Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
I've been told that people who never had allergies in their life develop all sorts of things in NC... my fiancee suffers big time, especially this time of year. The changeable weather in Spring takes getting used to too I hear.
In fact, this time 2 weeks ago on March 2nd, I woke up at my in-laws place in Cleveland County to 9 INCHES of snow which fell in just 1 night...! The whole place came to a standstill. But by the end of the week, it was warm and very sunny - bizarre! Enjoy your visits back to the UK - but avoid London, it's NOT the place it used to be.... :( |
Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
Originally Posted by Victor88
(Post 7421133)
I've been told that people who never had allergies in their life develop all sorts of things in NC... my fiancee suffers big time, especially this time of year. The changeable weather in Spring takes getting used to too I hear.
In fact, this time 2 weeks ago on March 2nd, I woke up at my in-laws place in Cleveland County to 9 INCHES of snow which fell in just 1 night...! The whole place came to a standstill. But by the end of the week, it was warm and very sunny - bizarre! Enjoy your visits back to the UK - but avoid London, it's NOT the place it used to be.... :( My eczema is greatly reduced too to the point that I don't need to go to any doctor for treatment and I can use regular hand soap. |
Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
Originally Posted by Victor88
(Post 7409401)
Hi All,
I'm from London and am moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2010 (moving to be there with my wife). I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has moved to Charlotte within the past 5 years and their experiences of living there - particularly anyone from London/UK/Europe. I've been to Charlotte three times, each for short 1 week trips - so I have got an initial 'feel for the city. I realise things are pretty destabilised in the US at the moment, and I know that Charlotte is suffering with plenty of job losses in the banking sector... but I work in multimedia/web project management, so I'm hoping there will be something available in this line of work by the time I get there next year... But I'd love to hear anyone's experiences/advice on - - Good places to live near the city of Charlotte. - Jobs/employment. - Salaries. - Cost of living (groceries, housing, bills, etc) - Lifestyle and culture. - Quality of life (in comparison to UK/Europe). - Do you think the move has improved your life? - Any problems? Any of your advice/feedback is much appreciated !!! Feel free to email me via the site too, as would love to hear from any british expats living in the USA too!! :) Cheers all, have a good un. Victor I have lived in Charlotte since September '08 after being an expat for 6 years in England living in the Midlands and outside of London. My opinion is it's nice but terribly boring after compared to the UK. 1. If you like to walk and be out and about you'll hate it..I can't even walk out of my subdivision - no foot paths , sidewalks, etc. Nobody gets out of their car. There's no High Street. There's no city centre in suburb areas. Very few parks or green space. 2. Socializing is very hard. I don't find it friendly here at all. Most Americans in general seem very stressy and preoccupied. No one will want to hear about anything. 3. The schools are rubbish. My kids used to love school. They don't here. It's not about learning here. Foreign language, arts, music, sports--- not important and may only get to be in one thing a year. My children's manners and behaviour have deteriorated. 4. There's really not much to do. If you like boring American suburbia rushing your kids around all w/e to their various sporting events , going to Target in your sweat pants and trainers, and eating greasy meals from a chain restaurant...then you'll love it here. Uptown Charlotte - not impressed - not much to do. There are some nice areas to drive to for the w/e - coast, mountains. 5. There's nice housing but can be expensive - not like prices in UK though. Food , utilities seem quite high compared with other places. There's quite a bit of taxes here. 6. It's very church oriented here and I find it a bit over-the-top. Overall..it's not bad here but it's not great either. I think Charlotte is a bit over-rated. I don't understand the draw here as they get many newcomers. I would take my old life back any time. It was not my choice to come here but necessity for a job and I am trying my best to adjust. Good luck to you. |
Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
Hi....
I have lived in Charlotte since September '08 after being an expat for 6 years in England living in the Midlands and outside of London. My opinion is it's nice but terribly boring after compared to the UK. 1. If you like to walk and be out and about you'll hate it..I can't even walk out of my subdivision - no foot paths , sidewalks, etc. Nobody gets out of their car. There's no High Street. There's no city centre in suburb areas. Very few parks or green space. 2. Socializing is very hard. I don't find it friendly here at all. Most Americans in general seem very stressy and preoccupied. No one will want to hear about anything. 3. The schools are rubbish. My kids used to love school. They don't here. It's not about learning here. Foreign language, arts, music, sports--- not important and may only get to be in one thing a year. My children's manners and behaviour have deteriorated. 4. There's really not much to do. If you like boring American suburbia rushing your kids around all w/e to their various sporting events , going to Target in your sweat pants and trainers, and eating greasy meals from a chain restaurant...then you'll love it here. Uptown Charlotte - not impressed - not much to do. There are some nice areas to drive to for the w/e - coast, mountains. 5. There's nice housing but can be expensive - not like prices in UK though. Food , utilities seem quite high compared with other places. There's quite a bit of taxes here. 6. It's very church oriented here and I find it a bit over-the-top. Overall..it's not bad here but it's not great either. I think Charlotte is a bit over-rated. I don't understand the draw here as they get many newcomers. I would take my old life back any time. It was not my choice to come here but necessity for a job and I am trying my best to adjust. Good luck to you. |
Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
Hi....
