Charlotte, NC to Richmond, VA (Mechanicsville, Ashland: schools, universities, taxes)

[richmondpics]

Charlotte and Richmond are quite different cities. You were in one of the less desired areas of the city...

[Patsfan20]

All I can say is try to stay in Charlotte. I am moving back there after a year and a half in this ......um, I'll be nice. Just stay in CLT, and I'll meet you at a Teeter.

[NCN]

I visited a friend in a little town called Mineral right outside of Richmond. It was a beautiful area. You may want to look in that direction. Be sure to visit the doughnut shop in the downtown area of Mineral. When you get a dozen doughnuts, you are allowed one "Mineral" doughnut. It was a long, cream-filled, with white icing and coconut on top. Yum! Yum! Worth the trip to the town even if you find you don't want to live there. Hope that shop is still open.

[Patsfan20]

Originally Posted by Ahma

We "may" be relocating from the suburbs of Charlotte, NC to Richmond, VA. Charlotte is such a clean and beautiful city and so are the towns surrounding it. Does anyone know how Richmond compares to Charlotte?

At the moment I have been consumed with trying to find homes via internet southwest of Richmond. I have also been reading this forum to find out more about Richmond.

My husband presently works with people who grew up in the Richmond area and most say negative things about it. The company my husband works for will be relocating some of its employees to Richmond. We are surprised at how many of the original people who lived in Richmond say, they aren't and won't relocate back to that area. This is depressing to us when we hear them make those remarks. It makes us feel as if the word "deployed" to Richmond should be used instead of "relocating."

Leaving children and grandchildren behind here is overwhelmilgy depressing, within itself. But when we hear such negative comments about moving to the Richmond area we feel depressed.

All in all, we are trying to keep in mind, relocating can be an adventure and it's best for us to focus on the positive. We will be visiting the area of Richmond in a few weeks. Hopefully, we will make it a point to visit some historical sites in the city.

All I could tell you is find a way to make it work in CLT. I wish I could give you positive things about RIC, but like my Mom says.."If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Thats about all I gotta say about that Stay in Charlotte!!!!!

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by VA_Native

I'm not trying to knock Richmond but it's nothing like Charlotte (my personal opinion). I mean, Charlotte is an attractive city and Richmond just doesn't appeal to me. But hey, I stayed on the southside of Richmond for only 2 months so I wasn't really exposed to the city.

If you were in the southside of Richmond then thats the least attractive part of town. So I don't think your comparison can be truly valid unless you lived in the Real Richmond- The Fan, Monument Ave, etc.

Richmond is so beautiful. Charlotte seems to lack soul.

I know Southside is now part of Richmond, but many years ago, it wasnt part of the city.

[roanoker 4]

Charlotte is a new city, Richmond is an historical old city. If you like culture and the advantage of being 2 hrs to DC, 1 hr to Williamsburg, over 2 hrs to Va Beach, Richmond is a nice conservative place to live and raise a family.
There are parts of Richmond City that are ugly just like parts of Charlotte. I think when you try to compare the two cities look at the entire region. Richmonds' location is its huge advantage. I have relatives that grew up here in VA and found better opportunities in Charlotte. They love Charlotte but their favorite activity is major league sports, NASCAR and Billy Graham. Richmond would not be a good fit for them as I couldn't see them roaming through the Va Museum of Fine Arts, the new Botanical Garden, the Fan,
Shockhoe Slip, the science museum, etc. Also, Richmond has a shopping center on every corner, and not just Target or Kmart. I think real estate is much more expensive in Richmond so that could be a problem. Anyway, you will not feel deprived moving to Richmond coming from Charlotte. Both cities have special qualities but we are not that far apart either way!

