funky Charlotte?
Jun 25th, 2003 | 06:00 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
funky Charlotte?
Does this city have any neighborhoods that are more artsy, funky rather than chic? With local cafes rather than Star Bucks?
"Gretchen" if you're out there, I agree with most of your comments here, so we must think a bit alike. What is your opinion about Charlotte as a place to live?
"Gretchen" if you're out there, I agree with most of your comments here, so we must think a bit alike. What is your opinion about Charlotte as a place to live?
Jun 25th, 2003 | 07:18 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
I've been dating a woman for the past seven months or so, who relocated to Charlotte recently. I've made a handful of visits but none long enough to really scope out the entire scene.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Northeasterner with an urban bent (from Syracuse NY but have been living in North Jersey just outside Manhattan for the past four years - also spent four years working in funky, artsy little Ithaca NY).
My take thus far is that, for me, it has more potential as an interesting place to live than other southern cities I've visited. The only funky, artsy section I've heard of is somewhere just outside of downtown (which Charlotteans call "Uptown"). The Smelly Cat Coffeehouse is in the 500 block of East 36th - from what I understand, this is the "artsy" section.
Haven't had a chance to get there yet but the GF and I did take a snoop around the Dilworth section. It's just south of Uptown near the hospital and not funky per se but has the tree lined streets, older homes and genteel character of a classic northeastern city neighborhood. Uptown itself has some loft housing and upscale condos - a few in older rehabbed buildings but most are new construction.
What I like about the community thus far based on my limited experience:
1) Nice geography with an abundance of trees, water and hilly area
2) Upscale dowtown area with some interesting restaurants and a couple good live music venues
3) Appears to be racially well balanced and in the more upscale neighborhoods, more integrated than many other cities including those in the Northeast
4) Friendly people
5) Decent cutural amenities for a mid sized city - they even have four Dean & DeLuca locations - not that I shop there but it's a reflection of the tastes and income levels existant
6) Decent selection of ethnic restaurants (but they are often a goodly drive to reach)
What I'm less enthused about....
1) Suburban sprawl with lots of McMansions, big box chain stores, "power plaza" shopping centers and franchise restaurants (in the interest of full disclosure - this is what my girlfriend LIKES most about Charlotte!)
2) Even if you live in Uptown/Downtown, it's really necessary to have a car
3) Uptown/Downtown is very quiet at night and on weekends with the exception of a few limited areas
4) Only one Art cinema in the city - very limited options for non mainstream movies (I'm a big movie buff and this is important)
5) Tough to find a good espresso in town. I haven't tried all the possible independent options yet although Jackon's Java out on University City Blvd gets it right sometimes (in defense of Charlotte I should point out that I have trouble finding a good espresso in North jersey or Manhattan)
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Northeasterner with an urban bent (from Syracuse NY but have been living in North Jersey just outside Manhattan for the past four years - also spent four years working in funky, artsy little Ithaca NY).
My take thus far is that, for me, it has more potential as an interesting place to live than other southern cities I've visited. The only funky, artsy section I've heard of is somewhere just outside of downtown (which Charlotteans call "Uptown"). The Smelly Cat Coffeehouse is in the 500 block of East 36th - from what I understand, this is the "artsy" section.
Haven't had a chance to get there yet but the GF and I did take a snoop around the Dilworth section. It's just south of Uptown near the hospital and not funky per se but has the tree lined streets, older homes and genteel character of a classic northeastern city neighborhood. Uptown itself has some loft housing and upscale condos - a few in older rehabbed buildings but most are new construction.
What I like about the community thus far based on my limited experience:
1) Nice geography with an abundance of trees, water and hilly area
2) Upscale dowtown area with some interesting restaurants and a couple good live music venues
3) Appears to be racially well balanced and in the more upscale neighborhoods, more integrated than many other cities including those in the Northeast
4) Friendly people
5) Decent cutural amenities for a mid sized city - they even have four Dean & DeLuca locations - not that I shop there but it's a reflection of the tastes and income levels existant
6) Decent selection of ethnic restaurants (but they are often a goodly drive to reach)
What I'm less enthused about....
1) Suburban sprawl with lots of McMansions, big box chain stores, "power plaza" shopping centers and franchise restaurants (in the interest of full disclosure - this is what my girlfriend LIKES most about Charlotte!)
