If you’re thinking of relocating to Charlotte, N.C., you’re on trend. According to PODS moving statistics, the city is the 18th most moved to in the United States. You’ve undoubtedly read or heard about the Queen City’s four seasons, robust financial industry, and its Southern small-town vibe – Charlotte’s estimated 2023 population is 917,500 and growing — with a big-metropolis skyline.
Oh, but you may not yet know that the city’s cost of living is slightly under the national average, or that you can get a vehicle title loan in Charlotte, N.C. Keep reading for additional facts about what life is like there.
Is There Lots to Do in Charlotte?
Yes, and that’s due in part to the number of people moving there from big cities such as New York. The surplus of things to do in Charlotte include multiple kinds of professional ball games, brewery tours, museums, outdoor concerts, comedy shows, and festivals. Oh, and you can’t forget Charlotte’s terrific food scene, including diverse cuisines in a food hall converted from a textile mill.
But is it a Good Place for Families?
The diverse city seems to attract singletons and families alike. It has nearly 200 neighborhoods, a myriad of parks, comely tree-lined streets, and lush, verdant lawns. When it comes to the city’s public school system, Charlotte rates above average. As for enjoyment, the kids have an amusement park as well as science and nature museums. They can also take in a children’s theater, trampoline park, a racing simulator at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and can check out stingrays and turtles at Sea Life Charlotte-Concord.
Four Seasons
Let’s talk about those more. If you love the changing of the seasons but dread the thought of long stretches of snow and cold, Charlotte is a nice option. Temps average around 62F year-round, and most winters tend to be mild. Come sunny summer, you are going to get that Southern mugginess – but not “Florida muggy” – with the average temperature in the upper 70s.
Nature is Always Nearby
Even though you’re in an urban setting, you’re never far from a quick escape to beauteous natural environments. There are day-trip options to several beaches including Ramsey Creek Park, for example, which features a 46-acre waterfront park that has nature trails, a playground, picnic shelters, and more. If you’re the saltwater type, Myrtle Beach is just 3.5 hours away.
What About Hiking?
If your druthers lean more toward hiking, your options are aplenty. Just 1.5 hours from Charlotte is South Mountains State Park, which has a loop that traverses Jacob Ford River and ends at lovely High Shoals Waterfall. There also is Crowders Mountain State Park, located 40 minutes away from Uptown Charlotte. It offers a very scenic two-mile trail.
And the Job Market?
We’ve mentioned that Charlotte is a flourishing financial hub and is home to Bank of America, one of the world’s biggest banks. So, many people move to Charlotte for banking careers. Beyond that, the city’s job market is generally solid. In January, the unemployment rate was 3.5%, down a bit from 3.7% the year before. Nationally, that compares to 3.9% and 4.4%. Also, the projection is that the state will add some 300,000 jobs through 2028, according to Roofstock, with most of them expected to be in Raleigh and Charlotte.
Perhaps this list will figure into your decision to make a new life in Charlotte, N.C. Of course, there are many other factors you must consider. While no place is perfect, it likely comes as no surprise as to why Charlotte is fast growing.
