Charlotte is a small town with big-city feels. Most known for being the biggest banking city outside of NYC and SF, Charlotte can also be summed up with the phrase “banks and beer.” The city boasts a relatively low cost of living alongside ample job opportunities in the banking and medical fields. If you work that hard, you have to play harder. If anyone asks a local what there is to do in Charlotte, they’ll probably roll their eyes, take a big breath, and rattle off one of the many tourist attractions Charlotte is known for: go to a Panthers or Hornets game, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, go to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, or visit the Bechtler Museum Modern Art. You’ll say thank you and they’ll continue on their way to one of the amazing, dog-friendly, breweries to enjoy the local craft beer and amazing weather.

Charlotte is not exempt from the same lack of city planning that plagues its larger southern counterparts (we’re looking at you, ATL). Locals will complain about traffic getting exponentially worse as time goes on and a lot of that has to do with trying to make room for the vast number of people looking to make Charlotte their new home. As expansion takes over the city proper, many Charlotteans are moving to the suburbs to get away from rising costs of living and constant construction. 



Work Hard. Play Hard.

LookyLOO Review of Charlotte

Charlotte is a small town with big city feels. In addition to the tourist attractions mentioned earlier, large shopping centers, amusement parks, and nearby surfing and skiing hotspots provide residents with a massive list of things to do socially. A surprise to no locals, Charlotte consistently finds itself cemented near the top of the nation for foodies, with a wide range of highly rated options, many of which are dog friendly!

Some downsides to social life in Charlotte include nightlife and public transit. Despite its large population of young professionals (Charlotte is a magnet for UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, and Davidson grads), a common complaint from younger generations of Charlotteans is the lack of things to do past midnight. If you do find something to do that late, be sure to find a designated driver or call an Uber, because a lackluster public transit system likely won’t be doing you any favors.
https://www.hellolanding.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-living-in-charlotte/

Check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/events) for Charlotte if you want to see the happenings: 



Lifestyle

It’s not just bankers in Buzz City. Charlotte boasts a steady job market in a solid variety of sectors for a southern spot. A substantially sized healthcare sector, headlined by Atrium Health and Novant Health, is growing rapidly. Lowe’s, Honeywell International, Duke Energy and Sonic Automotive are another handful of Fortune 500s that call Charlotte their home. The big players in Charlotte’s finance sector are Bank of America, Truist Financial and Wells Fargo, with other banking options around Charlotte’s downtown. With solid pay and an unemployment rate well below the national average, Charlotte is a great place to look for your next career move.


Worklife 

Charlotte is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District. It scores a [**"B+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/charlotte-mecklenburg-schools-nc/) and like any large city has schools that are considered excellent and those considered lower performing. The greatest concentration of high performers is on the southern side of the city although there are also schools that earn "A'" in the city center and at the northern end. You'll need to keep an eye on the neighborhood if you want to be in the zone for the excellent publics close to you. 

A couple of the highest ranking schools include:
- [**Ardrey Kell High School**](cmsk12.org): the highest ranked public high school in the county according to [**niche.com.**](https://www.niche.com/k12/ardrey-kell-high-school-charlotte-nc/?map)
- [**Charlotte Engineering Early College**](https://www.cmsk12.org/ceecHS) is another excellent school. It's the public magnet for Charlotte and is a joint school project between the district and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

Here is a local's take on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system:  


Depending on what you want to do, it can significantly change what areas you should move to. So, any area you move to has a public school zone. Magnet schools are theoretically open to any kid in NC, and you have to apply via lottery, although they do have a small geographic zone as well. Charter schools are schools funded by the state but run by non-gov. entities. In general stay the heck away. Private schools will take anyone as long as the check clears.

If you want to do public, you have to move to a specific area, and even then it can get re-zoned out from under you. My kids were zoned Cotswold Elementary- AG Middle, and Myers Park High, all good schools (we lotteried into Randolph Middle). We're happy with those. Depending on the areas you want to move to, just check the zoned schools and see if you're happy with them.

If you want to move to an area with crappy public options, you can then hope to get a lottery public spot somewhere decent, or pay for private. Up to you. I didn't relish the idea of my kid's education costing $300k before college, so we moved to an area that had good public options.

Schools

As with most hidden gem cities, you want to move before it's too late! More than that, Charlotte has been called a city "searching for its soul as it grows'' and that couldn't be more true. Although life-long Charlottans are few and far between, everyone who moves here moved for gorgeous weather, affordability (relatively), and the ease and allure of the many weekend getaway spots. Don't count Charlotte out - as it grows, we think it'll find its place amongst the best little cities in the US.


