16 Must-Know Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC

If you’re thinking about moving to a thriving southern city that offers an affordable cost of living, abundant job opportunities, and a friendly and diverse population, then you can’t go wrong living in Charlotte, NC! In fact, Charlotte is one of the most moved-to cities in the U.S., and around 500,000 people (or 117 people per day) moved to the area this past year. The Queen City is well known throughout the country as a hub of finance, research, and development if you’re a professional looking for a job, but it also boasts some amazing schools and higher education institutions, which are perfect for families. But if you’re considering relocating, it’s essential to learn the pros and cons of living in Charlotte, NC, so you have a more well-rounded view and can make the right decision for you and/or your family.

Fun Facts You Should Know About Charlotte

• Charlotte has a population of around 923,164.
• It was named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III, hence the nickname Queen City.
• Its downtown is actually uptown, thanks to a gradual rise in the slant of the terrain.
• Charlotte is the birthplace of NASCAR.
• Movies and TV shows like The Hunger Games and Homeland were filmed in Charlotte.
• Charlotte’s Mint Museum was the first museum established in North Carolina.

1. Pro: The Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC, Is Affordable.

If you’re looking for an affordable city to move to, Charlotte, NC, should be at the top of your list. Its cost of living score is 102.5, which is just above the national average index of 100. We mentioned that lots of folks are moving to Charlotte each day, and if you’re relocating from New York City, Miami, or Washington, D.C., to escape high costs of living, you’re not alone. These cities all have higher costs of living compared to Charlotte:

• NYC: 172.5
• Washington, D.C.: 151.9
• Miami: 118.9

A living wage salary for a single adult in D.C. is just over $56,100 before taxes, while it’s only around $48,400 in Charlotte. That’s a big difference in the cost of living!

2. Con: Charlotte Is Very Hot and Humid in the Summer.

Before moving to this southern city, it’s important that you know summers in Charlotte are both hot and muggy. This is because the city is inland and away from any cooling breezes you find by the ocean. You can expect July and August temperatures to be in the high-80s and mid-90s consistently, with humidity levels around 80 percent or higher. This can definitely put a damper on outdoor activities and sports, and you should expect thunderstorms to be a common occurrence throughout the hot season.

3. Pro: The Charlotte Job Market Is Thriving.

Lots of folks are interested in living in Charlotte, NC, because of the job opportunities, and the job economy is expected to grow by 42.5 percent in the next 10 years. There are a lot of industries you can find good work in, including the financial sector, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and technology. Charlotte is also home to higher-education facilities like the University of North Carolina, and young adults who graduate have lots of opportunities to stay in the city by landing a good job. Some of the top employers include:

• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• Amazon
• Lowe’s

4. Con: There Is Limited Public Transportation in Charlotte.

Although Charlotte is a large city, the public transportation options are lacking in Charlotte. According to a poll conducted by CATS — the Charlotte Area Transit System — the public thinks that transit is necessary and even plays a vital role in the community, but 44 percent of poll voters have never ridden it. Most riders would like more frequent service and better timing between transfers, which might give you a hint as to how efficient the transit really is. Overall, the CATS system operates both buses and light rail options, but, largely,  this is a very car-centric city. 

Charlotte is teeming with places to go and things to do and see.

5. Pro: There Are So Many Things To Do in Charlotte, NC.

No matter if you’re a young professional, family, or retiree, there are a lot of things to do in Charlotte, NC! Check out the Mint Museum, for example, or the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art when you want to see a new exhibit, cutting-edge artist, or the works of master painters of the past. Freedom Park and Romare Bearden Park also offer residents the chance to get outdoors and go walking or biking right in the city, and you can’t go wrong catching a Carolina Panthers (NFL) or a Charlotte Hornets (NBA) game! 

If you’re looking for things to do with kids, specifically, the Carowinds Amusement Park is always high on the list, or take them to the SEA LIFE Aquarium or the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 

Want to experience a fun cultural event? Check out the variety of yearly festivals you can enjoy as a resident of Charlotte:

11. Pro: Charlotte Is Great for All Walks of Life.

You’ll find all kinds of people thriving in Charlotte, but it’s definitely a really big draw for professionals, students, and families. The great jobs in a variety of industries coupled with the lower cost of living in Charlotte, NC, are why lots of people are moving there. No matter what industry you’re in, chances are high that you can find a good job in Charlotte with a decent commute — or no commute by working remotely! 

Students also make up a good part of the population, and some top-tier colleges in the city include:

• The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Wingate University
• Queens University of Charlotte
• Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

Families also like living in Charlotte, thanks to affordable housing in a variety of different neighborhoods and a public school system that offers quality education at the elementary and secondary level, including many schools with an A+ rating on Niche.

12. Con: Traffic Is a Headache Due to Lack of Infrastructure.

One of the major issues that Charlotte has had in recent years is changing the infrastructure to support the population boom. Because it’s a car-dependent city, you can expect traffic to be very difficult, even though the city is working to expand lanes to keep the flow of traffic moving. There’s also no viable public transportation that can connect all the areas of this large city, which means everyone is in a car trying to get somewhere and creating massive traffic problems.

The city planners and government have attempted to initiate better bike access and improve the buses and light rail transit to alleviate some of this pressure, but according to residents, it is still a large issue that needs to be resolved.

 

Whether you’re looking for a quieter neighborhood to raise your kids, or you want something bustling and vibrant, Charlotte has just what you’re looking for.

13. Pro: Diverse Neighborhoods Abound in Charlotte.

Whether you’re looking for a quieter neighborhood to raise your kids, or you want something bustling and vibrant, Charlotte has just what you’re looking for. Older neighborhoods like Elizabeth and Cherry are perfect for those who want to be close to all the action — including young professionals and students — as these are close to Uptown and all kinds of restaurants, bars, and parks. King’s College Charlotte is a short walk from either neighborhood, as is Theatre Charlotte.

NoDa (North Davidson) is known for its artsy vibe, and here you’ll find art walks out of local galleries, bakeries, and vintage shops like OldNews Vintage. If you want a neighborhood with safe streets and lots of other families, consider looking for a place in Provincetowne or Ballantyne East, which are close to shopping, the Six Mile Creek Greenway, and Elon Park.

14. Con: A Lot of Work Is Remote in Charlotte.

Although this is true of a lot of the country, in Charlotte you’ll find many of the jobs in finance, banking, and technology are remote. This isn’t by itself a con since remote work can be good for lots of people; however, if you’re moving to Charlotte from out of state or from another city, it may be difficult to find a community because of it. A lot of people who work remotely in Charlotte don’t have to commute anywhere or work in person with coworkers, and this can limit how they interact with others in their Charlotte neighborhoods.

15. Pro: Charlotte Has a Great Culinary Scene.

Because there are people from all over the country (and the world) that call Charlotte home, you can expect to find all kinds of culinary adventures! In addition to amazing Carolina BBQ and fried chicken spots like Sweet Lew’s BBQ or Dish, you’ll also find a variety of other cuisines — some that have even been James Beard Award finalists! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Le’s Sandwiches & Cafe (Vietnamese)
• Yunta Nikkei (Peruvian)
• Las Lupitas  (Mexican)
• Jasmine Grill (Mediterranean)

Bonus: Charlotte’s beer scene is worth mentioning, as well! In addition to the yearly Craft Beer Week, you can find lots of local brews at places throughout the city, such as HopFly Brewing Co., NoDa Brewing Company, and Legion Brewing.