Charlotte: good for a young, single professional? (neighborhoods, theater)

[teighlur]

Hi everyone! First, let me say that I LOVE Charlotte. I have family and friends who live there and I have visited quite a few times and it is seriously a really beautiful city. I currently live outside of Atlanta, which I also love, but is definitely not on the same level as Charlotte as far as aesthetics are concerned.

I am graduating soon and will be looking to relocate and start a new life somewhere. I am leaning now towards a couple of places including Charlotte. I'll be teaching middle school and, considering the schools I went to and the ones where I have student taught, I am not concerned with how "good" or "safe" the school where I end up is. In fact, I would prefer to teach in an inner city school that may have some of those issues surrounding them.

I have been browsing through this site for quite a while now and I just have a few questions:


Seeing as how I will be 23 and moving to a brand new city, I would like to find people around my age to meet and get to know. I also enjoy a more mature crowd but since I will be alone, I don't know that I would be into the more family-oriented activities that some may be involved with. So are there specific neighborhoods that are more for younger professionals or singles in general?

I know that Charlotte is a wonderful city for families, but what is it like overall for young professionals? I have never experienced anything beyond family get togethers while I've visited so I feel like there is a part of Charlotte I haven't seen yet. Also, I am really into live music, farmers markets, and what I guess you would call a more artsy-type of preference for entertainment (however, I still definitely enjoy the wonder that is South Park Mall). So will I be able to find all of these things in Charlotte?

Thank you all in advance!

[Caniac Nation]

Sounds like you want to live near uptown or in the Elizabeth/Dilworth area. Close to uptown bars/events for young people and has the stuff you're looking for. Being that I know teachers don't make much $ (my wife) I think the problem is that it is fairly expensive to live there because of it's proximity to uptown. From what I know about ATL, I would almost liken it somewhat to Buckhead. Get 1-2 roommates, and you should be fine.

I love this city and it's where I met my wife.

[Native_Son]

Anywhere inside route 4 is where you want to be! NoDa, Plaza-Midwood, interior eastside, Chantilly, Elizabeth, Cherry, Dilworth or maybe Southend. Artsy, edgy trends eastward, button-up types trend southward (Dilworth/Southend).

It's a great city for singles. I moved here as a young single male and really enjoyed the Plaza-Midwood / NoDa scene. Thomas Street, The Steeple, The Penguin, Fat City, Visulite, Neighborhood Theater, P-Stone, Snug Harbor, Jack's, Smoky Joe's, Elizabeth Billiards, Common Market (original location on Commonwealth), and countless late night parties in Plaza-Midwood/Chantilly/Elizabeth/etc. In my neighborhood are people with television shows and record deals and art studios... I'm in what I term the "interior east" (inside route 4, between central ave and Randolph).

Bear in mind you'll probably receive lots of comments warning you about crime/fear/safety. These fears are largely overblown and will come from well-meaning straight suburbanite types. They will try to talk you into Birkdale or Baxter Village. If you're like me, you'll realize with one glance you could never live there.

[chuckles34]

Very solid advice from Native Son! So refreshing.