Be a part of something bigger!

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**AlliFitz**
Living in Charlotte
Updated 2y ago
✭✭✭✭

**Pros and Cons of Charlotte**

Fair disclaimer: I am from here (as is my husband) so our families are here, I have lived in different places but made my way back to Charlotte.

Things I like about Charlotte: It still has a small town feel but with way more to do. It's growing, fast, so thanks to that there's always something new to check out. There are too many weekend getaway destinations to even list. We get most major tours, our local symphony is fantastic. Traffic isn't that bad compared to many places. The climate is mild. Cost of living is rising, but is affordable. We own a home, utilities are inexpensive, taxes aren't bad.

What I always tell people is Charlotte is a great place to live, but not a great place to visit. It's not a destination. But Charlotte was great for me in my 20's, and is also great for me in my 30's. Depending on where you live, your lifestyle can be completely different.

For more reviews from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/charlotte/reviews).

Making room for all the expansion

Reviews of Charlotte from Locals 

**The Best Thing About Charlotte? Work Hard. Play Hard.**

Charlotte is a small town with big city feels. Most known for being the biggest banking city outside of NYC and SF, Charlotte can also be summed up with the phrase “banks and beer.” The city boasts a relatively low cost of living alongside ample job opportunities in banking and medical fields. If you work that hard, you have to play harder. If anyone asks a local what there is to do in Charlotte, they’ll probably roll their eyes, take a big breath, and rattle off one of the many tourist attractions Charlotte is known for: go to a Panthers or Hornets game, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, go to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, or visit the Bechtler Museum Modern Art. You’ll say thank you and then they’ll continue on their way to one of the amazing, and likely dog-friendly, breweries in Charlotte with their faithful companion to enjoy the amazing weather. 

**The Worst Thing About Charlotte?**  Making room for all the expansion.

Charlotte is not exempt from the same lack of city-planning that plagues it’s larger southern counterparts (we’re looking at you, ATL). Locals will complain about traffic getting exponentially worse as time goes on and a lot of that has to do with trying to make room for the vast amount of people who are looking to make Charlotte their new home. As expansion takes over the city, many Charlotteans are moving to the suburbs to get away from rising costs of living and constant construction. 

**How You Living?**  District Pride.

Charlotte has a number of distinct districts for soon-to-be transplants to call home! Young and looking for local hangs? Look no further than Southend. Full of breweries, apartments, and bars, the younger crowd tends to move here for the easy commute to Uptown or Ballantyne. Have change to spare and want a more upscale feel? Dilworth is for you! It’s home to Charlotte’s old money and, if you can afford it, you can buy a home on a gorgeous tree-lined street near tons of nice bars and cafes. If you don’t mind rolling your sleeves up and doing some work, Wilmore may be for you. It’s full of historic craftsman homes and homes perfect for the zealous DIY-er. Bonus that it’s close to the highway!

**Why You Should Move Here Now?**  Be a part of something bigger!

As with most hidden gem cities, you want to move before it's too late! More than that, Charlotte has been called a city "searching for its soul as it grows'' and that couldn't be more true. Although life-long Charlottans are few and far between, everyone who moves here moved here for the gorgeous weather, affordability (relatively), and the ease and allure of the many weekend getaway spots. Don't count Charlotte out - as it grows, we think it'll find its place amongst the best little cities in the US.


Charlotte is centrally located, just north of the South Carolina border. Similar to Jacksonville, Charlotte is incredibly large. It’s the largest city in North Carolina and the second-most populous city in the Southeast. Being that large, it’s bound to have a lot of neighborhoods…199 to be exact. 


The Area

There are plenty of neighborhoods within easy walking distance to UNC and all of them have a great selection of apartments. If you want to stay close to campus, we suggest starting in University City. The good thing about this neighborhood is that it’s broken down into even smaller micro-neighborhoods. If you’re an avid tailgater, check out a place on Tryon Street. If you like being at the center of weekend and late-night activities, choose somewhere close to The Shoppes (Tryon and Harris).
- University City
- Mallard Creek
- NoDa


College Kids

University City

Uptown is a good place to start your search. It’s home to the city’s growing financial center with banking corps all here. It also has wonderful rooftop bars for happy hour cocktails and plenty of other restaurants and bars, including the 7th Street Public Market. It’s also the center of condo and apartment building options.
- Uptown
- South End
- First Ward


Young Professionals

Uptown

If you want to be in the city but turn the volume down from eleven to maybe a 6 then check out the Fourth Ward. One of the city’s historic districts, the streets are lined with Victorian homes, beautifully preserved and part of blocks that are protected from overdevelopment. There are tons of cafes, restaurants and bars within walking distance so even though you’re turning things down a bit you’re still in the game. 
- Fourth Ward
- South End


