Charlotte, North Carolina, consistently ranks high among American cities as a desirable place to live. Charlotte is located in the heart of Mecklenburg County and, with just over 900,000 residents, is the largest city in the state. Situated between the mountains and the coast, Charlotte borders South Carolina, offering easy commutes to other points of interest in both states. Are you moving to Charlotte? Here’s what you need to know about the Queen City.
Downtown is Uptown
No one is really sure why, but locals do not refer to the bustling central metro area of Charlotte as downtown. Rather, it is called Uptown and is a hub of activity day and night. The name may have originated in the 1970s when the city council declared the shopping and business district would be called “Uptown Charlotte.”
The Queen City
Charlotte is referred to as the Queen City because it was named after a queen! Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the German-born queen consort of British King George III during the time of the city’s founding.
Sports
Did someone say football? The Carolina Panthers have been part of the NFL since 1995. They have played at Bank of America Stadium, a skyline feature of Uptown Charlotte, since 1996. Charlotte is also home to the Hornets, who started playing in the NBA in 1988 and are now owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan.
Other area sports teams include minor league soccer, hockey, and baseball teams. NASCAR is a huge part of the Charlotte landscape as well, with a NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown and the Charlotte Motor Speedway in nearby Concord.
Employment
Moving to Charlotte and looking for a career here? Normally, the unemployment rate in Charlotte is very low and weekly wages average around $1214. Charlotte is a hub for the financial industry, utilities, professional and business services, healthcare, and education. Higher than average hourly wages in the Charlotte area are listed for financial managers ($79.88), computer systems analysts ($47.17), and credit analysts ($41.49).
Livability
Charlotte is a family-friendly, urban-suburban city where most residents own their own homes. There is truly something for everyone here, from laidback and quiet neighborhoods such as Dilworth and the Fourth Ward to the entertainment filled NoDa Arts District.
About a quarter of Charlotte households include children under the age of 18. Parts of town that are family-friendly are highly desirable, as many residents either have families or will start them soon. The city has its upscale neighborhoods as well, including Ballantyne, an upscale community near excellent schools.
Charlotte, along with North Carolina’s capital city, Raleigh recently ranked “among the top 10 in a study of factors that contribute to residents’ happiness, according to a 2020 index from the user-contributed database website Numbeo.”
Education
Charlotte is always ranked high for the quality of its public education. When moving to Charlotte, you’ll also find opportunities to advance your education. The University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, as well as continuing education sessions.
UNCC is considered to be an urban research university and “maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.” Central Piedmont Community College and Queens University of Charlotte are also exemplary institutions of higher learning located in Charlotte.
Weather
Not too hot and not too cold, Charlotte enjoys four distinct seasons with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Blue skies are abundant in the Queen City, which has an annual average temperature of 61.5 degrees. You will find mild winters, with temperatures in the mid-50s, and pleasant summers, where the temperature typically sits comfortably in the mid-80s.
Moving to Charlotte? Fox Moving and Storage is Ready to Help!
Whether you’re moving to Charlotte from another city or moving locally within the Queen City, the professional movers at Fox Moving and Storage can help make it a stress-free adventure. At Fox Moving and Storage Charlotte, we are your trusted, locally owned movers. We will help you take care of everything involved in your next move, so you won’t have to worry. Contact Fox Moving and Storage Charlotte today to learn more so you can start enjoying the best that Charlotte has to offer! We also offer you a free quote. Simply give us a call today at 980-207-2998 and find out how we can help you.