If your from Charlotte (or nearby) raise your hand!
Mar 25th, 2008, 05:13 AM
#23
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Hmmm....so I guess there are more of us than I originally thought!
I really like Charlotte, although I just went back to St. Louis this past weekend and am now in another bout of homesickness that seems to appear every time I go home....but it sure was nice to leave the snowy conditions of St. Louis and arrive in Charlotte with it's blue skies and 60 degree weather!
Tracy
I really like Charlotte, although I just went back to St. Louis this past weekend and am now in another bout of homesickness that seems to appear every time I go home....but it sure was nice to leave the snowy conditions of St. Louis and arrive in Charlotte with it's blue skies and 60 degree weather!
Tracy
Apr 9th, 2008, 04:38 PM
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Tracy.
I was searching on this board for comments on Charlotte. Currently living in St Louis. Since you are from STL please compare the cities. Which do you like the best? I have been thinking about Charlotte as a city to relocate to for retirement.
I was searching on this board for comments on Charlotte. Currently living in St Louis. Since you are from STL please compare the cities. Which do you like the best? I have been thinking about Charlotte as a city to relocate to for retirement.
Apr 10th, 2008, 12:11 PM
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louie64, I'll try to compare the two cities but it will be kind of hard as they are very different and, what can I say, St. Louis is my hometown and I've only lived in Charlotte since late 06. Okay, so here goes:
Weather - The weather in Charlotte is awesome compared to St. Louis. It doesn't (usually) get as hot, or as cold, as St. Louis. We have had flowers blooming here for weeks now, and there are azaleas and flowering trees everywhere. What people consider "cold" here in the winter is quite a bit different than my definition!
Location - Charlottes location is one of my favorite things about the city. I love being close to Charleston and Savannah, and the beach, but must admit that I'm partial to the mountains. We love to hike and there are some great hiking and walking trails nearby. Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway are close by, and the area around Blowing Rock and Banner Elk is just gorgeous, especially during the fall.
The city itself took a little while for me to warm up to. It takes a little bit of digging, because at first glance it looks like lots of urban sprawl. There are excellent neighborhood (ie non-chain) restaurants, but you just have to know where to look for them. I do miss the historic neighborhoods in St. Louis like Lafayette Square, Central West End, etc. that are filled with lots of small restaurants and shops. Charlotte's historic neighborhoods are mostly residential. There are lots of great ethnic restaurants in Charlotte, much more than in St. Louis, but I so miss The Hill (for great Italian) and South City for great Bosnian cuisine.
Tourist sights - I'll admit that Charlotte doesn't rate very high in the tourist sights department. There are lots of great places within a few hours from here, but people coming to Charlotte for a vacation destination will probably be dissapointed. The museums aren't that great (and they are expensive compared to St. Louis, where everything was free) and they are spread out as opposed to all being in Forest Park in St. Louis. There is no zoo, and the botanical gardens are quite a few miles outside of town.
Road System - The road system is just not that great. Charlotte is growing too fast to keep the infrastructure up, and that's a major gripe with me. I live in Matthews, a suburb south of Charlotte, and there is no interstate to take me to uptown. St. Louis has interstates everywhere so this is just something I am still not used to.
Overall it was a good move. We really like it here. The housing market is much better than most other parts of the country, and our property taxes are much lower than they were in Illinois (I'm from Edwardsville, just across the river from St. Louis). There is much more green space here, as in Illinois there was either development or crops...very little trees. People here are very friendly and the city is growing so it still feels relatively compact to me. In St. Louis I would think nothing of driving from Edwardsville to West County Mall area, which was about a 40 minute drive. I don't think there is anywhere in Charlotte that would take me even 20 minutes to get to unless I was headed up to Lake Norman or something.
Well, that was very long winded! Hopefully it does help some.
Tracy
Weather - The weather in Charlotte is awesome compared to St. Louis. It doesn't (usually) get as hot, or as cold, as St. Louis. We have had flowers blooming here for weeks now, and there are azaleas and flowering trees everywhere. What people consider "cold" here in the winter is quite a bit different than my definition!
