Charlotte or Columbia?

[july2879]

Comparing Columbia and Charlotte is like comparing day and night. There is no comparison between the two other than the fact they are both cities in the carolinas. I was born and raised in Columbia, SC and lived there for 25 years. I now reside in Charlotte, NC. I must say that overall, Columbia is a decent city with a lot of things to offer. Now, with that being said, I do agree that Charlotte has more to offer simply because of it's size. Charlotte is bigger than Columbia...that is a fact. However, each city has it's advantages and disadvantages of each other depending on what you are looking for in either city. If you want a bigger city atmosphere with a vibrant night-life, shopping and sporting events, then Charlotte is by all means the city for you. If you want a city that has things to do but has a more "laid-back" and "relaxed" atmosphere, then Columbia is the city for you. One of the main differences I have noticed between Charlotte and Columbia is Columbia has more historical culture than Charlotte. In Columbia, there are many more preserved historical buildings and homes. Many of the "old" downtown Columbia buildings & homes that were not destroyed during the Civil War still stand today and are in use. However, there are very few building left from "old" Charlotte. But, Charlotte is a newer city than Columbia so that accounts for a lot of that. Personally, I like both cities equally for different reasons. I would not bash either city because both of them have their advantages. It just really depends what you are looking for in the city you choose to live.

[july2879]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

Yes, fashion is what we're all worried about. If I have an overwhelming desire to purchase clothes I can't locate in Columbia(rare), I would go to New York to shop, not to Charlotte.

As far as the gay community, as mentioned by Temeteron without any hard data; Columbia has so much more per capita than Charlotte does. Pride Parade? Columbia yes, Charlotte no. First community center in the Carolina's? Columbia yes, Charlotte no. When the Human Rights Campaign Foundation had a fundraising dinner in Charlotte they asked Charlotte's mayor to give the welcome speech. Guess who refused and guess which city's mayor gave the welcome in Charlotte? Yes, Columbia's.

I will have to agree with this statement. Even though Charlotte is a larger city and has a larger population, Columbia is more gay-friendly. You would think it would be the other way around but it's not. I give Columbia major kudos for this!

[TimKat]

how about the humidity in both cities? i dont mind heat but HATE sticky humid weather

[waccamatt]

The humidity is pretty similar. Pretty much anywhere on the eastern seaboard is going to be humid during the summer.

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by july2879

I will have to agree with this statement. Even though Charlotte is a larger city and has a larger population, Columbia is more gay-friendly. You would think it would be the other way around but it's not. I give Columbia major kudos for this!

Have to disagree. Charlotte has a very very large gay community. Charlotte also has there own gay pride...separate from the NC Gay Pride. Reaon the parade is in Columbia because that is probably where the SC Gay Pride is held.

Does Columbia have their own Gay Pride in addition to the SC Gay Pride? Not sure...but Charlotte is large enough to host their own as well.

Charlotte has several predominately gay/gay friendly neighborhoods in town. Being accepted for being gay is NEVER an issue in any area of town in Charlotte. Rural areas are different...but that is not Charlotte.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Have to disagree. Charlotte has a very very large gay community. Charlotte also has there own gay pride...separate from the NC Gay Pride. Reaon the parade is in Columbia because that is probably where the SC Gay Pride is held.

Does Columbia have their own Gay Pride in addition to the SC Gay Pride? Not sure...but Charlotte is large enough to host their own as well.

Charlotte has several predominately gay/gay friendly neighborhoods in town. Being accepted for being gay is NEVER an issue in any area of town in Charlotte. Rural areas are different...but that is not Charlotte.

SC Gay Pride is based in Columbia and held in Columbia. The thing I don't care for with the Pride event in Charlotte is that there is no parade and just a festival, making it more of a "hidden" event. Columbia's parade travels through the Vista area and the Festival is held at Finlay Park. By the way, it will be held on September 20th this year. I find the mayor and city council to be much friendlier to our community than do the elected officials in Charlotte. That doesn't necessarily mean that Charlotte isn't a good place to live if you're gay, but I'd prefer to have elected officials that understand issues that are important to me, just like everyone else would.

[cultural2]

Shaq

What's the gay scene like in Columbia? How are gay people treated? My partner are considering Columbia as a retirement location. We are 62 & 69.

Any and all comments are appreciated.

[waccamatt]

Cultural, I addressed a lot of those issues a few posts ago. Columbia is one of the most accepting cities in the southeast, IMO.

[joe of the south]

A city's size is not a predicate to how liveable it is. I'm from Columbia but currently live in Dallas. Dallas is overwhelming with its traffic and population. But beside being much bigger than any Carolina city there is not that much more to do here. I'm not a big sports fan beside what I can watch on television. The malls here are plentiful and huge but how many times can someone visit a mall without it becoming staid. There are some good museums here but the same is true for Charlotte and Columbia. Plus it gets hotter here than Columbia ever thought about being. I'm actually looking forward to returning to Columbia after my contract is up and enjoying the mountains and Pawleys Island again. Dallas does offer something good though, and that is a strong job market for IT work, fairly cheap housing, and no income or car tax!

[Nausikaa]

The nice thing about Columbia is that it's central - you get easily get to the beach, the lake, or the mountains. Not far from Charlotte for the bigger airport. Can make trips to Savannah, Hilton Head, Atlanta. It's a nice place to live.