When deciding where to live, it is important to make sure you do plenty of research into the new city you’re moving to. How do you decide which city is right for you? In this guide, we intend to outline the pros and cons of moving from Raleigh, NC to Charlotte, NC.
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Distance Between Charlotte And Raleigh
How far exactly is Charlotte, NC from Raleigh, NC? The Queen City sits a little farther southwest of Raleigh and comes in at about a 2 hour and 45 minute drive. Raleigh is located in central North Carolina and is the state’s capital. Charlotte is located directly southwest of Raleigh.
Is Raleigh, NC or Charlotte, NC More Affordable?
Just how expensive is living in Raleigh, NC versus Charlotte, NC? The answer may surprise you. According to Best Places, the cost of living in Charlotte is about 2.6% cheaper overall than the cost of living in Raleigh. However, the main draw to Charlotte is the median home cost. On average, the median home cost is nearly 13% cheaper in Charlotte than it is in Raleigh. Not ready to buy? Check out our blog post, “Moving To Charlotte NC: Renters Guide” for more information on renting in Charlotte.
Things To Do When Moving to Charlotte
While Raleigh certainly has plenty of things to do, Charlotte may be a fair match for the city in terms of fun. When moving from Raleigh, NC to Charlotte, NC you won’t ever have to worry about being bored. Charlotte offers plenty of attractions such as sports, concerts, great food, and outdoor fun for the whole family.
What Charlotte, NC Has to Offer In Sports
Raleigh may be home to the state’s hockey team, the Carolina Hurricanes, but Charlotte is no stranger to sports. Charlotte is home to its own professional baseball, football, and basketball stadiums. You won’t have to worry about missing out on your favorite sports when moving to Charlotte!
The BB&T Ballpark hosts the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Bank of America Stadium is home to the Carolina Panthers, the state’s National Football League team. Finally, the Spectrum Center is home to the Charlotte Hornets, the state’s National Basketball Association team.
Charlotte’s Concert Scene
If sports aren’t really your thing, you can still catch a glimpse of the Bank of America Stadium at one of the various concerts held at the venue. In the past, the stadium has hosted artists ranging from The Rolling Stones to Miranda Lambert. You can view upcoming events on the Carolina Panthers website.
The Spectrum Center is also a popular concert venue in Charlotte. The stadium has hosted artists in the past, such as Elton John and Twenty One Pilots. Upcoming concert information can be found on the Spectrum Center’s website.
In addition to the various arenas, Charlotte is also home to the PNC Music Pavilion. The PNC Music Pavilion is an outdoor venue that offers a unique concert and festival experience. The venue allows for reserved and lawn seating.
In the past, the PNC Music Pavilion has hosted festivals such as Lollapalooza and Ozzfest. Additionally, the venue has hosted artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Pitbull, and Maroon 5. You can find updated ticket information on the PNC Music Pavilion Website.
Fun With Kids In Charlotte, NC
When moving to Charlotte, NC from Raleigh, NC you’ll soon find the city has plenty to offer when it comes to activities to do with the kids. One of the major draws to Charlotte, even for visitors, is Carowinds. Carowinds is Charlotte’s local amusement park, boasting almost 60 world-class rides, a water park, and even live entertainment. Carowinds offers plenty of options for tickets, such as daily and annual passes, in addition to special events tickets.
If you’re looking for something a little more lowkey, Charlotte offers plenty of parks for family fun. From Freedom Park to Romare Bearden Park, there are plenty of nature trails, playgrounds, and waterfalls to keep kids busy for hours.
Searching for something a little more serene but still outdoors? Charlotte also is home to the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, as well as Wing Haven & Bird Sanctuary.
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Food In Charlotte, NC
While Raleigh certainly has plenty to offer in terms or a good meal, Charlotte, NC is known for its food, ranking in the top third of cities in The Patch’s “Best Foodie Cities“. Some of the most popular restaurants in Charlotte include River’s Edge, Midwood Smokehouse, and Fig Tree. River’s Edge is located near the Whitewater and Catawba Rivers and offers a casual dining experience. Midwood Smokehouse serves delicious barbeque at three different locations. Fig Tree offers a more high end dining experience.
Schools In Raleigh, NC Versus Charlotte, NC
Schools In Raleigh
Raleigh offers many choices when it comes to the presence of higher education, boasting 12 institutes within the city alone, which includes North Carolina State University. In terms of public schools, Raleigh offers consistently high-ranking schools, which can make the decision to leave the capital city to move to Charlotte a difficult one.
Schools In Charlotte
While Raleigh may offer more variety and options in terms of higher education, Charlotte still has several institutions to offer, such as UNC Charlotte and the Queens University of Charlotte. Similar to Raleigh, Charlotte offers a variety of public K-12 schools that have consistently ranked top in the nation. Charlotte also offers private and charter schools, such as Providence Day School and Lake Norman Charter School. Check out our recent blog post “The Best School Districts In Charlotte, NC: Stats and Classes” for more information on which school districts rank the highest in Charlotte.
Bike and Walkability Of Raleigh, NC Versus Charlotte, NC
Transportation in Raleigh
Raleigh is ranked as the 46th most walkable city in the US, according to Walk Score. If you’re looking to move to a walkable neighborhood however, it may be best to move to either the Oakwood, College Park, or Stonehenge East areas. However, Raleigh does not offer many bike lanes. Raleigh does offer some public transportation, including GoRaleigh, the local public transportation system offering over 27 fixed routes.
Transportation in Charlotte
While Charlotte overall received a low Walk Score, certain neighborhoods are considered more walkable than others. The top three most walkable neighborhoods in Charlotte include Fourth Ward, First Ward, and Second Ward, which all scored Walk Scores above 80/100. While the city itself is not considered biker-friendly, many of the surrounding neighborhoods are considered to rank high in bike-ability. Charlotte does offer CATS, the Charlotte Area Transport System as local public transport.
Pros and Cons of Moving from Raleigh, NC to Charlotte, NC
Pros of Moving from Raleigh to Charlotte
Charlotte has many things to offer any person who looking to move to the Queen City soon. Charlotte is a very affordable city, offering a cost of living at about 5% lower than the national average.
Furthermore, Charlotte offers a wonderful education system with consistently high-ranking public schools. In addition to Charlotte’s public school system, the city has plenty to offer in terms of private and charter schools.
Finally, Charlotte Offers some of the best food in the nation. From barbeque to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to delicious burgers, Charlotte really does have it all to offer in terms of food.
Cons of Moving from Raleigh to Charlotte
When moving to Charlotte, you should consider public transportation in comparison with Raleigh. While Raleigh already ranks relatively low in walk and bike-ability, Charlotte ranks even lower. Furthermore, Charlotte offers far less in quantity and quality of the public transportation that Raleigh does. Additionally, Charlotte offers far less higher education options than Raleigh does.
Conclusion
When moving to Charlotte, NC, there is a lot to look forward to. From the several entertainment and food options to the city’s affordability, it’s understanding why it gained the nickname “The Queen City”.
I am originally from a small town in Western Maryland. Currently, I am a senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington studying Communication and Pre-Law, and will be attending law school in Cincinnati in the fall. In my free time I love to try out new coffee shops, go to the beach with my friends, and spend quality time with my family.