities and be newer). However, there is a MUCH wider range of prices here in general, but I thought some of the apartments in "nicer" areas (whatever that means, lol!) were surprisingly expensive.

[woahdell]

Thanks for the advice..yeah, I already do have a job lined up. It's not getting paid as much as I would like but I obviously am going to be a recent grad. I don't think I could do Chicago even though they have so many ad firms..I have lived 25 miles away from Chicago my whole left (before I came to college) and didn't even really like visiting very often. I want to live somewhere that is warmer and a much smaller city...but still a city. Getting laid off is obviously something I would have to consider though, especially since unemployment rates are high.

[Firefli514]

I moved to Indian Land/ Fort Mill, SC (just south of charlotte) about a month and a half ago. I would definitely recommend this area if you'd prefer to not be "in the city"... it has a little bit more of a small town feel, but is still close to the amenities of the city. We've also found it to be pretty affordable. Like everyone else said though...be grateful you have that job lined up b/c I can't even seem to land an interview...I think i've applied for over 100 jobs.

[anifani821]

I know Carbondale . . . believe it or not. :-) Hubby is from St Louis. I agree. You would be more at home in Charlotte (or parts of STL) than CHI. I have a son in CHI, but he is older than you and married, living in the burbs. But he also would like to get to Charlotte - or back to Kansas City, MO. He grew up in Kansas City, wh/ would be another city that you probably would be comfortable living in. We have nieces and nephews in St Louis and they have found some neat areas - such as the Italian section ("the Hill") wh/ seems to be a great place for the under 30 crowd. I agree that Dilworth would be a good fit for you. Just have to work out what fits for your budget.

I hope you can come visit and see what you think . . . GOOD LUCK!