Nashville? Or Charlotte? Big Decision! (Columbia: apartment, crime, credit)

[meenesotahhEH]

Hi Everyone, my best friend and I are moving, we have lived in St. Paul MN our entire lives and want to move somewhere warmer where its lower cost of living and relatively the same size as the St. Paul/Minneapolis area. We are both 20 years old, looking to further our education, move into an apartment and find new jobs if our current jobs do not allow us to transfer.

So far, we have narrowed it down to two cities, Nashville and Charlotte (NC) both offer everything we could ask for and need, we just cant decide! Has anyone been to both of these places and can provide some insight? Originally I had wanted to move to Atlanta but the hot humidity and crime statistics scared me away a bit, so perhaps something not as big and down south.

How is the job market in Nashville? I don't know much about it except you guys have great weather =) How is the nightlife? Can two young singles such as ourselves find plenty of entertainment? What is public transportation like? Is there a subway system or amtrak?

Any and all information is greatful!

[bluesky42day]

Here is a thread you might find helpful: Nashville vs. Charlotte

I haven't read the other thread but may be able to help with some of the questions you listed. There is PLENTY of entertainment for young singles.

As far as public transportation there isn't a subway or amtrak but if you live in an urban neighborhood near Downtown it is possible to not need a car. My brother lives in The Village & hasn't had a car in years. I on the other hand wanted to keep my car but also utilize the public transportation we do have: http://www.nashvillemta.org/

[Pimpy]

Nashville is much better than Charlotte for young, single females, especially hot ones. Charlotte is getting HAMMERED by the financial and credit crises due to it being a major banking hub, while Nashville's economy is much more diversified and still quite strong. There are also a slew of colleges and universities here, so you'll have plenty of options when it comes to furthering your education. I think that settles it. Welcome to Nashville!

[RiotPirate]

LOL @ Nashville is much better than Charlotte for young, single females, especially hot ones...Gee Pimpy is this how you got your name?

[Pimpy]

Originally Posted by RiotPirate

LOL @ Nashville is much better than Charlotte for young, single females, especially hot ones...Gee Pimpy is this how you got your name?

It's true. I mean you chose Nashville over Charlotte, didn't you? I don't know many young, attractive women who aren't happy living here.

[jabogitlu]

Weird, I don't think the OP ever mentioned being male or female...!? LOL! @ Pimpy!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Weird, I don't think the OP ever mentioned being male or female...!? LOL! @ Pimpy!

But her profile says she's female.

[RiotPirate]

Charlotte was never a thought for me, at this point I am ready to join the circus as long as it gets me out of this state!

[storey13]

Both cities have many great features. We go to visit friends who live in Charlotte about twice a year, and we really enjoy it there every time.
Both cities have quality college education available and great nightlife for young singles.
If light rail or Amtrak is important to you, then you will want to go with Charlotte. They have both. Nashville has a commuter rail that goes from only downtown to the East Suburbs. Charlotte's light rail system is not too extensive either, but it definitely is better than the one here in Nashville.

[Eescapes]

My 2cents for what it's worth.

I moved to Nashville last June and I love it. I lived in Raleigh, NC for three years prior to moving here but Columbia SC is my hometown and is an hour to hour and a half from Charlotte. An easy commute so I spent many days in Charlotte and almost always flew out of their airport. First of all, Pimpy is right. The banking industry in Charlotte has taken a huge hit and there is definitely a trickle down effect. I have friends and business contacts in the area and they are all suffering somewhat. The main arteries thru Charlotte are I77 which is a nightmare during rush hour (they do have a bypass but it's not much better during rush hour) and I85 - try to navigate that from Thursday - Sunday when there is a NASCAR race in town! I have a niece that went to UNC Charlotte for one year (she was from Greensboro) and hated it so much my BIL shelled out the big bucks for her to transfer to an out of state school.

On the plus side Charlotte has: great shopping, great food, pro sports teams, an attractive city, a great airport, Lake Norman and some other really nice burbs (which I am sure doesn't interest you at this point!). The big deals there are banking, the pro teams and NASCAR.

IMHO Nashville is more laid back, more diverse, more interesting, a more well rounded city, a little "artsy" which I like. And, the summers are less hot and humid than Charlotte. Also, I don't think the economy has suffered here as much as the major cities in NC and SC.

If the economy was much better, I had a BA or Masters in anything business related and was looking to start my career I would choose Charlotte. But, if I were 20, in college and looking for what you guys are looking for Nashville wins hands down!

Good luck with which ever you choose.



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I think that you will find that the heat/humidity in Charlotte is nearly identical to Atlanta. However, the winters can be much more severe in Atlanta.