Perception of Charlotte Nationwide

[BFG]

I'm from Norfolk/Virginia Beach, and am constantly amazed (and highly jealous) of the growth Charlotte has had in just the last 20 years, while our region remains stagnant.

Part of that is our region's refusal to work together (Norfolk and VB have the worst case of sibling rivalry I've ever seen), and a general sense of complacency from city leaders. We probably could've had at least one pro sports team and better public transportation, but status quo is a big thing here. Outside of the military, we do very little to attract more businesses and it's frustrating. I've stayed because I see the potential for growth, but I'm slowly getting more and more impatient.

Both regions were a similar size in the 90s/early-2000s, but Charlotte continues to grow. If we had 1/10 of what y'all have had, it would be amazing.

[KJHburg]

10 minutes ago, BFG said:

I'm from Norfolk/Virginia Beach, and am constantly amazed (and highly jealous) of the growth Charlotte has had in just the last 20 years, while our region remains stagnant.

Part of that is our region's refusal to work together (Norfolk and VB have the worst case of sibling rivalry I've ever seen), and a general sense of complacency from city leaders. We probably could've had at least one pro sports team and better public transportation, but status quo is a big thing here. Outside of the military, we do very little to attract more businesses and it's frustrating. I've stayed because I see the potential for growth, but I'm slowly getting more and more impatient.

Both regions were a similar size in the 90s/early-2000s, but Charlotte continues to grow. If we had 1/10 of what y'all have had, it would be amazing.

I do think it is infighting.  You have so many cities competing there 3 big ones on the south side and 2 on the north side of the harbor.  and doesn't VA Beach have an urban growth boundary protecting the southside of the city?  Plus available land is at a premium due all your water, wetlands, rivers, swamps etc.  NC is getting overflow to the south with people buying homes in Currituck and Camden counties as they are more affordable.  You still have the tallest building in the commonwealth until Northern VA finally builds a taller one.  But boy is your port deepwater! I had friends who went to Kempsville HS in VA Beach. 

[BFG]

Apparently that growth boundary is indeed a thing, along with the Dillon Rule, which I believe prevents the cities from consolidating. It's weird because VB was a small unincorporated town; the rest of that area was known as Princess Anne County until the early-60s. Norfolk was taking land from PA left and right, so to prevent becoming part of the "big city", the county merged with the town of Virginia Beach, which eventually became the largest city in the Commonwealth.

From what I've read, Norfolk and Princess Anne County had considered a consolidation like what Charlotte and Mecklenberg County did, but PA quietly merged into VB instead. That kind of petty behavior continues nearly 60 years later and remains one of our area's biggest "What If?" situations.

[urbanlover568]

21 minutes ago, BFG said:

Apparently that growth boundary is indeed a thing, along with the Dillon Rule, which I believe prevents the cities from consolidating. It's weird because VB was a small unincorporated town; the rest of that area was known as Princess Anne County until the early-60s. Norfolk was taking land from PA left and right, so to prevent becoming part of the "big city", the county merged with the town of Virginia Beach, which eventually became the largest city in the Commonwealth.

From what I've read, Norfolk and Princess Anne County had considered a consolidation like what Charlotte and Mecklenberg County did, but PA quietly merged into VB instead. That kind of petty behavior continues nearly 60 years later and remains one of our area's biggest "What If?" situations.

The cost of living is also extremely high. The area is saturated with DOD, which raises costs. I was looking at relocating to the area the prices in VB were actually more than Charlotte. No light rail also. Gorgeous boardwalk and beach though! 

[BFG]

23 minutes ago, mpretori said:

The cost of living is also extremely high. The area is saturated with DOD, which raises costs. I was looking at relocating to the area the prices in VB were actually more than Charlotte. No light rail also. Gorgeous boardwalk and beach though! 

Ugh. Light rail. A whole another can of worms I don't even want to get into.

[AuLukey]

Twice in as many weeks I’ve received poor perspectives about Charlotte from Coastal Virginia natives.