Location - Charlottes location is one of my favorite things about the city. I love being close to Charleston and Savannah, and the beach, but must admit that I'm partial to the mountains. We love to hike and there are some great hiking and walking trails nearby. Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway are close by, and the area around Blowing Rock and Banner Elk is just gorgeous, especially during the fall.
The city itself took a little while for me to warm up to. It takes a little bit of digging, because at first glance it looks like lots of urban sprawl. There are excellent neighborhood (ie non-chain) restaurants, but you just have to know where to look for them. I do miss the historic neighborhoods in St. Louis like Lafayette Square, Central West End, etc. that are filled with lots of small restaurants and shops. Charlotte's historic neighborhoods are mostly residential. There are lots of great ethnic restaurants in Charlotte, much more than in St. Louis, but I so miss The Hill (for great Italian) and South City for great Bosnian cuisine.
Tourist sights - I'll admit that Charlotte doesn't rate very high in the tourist sights department. There are lots of great places within a few hours from here, but people coming to Charlotte for a vacation destination will probably be dissapointed. The museums aren't that great (and they are expensive compared to St. Louis, where everything was free) and they are spread out as opposed to all being in Forest Park in St. Louis. There is no zoo, and the botanical gardens are quite a few miles outside of town.
Road System - The road system is just not that great. Charlotte is growing too fast to keep the infrastructure up, and that's a major gripe with me. I live in Matthews, a suburb south of Charlotte, and there is no interstate to take me to uptown. St. Louis has interstates everywhere so this is just something I am still not used to.
Overall it was a good move. We really like it here. The housing market is much better than most other parts of the country, and our property taxes are much lower than they were in Illinois (I'm from Edwardsville, just across the river from St. Louis). There is much more green space here, as in Illinois there was either development or crops...very little trees. People here are very friendly and the city is growing so it still feels relatively compact to me. In St. Louis I would think nothing of driving from Edwardsville to West County Mall area, which was about a 40 minute drive. I don't think there is anywhere in Charlotte that would take me even 20 minutes to get to unless I was headed up to Lake Norman or something.
Well, that was very long winded! Hopefully it does help some.
Tracy
Apr 10th, 2008, 03:41 PM
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Thanks for your response Tracy. I found your comments interesting and useful. I have only driven thru Charlotte on the way to Asheville from Charleston. We like living in a large metro area but not too large as to be a pain to get around. Also looking for reasonable housing costs. New construction cost in St Louis County is insane and the taxes are over the top. Sounds like Charlotte is better than St Louis for housing and climate, but not as good when it comes to entertainment, restaurants, and the fine historical areas we have in St Louis.
Apr 10th, 2008, 04:05 PM
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What Wannabe says is unfortunately true, but for longer than 20 years. Charlotte has always seen itself as the "new" place and is not a terribly "old" town to begin with. But unlike Denver which valued its Victorian roots, Charlotte did tear them down.
However, I have to disagree about the museums. We have fine museums, and one of the finest ceramic collections in the country.'
You can be in the mountains in two hours and at the beach in three hours. Doesn't get much better than that.
The housing market in Charlotte is the best in the country at this moment in time. We haven't been sucked into the sub-prime problem, and our housing at all levels of income is truly beautiful. Our traffic is a problem, but I've been to St. Louis, and I think I'll opt for Charlotte.
You can live in a beautiful home in a good neighborhood within 10 minutes of downtown and its amenities of an NFL and NBA stadium, dining, museums, performing arts. People actually LIVE in the city of Charlotte, ina ddition to the suburbs--unlike STL. The corporate community is exemplary in its support of community concerns.
The school system is addressing its ever ongoing needs. I think we have an outstanding superintendent at the moment.
However, I have to disagree about the museums. We have fine museums, and one of the finest ceramic collections in the country.'
You can be in the mountains in two hours and at the beach in three hours. Doesn't get much better than that.
The housing market in Charlotte is the best in the country at this moment in time. We haven't been sucked into the sub-prime problem, and our housing at all levels of income is truly beautiful. Our traffic is a problem, but I've been to St. Louis, and I think I'll opt for Charlotte.
You can live in a beautiful home in a good neighborhood within 10 minutes of downtown and its amenities of an NFL and NBA stadium, dining, museums, performing arts. People actually LIVE in the city of Charlotte, ina ddition to the suburbs--unlike STL. The corporate community is exemplary in its support of community concerns.
