CarrieK

I have read many other posts regarding the positives and negatives about these areas of North Carolina. I was wondering if anyone knows which area would be better suited to a single, young (mid-20s) female. Are there certain parts of the city that are "younger"? I would like to live in an area where there are other young people...not just families. I am looking for an area with sporting events, many restaurants, some sort of nightlife....

Thanks for you help!!!

Cassandra

If you search on "Charlotte," I think you'll find at least one other thread comparing these two cities (sometimes turns into a "friendly" debate).

My own take is that many people would suggest Charlotte rather than Raleigh for you and your interests, fond as I am of the Triangle. But why not visit each of them before you choose?

CarrieK

Thanks Cassandra!! I am planning a trip to visit. My worry is that whenever I travel somewhere I seem to come out of it with a different impression of the place than if I have actually lived there.

Sunnyboy

CarrieK - what you are describing (getting a different impression about a place when you travel vs. living there) is not all that uncommon. It happens mostly when people visit traditional "vacation" destinations but it can also happen when people investigate moves to non-tourist cities. Sure, we all would like access to fine restaurants, sporting events and nightlife but ask yourself how often do you actuall go to those type of places. The trick is to look at your new city with an eye toward "real life". You can make a pre-move visit more productive if you stay in a housekkeeping unit rather than a full service hotel or resort. Cook most of your own meals rather than dine out (unless you plan to eat out often after you move). While there spend your time investigating "real world" living conditions such as checking out food store, markets, apartment or housing costs rather than doing the "tourist things". Investigate the job market and salary levels in the city of your choice. Spend some time traveling about the city during the morning and evening rush hours so you get an idea what everyday commuting is like. In other words concentrate your efforts on everyday living to see if the new city appeals to you. In that way you will get a much better feel for what your daily life will be like if and when you actually make a move. Your pre-move visit may not be as exciting or glamorous as a vacation visit but it will give you a more accurate view of what your new life will be like.

Cassandra

Sunnyboy's suggestions are GREAT. I'd add to them the suggestion that you watch local news, read the local paper for a couple of days -- esp. the letters to the editor and the "What's Doing" section that usually comes out on Fridays.

CarrieK

Thanks Sunnyboy! Those are really good suggestions that I hadn't thought of. If I pretend like I am already living there I will probably get a better idea of what it is like.

bonniebroad

CarrieK, I live in Raleigh now (for 13 years), and grew up in the Western part of the state. Anywhere in North Carolina is A GOOD THING, but for a person your age, I think Charlotte would definitely have a "younger feel." I LOVE Raleigh, but if I had to choose a city for you, it would be Charlotte........ If you were in your thirties, with kids, I would encourage you to come to Raleigh...... JMHO

CarrieK

Bonnie-
Would you recommend certain areas of Charlotte? I would assume the "younger" crowd would live in the actual downtown area. Do you know the names of any certain areas that I can research? Thanks!!!

bonniebroad

No, Carrie, I'm not familiar with particular neighborhoods in and around Charlotte, but my extended family talks about the much livelier atmosphere at night there. I'm hoping you will get more information from Fodorites who live in the Charlotte area....... Good luck with your planning. If I talk to anyone in the family who can give me more neighborhood info on Charlotte, I will post again!

Sunnyboy

Carrie - Glad you think my suggestions will be helpful. Good luck in finding your special place!

Gretchen

Charlotte has a lot of "young" neighborhoods. It may depend on whether you can swing a house or will be living in an apartment. Housing areas very near downtown (and therefore very desirable to the young professionals working downtown) currently undergoing "gentrification" are Chantilly and Plaza-Midwood--older neighborhoods of small cute houses, ready to fix up and increase greatly in value. Our son and his wife moved from Chantilly 4 or 5 years ago. another area is Sedgefield. Charlotte is great for young people--a LOT going on for all of us. The downtown area is just taking off. Johnson & Wales just opened their school here this week. Theater, symphony, professional sports, excellent restaurants, museums, art galleries, gallery crawls.

CarrieK

Thanks for the input. I will probably look into renting an apartment for the first year and then look at buying if everything goes well. I will be sure to check into some of those neighborhoods!!

islesrule

CarrieK,

I can't speak for Raleigh, but in my opinion Charlotte is a great area for young people. I am 25 and moved to Charlotte three years ago for a job without knowing anyone in town.

Charlotte is a very young town - sometimes it seems that there isn't any one over here over 50. There are lots of things to do, and numerous organizations from sports leagues and outdoor adventure clubs to youth volunteer groups.

