Are North Carolina's larger cities now offering the same things that make a big city as Atlanta has been doing?

[Atlside]

Are North Carolina's larger cities now offering the same things that make a city into the "big city" lifestyle such as Atlanta has done in the South over 4 decades?

It use to be that DC, Atlanta and Miami were the only cities to offer such things in the South.

North Carolina's cities now offer the pro sports offered in the largest cities of the US.

But, not only that NC's largest cities now offer some of the same high end restaurants, hotels and shopping as what at one time could only be found in Atlanta in the heart of the South.

How has this change impact the way North Carolina is viewed nationally?

[monsoon]

Honestly I don't think most people in North Carolina consider Atlanta to be a "big city".