Charlotte vs Raleigh: No holds barred! (Durham, Graham: high crime, taxation, shop)
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Yes I've been to Charlotte but like most people I know in the Raleigh area, I'm more likely to travel to Wilmington or Asheville than Charlotte. My point about the population obviously went straight over your head.
Besides banking, Charlotte is best know for Nascar, Pro Wrestling,and backwoods evangalism. I'm glad Raleigh is not know for any of those things. Remember Chuck Amato, NC State's old football coach.....well that's what Charlotte reminds me of as a city.
No mean to insult, but most people unfortunately think Charlotte is a redneck city. I can say it feels more southern than RDU, but that's just the way it is. My brothers ex girlfriend from High Point of all places, said it was full of a bunch of country people in a big city.
Useless misleading stats once again. You have little credibility. If I've never been to Charlotte and went off of your comments alone. I would expect to Charlotte to look and feel exactly like Atlanta or Houston. Once I arrive, I would feel extremely disappointed. Not that Charlotte isn't a great city, but it's just not what you're making it out to be.
I've stated time and time again (on this thread) which cities Charlotte is most comparable to (midsized midwester cities like Indy, Cincy, Columbus, Louisville, KC and the likes). It is YOU that don't seem to understand what I (and other posters) have said. "Carolina Blue" said it best one page ago. You may want to re-read his post since you have a problem with my explanations. While you are at it, you may wish to re-read the props I gave Raleigh on that page too.
Trust me, I've taken the time to read a few of your old posts (and carolinadreamin's old post) and it is quite clear how you two feel about Charlotte no matter what evidence someone presents to this debate.
With that said, I think it is only fair to note that Raleigh was actually larger than Charlotte back in the 1800s. My question is what the heck happened to y'all's city? Based on Raleigh's 1850 population (4,500) vs Charlotte's 1850 population (1,000) Raleigh should be 4 1/2 times Charlotte's size by now! The fact that Charlotte is larger than Raleigh today kinda shows which town has embraced "progress" and "forward thinking" the most over the last 160 years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by metro.m
No mean to insult, but most people unfortunately think Charlotte is a redneck city. I can say it feels more southern than RDU, but that's just the way it is. My brothers ex girlfriend from High Point of all places, said it was full of a bunch of country people in a big city.
Here is Raleigh's (and Charlotte's) official promotions video. You tell me which town is more "country" now.
No mean to insult, but most people unfortunately think Charlotte is a redneck city. I can say it feels more southern than RDU, but that's just the way it is. My brothers ex girlfriend from High Point of all places, said it was full of a bunch of country people in a big city.
Just my personal observation (and I'm not insulting Charlotte), it's like I said, just an observation:
I live in Charlotte and I have been to the RDU area, and I can understand what you're saying. RDU as a whole is more liberal, educated, etc. I've always said that Charlotte feels like a big city and RDU "acts" like a big city, if that makes any sense. And Gastonia, Concord, and Rock Hill are nothing like Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill...
With that said, I think it is only fair to note that Raleigh was actually larger than Charlotte back in the 1800s. My question is what the heck happened to y'all's city? Based on Raleigh's 1850 population (4,500) vs Charlotte's 1850 population (1,000) Raleigh should be 4 1/2 times Charlotte's size by now! The fact that Charlotte is larger than Raleigh today kinda shows which town has embraced "progress" and "forward thinking" the most over the last 160 years.
Why do you keep insisting that a bigger city is naturally better? Is Detroit better than Charlotte to you?....I would hope not.
Raleigh is also richer than Charlotte:
The Richest and Poorest Counties and Cities in the US : Rachel’s Tavern (http://www.rachelstavern.com/uncategorized/the-richest-and-poorest-counties-and-cities-in-the-us.html - broken link)
Plus, Raleigh has rickshas to carry you down Glenwood! Seriously, neither city is world-class as of right now. I have lived in both cities and they are different, and are both good places to live. I prefer Charlotte, but that is just me.
However, from an outsiders point of view, I can't see people seeing them as all that different. They are both southern cities - heck, i've heard many people refer to going on a trip to various places in NC as just "going to Carolina" for the weekend, instead of the specific place they were going.
