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We will be moving to Charlotte within the next two months for a job opportunity. We're originally from the Midwest, but have split our time between Boulder and Portland for the last 10 years. Hence, we're used to very laid back lifestyles, tons of outdoor activity within minutes of the house, fine microbrews, and not having to dress to the 9's to go out to a nice restaurant, etc.
Is Charlotte polar opposite from this, or are there laid back neighborhoods that we can seek out? We both have cars but enjoy walking when we can to grocery stores, movies, parks, etc. We also have a large pooch....is Charlotte a dog town?
Any similarities and/or contrasts you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kels535
Hi All,
We will be moving to Charlotte within the next two months for a job opportunity. We're originally from the Midwest, but have split our time between Boulder and Portland for the last 10 years. Hence, we're used to very laid back lifestyles, tons of outdoor activity within minutes of the house, fine microbrews, and not having to dress to the 9's to go out to a nice restaurant, etc.
Is Charlotte polar opposite from this, or are there laid back neighborhoods that we can seek out? We both have cars but enjoy walking when we can to grocery stores, movies, parks, etc. We also have a large pooch....is Charlotte a dog town?
Any similarities and/or contrasts you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Sherry
Even though you aren't asking specifically about where to look for housing, where are the jobs, because that will determine where you live. This is a very large metro.
We will be working out of a home office, so we can live anywhere. We will be renting until we are familiar with neighborhoods, and can spend up to $2,500/mo. I suppose I'm just asking about the Charlotte flair in general. Thx!
We will be working out of a home office, so we can live anywhere. We will be renting until we are familiar with neighborhoods, and can spend up to $2,500/mo. I suppose I'm just asking about the Charlotte flair in general. Thx!
Oh my, no need to spend quite that much, unless you just really want to!
I'd suggest given what you are used to that you look to live in Dilworth, which is close to uptown Charlotte and has good walkability.
Don't know what part of Portland you were in, but Charlotte is pretty different. Maybe you're into the vanilla car-centric lifestyle that suburbia will offer here, but I'm guessing otherwise. Without knowing other details about your situation I'd suggest you look at Elizabeth, Chantilly and Plaza Midwood. Maybe Dilworth or Southend too... depending on your budget.
You should probably check out North Davidson (NoDa) while you're at it...
Everytime I visit friends in destinations westward I come home depressed. It's so much nicer out there... I hope you find a cool place with some cool neighbors, because that's the only thing that keeps me sane here.
Yikes! Not too promising of a post Native_Son. We're in the Hawthorne area in Portland, which is also similar to where we lived in Boulder. So....people aren't laid back, you can't dress like a bum without getting dirty looks, you need a car to go get to a place with a fine brew and people don't like doggies? I suppose we can retreat to Asheville or some other nature destination if we need to regroup. I appreciate your honesty though!
His assessment of the city is true for the southern more suburban parts such as South Park/Ballantyne. The neighborhood you live in sounds comparable so I wouldn't look in these spots.
People love dogs here so you don't have to worry. I see plenty on patios of bars on the weekend, out on walks. I'd concentrate my search on Elizabeth, Dilworth, Southend. Good urban feel, lots of nice little pubs/restaurants. I know Portland is known for "Keep Portland Weird". You won't get quite that feel in Charlotte but NoDa and Plaza/Midwood have a more alternative/artsy vibe to it then the club scene. For your price range I would live near but not in these neighborhoods. They are still in transition and you may be more of an urban pioneer than I, but I'd stick to the above areas.
Yikes! Not too promising of a post Native_Son. We're in the Hawthorne area in Portland, which is also similar to where we lived in Boulder. So....people aren't laid back, you can't dress like a bum without getting dirty looks, you need a car to go get to a place with a fine brew and people don't like doggies? I suppose we can retreat to Asheville or some other nature destination if we need to regroup. I appreciate your honesty though!
I don't think native meant to scare you off from coming at all, lol. He just loves the west and is making you aware things will be somewhat different in Charlotte.
But people in Charlotte DO definitely love dogs and we even have a few dog parks.
If you live in one of the areas suggested in all the posts so far (Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, Elizabeth or Chantilly) you could definitely walk up the street for a brew and nice meal (without having to be dressed to the 9's).
Very, very different from Boulder and Portland. One positive difference is the diversity of color and some religions, but other than that the differences are, IMO, not very positive ones. Since you mentioned retreating to Asheville, is there a reason you can't live there instead? I honestly wouldn't recommend Charlotte to someone who appreciates the lifestyle of places like Portland and Boulder.
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I appreciate your honesty though!