2) Even if you live in Uptown/Downtown, it's really necessary to have a car
3) Uptown/Downtown is very quiet at night and on weekends with the exception of a few limited areas
4) Only one Art cinema in the city - very limited options for non mainstream movies (I'm a big movie buff and this is important)
5) Tough to find a good espresso in town. I haven't tried all the possible independent options yet although Jackon's Java out on University City Blvd gets it right sometimes (in defense of Charlotte I should point out that I have trouble finding a good espresso in North jersey or Manhattan)
Jun 25th, 2003 | 01:22 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 0
Mardi-
Owen's take on Charlotte is very good-esp.from a Northerner...
I used to live there 20+ years ago when there was NO liquor by the drink and No restaurants open on SUNDAY!! Yes...it was like that...
Now, it is TERRIFIC..consider it a small progressive Atlanta....With Good shopping, Great restaurants, fabulous housing and apts....
A definte YES on whether to live there or not!!!
You DO need a car and things are sprawled out--but it is a GREAT CITY~!!
Owen's take on Charlotte is very good-esp.from a Northerner...
I used to live there 20+ years ago when there was NO liquor by the drink and No restaurants open on SUNDAY!! Yes...it was like that...
Now, it is TERRIFIC..consider it a small progressive Atlanta....With Good shopping, Great restaurants, fabulous housing and apts....
A definte YES on whether to live there or not!!!
You DO need a car and things are sprawled out--but it is a GREAT CITY~!!
Jun 26th, 2003 | 05:05 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
In support of Andy's comments - I have visted Atlanta on many occasions and had friends/relatives who've lived there - I'd take Charlotte in a minute over Atlanta. If the GF relationship looks to be the right long term option and my job permits it, I'll seriously contemplate a move to Charlotte - that's a real endorsement from me.
One other negative (not a biggie) - if you're a frequent traveler, the airfares in and out of Charlotte tend to be very high as it is a US Air "hub" city (translation = captive market). I generally fly in and out of Greensboro NC, 90 minutes north - half the price and a much less congested airport. Not a bad option.
One other negative (not a biggie) - if you're a frequent traveler, the airfares in and out of Charlotte tend to be very high as it is a US Air "hub" city (translation = captive market). I generally fly in and out of Greensboro NC, 90 minutes north - half the price and a much less congested airport. Not a bad option.
Jun 26th, 2003 | 07:06 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
If you do a search of this forum using the word "Charlotte" you'll come across quite a few posts about what Charlotte is like to live in, so I won't revisit much of what I've already said on those threads. But in terms of "funky," when I lived there the funkiest scene I found was on North Davidson Street on once-a-month Friday gallery crawl nights. Folk art, thrift stores with furniture from the 1950s, people wandering around drinking wine and looking at bewildering sculptures and paintings -- lots of fun. At least when I was there it was still funky (as in cheap beer served by a woman of a certain age with a huge beehive hairdo which was NOT meant to be an ironic nod to the B-52s, at a great dive called "Pat's Time for One More") and hadn't yet become trendy -- I can't vouch for it now. A Google search for "Charlotte gallery crawl" turned up this: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlot...fe/2076965.htm
Jun 28th, 2003 | 03:52 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Coming late to the discussion but everyone has covered it quite well from both points of view. Plaza-Midwood and Chantilly areas are the "new" gentrification neighborhoods--maybe not truly funky but great for young folks. Our kids had their first home in Chantilly, upgraded it and did very well in moving on. The NoDa neighborhood is the "art" colony and is still funky and fun. There is lots going on in Charlotte at all levels.
Jun 29th, 2003 | 05:15 AM
#9
Original Poster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Ya'll are great - thanks for your insight and amiable verbage. I have meandered in Uptown & Dillworth, but not yet Midwood or Chantilly.
Having lived in and loved WashDC and New Orleans, I'm hoping Charlotte has a pleasant mix of their styles.
Owen, I'd heard about the inflated airfares and deparing from GSO instead. Have you heard about new-release movies being shown outdoors on the side of a building for public viewing. Not vintage cinema, but fun concept. As for coffee, I too am a snob, having lived in Naples, Italy for 6 months with the real stuff! ciao
Having lived in and loved WashDC and New Orleans, I'm hoping Charlotte has a pleasant mix of their styles.