The school system is addressing its ever ongoing needs. I think we have an outstanding superintendent at the moment.
Apr 10th, 2008, 04:15 PM
#32
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Gretchen, my response about Charlotte wasn't to make it sound negative. Louie asked for a comparative of Charlotte from someone who lived in St. Louis so I gave it to him. My comments were based on my own opinions, of course, but they were honest to the best of my own personal knowledge. Maybe you wouldn't prefer to live in St. Louis, and that's perfectly alright, but if you've only visited you fail to see what those of us who've lived there most of our lives see. It's not perfect, in fact far from it, but for me it will always be home and I love it immensely and miss it deeply. I think it would be hard for anyone to truly compare two cities unless they've lived in both.
With that being said, yes I do find the museums here a dissapointment. Maybe that's because I've traveled extensively and have seen some fabulous museums, I don't know. I don't think St. Louis's museums are incredible by any means, but at least they are free.
As I mentioned above, the weather and location are my two favorite things here, and those things beat St. Louis by a long shot.
To each their own.
Tracy
With that being said, yes I do find the museums here a dissapointment. Maybe that's because I've traveled extensively and have seen some fabulous museums, I don't know. I don't think St. Louis's museums are incredible by any means, but at least they are free.
As I mentioned above, the weather and location are my two favorite things here, and those things beat St. Louis by a long shot.
To each their own.
Tracy
Apr 10th, 2008, 04:18 PM
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And by the way, for the first time in many years the population in the city of St. Louis is actually growing. St. Louis has a tremendous amount of condos moving in just as they do here in Uptown. The huge difference between Charlotte and St. Louis is that the city of St. Louis is relatively small compared to St. Louis county (they are separate). Charlotte's city proper is much larger than St. Louis's city proper.
I admit, St. Louis's downtown is far from "happening" but it's getting better. When I went home a few weeks ago I was surprised by all the growth on Washington Street in downtown. And with the new stadium it makes it all the better. Hopefully things will continue to move forward.
Tracy
I admit, St. Louis's downtown is far from "happening" but it's getting better. When I went home a few weeks ago I was surprised by all the growth on Washington Street in downtown. And with the new stadium it makes it all the better. Hopefully things will continue to move forward.
Tracy
Apr 11th, 2008, 03:55 AM
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I really didn't take any offense at your post--you were indeed comparing the cities. My comment about living downtown and very near downtown (I live 10 minutes) more referred to the fact that I believe many years ago there was a significant "flight" from center STL that adversely affected many things, particularly schools--when the city and county became "separate". I believe Charlotte may be a good bit smaller overall than STL too.
and there is little doubt that the weather can't be beat here.
I also have travelled widely and would not compare Charlotte's museums to many larger cities. They are niche museums. Discovery Place is however a world class science museum. "Free"--join/become a member/support them and they will be free. We pay most places we visit museums, or are "encouraged" to give a donation.
Oh, I will beat the drum for the new Children's Theater and Library. Even if you don't have kids, go down to Imaginon and take a look--absolutely outstanding. And our library system is among the top five in the country--and at one time was rated number one.
and there is little doubt that the weather can't be beat here.
I also have travelled widely and would not compare Charlotte's museums to many larger cities. They are niche museums. Discovery Place is however a world class science museum. "Free"--join/become a member/support them and they will be free. We pay most places we visit museums, or are "encouraged" to give a donation.
Oh, I will beat the drum for the new Children's Theater and Library. Even if you don't have kids, go down to Imaginon and take a look--absolutely outstanding. And our library system is among the top five in the country--and at one time was rated number one.
Apr 11th, 2008, 07:28 AM
#35
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Gretchen,
I'm sorry if my response post sounded defensive. I didn't mean for it to be. It's funny because when I lived in St. Louis I wanted to move somewhere else and experience a new city. Now that I am gone, I somehow developed a huge soft spot for my former home town and get a little defensive even if it wasn't intended! I guess its because that's where I grew up, where my family is, and the only home I've always known. It's hard for me to compare the two cities when St. Louis will always be "home" to me.
