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DC. Charlotte is too far away from the places that interest me. Also, downtown Charlotte is really a couple of major streets running parallel.
Isn't that what most downtowns are made of? Others might have more interesting side streets, but you've got to have your major thoroughfares that make up the bulk.
Isn't that what most downtowns are made of? Others might have more interesting side streets, but you've got to have your major thoroughfares that make up the bulk.
True, but Charlotte's downtown area is rather small when compared to DC. Here is a video tour of them both.
Location: NY-NJ-Philly looks down at SF and laughs at the hippies
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LOL @ this comparison. There is nothing urban about Charlotte. These two cities differ in culture and sophistication, one is home to Nascar and is quite hick while the other is home to the government and a world class city.
Last edited by Gateway Region; 11-22-2011 at 08:06 AM..
LOL @ this comparison. There is nothing urban about Charlotte. These two cities differe in culture and sophistication, one is home to Nascar and is quite hick while the other is home to the government and a world class city.
There must be a lot of "hicks" in places like DC, San Fran, NYC, and Chicago because those are the cities that many Charlotteans came from.
Yeah, those old snowbirds really contribute to the culture.
In all honesty, many are 30 somethings looking to start a family (or 20 somethings looking to start a career). Anyways, DC is out of Charlotte's league. However, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Charlotte as "hick-ville USA" either. I mean, this is the city's mayor and city council...
In the local elections a few weeks ago, an openly lesbian black Democrat beat a Republican straight white male (78% to 22%) for a city council seat. Here is that news story...
Isn't that what most downtowns are made of? Others might have more interesting side streets, but you've got to have your major thoroughfares that make up the bulk.
All I know is that in downtown Charlotte, if you walk for a few minutes you are in street level parking lot low-density wasteland. Sure it's convenient, but not urban. In DC this isn't the case. I'm not knocking Charlotte, but this comparison is ridiculous. It's like comparing Charlotte with Greensboro. Charlotte CAN compete on things like cost of living, but not this.
All I know is that in downtown Charlotte, if you walk for a few minutes you are in street level parking lot low-density wasteland. Sure it's convenient, but not urban. In DC this isn't the case. I'm not knocking Charlotte, but this comparison is ridiculous. It's like comparing Charlotte with Greensboro. Charlotte CAN compete on things like cost of living, but not this.
There are still lots of surface parking in Charlotte's uptown. Uptown is by no means a "finished" product. However, there are "finished" areas of uptown that quite a few residents enjoy.
The truth is that Charlotte did not have much of a downtown 30 years ago. Everything there is relatively new (which is what makes the growth so amazing). How does a city go from being "nothing" to being a "major interesting city" in less than 50 years? Simple. One project at a time; one city block at a time. So, for those who like to point out the unfinished blocks of Charlotte's uptown, why not point out the finished blocks as well?
Location: NY-NJ-Philly looks down at SF and laughs at the hippies
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The city of Charlotte is like a mega Wal Mart.... people are moving there because it's cheap. The COL in Charlotte is low for a reason, look at the quality of the city.
DC is clearly more urban. The cost of living and median income is higher in the DC area. I would pick Charlotte because you get the best of both worlds. The cost of living is lower and it does have an urban vibe. Charlotte's population is well over 700,000 people and its growing fast. In 20 years the city will have well over a million people making it one of the 10 largest cities in the United States. Charlotte really only became a big city about 15 years ago so everything is fairly new. The city is still trying to improve its image as a major cosmopolitan city but in some ways the city still has a ways to go. Charlotte has an impressive downtown and skyline but outside of that and the South Park District in southern Charlotte, its a very large suburban sprawl city. Nothing like DC. But then again Atlanta is that way too. Charlotte has a number of big city amenities. This city now has light rail and there is a plan underway for a streetcar trolly system in the downtown area. Much of Charlotte's success is due to the big banks that are headquartered there. The nation's largest bank, Bank of America, is headquartered in a 60-story tower in uptown Charlotte. Before Wells Fargo purchased Wachovia which was based in Charlotte, There were plans for an 80-story corporate Wachovia tower. It would have been the tallest building in the south but the bad economy killed plans for that tower. Duke Energy Company is another big company there that has helped the city grow. Charlotte is becoming very diverse. I think the fact that half of the city council is black tells that. Charlotte's current mayor is its second African-American mayor in the city's history. Charlotte is really trying to be more like Atlanta. A poster mentioned uptown Charlotte being a few major roads running parallel. The downtown district is roughly about two square miles. So there is plenty of land for Charlotte's skyline to REALLY expand outward. I-277 is a freeway loop that surrounds downtown. The loop is considered the downtown boundaries. You'll find upscale retail in Charlotte like Nordstrom so there are plenty of options here for those who love the urban life. Paramount Carowinds is a theme park on the south side of the city so there are options for those who seek wild fun and entertainment.
But I remember when people thought Charlotte was too small for an NBA team in 1988. Charlotte was awarded an NBA expansion team and led the NBA in game attendance for many years. Now the city not only has the NBA but it has the NFL as well. Charlotte now has an uptown arena for the NBA Charlotte Bobcats.
Charlotte Skyline
Charlotte light rail
Charlotte does have a major commercial district on the south side of the city called South Park. Many have dubbed it as Charlotte's second downtown. This district has mid/high-rise office buildings along with upscale retail and residential development. Its the closest thing in Charlotte that resembles the DC area.
South Park
residential living in South Park
Last edited by gsoboi78; 11-22-2011 at 10:34 AM..
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