Owen, I'd heard about the inflated airfares and deparing from GSO instead. Have you heard about new-release movies being shown outdoors on the side of a building for public viewing. Not vintage cinema, but fun concept. As for coffee, I too am a snob, having lived in Naples, Italy for 6 months with the real stuff! ciao
Jun 29th, 2003 | 06:21 AM
#10
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
I think Charlotte may well offer you some of what DC and New Orleans have to offer but in very small doeses. All in all, if I had to choose a Southern city to live (apart from New Orleans), Charlotte would be high on my list.
I did hear about some free outdoor weekly movies showing at UNC campus but hadn't heard about the one showing on the side of the building. They did that for awhile back in my hometown of Syracuse NY and it was fun - people brought their lawnchairs and a six pack and kicked back.
As for espresso..... I was not impressed with Dilworth Coffeehouse (two locations but I only tried one). Also didn't care for Lava Java (nice atmosphere and a wretched cappa). Jackson's does a decent job - you can get a good espresso there but it's way out on University City Blvd near UNC campus. Smelly Cat may be good and there's another Downtown/Uptown area coffeehouse whose name escapes me but they tout themselves as being the area's only true Seattle style coffeehouse and they're open late with live jazz on weekends.
I did hear about some free outdoor weekly movies showing at UNC campus but hadn't heard about the one showing on the side of the building. They did that for awhile back in my hometown of Syracuse NY and it was fun - people brought their lawnchairs and a six pack and kicked back.
As for espresso..... I was not impressed with Dilworth Coffeehouse (two locations but I only tried one). Also didn't care for Lava Java (nice atmosphere and a wretched cappa). Jackson's does a decent job - you can get a good espresso there but it's way out on University City Blvd near UNC campus. Smelly Cat may be good and there's another Downtown/Uptown area coffeehouse whose name escapes me but they tout themselves as being the area's only true Seattle style coffeehouse and they're open late with live jazz on weekends.
Jun 29th, 2003 | 10:09 AM
#11
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Mardi, Speaking of outdoor movies...they also have outdoor movies on the front lawn of the Mint Museum on Randolph Road....it is usually a classic movie and you bring a picnic, wine and lay on a blanket.
I have heard of the one down town which plays the movie on the building but I cannot remember the name of the street it is on.
As for original coffee houses..they are everywhere. There is a cute one in the Quail Corners shopping center that I usually go to but I can't remember the name of it.
I have heard of the one down town which plays the movie on the building but I cannot remember the name of the street it is on.
As for original coffee houses..they are everywhere. There is a cute one in the Quail Corners shopping center that I usually go to but I can't remember the name of it.
Jun 30th, 2003 | 06:01 AM
#12
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Charlotte is a great city -- friendly, beautiful and the location is ideal for lots of weekend getaways.
But funky Charlotte? There are small and shallow pockets of "funk" in Charlotte. Unfortunately, our NODA arts district (the North Davidson area that Owen mentioned) has floundered rather than flourished in recent years. I was there two weeks ago and only two art galleries on the main drag are currently open: Blue Pony Gallery and Center of the Earth. There is a new development of work/live condos called The Colony farther along 36th. It's a very small collection of shops: an antique store, a clothing store, a painted fabric store and a small gallery.
Here is the Wachovia Off The Wall Movie Fest schedule:
July 11 -Double feature: Ocean's 11, new and old.
August 1 - Gone in 60 Seconds
September 12 - Drum Line
October 3 - The Rookie
The Wachovia Off the Wall MovieFest is free to the public. Seating begins at the Wachovia Plaza (301 South Tryon Street between 2nd and 3rd) at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk around 9 p.m.
But funky Charlotte? There are small and shallow pockets of "funk" in Charlotte. Unfortunately, our NODA arts district (the North Davidson area that Owen mentioned) has floundered rather than flourished in recent years. I was there two weeks ago and only two art galleries on the main drag are currently open: Blue Pony Gallery and Center of the Earth. There is a new development of work/live condos called The Colony farther along 36th. It's a very small collection of shops: an antique store, a clothing store, a painted fabric store and a small gallery.
Here is the Wachovia Off The Wall Movie Fest schedule:
July 11 -Double feature: Ocean's 11, new and old.
August 1 - Gone in 60 Seconds
September 12 - Drum Line
October 3 - The Rookie
The Wachovia Off the Wall MovieFest is free to the public. Seating begins at the Wachovia Plaza (301 South Tryon Street between 2nd and 3rd) at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk around 9 p.m.