My comparisons were based on the fact that I've lived in both cities. I do think that its hard for anyone to compare to cities unless they've truly lived in both. I understand that you want to defend Charlotte, because that's how I am with STL (obviously, from my post above!) but it was just that; a comparison. Both cities are great in their own ways.
St. Louis did have a flight, but it seems to be getting better as the trend to move back into city centers has been steadily rising around the country. Condos are going in at incredible rates, and most are upscale. Charlotte is different because the city of Charlotte takes up almost all of Mecklenburg County. St. Louis City and County split quite a while back so most of "St. Louis" is in fact St. Louis County and not St. Louis city.
I do really like Charlotte though. And I correct myself about the museums, as we recently visited the Levine Museum of the New South and were very impressed. I admit that I was dissapointed with Discovery Place though. St. Louis has a fabulous science center, and it's hard to beat. Discovery Place would probably be more fun for us if we had children.
The weather here today is fabulous, and if it doesn't rain we are headed to Crowders Mountain State Park tomorrow to hike with our doggie....one thing I could never do in STL!
Tracy
I'm sorry if my response post sounded defensive. I didn't mean for it to be. It's funny because when I lived in St. Louis I wanted to move somewhere else and experience a new city. Now that I am gone, I somehow developed a huge soft spot for my former home town and get a little defensive even if it wasn't intended! I guess its because that's where I grew up, where my family is, and the only home I've always known. It's hard for me to compare the two cities when St. Louis will always be "home" to me.
My comparisons were based on the fact that I've lived in both cities. I do think that its hard for anyone to compare to cities unless they've truly lived in both. I understand that you want to defend Charlotte, because that's how I am with STL (obviously, from my post above!) but it was just that; a comparison. Both cities are great in their own ways.
St. Louis did have a flight, but it seems to be getting better as the trend to move back into city centers has been steadily rising around the country. Condos are going in at incredible rates, and most are upscale. Charlotte is different because the city of Charlotte takes up almost all of Mecklenburg County. St. Louis City and County split quite a while back so most of "St. Louis" is in fact St. Louis County and not St. Louis city.
I do really like Charlotte though. And I correct myself about the museums, as we recently visited the Levine Museum of the New South and were very impressed. I admit that I was dissapointed with Discovery Place though. St. Louis has a fabulous science center, and it's hard to beat. Discovery Place would probably be more fun for us if we had children.
The weather here today is fabulous, and if it doesn't rain we are headed to Crowders Mountain State Park tomorrow to hike with our doggie....one thing I could never do in STL!
Tracy
Apr 11th, 2008, 08:11 AM
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What is the topography like in Charlotte? Is it hilly with trees or flat and barren or something in between? I have always thought the northern suburbs of Atlanta to be beautiful. Is Charlotte anything like that from a visual standpoint. The traffic and sprawl in Atlanta are just too much for us I think.
Apr 11th, 2008, 08:49 AM
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Charlotte is basically flat (certainly not hilly) with the most incredible canopy of trees in the central part of the city you will ever see--100 foot tall willow oaks.
I don't believe any part of the residential area would be called "barren". The outer business boulevards are, well, just that. It is definitely not a city set out on a grid, so many of the subdivision kind of areas have winding style roads. We have our share of sprawl, unfortunately. The new developments taking place along our new light rail line is exciting. Very well done mix of condos and retail. I understand that the rail line in Atlanta lead to some unwanted consequences of crime, etc.
I don't believe any part of the residential area would be called "barren". The outer business boulevards are, well, just that. It is definitely not a city set out on a grid, so many of the subdivision kind of areas have winding style roads. We have our share of sprawl, unfortunately. The new developments taking place along our new light rail line is exciting. Very well done mix of condos and retail. I understand that the rail line in Atlanta lead to some unwanted consequences of crime, etc.
Apr 11th, 2008, 10:41 AM
#38
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I agree with Gretchen. There are a lot of trees around here. I now work in the University area but I worked in uptown for awhile before I was transferred and the view from our office was very nice...Charlotte is pretty green. And the trees are particularly gorgeous right now, as so many of them are flowering. You can hit foothills fairly quickly once leaving the Charlotte area.
Tracy
Tracy
