Moving to Charlotte, NC? There’s no doubt relocating to a new city has become more commonplace, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy or without challenges. Like most life adventures, you need a guide to help you find your way. Someone who knows the “lay of the land” and can point you in the right direction. The “Moving to Charlotte, NC: The Ultimate Guide” does just that. Updated frequently, this guide can help you find your way in and around the Charlotte, NC area. From local watering holes to the best local ice cream shops, this guide has it all.
Charlotte, NC History
European settlers established the town of Charlotte back in 1768. At that time, King George, III still ruled the colonies. Paying homage to his wife, King George, III named the area Queen Charlotte. The area immediately surrounding Charlotte became known as Mecklenburg. Historians say the Mecklenburg county name was chosen to honor the Queen Charlotte’s birthplace in Germany.
In the years that have followed, Charlotte established itself in the gold mining industry, leader in railroad advancement, and became a leader in the textile industry by the end of the 1880s.
Charlotte continues to celebrate its vast history as it looks toward the future. Several areas around the city have been revitalized to meet the needs of the community while still preserving its history and buildings. NODA, an area known today as an eclectic arts district was once a cluster of former mill villages. Or look further to the now-suburban towns of Pineville, Cornelius, Kannapolis, Belmont, Mount Holly and Gastonia, where big brick mill buildings have been reimagined into restaurants, entertainment hubs, businesses and shops.
Follow this link for more information about the history and advance of Charlotte from 1768 to present.
Charlotte, NC Weather
Charlotte’s weather is fair, mild, and spectacular all year ’round. With Carolina blue skies visible in all four seasons, it’s hard not to want to get outside and explore. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 33°F to 89°F. Annual average precipitation of 43 inches distributed evenly throughout the year. With cool mornings and mild afternoons, Charlotte is often a Snow Birds’ retreat during the frigid winters for our friends to the North.
Follow this link for more information about Charlotte’s climate.
Charlotte, NC and Surrounding Areas
Uptown Charlotte is the downtown center of the Queen City. Home to soaring skyscrapers, high rise condos, cathedrals, museums and many, many restaurants. The streets bustle morning, Noon and night with visitors and locals moving along by foot, scooter, Segway and on the Blue Line light rail system. There’s always someplace to go, and something to see in Uptown, as visitors come from near and far to visit Bank of America Stadium, home to the NFL Carolina Panthers team, and the Spectrum Center, home to the NBA Charlotte Hornets. If you’re a minor league baseball fan, catch a game with the Charlotte Knights at Truist Field.
But, Charlotte is so much more than the Uptown area. We are blessed to be surrounded by many towns all with their own vibe and things to offer. See the links below to find out more about the areas surrounding Charlotte.
Belmont, NC, Lake Norman Area, Concord, NC, Matthews / Mint Hill, NC, Waxhaw, NC, Ft. Mill / Rock Hill / Tega Cay, SC areas.
Companies Headquartered in Charlotte
Charlotte, NC has a long history of attracting a variety of business to the area. Financial, medical and energy make up the top 10 Fortune 500 companies who call Charlotte home.
- Compass Group USA
- Bank of America
- Lowe’s Inc.
- Honeywell
- Atrium Health
- Family Dollar
- Duke Energy
- Nucor
- Sonic Automotive
- Brighthouse Financial
Charlotte Area Universities and 2 Year Colleges
Are you interested in furthering your education? The Charlotte area has you covered. With many two and four year options, you’re bound to find the right higher education program and teaching model for you. Here’s a list (and links) of several of the college and university options available in the Charlotte area.
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Queens University of Charlotte
- Johnson & Wales University- Charlotte Campus
- Davidson College
- DeVry University
- Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
- Belmont Abbey College
- Wingate University
- Gaston College
- Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte Public and Private Schools, K-12
Charlotte’s public and private K-12 options are known for setting children up for success. From 21st century classrooms to specialized high schools for vocational and preforming arts, there is something for every K-12 student.
Public School Systems
- Cabarrus County Schools
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
- Fort Mill School District
- Lincoln County Schools
- Mooresville Graded School District
- Union County Public Schools
- York County Schools, SC
Private Schools
- Charlotte Christian School
- Charlotte Country Day School
- Charlotte Latin School
- Charlotte Preparatory School, K-8
- Covenant Day School
- Providence Day School
- Woodlawn School
Charlotte Area Major Medical Providers
When planning a move, availability to medical services is important. Luckily, Charlotte has some of the best medical resources in the state. Top rated physicians, hospitals, rehabilitation resources and children’s services are abundant in Charlotte.
- Atrium Health and Wake Forest Medical School
- Levine Children’s Hospital
- Novant Health Medical Group
- Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center
- OrthoCarolina Sports Medicine
- Tryon Medical Partners
Charlotte’s Best…
The Charlotte area is bursting at the seams with things to do. From wine crawls to water activities to indoor trampoline parks, Charlotte has something for everyone. Check out these “Charlotte’s Best’s” ideas to help you plan your next outing.
Charlotte’s Best Bowling Alleys
No matter if it’s date night, your kids birthday, or girls night out, bowling is the PERFECT activity! Here’s a list of the best bowling alleys in and around the Charlotte area.
