Moving to Charlotte, NC

Moving from one city to another is stressful. There's no way around it—even if the city you're moving to is awesome as Charlotte, NC. It’s not just the packing and the actual move that’s makes this such a tough process— it’s the research you need to do to get acquainted with your new city.

Whether you're already committed to moving to Charlotte, you're still on the fence, or you're only doing some exploratory reading, our Bellhops city guide is exactly what you need (oh, and we're movers in Charlotte, by the way). Keep reading, and you'll find info on where to live in Charlotte, the cost of living, the job market, pros and cons, and more. Let's dive in.

For the Sports Fan, Charlotte is Pretty Close to Paradise

The Carolina Panthers

NFL fans have much to enjoy in Charlotte--it’s the home of the Carolina Panthers! The Panthers are the five-time NFC South champions, so even if you’re not a Panthers fan now, you may just become one. Catch a Panthers game at the Bank of America Stadium, situated comfortably on 33 acres and located right off I-277.

Charlotte: The NASCAR Legend

If it’s not football season, then it must be time for NASCAR. The NASCAR Hall of Fame appropriately resides in the heart of the Queen City, as NASCAR roots were first planted on the Charlotte Speedway in 1949. Today, the Charlotte Motor Speedway sits outside Charlotte and hosts a few races each year (including the Coca-Cola 500 on Memorial Day Weekend!)

The Charlotte Hornets

NBA fans can catch the Charlotte Hornets in action at the Spectrum Center, located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Starting in the 2014-2015 season, the franchise returned Charlotte after their stint in New Orleans and the Hornets returned to their home basketball court. Catch them in action, even in the off-season.

NCAA College Athletics

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the "Charlotte 49ers," compete in Division I NCAA athletics and are a part of Conference USA. As you may know, North Carolina is a hotbed of college basketball dynasties. Fans can make the two-hour drive north from Charlotte for the famous Tobacco Road rivalry between Duke University and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Charlotte and the Outdoors

One pro of living in Charlotte that residents mention over and over again is the location. Outdoor adventures are no exception here. Charlotte is just a few hours from both the beach and the mountains. However, there are also a few outdoor sites even closer to the city that are worth noting.

US National Whitewater Center

Located just west of the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, the U.S. National Whitewater Center

was originally built as part of the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The 1300 acres on the Catawba River have been developed to provide outdoor thrills to those of all skill levels. You can go white water rafting, then mountain bike over 30 miles of trails, and then enjoy the scenery on one of the many walking trails, all in the same day! Relax after a long day of activity with their River Jam concert series during the summer. Both day and seasonal passes are available.

Lake Norman

Located an hour north of Charlotte, Lake Norman is the perfect getaway for an afternoon or weekend. It’s also the ultimate haven for watersport enthusiasts. Bring your boat, jet skis, kayak, or paddleboards and enjoy this 34-mile-long body of water. Want to relax? Sunbathe on one of the many beaches or have a picnic in the nearby State Park. For a more thorough guide to Lake Norman, check out the excellent resources at Visit Lake Norman

.

Charlotte's Arts and Culture

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Bask in the natural light that permeates this gorgeous building as you peruse the 1,400+ works housed in the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. The Bechtler is a rare jewel of a museum, as it is only the second museum in the US designed by the Swiss architect Mario Botta.

Until now, the Bechtler's collection was privately held by the Bechtler family of Switzerland. Since the Bechtler opened on January 2, 2010, their impressive collection has been enhancing the cultural and intellectual life of Charlotte.

The collection at the Bechtler includes works from some of the most important artists of the mid 20th century, including Miró, Giacometti, Picasso, Calder, Hepworth, Nicholson, Warhol, Tinguely, Ernst, Le Corbusier, Chillida and many others.

Yiasou Greek Festival

The Yiasou Greek Festival is a family-friendly festival held each September in the Dilworth neighborhood. If you have a taste for Mediterranean flair, this festival is for you. Best of all, you can stuff your face with spanakopita. You can also take in traditional Greek music or learn traditional folklore dance of Greece. In no time at all, this festival will have you saying, “Opa!”

Summer Pops with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

This isn’t your average orchestra performance. Each Sunday in June, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs an outdoor concert in Symphony Park with a different theme, such as jazz or Broadway tunes. You can either buy a ticket for a single performance or an annual pass from the Symphony Orchestra website. Concert-goers are welcome to bring in food and beverages, including alcohol--perfect for a date night.

The Food Scene

Whether you are a brewery buff or a cocktail devotee, we promise you that Charlotte will not disappoint.

Home to famous chef Rocco Whalen, Fahrenheit was featured in Gourmet magazine in its "Guide to America's Best Restaurants." That's just one of the many accolades chef Rocco has received on his work at the renowned Fahrenheit. Not only is the food at Fahrenheit excellent, though. Guests can also sip handcrafted cocktails and enjoy a beautiful skyline view at this Charlotte classic.

For the beer lovers, try the Wooden Robot, just a few blocks from the light rail station in Dilworth. The Wooden Robot is a friendly, relaxed place to enjoy a wide range of brews and shareable dishes. Started by Josh Patton and Dan Wade, friends since their middle school days, the Wooden Robot is a leader in the South End beer community.

Last but not least, the famous North Carolina Barbecue is still king in this royal city. Queen City Q or Mac’s Speed Shop are just two of the many BBQ joints for savory smoked meats and delectable homemade sauces.

Like what you see?

We’ll let Charlotte resident Bob Eksten leave you with his opinion of Charlotte, "Charlotte has most of the features you'd expect to find in a major American city, and it's a remarkably clean city. It is exciting to see how fast it is growing. There are a couple of caveats, however, if one were to move to Charlotte: Try to live close to where you work. Commutes can be punitive. Living in the suburbs and working in the city limits to my way of thinking is a bad idea for Charlotte. Don't be surprised to find out that Charlotte is a Southern city and that its inhabitants are Southerners. Some may not take particularly kindly to hearing that Northerners do things better. I have lived in several large and large-ish cities. In many respects, Charlotte is the best of that list."

If you decide to take the plunge and move to Charlotte, don't hesitate to reach out to your friends at Bellhops. We coordinate local and long distance moving services in Charlotte and we would love to help.