Charlotte is one of the cities I'm considering relocating to from Atlanta. What is the shopping like there in comparison to Atlanta? Do they have many high-end stores like Saks or Neiman Marcus? What about restaurants? What's the coolest part of Charlotte to live in?

I've done a search and wasn't able to find much information. Thanks.

Few national high end stores here. No Saks.No Neiman Marcus. No Nordys.

A food snob wouldn't find much to rave about our restaurant selection.

The coolest part of Charlotte right now would probably be NoDa or North Davidson, an area of old millhouses that are being gentrified.

Spend a weekend here and check it out. I have a feeling you'll be disappointed.

Thanks so much for the honest reply. I'm looking for a smaller city in the southeast that still has some culture and diversity. Guess nothing like that really exists.

Have you considered Charleston? Lots of history, charm and culture -- and fabulous food.

I would agree with previous poster. I live in Charlotte and really do like it here, but great shopping and restaurants, not really... Same ole' type stuff you get anywhere. A Saks is "supposed" to be built in South Charlotte, but we are still waiting to see. It is a nice place to live and there is a great ethnic diversity. There really isn't a "cool" part of town in Charlotte. Trust me, we looked and looked for it. I love to shop, eat and hang out out cool places, but they are not located all in one area. Charleston is very pretty with a old Southern charm but enough modern-city type style to keep you entertained. I lived many years in Nashville and it is not a good choice for shopping, food or diversity. It does have a flare about it though. None of the above are like Atlanta. Good luck in your search for a new home!!

Have you thought about the Raleigh area? I think it might offer more of what you're looking for than Charlotte. Even though the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area is smaller than the Charlotte metro area, the fact that there are three major research universities AND a huge high-tech corridor (Research Triangle Park) means you get a lot of things that are unusual for a city that size. Ethnic restaurants, foreign films, etc etc.

As for shopping, the Triangle (Ral-Dur-CH) is not on par with Atlanta, but the area does have Nordstrom's and Lord & Taylor.

I agree with Julie that Nashville isn't what you're looking for, either. As someone who's lived in both Nashville and Raleigh-Durham, the latter has MUCH more to offer than the former, I think. Nashville is a perfectly nice place to live, but Raleigh-Durham feels much more cosmopolitan.

Don't know if this would be an issue for you, but Wake County (Raleigh) and Chapel Hill-Carrboro have terrific public schools, too.

Now's the time to buy Charlotte Hornets merchandise at REALLY DEEP discounts.

Buy it? We'll gladly GIVE it away!