Area-wise, I would recommend either downtown or South End/Dilworth. There are several excellent high-rise builings downtown with probably about 75% young professional residents. Gateway Village, located right next to downtown and home to 1,200 college students, is also a very nice area.

South End/Dilworth is a very nice area located around East Boulevard about a mile or two south of downtown, or "uptown" as it is known here.

When in town, you may want to check out Eastover Ridge, Fourth and Poplar, Summit Grandview, Sterling dilworth, Post Uptown Place, and Charlotte Cotton Mills. All of these apartment communities are very popular with the 23-40 crowd.

Two of the nicer suburban areas are around Lake Norman, about 20 miles north of Uptown, and Ballantine, about 10 miles south of uptown. Both of these areas are more family oriented and have pretty bad traffic issues.

CarrieK

Thanks Islerules...

I will definitly check out those areas. Were there specific organizations or events you joined to help meet people that you found helpful?

lvitaly

I am not from there, but my son just moved to a surrounding area near Charlotte. Young, single and also "looking" for a younger crowd. It can be hard when you are not from there.What came to mind though was Birkdale, or Birkdale Village? Maby previous posters can elaborate on this but it was the most charming place i have ever seen to live. It looked like Main St. Disneyland. Beautiful apts. on top with business, restaurants,bars,movie theater, upscale shopping etc. all on the bottom.It had a park as well. It was so cute.

ncgrrl

I've always though Charlotte to be the place to raise a family and the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) for the singles. I might think that because I'm single and live in the Triagnle though. The Triangle has more of a college atmosphere and all the encompasing things that go with a college.

However, no matter where you end up, don't live in a college housing area -- you have to get up in the morning and go to work. The students can sleep in, skip class, flunk out of school, and go back to living with their parents.

GoTravel

I can second the Dilworth/South End areas of Charlotte for a hopping singles area. Wonderful dining and shops. I love East Boulevard and shopping at Southpark Mall.

Uptown is also a cool place.

bonniebroad

nccgirl, I think young people here (in the Triangle) who are very involved in their college activities are perfectly happy. But if you're young, and not part of that scene, I think downtown Raleigh and surrounds simply doesn't compare with what Charlotte offers in terms of activity and nightlife. I'm 60, and would love a more "happening downtown" here. The liveliest areas to live are those right around the campuses, but then there's other things you don't want to put up with at times. Oh, well, Carrie, I think you could be happy either place but I would be looking at Charlotte, if I were you!

Subway_Scoundrel

Ok Here goes my analysis. Charlotte is more a business city and does have a more metropolitan feel. But there are certain drawbacks to that as the feel sometimes feels superficial. (People trying to be the next Atlanta) The Triangle is more cerebral, more high-tech with more universities and education. Some people may not like this but think if it this way. Charlotte is the home of Bank of America, Wachovia and NASCAR (and formerly wrestling). Raleigh is the home of UNC, NCSU and Duke along with the largest IBM site in the world, GlaxoSmithkline, numerous high tech companies and state government. If you are a banker, go to Charlotte, if you are in high tech or medicine, go to Raleigh. I saw where people said Charlotte has more young people, I question that. Since the triangle has numerous colleges, people who move there when they are 18-22 will stay there, so there is a lot of young people there. The triangle has 3 diverse cities/areas (4 counting Cary) and Charlotte is in the same amount of space. If you like pro football or basketball, go to Charlotte. If you like pro hockey and more college sports than you can handle, go to Raleigh. But both cities are good for a nightlife (Raleigh has a hopping downtown as I guess Charlotte does too) In both cities, you will want to move as close to downtown as you can get. Both are family areas but both have nightlife. If you ask someone from Charlotte about Raleigh, they don't think Raleigh has what Charlotte has(per my thoughts on Charlotte as wanting to be the next Atlanta) and ask someone from Raleigh about Charlotte (they think they think they live with nothing but rednecks and bankers).

Subway_Scoundrel

Bonniebroad I completly disagree with your comment on Raleigh and "The liveliest areas to live are those right around the campuses." The campus areas are dead due to drinking age. Go drive on Gleenwood South (Gleen wood ave on the souther end)around 10 on a FRiday night and then go over to the warehouse distric and work you way over to Moore Square and I do not think you will make that comment again. More people than you will ever believe. And with the Fay Street Mall opening up, it opens all areas to each other. Back in the 80s, that may be true, but raleigh has come along way. Sorry, but I strongly disagree with that comment.