DINKs/SINKs

Fourth Ward

North Davidson, also known as NoDa, is the most popular neighborhood for the LGBTQ+ community. It has plenty of arts and culture as well as music venues, boutique shopping and tons of restaurants and bars for socializing. 
- NoDa
- Plaza Midwood


LGBTQ+ 

NoDa

Dilworth is one of the most popular neighborhoods for families in the city. Built in a simple grid-like pattern, it also has a streetcar system so cars are not required! Beautiful bungalows with sidewalks for the kiddos and big front porches for neighborly conversations. It also has a commercial district on East Boulevard with plenty of restaurants, cafes and shopping. Mint Hill is another great option for families who favor a more peaceful and private experience. The neighborhoods are more rural with big brick homes and significant yards. It is also home to Pine Lake Country Club for those who favor a genteel lifestyle. 
- Dilworth
- Mint Hill
- Ballantyne


Families

Dilworth

Charlotte

**Dudmuffin88**
Living in Charlotte
6mo ago
✭✭✭✭

My first few years i hated it, but it was more about where i was mentally than physically. Then i met my now wife and started putting roots down. Now, i am not sure there are many places i would prefer to live.

You get three and a half seasons, with winter occasionally making an appearance, and when it does it is usually polite, and doesn’t stay long. Growing up in the Midwest i was used to steel gray skies and snow mounds for six months of the year. You can be at some of the best beaches in a few hours or the mountains in less time. The airport, i hear is a nightmare to fly through but as an origin and destination facility is amazing. Just about anywhere you want to go is a direct flight, including international locations. It’s a small big city, or a big small city. You can find culture everywhere if you look. The food scene is getting better. Most people are nice.

What I always tell people is Charlotte is a great place to live, but not a great place to visit. It's not a destination. But Charlotte was great for me in my 20's, and is also great for me in my 30's. Depending on where you live, your lifestyle can be completely different.

**AlliFitz**
Living in Charlotte
3y ago
✭✭✭

Fair disclaimer: I am from here (as is my husband) so our families are here, I have lived in different places but made my way back to Charlotte.

Things I like about Charlotte: It still has a small town feel but with way more to do. It's growing, fast, so thanks to that there's always something new to check out. There are too many weekend getaway destinations to even list. We get most major tours, our local symphony is fantastic. Traffic isn't that bad compared to many places. The climate is mild. Cost of living is rising, but is affordable. We own a home, utilities are inexpensive, taxes aren't bad.

What I always tell people is Charlotte is a great place to live, but not a great place to visit. It's not a destination. But Charlotte was great for me in my 20's, and is also great for me in my 30's. Depending on where you live, your lifestyle can be completely different.

**FireEatingDragon**
Living in Charlotte
6mo ago
✭✭✭✭

Proximity to ocean, lakes, mountains, other cities.

Centralized downtown as opposed sprawling

Climate is nice

Relatively smaller city with lighter traffic than places I've lived before

Tons of trees and greenery around

Nice variety of restaurants for the size of city

Whitewater center

Lots of breweries

**Necessary-Thought-66**
Living in Charlotte
6mo ago
✭✭✭✭

It’s a town of American immigrants. Most people have moved here for a better life and they actually have one though they complain about what they left behind—much of that stuff comes at a huge cost. I grew up in New Orleans which is incomparable but I don’t want to live there—it’s dangerous and lacks economic opportunity for nearly everyone there. I love it here. I can easily visit New Orleans or NYC or California and come back to a clean, safe, lover place to live.

Benefits:

Can fly almost anywhere direct!

Can get in and out of Uptown from the burbs with relative ease and parking is affordable.

Low crime.

Broad selection of performances and sports.

Nice variety of good restaurants and in the last decade they’ve tended to be less formal and more accessible.

Nice mild weather with 4 seasons.

Generally good quality of life.

The city is well-maintained/well-kept—not many areas are run down or sketchy.

Nice tree canopy.

It’s not a thrilling tourist destination in any way. It’s just a great place to live and work.
If you have money to live in the ‘cool’ areas (NoDa, for example), it’s fine. Myers Park is nice but very pricey. Who wants to live in Ballantyne? Rich folks, and it’s far from everything except Matthews and Mint Hill, but it'll put you an hour closer to the beach. Like large city, there are areas of poverty and high crime, so be aware. Keep your car and house locked.

Charlotte, North Carolina

The Hornet's Nest

Looklyloo Score: 89