The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Charlotte, NC

The creation of new jobs wasn’t the only factor responsible for generating fast metropolitan growth; Charlotte is also home to a cost of living that ranks nearly in the middle, in terms of U.S. averages. PayScale’s salary aggregation program ranks Charlotte’s average utility payments as 14 percent below the national average. The same source identifies Charlotte healthcare payments as three percent above what the average American is paying.

Consult the below pricing averages for commonplace purchases for a better idea of the affordability that Charlotte, North Carolina can offer residents.

• Home prices in Charlotte can average $290,402. Slightly higher than the $269,039 national average home price, a 13.7 percent home price increase in the last year alone indicates the possibility of strong home value growth over time.
• Rent in Charlotte will depend on both apartment size and relative location. While statistics vary according to the source, rent in Charlotte hovers around $1,300, a three percent year-over-year change.
• Gas prices in Charlotte remain well below the climbing $2.85 per gallon national average. Recent gas price data from Charlotte indicate that pricing is holding steady at around $2.34 per gallon, with exact pricing fluctuating depending on a resident’s proximity to downtown Charlotte.

Incrementally above or below national averages depending on the item, pricing in Charlotte means residents can live comfortably without paying exorbitant rates for basic products and services.

A wide variety of real estate tastes in Charlotte means you can expect an equally wide spectrum of available housing. While younger demographics enjoy affordable city housing and apartment rent, many argue that housing rates — and quality — improve as residents approach the suburbs. You can reference a brief outline of renowned local neighborhoods below:

• Ballantyne East and West together serve as the home to nearly 30,000 residents. The eastern district is defined by some of the city’s finest schools, near highly-ranked restaurants like The Blue Taj and Duckworth’s Grill and Taphouse in Ballantyne West. Ballantyne today also houses Ballantyne Corporate Park, home to businesses like ESPN, an amphitheater and several parks.
• Dilworth houses more than 10,000 satisfied Charlotte residents, who enjoy unbeatable proximity to more restaurants, coffee shops and wine bars than perhaps any other regional neighborhood. You’ll also find the Carowinds theme park nestled nearby, near a walkable neighborhood marked on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Fourth Ward is the neighborhood for history buffs. Brewpubs characterize friendly streets, alongside an IMAX theater inside the Discovery Place Science museum. Just over 6,000 residents call Fourth Ward home.
• Uptown Charlotte plays home to a variety of the city’s business districts, perfect for any individual looking to live close to their place of employment. Of course, Uptown is more than its 28 million square feet of office space. You’ll also find access to Bank of America Stadium — home to the Carolina Panthers — as well as the Charlotte Convention Center nearby.

Heavily influenced by the corporate focus of its downtown districts, Charlotte offers a variety of career options to new and established residents. Popular industries hiring in Charlotte include banking, business development and aerospace. You’ll also find a concentration of automotive and machinery-based careers, which together have fueled much of the city’s growth as of late.

Charlotte is currently experiencing a 5.9 percent unemployment rate, down from recent months. Salaries in the region average $68,000, and will easily eclipse that figure as the heavy population of young professionals continue to gain relevant job experience.

Common occupations in the area include:

• Financial Analyst — $62,000 per year
• Software Engineer — $87,000 per year
• Operations Manager — $66,500 per year
• Aerospace Engineer — $93,000 per year
• Loan Officer — $78,000 per year

Top hirers in the area include large-scale banking and engineering firms, offering a wide variety of financial management and aerospace engineering careers. Reference the below details for more information on some of the most popular private employers in Charlotte:

• Wells Fargo & Co. (Financial asset management), $29,000 to $119,000
• Bank of America Corp. (Financial asset management), $33,000 to $127,000
• Atrium Health (Nonprofit medical health), $27,500 to $263,500
• Northrop Grumman (Aerospace and defense), $41,000 to $164,500
• Microsoft (Technology manufacturing and licensing), $30,000 to $195,000

Charlotte has no shortage of popular indoor and outdoor attractions. Residents experience a wider variety of things to do, whether they’re looking to frequent local gastropubs or introduce their children to the great outdoors. Hands-on science, local fitness, miniature golf, lakeside hiking and retail venues are only steps away in Charlotte.

Outdoor Activities

Wherever residents look in Charlotte, opportunities abound to lose yourself outdoors. Paved and unpaved hiking opportunities, curated pathways, even state-sponsored trailheads mean outdoor activities are easy to come by — and even easier to enjoy — in Charlotte.

• Charlotte by the Lake Realtors: One of the highest-rated real estate agencies in the Charlotte area, Charlotte by the Lake Realtors features a team that can help you fulfill your outdoor activity aspirations.
• Little Sugar Creek Greenway: Featuring over 19 miles of trails and land, from Toby Creek Greenway to Cordelia Park, this greenway offers opportunities for socialization and quiet reflection alike. Local stream restoration and bench placement make the Little Sugar Creek Greenway a can’t-miss outdoor activity.
• Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve: Ideal for families with children of all ages, the Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve offers a stunning variety of trails, educational opportunities, exhibits and live animals. 927 total acres of protected, natural lands mean even more opportunities to hike, fish and fall in love with the Charlotte outdoors.
• McMullen Creek Greenway: More than two miles of straight greenery await at the McCullen Creek Greenway, where residents and guests can walk, hike or run paved surfaces with leashed pets. Stay on the lookout for regional bird species, including the Great Blue Heron!
• Carolina Thread Trail: Part of the Regional Network of Trails, the Carolina Thread Trail helps connect two states and 2.9 million people, across 15 counties. Featuring more than 300 total miles of recreation, this trail follows the Catawba River and helps preserve popular North Carolina nature for future generations.

