The Best Places to Live in Charlotte NC
August 29, 2023
The modern city center, Uptown, offers cultural experiences and thrilling adventures. Levine Museum of the New South explores post–Civil War Southern history, while Discovery Place Science drops a jaw with hands-on explorations for kids of all ages.
A spirited local scene shines at places like Letty’s, a neighborhood restaurant with flea market funk and a menu of homey comfort foods, including fried chicken drizzled in honey and pecans.
Community
Some people like to live in cities because of the photo-worthy skyline they see driving into town or the dramatic views they can get from a rooftop bar. But Charlotte NC is also known for its friendly community atmosphere and mix of people.
The city has a large financial industry, multiple professional sports teams and stadiums, delicious food scene, plenty of parks, and 200 neighborhoods — making it ideal for families as well as young singles.
The most diverse city in the state, Charlotte has a booming economy and a low unemployment rate (3.7%) compared to the national average of 4.1%. The Charlotte area’s diverse population is also reflected in the local arts and culture scene. The local UrbanPromise works to help teens transform their own communities through tutoring and mentoring younger children. The organization hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders who can affect spiritual, social and economic change. They believe that teens who are mentored can break the cycle of poverty in their families and neighborhoods.
Sports
The Queen City has a ton of sports activities to keep you entertained. From thrilling car racing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to exciting basketball games at the Spectrum Center, this North Carolina city has something for everyone.
The city also has a minor league baseball team, the Charlotte Knights, which play at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown. The Charlotte Independence also call Memorial Stadium home in the United Soccer League, and are served chicken supremes at the arena.
Professional football came to Charlotte in 1992 with the Arena Football League team, the Charlotte Rage, which played out of the Coliseum and made the playoffs twice before closing down. In the more recent past, Charlotte high school teams have enjoyed some success with Garinger and West Charlotte both winning state championships in the late 20th century.
Besides its sports venues, Charlotte has a wealth of recreational locations where you can find a great show or catch some music. The PNC Music Center, US White Water National Center and Freedom Park are a few of the best places to see live music.
Food
While North Carolina’s largest city may be best known for thrilling NASCAR races, it also offers a refined and cosmopolitan dining scene. Familiar names are pushing into new territory, elevating regional classics with modern global trends.
At the recently opened Haberdish in NoDa, Chef-Owner Joe Kindred serves up a menu that’s as much a Southern kitchen as it is a cocktail bar. Diners start their meal with a pouf of the restaurant’s famous milk bread and cultured butter, then savor dishes like squid ink conchiglie pasta with North Carolina-caught shrimp and sea urchin butter, and duck fat potatoes with garlicky aioli.
Another upscale Charlotte spot is the recently relocated Heirloom, which uses a large percentage of ingredients from small regional farms. The farm-to-table menu includes a variety of vegetarian options, such as vegan smoked cashew mac and crab fried rice, and desserts like a peanut butter banana cream pie. It’s worth stopping by the trendy Camp North End restaurant, Leah & Louise for a taste of the Deep South.
Weather
The temperature varies throughout the year, with warmer summers and cooler winters. The growing season in Charlotte typically lasts for 7.5 months (212 days), starting in the spring and ending in the fall.
The number of hours of sunshine varies throughout the year, with more sunshine in the summer and less in the winter. The sunniest month is June, with an average of 21.6 sunny hours.
The amount of rain and snowfall in Charlotte varies significantly throughout the year. The rainy season in Charlotte lasts for 3.5 months, beginning around May 14 and ending in August 31. The least rainfall occurs in January, with an average of 2.8 inches. The snowy period in Charlotte lasts for 2.9 months, starting in December and ending in March.