Just my personal observation (and I'm not insulting Charlotte), it's like I said, just an observation:
I live in Charlotte and I have been to the RDU area, and I can understand what you're saying. RDU as a whole is more liberal, educated, etc. I've always said that Charlotte feels like a big city and RDU "acts" like a big city, if that makes any sense. And Gastonia, Concord, and Rock Hill are nothing like Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill...
I can agree with this, however, some folks often get "as a whole" confused with the cities of Raleigh and Charlotte themselves. Metro Charlotte (outside of Mecklenburg county) is quite backwards when compared to Metro Raleigh. This is due to Raleigh having other cities of interests surrounding it. Charlotte is not really surrounded by other "cities". Charlotte is surrounded by "rural towns". Eventhough these "rural towns" are almost as large as Durham and Orange counties, they still have a "rural mentality".
I am in an interracial marriage, and I will admit that my wife and I felt more comfortable in Chapel Hill than we EVER did in Concord. However, within Charlotte and Raleigh themselves, I would say Charlotte has more couples like us than Raleigh. My most recent visit to the Triangle was last year, so my observations are somewhat up to date.
Just my personal observation (and I'm not insulting Charlotte), it's like I said, just an observation:
I live in Charlotte and I have been to the RDU area, and I can understand what you're saying. RDU as a whole is more liberal, educated, etc. I've always said that Charlotte feels like a big city and RDU "acts" like a big city, if that makes any sense. And Gastonia, Concord, and Rock Hill are nothing like Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill...
You know what, nyxmike, being that you are from Charlotte, I definately see where you are coming from. The city of Charlotte, I feel, is very progressive, but the rest of the region has not caught up with Charlotte. Some of those counties, like Gaston County, is definately redneck to the core, and I think that is what's hurting Charlotte in terms of perception. Maybe if Cabarrus or Union County we're like the areas that surround RDU, Charlotte wouldn't be viewed negatively in terms of that perception. I do wish that in time, the entire Charlotte region will be more cosmopolitan in nature instead of "redneckish." Outside of that, I do feel that Charlotte as a city is a wonderful and progressive city, however, I believe there is more work to be done, it hasn't arrived yet. It'll get there in time. I believe as the entire region grows, it's bound to change at some point. I love Charlotte, that's where I want to eventually be, however, I want to see more change come not only to the city of Charlotte itself, but to the entire region. I do not want to continue seeing a big city in the middle of "hickville." Charlotte is a blue city, but the rest of the region isn't!
Last edited by prwfromnc; 09-11-2009 at 02:45 PM..
I can agree with this, however, some folks often get "as a whole" confused with the cities of Raleigh and Charlotte themselves. Metro Charlotte (outside of Mecklenburg county) is quite backwards when compared to Metro Raleigh. This is due to Raleigh having other cities of interests surrounding it. Charlotte is not really surrounded by other "cities". Charlotte is surrounded by "rural towns". Eventhough these "rural towns" are almost as large as Durham and Orange counties, they still have a "rural mentality".
I am in an interracial marriage, and I will admit that my wife and I felt more comfortable in Chapel Hill than we EVER did in Concord. However, within Charlotte and Raleigh themselves, I would say Charlotte has more couples like us than Raleigh. My most recent visit to the Triangle was last year, so my observations are somewhat up to date.
I totally agree with what you have said UrbanCharlotte. You are so right on in your post. Like I've said on my previous post, Charlotte itself is quite blue, but they are really surrounded by other rather rural towns that are still backwards and redneck in nature. Hopefully that will change once you see an large influx of transplants over time.
Within the AA community, Atlanta (then Charlotte) are tops on the list of places people wish to go or live in the Southeast. Memphis and Birmingham are also tops on this short list.
Must be just to visit; don't really know of anyone who's clamoring to move to B-ham or Memphis these days.
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Based on Raleigh's 1850 population (4,500) vs Charlotte's 1850 population (1,000) Raleigh should be 4 1/2 times Charlotte's size by now! The fact that Charlotte is larger than Raleigh today kinda shows which town has embraced "progress" and "forward thinking" the most over the last 160 years.
