ATl people how do you really feel about Charlotte?? (Atlanta: universities, store)

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

third largest vietnamese population and largest nigerian population.

ooooohhhhh mmmmyyyyyy gggooooddddd!!!!!
That is sssooooooo iiimmmmppprrrreeesssssiiiivveeeeeee!!!!!

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by WilliamM

Interesting. I guess I'm learning from this forum. I really didn't think Houston was necessarily a whole lot more cosmopolitan than Atlanta (I can't speak to Houston as I've only been there once for less than a day). Must be pretty cosmopolitan then. Which is surprising since it really tends to be rather isolated and overlooked when one thinks of major urban environments.

Is that right that SW Houston 'puts Buford Hwy to shame'? If so, then my next question would be that Atlanta has several other "ethnic" areas spread about the city. Is the same true for Houston? If so, then I'd say yeah maybe Houston is considerably more cosmopolitan than Atlanta. But if not, I'd suspect that it's really a matter of Houston having its diverse groups more densely located than Atlanta (which would mean, yet again!, Atlanta is being 'discounted' because of the whole city proper vs. metro pop problem, but it wouldn't be the first time!). But in general, I'm suspecting this is being overstated. I'm aware of Houston's SE Asian pop, and a large Chinese pop too, but don't forget Atlanta's got its own groups: Brazilians, Jamaicans, Indians, and above all, Koreans.

Anyway, if what you're saying about Houston is true then I'd say: Wow! Now THAT's a city that's truly justified in having a chip on its shoulder for sure! I mean, who ever thinks of Houston - other than those who happen to know it well - when thinking of America's most exciting cities? It would be a shame if it were really as exciting an area as is being said here and were simply overlooked just cause of the humidity and the mosquitoes.

I wasn't being a smartass, just spreading a fact around. Houston's suburbs are very diverse, while some are very "white". Houston is overlooked because lack of publicity and home of oil. Many celebrities have a strong hate against because we produce so much oil (Cher and Gore have been known to give Houston a bad rep).

[WilliamM]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

I wasn't being a smartass, just spreading a fact around. Houston's suburbs are very diverse, while some are very "white". Houston is overlooked because lack of publicity and home of oil. Many celebrities have a strong hate against because we produce so much oil (Cher and Gore have been known to give Houston a bad rep).

No no, that's not what I meant.

I'm genuinely curious about Houston. But the part about putting our beloved little Buford Hwy to shame piqued my interest. I'm thinking I need to get back there some time and see more of the place. Just probably not in summer.

[FromCLTtoATL]

QC Dreamin' ... as we have discussed on here before, we both miss Charlotte. I'd move back if that were a possibility. (But it's not right now).

I miss my church, my neighbors, my friends, etc. More than anything, I just didn't particularly want to uproot my life and move, even to the most fabulous city on Earth.

Beyond that, I also prefer a smaller city as I have gotten older, and Charlotte also seems cleaner and more efficient. Downtown Charlotte is infinitely nicer than downtown Atlanta.

That said, I spent much of my life coming here to Atlanta to have fun. Atlanta has great restaurants, some really cool neighborhoods and the TERRIFIC DeKalb Farmers Market. You really need to check it out if you haven't. It's right off Ponce. Nothing like it in Charlotte. Atlanta offers a lot more choices for dining and diversions. Once I sell my condo in Charlotte (Dear Jesus, will that EVER happen? Am I being tested like Job?) and get better work hours, I think I will warm up more and more to Atlanta and great things this area offers.

I had a friend from the QC drive through today, and we hung out, went to dinner in Decatur with a co-worker. Just that made me feel better about being here.

[WilliamM]

Originally Posted by FromCLTtoATL

Downtown Charlotte is infinitely nicer than downtown Atlanta.

You know, it's too bad we can't do a city transplant. Actually get gigantic Bobcats to excavate Downtown Charlotte and transplant it into downtown Atlanta, if possible without disturbing the original. That and maybe kidnap a few of Charlotte's more progressive city leaders and planners, too. That way we'd definitely have the best of both worlds here.

I agree though. That Farmer's Market is something to see. Take that, Seattle Fish Mkt! Fisherman's Wharf!

[FromCLTtoATL]

Originally Posted by johnatl

Slight correction, Georgia. The Northern arc of the beltline (North of I-85) is still not complete.

The only reason Charlotte's pop is almost up to 700,000 is the incredibly easy annexation laws of North Carolina. The City of Charlotte is much larger than the City of Atlanta in area.

That being said, I do believe Charlotte is trying to learn from a lot of our mistakes. Anyone that hasn't been lately would absolutely be blown away by the differences in our Downtowns (or, Uptown as Charlotte strangely calls theirs). Uptown Charlotte is almost spotlessly clean, booming in all quadrants around the core, home to a growing and diverse mix of bars and restaurants and a population that really seems to be embracing an urban lifestyle. The panhandling issue there is almost non-starter compared to our situation.

Bottom line, Charlotte is doing a lot of things right - but they will never surpass Atlanta is size or importance IMO.

I agree with everything you said.

[FromCLTtoATL]

Originally Posted by WilliamM

It's because New Orleans is that rarest of phenomena in North America: a true decadent city, an Old-World style city that's declined.

Don't forget, at one point it was one of American's true cultural capitals, a real rival to Boston and NY. So, that's all still there now, but its cultural elements now just live on as simmering embers without a dynamic city to surround it. Like an old spice in a gumbo. Yum.

I know this an Atlanta/Charlotte thread, but I LOVE your description of Nawlins'. Dead-on perfect. Well, pre-Katrina anyway.

[FromCLTtoATL]

Originally Posted by WilliamM

You know, it's too bad we can't do a city transplant. Actually get gigantic Bobcats to excavate Downtown Charlotte and transplant it into downtown Atlanta, if possible without disturbing the original. That and maybe kidnap a few of Charlotte's more progressive city leaders and planners, too. That way we'd definitely have the best of both worlds here.

I agree though. That Farmer's Market is something to see. Take that, Seattle Fish Mkt! Fisherman's Wharf!

LOL @ image of Giant Bobcats. Yes, if you could superimpose uptown Charlotte onto downtown Atlanta, but keep Midtown, Buckhead and Decatur, etc., the same, Atlanta would benefit greatly.

[WilliamM]

Originally Posted by FromCLTtoATL

I know this an Atlanta/Charlotte thread, but I LOVE your description of Nawlins'. Dead-on perfect. Well, pre-Katrina anyway.

Oh, thanks! I haven't been post-Katrina, but I figure it will be very sad.

[qc dreamin]

ok for the record record when i started this thread threre was not supposed to be a backlash but now i am coming to my home towns defense. I do not understand why u guys are being so negative against Charlotte . i am really starting to think that Atlanta is threatened by Charlottes presence. The funny thing is you guys swear that nobody in Atlanta thinks about Charlotte but according to staistcis the top relocation spot for Atlanta natives is Charlotte!!. I can not drive through Atlanta without meeting at 5 people who are from Charlotte or who is thinking of moving there. I mean come on somebody called Charlotte a hick town?? Lets keep it real. NBA,NFL,Nascar, 10 universities, Nascar Hall of Fame, 10 busiest airport in the world, ranked # 4 in number of fortune 500 headquarters, 3rd largest financial city in world, ACC basketball and foot ball championships, 2 college bowl games, Fastest growing city on eastcoast, 4th largest urban area in United States(yes,bigger than Atlanta!!), ranked 3rd best city for African-Americans, rated #1 city by relocate america(2008). Damn can yall stop the HATIN!!!