Moving to Charlotte? Where?

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From 2000 to 2010, some 400,000 people moved to Charlotte. That is a city about the size of Cincinnati!   I’ve exploreIMG_0044-1d a bit on “Why people move to Charlotte”  in a number of posts, and how about half come by choice , and half via corporate transfer. For more, see Introduction to Charlotte video (over 100,000 views on You Tube),

Last week, AvidXChange announced it was adding over 600 jobs to their automated invoice company. A month ago, it was announced that Sealed Air, a Fortune 500 company will move it’s headquarters from Elmwood Park, NJ, and consolidate more than 1260
jobs in Charlotte, NC.
 The same day New Jersey based Spectra Group an information technology firm announced it would bring 250 new jobs to Charlotte.  These companies join a growing energy sector, an established finance and insurance sector, a growing tech market, and a growing list of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Charlotte area.

That’s lots of newcomers, where will they choose to live?

Where are they moving to? Generally as close to their work as they can! Is Union County still the happening place? Ballantyne? The Lake Norman area? South Charlotte?   There are many choices north, south, east and west, but where you work will go a long way to determining where you live, because a big part of moving here is lowering that commute time, to us 30 minutes is a long(ish) commute. So, most folks living in Union County work in Southpark or Uptown, but not Davidson. Some live at the lake and commute to Uptown, but probably not Ballantyne.  What I think is great is that Charlotte is such a welcoming city. If you decide to come here, you will be welcomed here!

In this post recession era, all the reasons for moving to Charlotte remain the same: a low cost of living, great neighborhoods, good schools, and a high quality of life.   Businesses love our high quality airport with over 140 direct flights daily, and our educated workforce.  This is a winning combination!

Most of our biggest employers have centered into Uptown Charlotte, Southpark, University City area, or Ballantyne.  There are growing clusters near the airport, at Arrowood and I-77, on up to Mooresville where Lowe’s calls home.  AvidXChange secured a location near the NC Music Factory in Uptown Charlotte. Metlife chose Ballantyne, and United Aerospace picked a Tyvola Rd-Airport location. Sealed Air is still a TBD.

Most families tell me moving to Charlotte:  “It is about lifestyle”, and then tell me the commuting distance is a big part of lifestyle. So the choice of whee to live is related to geography- where you work often determines the choice set of where to move!  I have re-located executives to all  areas of Charlotte. Just in the last few years from senior executives moved, from Lake Norman to nearby Waxhaw, Union County.  I’ve moved tons of Wells Fargo folks, too, and many wound up in the Southpark area.  They all want the same thing, to find a place where they and their family can be happy. Thankfully, Charlotte has good choices, lots of  good choices.

As a side note I moved from Hoboken, New Jersey 20 years ago with 4 young children, my wife and dog, so I know something of about your journey ahead and your questions. I’ve tried to  answer many of those for you in a short video that shares my relocation story, and the city I found here.  Introduction to Charlotte video.

Lets take a look at our map- The familiar Google map  are subdivisions, see the key for the $$$$ colors. The yellow diamonds are landmarks and major shopping. Use the 4 Corner key to expand to the full and familiar Google map. Check your possible house/community location with your new employer location … open the map up to full size for best results.

 

Seen below is the growing 3rd Ward in Uptown- taken  from Dilworth, Charlotte’s first suburb.  Historically, Charlotte’s growth went south of the city. South Charlotte is where you find some of Charlotte’s elite neighborhoods, finest schools public and private, the best shopping at Southpark, beautiful outdoor space at Freedom Park, Bearden Park and Latta Park and a system of Greenways for hiking and biking.

A view of 3rd Ward in Charlotte
A view of 3rd Ward in Charlotte

Some of Mecklenburg County’s best high schools are here,  Providence High School, Ardrey Kell. South Mecklenburg- closer to town is the well regarded IB Myers Park High School.  Just beyond in popular Union County is the Marvin Ridge cluster, possibly Union County’s best.  Top private schools live here as well: Charlotte Latin, Charlotte Country Day, and Providence Day School – all three within a mile of Providence  Road. See the About Our Schools page for more information, links, requirements etc.

