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The bus system, known as CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) comprises 70 different local, regional, and express routes. A local ride will cost you $2.20 each way, while express and regional tickets go for $3.00 and $4.40, respectively. For when you first touch down at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Sprinter Bus Service can shuttle you to any of various central locations. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, taxis, and bike-sharing services like Charlotte B-cycle and LimeBike can also whisk you around the city. If you ask a Queen City local what living in Charlotte, NC, is really like, they’ll regale you with tales of four beautiful seasons; a reasonable cost of living; gorgeous East Coast nature; and a friendly, small(er)-town feel with a big-city skyline.

Largest cities and towns
For a comprehensive look at the city’s breweries, vibes, and the best drink to buy at each, check out this guide. On top of its booming financial industry, Charlotte has a generally solid job market. Looking ahead, the North Carolina job market is projected to add more than 300,000 new jobs by the end of 2028, and most of those jobs will be created in Charlotte and Raleigh. Whether you’re hiring a babysitter for date night or you’re exploring the dating scene in Charlotte, it’s not hard to find something fun to do on a night out. Right across the North Carolina state line is Fort Mill, South Carolina—a fast-growing community that’s only a short drive from Uptown Charlotte.
Cities and Towns: 5,000 to 10,000 in Population
Kings Mountain National Military Park is partially located in York County and in Cherokee County near Blacksburg, South Carolina. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is the mass transit agency that operates local, express, bus rapid services that serves Charlotte and its immediate suburban communities in both North and South Carolina. CATS is also building a commuter, light rail, streetcar network as a supplement to its established bus transit throughout the region.
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Families looking to settle down in an area with gorgeous single-family homes, tree-lined streets, and top-notch schools may gravitate toward Myers Park or Dilworth (pictured). If you’re craving a tree-lined trek more than a relaxing afternoon on a sandy beach, take to one of the many hiking trails around Charlotte. Crowders Mountain State Park offers a scenic two-mile trail just 40 minutes from Uptown Charlotte, while South Mountains State Park boasts a loop that crosses over Jacob Fork River, ending at High Shoals Waterfall — and only a 1.5-hour drive from Charlotte. The information on this page is aggregated from third-party sources and presented as-is for your convenience.
Suburban towns and cities under 5,000 in population
He also called for more funding for law enforcement and for Congress to do more to combat gun violence. Though there are public transit options, extended wait times and limited routes mean many residents choose to drive to get where they need to go. In fact, Charlotte is home to two of the state’s deadliest stretches of road — Interstate 85 (between Brookshire Boulevard and Sugar Creek Road) and Interstate 77 (between Remount Road and Exit 13A).
The Ballantyne area offers most of the convenient amenities you’d typically find in the city, including countless restaurants, boutique shopping, and movie theaters. And while most suburban areas typically have limited housing options, Ballantyne sets itself apart with a mixture of houses, condos, and apartments to choose from. It’s a great fit for anyone who wants to live in a place that’s always buzzing with plenty of activity but avoids the high costs of city living. While current home prices can be a bit high (from the low $100s to just under $5 million), rental prices (an average of about $1,300 per month, according to Zumper) are still lower than most of the apartments you’ll find in Charlotte.

Maybe it’s designing your own popsicle at Popbar, embracing your inner vegan at Plant Joy, or attending a figure drawing class at the Event Space. Booking a hotel in Uptown or NoDa is your best option and an easy connection via bus, ride-share or car. “Menya [Daruma] is some of the most underrated food in the city, in my opinion,” says Kaifer. “The entire menu is delicious, and they have the best fried chicken sandwich in the city.” If the aforementioned Tori Katsu Sando doesn’t call your name, there’s also the ramen and abura soba (or soup-less ramen) dishes.
Charlotte ranks among the top-performing cities in the nation, Milken Institute says - Fox 46 Charlotte
Charlotte ranks among the top-performing cities in the nation, Milken Institute says.
Posted: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
As much as you may love where you live, having fun nearby destinations is a perk worth prioritizing. Mix things up by taking a long weekend to explore locales like the state capital, Raleigh, North Carolina; the gorgeous Outer Banks islands; or Asheville, known for its Blue Ridge Mountain views and arts scene. With a plethora of neighborhoods and suburbs, Charlotte has a wide range of communities to choose from. Census data from March 2024, Charlotte experienced the nation’s sixth-largest population increase in the past year. PODS can corroborate that trend with their own data — Charlotte ranked as the 16th city with the most move-ins, according to 2023 moving trends.
Charlotte chosen for Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities - WCNC.com
Charlotte chosen for Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities.
Posted: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Wondering is Charlotte, North Carolina, a good place to live when it comes to weather? If you relish the changing of the seasons but hate packing on layers of parkas, you’ll love the weather in Charlotte. The temperature throughout the year averages about 62 degrees Fahrenheit, and winters tend to be mild (most of the time). Prepare to soak up the sun, though — summers are known to be warm and muggy, with temperatures averaging in the upper 70s. These are straight line distances in a radius around Charlotte, suitable for a day trip or a short weekend trip within roughly 120 miles. You can also explore cities near Columbia or cities near Winston Salem.
Most African Americans in Charlotte are Baptists affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, the largest predominantly African American denomination in the United States. African American Methodists are largely affiliated with either the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, headquartered in Charlotte, or the African Methodist Episcopal Church. African American Pentecostals are represented by several organizations such as the United House of Prayer for All People, Church of God in Christ, and the United Holy Church of America.
It’s ideal for anyone who wants a South Carolina zip code with lower tax rates but easy access to Charlotte to work for one of its big employers (like Bank of America or Wells Fargo). Average rent prices are around $1,300, and current homes for sale range from below $100k to just under $4 million. Don’t let the idea of a typical small town fool you, Belmont has plenty to do. The town’s main street is dotted with popular restaurants, charming stores, and there’s even a rum distillery a few blocks away.