My hair stylist had to confirm the “NC” when I said I was from Charlotte. Then went on to say that she had been here twice in the past but wasn’t impressed.

Then, when discussing crime in Norfolk, a man cited Charlotte as having “burned down” during the Keith Scott riots. I set him straight, but then he went on to say that maybe I should move back before I bring more crime with me. The Keith Scott incident was very poorly publicized outside of Charlotte. Apparently all anyone here saw on the news was the blocking of the interstate, a car on fire, and break-ins (loosely) linked to the protests. I guess their anchors assumed it was a city wide issue as that’s how it was pitched to the public. “Charlotte On Fire.” Then they all moved on to the next event the media wanted to exaggerate for ratings. The real story barely made national news.

I mean, sure the homicide rate has spiked in Mecklenburg this year; but I generally don’t picture Charlotte as being a violent city compared to her peers. Hopefully new leadership reins it in.

[Cadi40]

I view Charlotte as a decently safe city. It’s all about perspective though. Most cities and Downtown areas in the United States aren’t thought to be the safest areas per say, but it’s very rare that someone random murders another for no reason. Most homicides are a result of gang and drug violence, while still very sad and preventable, its all perspective on how one views. Regardless, it’s sad that the homicide rate continues to rise.

Edited December 15, 2019 by Cadi40

[Desert Power]

4 hours ago, AuLukey said:

Then, when discussing crime in Norfolk, a man cited Charlotte as having “burned down” during the Keith Scott riots. I set him straight, but then he went on to say that maybe I should move back before I bring more crime with me.

Doesn't sound like the brightest bulb in the box

[urbanlover568]

Been watching ID and saw 5 commercials for "Homicide City: Charlotte" in 2 hours. Broke my heart.

[AuLukey]

Doesn't sound like the brightest bulb in the box

Haha you’re tellin me! He’s a “has to be right” kind of person; not open to outside opinions or, you know, actual facts.

[KJHburg]

Interesting article from the San Fran Business Times about their local economy and yes the article mentions Charlotte due  to Wells Fargo and economist Mark Vitner who is based here.

From Bank of the West “The Bay Area will remain challenged over the next two years as low affordability, slowing job and income growth and negative outmigration dampens the demand for homes,” Anderson said. “Home prices rose for seven straight years from 2012 to 2018, but the recent sustained weakness in home prices is expected to endure.”

then Mark Vitner is quoted "" Vitner sees some people leaving the Bay Area, but he’s not worried about a major wave of out-migration even though he sees firsthand Californians seeking a better life in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. This week two of his Charlotte Uber drivers were recent transplants from California. One was a “tech refugee,” who was laid off from his San Jose tech job and another driver recently moved from Los Angeles. ""

I sure wish Wells would take the stagecoach east their new CEO is in this time zone and quite a few high ranking execs based here in Charlotte. 

https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2019/12/17/economist-warns-of-economic-toll-on-california.html

Edited December 18, 2019 by KJHburg

[jednc]

On 12/12/2019 at 5:05 AM, mpretori said:

If you use coupons like I do, I can eat out for as little as 5 dollars. That's time and money saved doing dishes, hours of prep, and having to buy more of the ingredient. 

Post a photo of your receipt (more than just a one-off please) or it didn't happen.

[urbanlover568]

4 hours ago, jednc said:

Post a photo of your receipt (more than just a one-off please) or it didn't happen.

Haha 

[urbanlover568]

I was in Charlotte recently and the development blew my mind. Cranes everywhere! Good eating places! I will say that the city felt sterilized, maybe I walked in the wrong areas. It felt like a corporate plaza. I hope they get some more entertainment options! Overall great city! 

[Temeteron]

50 minutes ago, mpretori said:

I was in Charlotte recently and the development blew my mind. Cranes everywhere! Good eating places! I will say that the city felt sterilized, maybe I walked in the wrong areas. It felt like a corporate plaza. I hope they get some more entertainment options! Overall great city! 