Lake Norman offers some of the most beautiful real estate in North Carolina! The lower parts- Huntersville and Cornelius, are within a 30-40 minute arc of Uptown and the Airport areas.

speedboat on Lake norman
Sailing on Lake Norman

For top executives, there are a number of excellent choices.  If you like the idea of lake living, (and who doesn’t?) Lake Norman and the Peninsula Golf and Marina may be calling- sorry, but beautiful Trump Charlotte is probably too far for daily commutes- it is 20 minutes to the  interstate, and then another 35 -45 minutes south to Charlotte. Conversely, The Peninsula on Lake Norman is a stunning golf and water community within the commuting arc  just off exit 28 on I-77.  If we are looking at waterfront property by land, then I’m happy to take you out to see the lake on the deck boat, and get a feel for life on the water. Some execs prefer to live in south Charlotte and buy a lake house, that works too! IF we are looking at Lake Norman homes by land,  I’ll be happy to show you the house from the water!  

Luxury home communities in town include Myers Park, Eastover, Dilworth and a bit further out, Foxcroft and Southpark. If you are a golfer, Quail Hollow Country Club is centrally located, home of the Wells Fargo Open, is a good intown option.  The club is just minutes to Charlotte’s best shopping, Southpark and has a Whose Who of Charlotte member list.  More serious golfers pay prefer the Jack Nicholas course at the Club at Longview in nearby Waxhaw.

Myers Park and Eastover will be options for those looking for 100 year old truss and wide boulevards, renovated historic homes abound.  These affluent close-in suburbs split the difference between Uptown and Southpark and have been home to Charlotte elites for 75 years. Freedom Park, plus all the excitement of Uptown,  world class museums, the Charlotte Knights, Hornets, Panthers, Imaginnon, Discovery Place are all  just 10 minutes away.

Ballantyne is one of the area’s hottest areas and neighborhoods, for mid- priced homes to luxury homes. Realtor.com ranks Ballantyne zip code 28277 as one of the top ten searched zip codes in the country. Known for its high performing schools, shopping, restaurants and growing charm, Ballantyne is 2o years new and provides an excellent mix of employment, shopping and housing at the intersection of 485 and Johnston Road, a future Tysons Corner if you know the DC market.

Some folks will want a different lifestyle, homes with land and privacy, we have those too! Millenials might prefer funky urban scenes like NODA or Southend or intown high rise condominiums, Charlotte has those too. Some prefer the active adult over 55 type community. We have all of the above! Horse country can start just 10 -15 miles east or west of the city.  Urban, suburban rural, the homes are here.

To all the families thinking of moving, know you will be welcomed. This city is diverse and enjoys seeing new folks succeed. Are you planning a trip to Charlotte? Moving by choice? Lets talk.  Your company moving you? Just ask your relo adviser to request me. Just call Terry 704-390-6221. 

Related Posts

Charlotte- The Heart of the New South

Longview, Still King of the Hill Union County

Ballantyne Market Update

Historic Dilworth

About Charlotte Area Schools

Moving to Charlotte- The Un-Tourist Guide

Terry McDonald

Terry McDonald

I am the owner and operator of CharlotteCommunitiesOnline.com and was inspired to create this website when I moved my young family of 6 down to Charlotte from the northeast, now over 20 years ago. Charlotte quickly became home to us and I wanted to create a website that would help individuals and families considering a move to Charlotte. I'm also the owner of The McDonald Group at eXp Realty (my day job) and have helped hundreds of folks relocate to Charlotte over the years.

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So everybody’s heard that Atlanta calls itself the “capitol” of the New South. Ok, I’ll give them that. But if Atlanta is the “capitol”, then Charlotte is the heart of the New South. Charlotte is the 20th largest city

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