Alessandra Zoe..i support your wanting to live in a city as we do too...and friends also have the same.".why not the suburbs" reaction. Living in the city makes one feel so alive and for me, gives off a steady and very positive adrenaline rush. Renting is always a good idea to try it out. Floorplans with BRs in tne rear are helpful as far as noise. Good luck finding the perfect city location with a milder climate.

So I took a look at some 4th Ward condos online last night, and I'm ready to move. There are some very pricey ones, sure, but those are huge (nothing that big <i>exists</i> in San Francisco). On a strictly per square foot basis, I'd say the prices are 1/3-1/2 of San Francisco prices, where prices in the downtown area are generally between $750-$1,000 psf for a newish (but not necessarily luxury) condo (whereas what I saw in the 4th Ward seem to run a much more reasonable $200-300 a foot).

sf7307--You got it in one. As others have noted, there's not that much THERE there, but it's really walkable, and we don't need a ton of night life at our age. We saw lots of street performers, couples holding hands, families doing little dances, etc while walking.

Bar seen for us (older) was doable; restaurants were quite good. We are picky--we need to order dinner at bar for "normal"--and we need that to be healthy. So far, so good.

Dinner options of above average were good. Pricey but not overly so.

Important to us was airport on relative US food chain. Not bad at all. And bus access to airport is excellent.

Lots of things to consider--we're in thinking mode.

Wish we could afford SF--it is our food measure of all city (sorry, NYC) in the US.

San Diego, however, wins for beer.

How interesting to say there's not much there. How nice. I hope you will find our city not completely wanting. Hmmmm. Stay where you are with that attitude. Tilt that nose just up a bit more.
HOwever, I will perservere in trying to HELP you. We DO have an excellent medical community
Our kids, who have a wonderful house in a good part of Charlotte are also looking at an "uptown" condo--would that surprise you.
Do you want a "rooftop" condo?
So, please don't dismiss my suggestions (and you have said you "don't") as just a "one note". I pay attention to real estate in the city from several points of view==it is changing. and things are available close to uptown.
I am a BIG booster of the "uptown". Lots to be said and done there.
"Bar seen"--do you need to be "seen" or at the "scene". LOL

I live in Matthews, a suburb in south Charlotte, but I personally like uptown. Its always in development with new restaurants popping up all the time. Sure, it may lack in small neighborhhood grocers now that Reids moved, but there is is a nice Trader Joe's at the Metropolitan and a new Harris Teeter is going up in Plaza Midwood both of which would be an easy drive. I like the South End neighborhood and there are lots of condos going up there along the Linx line.

I get not bring a fan of South Park. Yes its nice but its mostly filled with chain stores and restaurants you can find in any large city in the US. It looks nice but, Imo, its not unique...it reminds me of a few areas in my native St. Louis. Not that there is anything wrong with that but its not for everyone.

Good luck!
Tracy