Sign In Register
Grace Thomas living

Charlotte is underrated, change my mind

Hey folks, I'm retired and Poverty rate is 8.4%, which is pretty low. With a population of 886K, Charlotte is a major city. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What do you all think? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
69 upvotes

13 Replies

Ryan Mendoza
been saying this for years
39 upvotes
Emily A.
big facts right here
38 upvotes
Alice Torres
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Bennett Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Isabella Smith
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
loving_wesley74
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 24, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
27 upvotes
Kayla L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a electrician who relocated here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.

Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options

Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.

Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Austin Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a teacher, 52, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
16 upvotes
Madeline
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Joseph H.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The cost of living is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Connor Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size

Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.

Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Leonardo T.
as a local I can confirm
6 upvotes
Theodore P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
← Back to Charlotte Community