Parks and Attractions

Charlotte has also taken steps to satisfy a growing demand for entertainment. Museums, parks and excitement find residents of Charlotte early and often, no matter your respective interests.

• Carowinds: One of the state’s premier amusement parks, Carowinds offers 60 thrill rides, a waterpark and the longest mat racing slide in the southeastern United States. An onsite hotel means you can stay and play all day long, where park attendants will enjoy the laughs and the hometown Carolina cuisine alike.
• U.S. National Whitewater Center: At the U.S. National Whitewater Center, pass holders and daytime attendees alike can enjoy a host of outdoor activities. These include rock climbing and bouldering excursions, flatwater kayaking, yoga and their world-famous whitewater rafting packages.
• NASCAR Hall of Fame: Capturing the heritage of an entire sport, the NASCAR Hall of Fame offers something for everyone to enjoy. Families can come and visit for the in-person or virtual summer camps, or dive into a rich history of championships and last-second finishes. Interactive exhibits mean the chance for visitors to become a part of NASCAR history.
• Mint Museum Randolph: A showcase for the best that global art has to offer, Charlotte’s Mint Museum Randolph is one of two Mint Museums to grace North Carolina. Ever-changing exhibits display witness to the power of international art, where daily — and nightly — events can put a fresh spin on renowned art installations.
• Bechtler Museum of Modern Art: Specifically for mid-20th-century art pieces, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art exists as an extension of Uptown’s Levine Center for the Arts. Designed by Mario Botta, who also designed the San Franciscan Museum of Modern Art, the Bechtler Museum houses European, American, British, and Parisian masterpieces.

Whether you’re looking to lose yourself in a local art installation or familiarize yourself with NASCAR history, there’s always an attraction worth your time in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Food and Drink

Known for its strong barbecue, seafood, Cheerwine, and Mount Olive pickle flavors, Charlotte delivers a variety of culinary options nearly as diversified as the residents themselves. Younger residents often gravitate toward the social wine bars and downtown districts, while families can find sit-down restaurant options anywhere in the city.

Charlotte plays host to some of the best Southern foods you’ll find nationwide, offered by the location’s renowned eateries. Their rich restaurant options include:

• The Goodyear House: Comfort food has a name in Charlotte: The Goodyear House, where locals gather to share marinated shrimp, steamed pork belly, red devil chicken and other favorites. Their indoor/outdoor ambiance captures the spirit of a growing city, all set in a building with historic, communal roots.
• The King’s Kitchen: A nonprofit restaurant that exists to serve the Charlotte community, The King’s Kitchen offers southern-inspired flavors delivered to tables by local farmers.
• 300 East: Located in the Dilworth neighborhood, 300 East offers family meal options from all-day and Sunday brunch menus that feature something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for their sweet potato ravioli, Joyce Farms chicken salad, or a glass of Trebbiano from their wine menu, 300 East will make you remember the food from their kitchens.
• Mert’s Heart and Soul: A local favorite, Mert’s Heart and Soul packs as much flavor and care as you’d expect from a husband-and-wife-led eatery. Featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” this Uptown favorite captures residents’ attention with menu items like Carolina chopped BBQ sandwiches, salmon cakes, whole fried chicken wings and Southern veggie burgers.
• Dish: Southern comfort food in Charlotte meets a new standard when it comes from the Dish kitchens, another restaurant featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Monday through Friday, you can find Christina taking orders and Egly serving up home-cooked meals, everything from deviled eggs to meatloaf.

No matter your budget or your neighborhood in Charlotte, there’s a restaurant that can pair southern-style cooking with your tastes — whether you’re looking for a solo, group or family experience.

Charlotte is already well-known as a destination worth the visit, for its dedication to preserved southern cuisine, high-end thrills, thriving culture and overall hospitality. We’ve collected other items of note below, to help provide more of a comprehensive understanding of the Charlotte area. Before you move to Charlotte, here are a few things to know:

• Summer days can see heats exceed 90° Fahrenheit, though overall highs typically hover around a more favorable 71°.
• While most residents drive themselves, the CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) bus system makes for a comprehensive network of public transportation.
• Craft beers have taken off in Charlotte as of late, as the town is currently home to more than 25 individual breweries.
• Between the NASCAR following, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets and minor league Charlotte Knights baseball team, sports are a big deal in Charlotte.
• A high number of restaurants and stores are dog-friendly, though you’ll want to check the specifics before bringing your pet along.

Moving anywhere is a complicated process. Physically, you’re packaging belongings, accounting for details and ensuring the safety of your valuables. Emotionally, you’re preparing to leave a place you’ve called home, while welcoming a new adventure.

No matter where you’re moving, self storage can take much of the stress out of the procedure. Convenient storage options throughout the Charlotte area make it easier than ever to keep possessions safe and cool during warmer Charlotte summers.

In Charlotte, storage options near you include: 

• University City Boulevard;
• Ardrey Kell Road.

With multiple storage options, new and established Charlotte residents can quickly access possessions at storage locations whenever necessary, without cluttering homes with unnecessary items.