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by roanoker 4

Charlotte is a new city, Richmond is an historical old city. If you like culture and the advantage of being 2 hrs to DC, 1 hr to Williamsburg, over 2 hrs to Va Beach, Richmond is a nice conservative place to live and raise a family.
There are parts of Richmond City that are ugly just like parts of Charlotte. I think when you try to compare the two cities look at the entire region. Richmonds' location is its huge advantage. I have relatives that grew up here in VA and found better opportunities in Charlotte. They love Charlotte but their favorite activity is major league sports, NASCAR and Billy Graham. Richmond would not be a good fit for them as I couldn't see them roaming through the Va Museum of Fine Arts, the new Botanical Garden, the Fan,
Shockhoe Slip, the science museum, etc. Also, Richmond has a shopping center on every corner, and not just Target or Kmart. I think real estate is much more expensive in Richmond so that could be a problem. Anyway, you will not feel deprived moving to Richmond coming from Charlotte. Both cities have special qualities but we are not that far apart either way!

Well.. Richmond hosts NASCAR events too.

And there's nothing wrong with Billy Graham.

But that aside, cultuarlly and asthetically, Richmond is far more appealing. Charlotte seems like a city that is about 5 years old.

[SAtoDallas]

My wife and I spent 3 yrs in Richmond 2001-2004 and it just wasn't for us. I do miss the spring and fall there though absolutely gorgeous times of the year. In our experiences we found that if you weren't from there people wouldn't talk to you, most of our friends were from "somewhere else". Maybe if you are super outgoing the case would be different that's just our experience. I had the pleasure of spending a few months in Charlotte and was quite impressed with how friendly the people are there, it also had a better vibe in my opinion. Like I stated earlier Richmond just wasn't for us, but we do miss the Crab House, the seasons and scenery and the proximity to DC(awsome yet not affordable).

[njcbrand]

We just moved from Richmond to Charlotte, and actually miss Richmond! Maymont is a gorgeous park. We lived on the border of Lakeside and West End, and really liked it--only a few minutes to shopping, but always drove by a big farm with corn and soybean fields on our way. Our neighborhood, Olde Hermitage, was an awesome gem--about 60 great houses with large yards tucked away among small houses, so the prices are much less than other comparables--$100,000 less, on average! Most neighbors had been there 10 years and never experienced any crime, so maybe we had a "bubble" view of Richmond, but we certainly enjoyed it. And being 1 mile from the intersection of Parham and Broad certainly was nice! Ah, the good old days. Hope you find something great!

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by Ahma

We "may" be relocating from the suburbs of Charlotte, NC to Richmond, VA. Charlotte is such a clean and beautiful city and so are the towns surrounding it. Does anyone know how Richmond compares to Charlotte?

At the moment I have been consumed with trying to find homes via internet southwest of Richmond. I have also been reading this forum to find out more about Richmond.

My husband presently works with people who grew up in the Richmond area and most say negative things about it. The company my husband works for will be relocating some of its employees to Richmond. We are surprised at how many of the original people who lived in Richmond say, they aren't and won't relocate back to that area. This is depressing to us when we hear them make those remarks. It makes us feel as if the word "deployed" to Richmond should be used instead of "relocating."

Leaving children and grandchildren behind here is overwhelmilgy depressing, within itself. But when we hear such negative comments about moving to the Richmond area we feel depressed.

All in all, we are trying to keep in mind, relocating can be an adventure and it's best for us to focus on the positive. We will be visiting the area of Richmond in a few weeks. Hopefully, we will make it a point to visit some historical sites in the city.

Hi Ahma,

There seem to have been a million discussions on who likes/dislikes Richmond and Charlotte in this forum. What it comes down to is that Richmond is historic, culture-rich and charasmatic. Charlotte is new, rapidly expanding, and clean-cut.

I have to say that anyone who would fill your head with negative comments when they know you're moving there (especially since it's because of work and not preference) is not too courteous! If they had any courtesy at all, they would try to give you helpful hints/tips and keep you positive; even if they don't like it. Heck, why don't they move if they're so unhappy???

I moved here a couple months ago, and I think this place is amazing! There is a ton of stuff to do, a ton of character, nice people, good economy, close to everything, etc... It is what YOU make of it. Keep positive, there's a lot to be happy about in Richmond!!!