Charlotte, North Carolina. Where downtown gets referred to as Uptown.
Fun fact: in the city’s earliest days, most of the trading in goods and services at Trade and Tryon, where disputes got settled at the courthouse and the market did brisk business. People heading to the market would say they were going “up to town.” The name stuck, and now downtown is Uptown.
We told you that story so that the locals don’t catch you rolling your eyes when they explain it. They find it tedious, too.
But not to worry; relocating to Charlotte involves a good deal more than getting your ups and down in order.
Living in Charlotte
Seen from above, the city of Charlotte vaguely resembles an eye with the downtown area serving as the iris that peers down on the border to North Carolina. The Catawba River, which sits just outside the city boundaries, resembles a monocle chain.
Most major American cities define their living arrangements by the relationship with the living areas. Specifically, how does a city flow with the neighborhoods, especially for those that do business in the city but live in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Charlotte neighborhoods are no exception. Plaza-Midwood enjoys a reputation for high-end cocktail bars and gastro pubs while the South End neighborhood has become a bastion for craft beer breweries. South Park has the ritzy houses, Dilworth has bungalows, and Ballantyne has claimed the title of Charlotte suburban living.
Working in Charlotte
The Census ACS 1-year survey reported the median household income for the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill North Carolina metro area was $61,156 in 2017, putting Charlotte median household income at $8,404 higher than the median North Carolina household income and $820 greater than the US median household income. The median home price for the city stands at just under $297,000 and $929.39 for monthly rent.
But don’t get intimidated by those numbers. US News ranked Charlotte the 20th best place to live out of 125 American metro areas and the 34th best place to retire, referring to the costs of living as manageable.
As we’ve stated in previous posts, banking serves as one of the state’s biggest economic factors, which Charlotte constantly ranking as one of the top three banking cities in the U.S. The state of North Carolina currently has a large demand for statisticians and credit counselors in addition to a variety of health care professions. And Charlotte also has a demand for work at nuclear power plants, as nuclear power serves as the state’s largest fuel source for electricity generation.
And because the population has been experiencing growth in the last years, Charlotte has adapted to transportation needs with its LYNX light rail and trolley systems, although the city currently lacks a single transportation system that ties in traffic, rail, and pedestrian travel. In other words, you might be able to get from Point A to Point B without a car, but don’t sell it if you don’t have to.
Also, never take Interstate 77 if you need to be someplace quickly. The view is fantastic, and everyone behind the wheel of a motor vehicle will feel the need to partake of that view while also TAKING THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD.
Charlotte Weather
North Carolina features a humid, subtropical climate, with short and mild winters giving way to refreshing springs before being hit by hot and humid summers before cooling down and drying out in the fall.
It’s been said that North Carolina’s approach to weather could be seen as moderation in all things, but things tend to get unpredictable in Charlotte. A fall day might feel like the height of summer, but then drop down to the 60s the next morning. Torrential downpours that might cause one to start thinking about updating their flood insurance can disappear 20 minutes later in the sunshine. And even the coldest winter day might be followed by a day of 70-degree sunshine.
When in doubt, bring a jacket. Mother Nature will keep you on your toes in Charlotte.
Things To Do in Charlotte
There’s a lot to do in Charlotte, and we don’t just mean the sports teams like the Panthers and Hornets.
True, the city sports the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Billy Graham Library, the Carowinds theme park, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center, but it also embraces more down-to-earth activities like yoga classes in the park or running groups that start by a bar and end inside another (drinking clubs with a running problem are AWESOME).
Charlotte also has home to a thriving craft brewing scene (which seems to be a requirement for major U.S. cities in the 21st century), miles of greenway trails for biking and hiking, and performance halls like the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
Sports fans will feel right at home in Charlotte too, as the area features professional basketball and football teams.
Charlotte Culture
While Charlotte does reside inside the informal Bible Belt territory, it would be a mistake to think of the city as catering only to one viewpoint. In actuality, the city keeps an open mind for religious practices, and those seeking to join Jewish and Muslin congregations will have little trouble finding places to worship freely here.
Eastern-style barbeque, in which the whole pig gets cooked, features heavily into the Charlotte cuisine offerings. Some minor controversy can be started over questioning the cook’s preference for tomato or vinegar sauce base, but that can be addressed by just eating the food and enjoying it. Never irritate the cook; they’ve got access to sharp objects, fire, and a freezer.
And don’t think for one second that craft foods gets limited to beer. Charlotte eateries have a reputation for being experimental, so anyone relocating to Charlotte will have their choice of craft sodas, coffee, sodas, and pizza. Order an iced tea, though, and it will always be sweet. Some things just don’t alter well.
Charlotte All The Way Sold on the idea of relocating to the Charlotte? Call a Colonial Van Lines professional and find out how to get started. We get that moving down the street can be stressful, and moving to a new state can be downright horrifying. But Colonial Van Lines has the experience.
Long Distance Moving To Charlotte
January 23, 2020