Charlotte vs Atlanta....Which one is best!! (Fairview, Concord: apartments, rent)

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by mrdkb

I would not compare Atlantic Station to South Park - That's ridiculous. South Park is 3 or 4 times the size and much nicer.

Very true.

Atlantic Station is more like Birkdale Village in nearby Huntersville, NC on steroids in an urban location.

[mrdkb]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

Very true.

Atlantic Station is more like Birkdale Village in nearby Huntersville, NC on steroids in an urban location.

somewhat

[hotboi]

South Park is the "Buckhead" of Charlotee.

[robertpolyglot]

When I first visited ATL before accepting a job there, I gave it an "A." I expected the same for Charlotte, but give it a "B."

I've lived in Atlanta. I've visited Charlotte when I considering moving back to the Southeast. I found Charlotte to be really bland...the downtown skyline, the housing stock, the suburbs and the tree canopy (I was expecting to find it as forested as Atlanta). On the negative side, CLT is too oriented toward banking and I'd rather be closer to Florida. On the neutral side, people seem six, one-half dozen or the other...not much difference. On the positive side, CLT is not filled out to it's ring road in all directions, so growth could be more easily accommodated.

My verdict, hands down, is for Atlanta.

[readyset]

Originally Posted by mrdkb

I disagree about jobs..meaning both are running neck and neck. And who cares.

Well they're certainly far from "neck and neck" with Atlanta's GDP nearly twice the size and a far more corporate presence still. And yes it's something that matters quite a big deal.

[mrdkb]

Originally Posted by readyset

Well they're certainly far from "neck and neck" with Atlanta's GDP nearly twice the size and a far more corporate presence still. And yes it's something that matters quite a big deal.

I love Atlanta so I am just speaking of facts. Why is it that folks in Charlotte make more on Average than Atlanta?

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

When I first visited ATL before accepting a job there, I gave it an "A." I expected the same for Charlotte, but give it a "B."

I've lived in Atlanta. I've visited Charlotte when I considering moving back to the Southeast. I found Charlotte to be really bland...the downtown skyline, the housing stock, the suburbs and the tree canopy (I was expecting to find it as forested as Atlanta).

You found the skyline to be bland? That's a new one. It could probably use a few prominent historical highrises, but otherwise it's one of the most modern and gleaming skylines in the country and is pretty striking IMO. The housing stock isn't too dissimilar from Atlanta's with Victorian homes in Fourth Ward, Craftsman homes in Elizabeth, Colonial Revival homes and bungalows in Myers Park, Plaza-Midwood, and Dilworth, Tudor Revival homes in Wesley Heights, mill houses in NoDa, bungalows in Wilmore, ranch houses in the second-ring suburbs, and modern condos and townhouses in Uptown and South End. As far as suburbs, suburbs are suburbs and will pretty much be bland wherever you go. The exceptions are the ones that were somewhat established before being swallowed up in sprawl and have some historic character in their downtowns. In Atlanta, that would be Decatur, Vinings, and Marietta; in Charlotte, that would be Davidson, Belmont, and York; a little farther out in the CSA counties, you can find that in Salisbury and Chester.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by readyset

Well they're certainly far from "neck and neck" with Atlanta's GDP nearly twice the size and a far more corporate presence still. And yes it's something that matters quite a big deal.

I think he's referring to the unemployment rate. They are pretty bad in both cities right now.

But I do find it interesting that although Atlanta's GDP is larger than Charlotte's (which it should be, being a significantly larger metro), metro Atlanta's GDP per capita is less than Charlotte's. I wonder if and how that might change in the future.

There seems to be a certain threshold that when a city hits it, it can pretty much compete with larger cities that might even have a larger corporate presence. Charlotte has pretty much reached this level with respect to Atlanta, as companies are increasingly having both cities on their radar (along with a few others) when it comes to expansion and relocation. That doesn't make Charlotte a true peer, but it does make it an economic competitor. It's really an interesting dynamic to watch all across the South which reflects our continuing maturity as a region.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

You found the skyline to be bland? That's a new one. It could probably use a few prominent historical highrises, but otherwise it's one of the most modern and gleaming skylines in the country and is pretty striking IMO. The housing stock isn't too dissimilar from Atlanta's with Victorian homes in Fourth Ward, Craftsman homes in Elizabeth, Colonial Revival homes and bungalows in Myers Park, Plaza-Midwood, and Dilworth, Tudor Revival homes in Wesley Heights, mill houses in NoDa, bungalows in Wilmore, ranch houses in the second-ring suburbs, and modern condos and townhouses in Uptown and South End. As far as suburbs, suburbs are suburbs and will pretty much be bland wherever you go. The exceptions are the ones that were somewhat established before being swallowed up in sprawl and have some historic character in their downtowns. In Atlanta, that would be Decatur, Vinings, and Marietta; in Charlotte, that would be Davidson, Belmont, and York; a little farther out in the CSA counties, you can find that in Salisbury and Chester.

That's my read. Besides BAC, there are no interesting tall buildings, new or old. Also, the amount of cheap homes with vinyl siding in CLT is staggering...you can drive for miles in the midst of this stuff. I just think ATL has better vistas, either close-in or in exurbia.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

That's my read. Besides BAC, there are no interesting tall buildings, new or old.

Obviously this is a matter of opinion, but I think Hearst is more interesting than BOA Corporate Center. The new Duke Energy Center is really cool too, especially with its lighting scheme. The Westin is pretty unique. Plus, not every building should stand out; some have to more or less blend into the background.

Also, the amount of cheap homes with vinyl siding in CLT is staggering...you can drive for miles in the midst of this stuff. I just think ATL has better vistas, either close-in or in exurbia.

It's the same in Atlanta when you're driving in exurbia. I-75 north past Marietta, I-575 into Cherokee County, GA 400 into Forsyth County, I-85 through a good bit of north Gwinnett, I-20 through Rockdale County, etc. are all the same way. Atlanta is definitely bigger so you'll have other vistas the closer you get to the city, but in exurbia, it's your typical sprawl. Sounds like this one is chalked up to the size difference between the two metros.

Have you honestly checked out any of the older neighborhoods in Charlotte or the more historic suburbs that I mentioned? It doesn't sound like it.