City Guide / Charlotte

Your Complete Guide to Moving to Charlotte

By Bri Hand | Sep 13, 2021
Two men unloading boxes labeled “dishes” and “books” from a van in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Do you dream of cozy suburbs and a thriving downtown area alongside beautiful tree-lined streets? If yes, moving to Charlotte, NC, might be a good option to consider. 

Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest city, and there are plenty of reasons why the population is on the rise: Its natural landmarks, strong economy, and many unique neighborhoods make this city one of the country’s top cities to experience and make your home. 

If you’re thinking of relocating to Charlotte, read on for everything you need to know about moving there:

A few basics about moving to Charlotte

Before you can call Queen City your new home, it’s important to get some of the city’s basic information under your belt. Here are a few quick facts every resident should know before moving:

  • Climate: Although the Southeast is typically known for its heat and humidity, the region boasts fairly comfortable weather compared to other cities in the region. Shading from the Appalachian Mountains lends relief during the hot summer months. On the other hand, North Carolina offers mild temperatures and little snowfall during the winter. 
  • Geography: Charlotte is a city in the southwestern county of Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont plateau region, this city has an elevation of 730 to 765 feet above sea level with gentle, rolling hills, lush greenery, and the roaring Catawba River nearby. 
  • Population: This NC city has a growing, youthful, and diverse population. As of 2021, the city is home to 912,096 people, making it the most populous city in the state of North Carolina. Much of the increasing population over the past decade can be attributed to the city’s growing immigrant population. In fact, nearly 40% of the city’s residents are foreign-born, making this one of North Carolina’s most diverse cities. 

The pros and cons of living in Charlotte

Now that you have a basic understanding of Queen City, it’s time to take a closer look at the specifics of life in the city. Below are some common living in Charlotte, NC, pros and cons:

Pros

From its thriving job market to its affordability, here are the benefits of moving to this city:

  • Industry: Charlotte is known as one of the largest banking centers in the nation. This thriving financial market contributes largely to the region’s booming economy. With close proximity to the North Carolina Research Triangle (a trio of esteemed universities in the Raleigh-Durham area), this city is also home to a number of qualified professionals in the fields of business, technology, and medicine. 
  • Quiet neighborhoods and a lively downtown: Wondering where to live in Charlotte, NC? As far as larger cities go, this city offers the best of both worlds—quiet suburbs for families and an exciting downtown young professionals love. Check out the nightlife and entertainment scene downtown (which locals refer to as Uptown), or head to one of the dozens of quiet, suburban spots nearby. This balance makes this city a perfect place for anyone.
  • Affordable cost of living: Unlike many other metropolitan areas of the U.S., Charlotte offers an affordable cost of living for the average person. According to Best Places, Charlotte ranks slightly less expensive than the national average cost of living, which is pretty rare for a state’s most populated city. Housing prices, groceries, and healthcare are three of the are’s strongest categories when it comes to affordability, all of which are less expensive than the national average. 
  • Nature’s just a stone’s throw away: There are so many fun things to do here! Surrounded on all sides by greenery, lakes, and outdoor activities, the adventurers will find plenty to do and see. Check out McDowell Nature Center and Preserve or the UNC Botanical Gardens within city limits, or take a short drive north to Lake Norman.

Cons

While undoubtedly a wonderful place to live, there’s no such thing as the perfect city. So, before you call a moving truck and pack up your belongings, how do you know if Charlotte isn’t right for you? Well, here are some of the drawbacks to the area:

  • Air quality: Due to the high population of car owners—and little public transportation available—the city’s air quality isn’t the best. While this won’t be a deal-breaker for most people, this is something to consider if you have any respiratory conditions, like asthma or COPD. 
  • Mosquito weather: Residents aren’t the only ones who enjoy the temperate climate year-round. Mosquitos thrive in the warmer summer months and then stick around through most of the other seasons. That said, with some handy bug spray, you can avoid this problem altogether.
  • Close to the coast, but not close enough: For any sea-dwellers and beach-goers, this area is close to the beautiful Myrtle Beach, but not quite close enough. It’s about a four-hour drive to reach the sandy shores, which means if you want to plan a beach trip, you’re likely going to have to make it a weekend adventure.

The best neighborhoods in Charlotte

One of this city’s best attributes is its plethora of diverse and unique neighborhoods. Your district will define your daily life, from which coffee shops you visit to how often you get out in nature. If you’re considering making the move to North Carolina’s largest city, but you’re not sure which area to begin your search, here are some of the best neighborhoods Charlotte has to offer:

  • Dilworth: This tree-lined urban suburb offers walkable streets, delightful local businesses, and luxury apartments and bungalows for potential renters. It’s also known for its mixture of suburban coziness and historical charm, as well as its many seasonal festivities. 
  • Myers Park: This historic suburb is home to vast parks, highly rated public schools, and beautiful mansions on every corner. The park itself is known for its 100-year-old oak trees and lush gardens.
  • Uptown: If you want to live where the action is, Uptown is going to be your area of choice. Filled with restaurants, sports bars, shopping, and sports stadiums, this lively district is anything but boring! 
  • NoDa: NoDa is short for North Davidson, which is also the name of the buzzing street that runs through this trendy neighborhood. Known as the area’s art district, this beloved area is great for those who enjoy street art, galleries, live music, and craft beer. 
  • Midtown: Midtown is a chic neighborhood beloved by its younger residents. With plenty of parks, athletic facilities, and shops, this area is perfect for working professionals who want a comfortable but convenient place to live. 

Fun things to do in Charlotte

Newcomers may be wondering how to fill their days in this city—but you won’t have to look far for a fun activity in this energetic city. Below are just a few of the fun activities available in Charlotte, NC:

  • See a game: Queen City is home to a number of major and minor league sports teams. Fans can catch a Hornet’s basketball game at Spectrum Center, a Carolina Panthers football game at Bank of America Stadium, or even a Charlotte Knights baseball game at Truist Field. 
  • Nightlife: This city has plenty of options when it comes to nightlife. From the homey dive bars in NoDa to the vibrant nightclubs Uptown, there’s plenty of ways to spend your weekends in this metropolitan hotspot. There are many dog-friendly restaurants in Charlotte for you and your furry friend to dine in as well. 
  • Check out the bird sanctuary: For an activity that’s truly unique to the area, check out the bird sanctuary at Wing Haven Gardens. Since 1927, this interesting spot has been home to gorgeous bird species, picturesque pools, and stunning horticulture.
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame: Did you know that this city is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame? Whether you’re a diehard fan or simply dipping your toes in the world of racing, you can visit this spot at the Charlotte Convention Center seven days a week.

Moving made easy with Landing

Moving to Charlotte NC, or any new city can be stressful, even when that city has as much to offer as Queen City. Landing is here to change that.

Landing is a new way to find an apartment. Rather than spending hours searching for the perfect place, we make it easy to discover fully furnished apartments in Charlotte, NC. With Landing’s flexible leasing options and handy filters to narrow down your search, you’ll wonder why you ever looked for a rental the old-fashioned way.

Make your next move simple, and find the perfect home with Landing’s network today! Browse our available apartments in Charlotte here.

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Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.