I have lived in Charlotte since September '08 after being an expat for 6 years in England living in the Midlands and outside of London. My opinion is it's nice but terribly boring after compared to the UK. 1. If you like to walk and be out and about you'll hate it..I can't even walk out of my subdivision - no foot paths , sidewalks, etc. Nobody gets out of their car. There's no High Street. There's no city centre in suburb areas. Very few parks or green space.
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
2. Socializing is very hard. I don't find it friendly here at all. Most Americans in general seem very stressy and preoccupied. No one will want to hear about anything.
I had a friend who just moved here a year ago and she and her hubby knew absolutely no one, and she started a dinner club in her neighbourhood to get to know people. (Maybe not your cup of tea but you get the idea)
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
3. The schools are rubbish. My kids used to love school. They don't here. It's not about learning here. Foreign language, arts, music, sports--- not important and may only get to be in one thing a year. My children's manners and behaviour have deteriorated.
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
4. There's really not much to do. If you like boring American suburbia rushing your kids around all w/e to their various sporting events , going to Target in your sweat pants and trainers, and eating greasy meals from a chain restaurant...then you'll love it here. Uptown Charlotte - not impressed - not much to do. There are some nice areas to drive to for the w/e - coast, mountains.
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
5. There's nice housing but can be expensive - not like prices in UK though. Food , utilities seem quite high compared with other places. There's quite a bit of taxes here.
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
6. It's very church oriented here and I find it a bit over-the-top.
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7436980)
Overall..it's not bad here but it's not great either. I think Charlotte is a bit over-rated. I don't understand the draw here as they get many newcomers. I would take my old life back any time. It was not my choice to come here but necessity for a job and I am trying my best to adjust.
Good luck to you. Once I put some effort in to finding meet up groups of interest, got on some local forums (If you're wife is interested there is a local Mums network that has a forum and they organize all kinds of kids crap to do, its exhausting just reading how busy they are) I utilized face book and my space to meet new friends. I hope you start feeling better about it all soon :) |
Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
I have to agree with Sanna, the Charlotte/Mecklenburg school system is not very good. It's over-stretched, under-funded and the schools are full to capacity. If the OP has kids they need to be very careful which area they move to if they want a good school. Some zones are better for schools than others.
|
Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
Originally Posted by Sue
(Post 7438633)
I have to agree with Sanna, the Charlotte/Mecklenburg school system is not very good. It's over-stretched, under-funded and the schools are full to capacity. If the OP has kids they need to be very careful which area they move to if they want a good school. Some zones are better for schools than others.
As for the parenting comment - you should really not comment about that when you don't know me or my kids. I am on them about respect, manners, and education etc. I have had to work with them all of the time to make up for the rubbish schooling here. The academics are easy. I had to talk to them about a bomb scare at the school this week. Scarey. I'm aware it's the bible belt - it's great if you like that...it's not my thing. If you want to drive to parks and to the mountains etc..that's great. But for day - to - day life -- I can't walk anywhere from my sub. There's one park I can drive to. I don't wish to drive 1-2 hours to go for a walk after work. There are no bike paths, running areas, or even shoulders on the roads for that matter. I can't walk to get milk or a newspaper. Drive, Drive, Drive. Yes , there are ways to socialize. I know for me it's not hanging at the local YMCA or local Chilis. It's just very unstimulating here, bland. It works for many - not me. Again - it's just an opinion for someone who asked a questiion. You should direct your opinion that way as well. |
Re: Moving to Charlotte, NC...?
Originally Posted by sanna
(Post 7438946)
Hey - this is my opinion of Charlotte. I have moved so many times in my life and am aware that it takes time to adjust to new areas and situations and to make new aquaintances. However, of all the places I have lived...west, midwest, northeast, overseas...Charlotte has been my least favourite. It is over rated here - I just don't get why people want to come here voluntarily. That was just a few reasons I dislike it here. It's my opinion - not yours.
As for the parenting comment - you should really not comment about that when you don't know me or my kids. I am on them about respect, manners, and education etc. I have had to work with them all of the time to make up for the rubbish schooling here. The academics are easy. I had to talk to them about a bomb scare at the school this week. Scarey. I'm aware it's the bible belt - it's great if you like that...it's not my thing. If you want to drive to parks and to the mountains etc..that's great. But for day - to - day life -- I can't walk anywhere from my sub. There's one park I can drive to. I don't wish to drive 1-2 hours to go for a walk after work. There are no bike paths, running areas, or even shoulders on the roads for that matter. I can't walk to get milk or a newspaper. Drive, Drive, Drive. Yes , there are ways to socialize. I know for me it's not hanging at the local YMCA or local Chilis. It's just very unstimulating here, bland. It works for many - not me. Again - it's just an opinion for someone who asked a questiion. You should direct your opinion that way as well. Sue |
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