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We are a family with three young children 6, 2 and 1 year. We are planning to relocate from San Francisco to either Austin or Charlotte. I like both places, but the heat during the summer scares me in Austin and I think the landscape is prettier in Charlotte. Austin feels more like CA vibe (I'm a CA native) and I'm worried Charlotte may be too conservative. Please give me your advice!
We are a family with three young children 6, 2 and 1 year. We are planning to relocate from San Francisco to either Austin or Charlotte. I like both places, but the heat during the summer scares me in Austin and I think the landscape is prettier in Charlotte. Austin feels more like CA vibe (I'm a CA native) and I'm worried Charlotte may be too conservative. Please give me your advice!
I agree with you about Austin's CA vibe...I called it a "mini-SF" a number of years ago. Charlotte is definitely the more conservative of the two, but as time goes by, not uniformly so. I know people in both cities that are quite happy. My sister and her husband moved from Atlanta to the Lake Norman area northwest of Charlotte a couple of years ago...they love it, and were quite surprised at how many of their neighbors are from other parts of the country (not just the South).
If I had to paint with a broad brush, I would say that Austin has more of its own personality, and Charlotte feels more like a generic (albeit livable) Southern city.
You'll probably be better off in Austin. It's a much safer city, has more culture, and way better schools. However in Charlotte, you have better transportation options, closer to the beach, and cheaper. Both cities are close to other larger cities, and that might be a plus (if you feel like driving to there). You'd probably be more happier in Austin.
* I have heard really bad things about the Charlotte school systems (especially Mecklenburg county)
* You guys are from SF so you might miss pro sports. Austin does not have pro sports, but Charlotte does
* Dont forget that San Antonio is a quick one hour drive from Austin
Charlotte I would say is definitely more southern, especially if you aren't going to be in purely white collar circles... I'll just leave it at that.
Have you considered Atlanta? I'd pick it over both... can find more of an SF vibe in parts.
Charlotte feels kind of vanilla and cookie cutter, Austin is one of most organic/eccentric cities in the country.
Yes, we considered Atlanta as well. I really like it there, but was worried about it being even more conservative than Charlotte and I hear the crime is worse. I really do love Austin, but it seems like it's a bit isolating living there because there is not much outside of Austin, whereas you can go to several other places near Charlotte...like FLA, GA, SC, etc. We also love the beach and think the beaches near CLT are nicer than Texas beaches. Thoughts anyone?
Yes, we considered Atlanta as well. I really like it there, but was worried about it being even more conservative than Charlotte and I hear the crime is worse. I really do love Austin, but it seems like it's a bit isolating living there because there is not much outside of Austin, whereas you can go to several other places near Charlotte...like FLA, GA, SC, etc. We also love the beach and think the beaches near CLT are nicer than Texas beaches. Thoughts anyone?
Another heads up is the college atmosphere, which I find annoying, but everyone has their own personal preferences.
Of course Austin is obsessed with The Univ Of Texas, but you are going to get the same thing in Charlotte just not as bad
Charlotte has UNC Charlotte and a lot of the people that go to The University of SC and Clemson get their first job out of school in Charlotte
Also, Winthrop is in the burbs of Charlotte
If you go to Charlotte then you are not really near anything. Columbia SC is an hour and half away, which has a good zoo and that is it
Charleston is about three-three 1/2 hours away with the beach. In Charlotte you are pretty islolated
Yes, we considered Atlanta as well. I really like it there, but was worried about it being even more conservative than Charlotte and I hear the crime is worse. I really do love Austin, but it seems like it's a bit isolating living there because there is not much outside of Austin, whereas you can go to several other places near Charlotte...like FLA, GA, SC, etc. We also love the beach and think the beaches near CLT are nicer than Texas beaches. Thoughts anyone?
Atlanta itself is very liberal, but it gets pretty conservative fast once you drive past the Perimeter.
If you go to Charlotte then you are not really near anything. Columbia SC is an hour and half away, which has a good zoo and that is it
Charleston is about three-three 1/2 hours away with the beach. In Charlotte you are pretty islolated
I wouldn't say Charlotte is isolated, unless you just mean far from a beach. Columbia is a short drive, Atlanta is a day trip. The Triad and Triangle, with their world famous universities are all very close by. You can weekend at the Outer Banks or just drive to the Smokies (America's most visited NP) for a day.
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