Charlotte, North Carolina, is the largest city in the Carolinas, with an estimated 2010 population of 756,912, according to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. The city has earned notoriety as a hot spot for new residents. Relocate America's website named the city one of the "Top 10 Places to Live in 2010." Leigh Pressley, author of the book "Insiders' Guide to Charlotte," says the city has many appealing features: "Good jobs in a business-minded atmosphere, a can-do community spirit, a mild climate with four seasons, rolling land and rural beauty, good schools, affordable homes ... and plenty of diversions, including professional sports, outdoor recreation and arts and entertainment."
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Search for a place to live. The areas nearest uptown Charlotte include the city's first suburbs, Myers Park and Dilworth, built in the early 1900s, with tree-lined streets and a mix of restored, historic homes and so-called "McMansions." The outer suburbs feature a blend of low-to-mid-priced neighborhoods as well as upscale enclaves, such as Ballantyne, Piper Glen and Highland Creek. Apartments are plentiful in the region.
Research job opportunities. The Charlotte Chamber states that 326 of the Fortune 500 companies have operations in Charlotte, and eight of the Fortune 500 have headquarters in Mecklenburg County. The area is regarded as the heart of NASCAR country, home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Motor Speedway and almost all of the major race teams, employing thousands. The region's largest employer is the Carolinas Healthcare System, with more than 26,000 employees as of 2008.
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Calculate the difference in the cost of living between your current city and Charlotte. A number of on-line calculators make this function as simple as plugging in some numbers. According to the Charlotte Chamber, the cost of living in Charlotte is below the national average.
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Find a school for your children. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system has been a national leader in student integration. According to the "Charlotte Observer," CMS scored above the national average in reading performance by students, and ranked with the leaders among big-city school districts. Numerous private and parochial schools are available as well, highlighted by the city's two oldest and most prestigious private schools, Country Day and Charlotte Latin.
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Check out some of the many sports and outdoor activities in Charlotte. Charlotte is home to two major-league sports teams, the NFL's Carolina Panthers and the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. The U.S. National Whitewater Center, a man-made whitewater river, offers rafting and kayaking adventures, along with climbing walls and bike trails. Lake Norman is just a few minutes north of Charlotte, while Lake Wylie is just south of town.
Discover some of the Charlotte region's cultural amenities. The North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center features touring Broadway productions. Discovery Place and the Charlotte Nature Museum are hands-on museums drawing nearly a half-million visitors annually, according to the Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau. The North Davidson area, popularly known as NoDa, is a former mill village just north of uptown that has been redeveloped with eclectic art shops, restaurants and a music hall.
Take a road trip. The "Queen City" is located a couple of hours' drive from the North Carolina mountains, while a four-hour drive takes you to the Carolinas coast, with white-sand beaches, scores of golf courses and other recreation.