You need to check out south end, plaza Midwood or NoDa.  Uptown is very corporate 

[urbanlover568]

3 minutes ago, Temeteron said:

You need to check out south end, plaza Midwood or NoDa.  Uptown is very corporate 

I <3 NoDa.

[cltheel.sdl]

I'm trying to convince my company to buy an apartment complex in Charlotte, but they are so hot on Austin and Orlando right now, it's hard to push them in the right direction.  So, a few questions for the UP crew:

 

1. What would you say are the best arguments for buying in Charlotte? 

2. Do you think Charlotte is currently being overbuilt with apartment right now?

3. If we were to buy in Charlotte, I think we'd want to buy in an up and coming but not yet fully discovered area.  What parts of Charlotte would qualify?  I'm thinking the South End ship may have sailed at this point since I think it might be too expensive for us.  We would probably target a value-add project.

 

Thanks everyone!

[KJHburg]

3 hours ago, cltheel.sdl said:

I'm trying to convince my company to buy an apartment complex in Charlotte, but they are so hot on Austin and Orlando right now, it's hard to push them in the right direction.  So, a few questions for the UP crew:

 

1. What would you say are the best arguments for buying in Charlotte?     diversified economy much more so than Orlando for example and better incomes here.  VERY high property taxes in Austin TX on everyone's radar.   

2. Do you think Charlotte is currently being overbuilt with apartment right now?  Luxury high end.  Build low rise stick built.   or buy an older complex needing updating.  

3. If we were to buy in Charlotte, I think we'd want to buy in an up and coming but not yet fully discovered area.  What parts of Charlotte would qualify?  I'm thinking the South End ship may have sailed at this point since I think it might be too expensive for us.  We would probably target a value-add project.        Class B properties Older apartment complexes in south Charlotte. Maybe dated complexes areas in the university area.   Not much of anything to buy but land in NoDa, FreeMore etc. 

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Edited December 21, 2019 by KJHburg

[NCMike1990]

Been seeing a meme on social media that has a familiar skyline. You all might know it. 

 

 

[kickazzz2000]

On 12/21/2019 at 12:49 PM, cltheel.sdl said:

I'm trying to convince my company to buy an apartment complex in Charlotte, but they are so hot on Austin and Orlando right now, it's hard to push them in the right direction.  So, a few questions for the UP crew:

 

1. What would you say are the best arguments for buying in Charlotte? 

2. Do you think Charlotte is currently being overbuilt with apartment right now?

3. If we were to buy in Charlotte, I think we'd want to buy in an up and coming but not yet fully discovered area.  What parts of Charlotte would qualify?  I'm thinking the South End ship may have sailed at this point since I think it might be too expensive for us.  We would probably target a value-add project.

 

Thanks everyone!

Thats funny, I live in CLT born and raised, but we are putting a lot of capital in Austin apartment reno's.  Market is hot hot hot

[KJHburg]

How does Mecklenburg stack up as the most generous county giving to charitable organizations?  Well were in the top 5 of NC but bested by #1 Wake County. #2 Chatham #3 Union #4 Orange.  The Triangle is a giving place evidently.  

https://smartadvisormatch.com/data/most-generous-counties/north-carolina

[kermit]

Interesting by omission:

[jednc]

On 12/29/2019 at 12:42 PM, kermit said:

Interesting by omission:

Isn't it from 2011?

[kermit]

Moody’s says the city of Charlotte is fiscally well prepared for recession .

https://www.routefifty.com/finance/2019/12/big-cities-prepared-recession/162134/

damn Democrats.... 

Edited January 5, 2020 by kermit

[Nick2]

Spoiler alert: this is Budweiser's Superbowl commercial. It shows Charlotte and specifically during the riots back in 2016 (but with a positive twist) @0:37 into the vid.

 

Edited January 28, 2020 by Nick2