- Piedmont Social House
- Bowlero Bowl, Matthews
- Strikers Family Sports Center, Rock Hill, SC
- Fox’s Alley Bowling, Monroe
- Queen Park Social
Charlotte’s Best Dog Friendly Bars and Restaurants
Sometimes you just want to take your best friend to dinner with you… even if that best friend is your sweet dog! Did you know that some Charlotte’s restaurants and bars actually let you bring your furry friend with you? It’s true! Here’s a short list of some of the local spots that let you bring your dog along:
Charlotte’s Best Breakfast Spots
Some mornings, you wake up and just need a good breakfast. If you’re busy like me, this list is going to be perfect for you. Here’s a list of the best breakfast hotspots in and around Charlotte:
Eddie’s Place
Original Pancake House
Midnight Diner
Royal Café and Crêperie – Matthews
Stacks Kitchen – Matthews and Waxhaw
Sun Valley Café – Indian Trail
Charlotte’s Best Donuts
Who doesn’t love a hot, fresh donut? I know we do at CharlotteLifeandLiving.com. Here are our top five favorite donuts spots around the Charlotte area.
Charlotte’s Best Florists
If you need to stock up on flowers for that special someone, this list is for you! Because I’m here with a list of just a few of the best florists in Charlotte to pick up some beautiful flowers for that special someone.
Awesome Blossoms
Kelilabee Flower Company
The Flower Diva, Inc.
The Petal Shoppe of Monroe
Palmetto Blossom – Indian Land, SC
Jane’s Creative Designs – Rock Hill, SC
Charlotte’s Best Hiking Trails near Charlotte
One of my favorite weekend activities is hitting the trails on a hike with my better half! And there are some amazing views within a short drive from Charlotte. Here’s a starter list of places to hit the trails near Charlotte.
- Crowder’s Mountain State Park, King’s Mountain, NC
- Bakers Mountain Park, Hickory, NC
- South Fork River Trail, McAdenville, NC
- Evergreen Nature Preserve, Charlotte, NC
- King’s Mountain State Park, Blacksburg, SC
Charlotte’s Best Lighting Shops
Wanting to make some home upgrades without breaking the bank? New lighting goes a long way and can totally change the look and feel of a room. Here’s a list of my favorite places to shop for light fixtures in the Charlotte area.
Charlotte’s Best Local Gift Shops
Need to pick up a birthday gift for a friend? Skip the gift cards this year and head to one of Charlotte’s best local gift shops! These local gift shops have something for almost everyone.
- The Mercantile, Rock Hill, SC
- The Beehive Gifts
- Paper Skyscraper
- Moxie Mercantile
- Happy Kat Candles & Gifts
Charlotte’s Best Father’s Day Lunch Spots
If your a planner like us, it’s never too early to plan for Father’s Day. Let’s be honest, 365 days goes by in a flash, so start planning now. Not sure what to do? We’ve got you covered with Charlotte’s best places for Father’s Day lunch! I would definitely check out one of these amazing restaurants:
Charlotte’s Best Girls Day Out Lunch Spots
Girl’s day?! Yes, please! Grab your friends and head to one of Charlotte’s best lunch spots for a fun-filled girls day out:
Charlotte’s Best Indoor Trampoline Parks
It can’t be summer without a visit to an indoor trampoline park to burn off some energy on a rainy day. Am I right?! Here’s a list of my favorite indoor trampoline parks around the Charlotte area:
- Adventure Air Sports, Rock Hill, SC
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Pineville
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, Mint Hill
- Big Air Trampoline Park, Charlotte
Charlotte’s Best Museums
Calling all museum gurus. I’m here with a list of some pretty amazing places that you are going to want to add to your list! There’s several museums in and around Charlotte. So here’s a list of just a few of my favorite art museums to check out.
- Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
- Mint Museum – Uptown
- Charlotte Museum of History
- Harvey B. Gantt Center for African- American Arts + Culture
- The Billy Graham Museum
- Gaston County Museum
Charlotte’s Best Picnic Spots
So if you’re ready to have some outdoor fun with the fam or friends, grab your picnic basket and head to one of Charlotte’s best places to spread a blanket and share a meal! Here’s a list of the best places for a picnic:
- First Ward Park, Charlotte, NC
- Latta Park, Charlotte, NC
- Anne Springs Close Greenway, Ft. Mill, SC
- Crowders Mountain, Kings Mountain, NC
- Veronet Vineyards, Kings Mountain, NC
- Fountain Park, Rock Hill, SC
- Beatty’s Ford Park, Lake Norman, NC
Charlotte’s Best Sports Bars
There is no shortage of “team spirit” in Charlotte. Home to major and minor league sports teams, Charlotte residents love to cheer on their favorite players with good food, drinks and fun times. From neighborhood bars, to upscale restaurants, you can always find a game. Here’s just a few of some of the BEST sports bars around.
- Lucky Lou’s Tavern
- Steamer’s Sports Pub
- Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill
- The Lodge: A Sportsman’s Grill
- Bin 110, Cornelius, NC
- Sweetwater Sport’s Bar and Grill, Lake Wylie, SC
Charlotte’s Best Steakhouses
When you’re really craving a steak, only a great steak will do. Here’s a short list of the best places to grab some amazing steak in Charlotte. Follow this link to find detailed descriptions of each steakhouse restaurant featured below.
- Beef ‘n Bottle Steakhouse
- The Porter’s House
- The Palm
- Steak 48
- The Capital Grille
- Dressler’s Restaurant
- Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Charlotte
Charlotte Area Homes for Sale
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About Natascha Honc
Hi, there! I’m Natascha – the founder of Charlotte Life and Living – A strong tribe of Charlotte area residents who get weekly information about the best restaurants, events, shopping, outdoor activities, and real estate in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. Click below to follow us.
