Charlotte-Mecklenburg - Quality of Life
The Charlotte community is thriving with culture, and affordability
The Charlotte community is thriving with culture, and affordability
According to the United Van Lines’ 2007 Migration Study of nearly 213,000 moves, North Carolina attracted a bigger share of newcomers and had fewer residents leave than any other state. More than 61.6% of North Carolina’s interstate moves were inbound. Economic and job growth, lower costs of living, temperate climate and a better quality of life were cited among factors for the increase.
Nevada ranked second for the most inbound moves from other states, with 59.4% inbound. South Carolina also ranked high, with 57.8% inbound.
Michigan was the top state losing residents, with 67.8 percent of the state’s interstate moves as outbound.
Story Highlights
• Charlotte was voted "most livable city" in April 2004
• Charlotte has been ranked as one of the hottest and most affordable housing markets
I am a New Yorker who spent the last four years in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am a nurse anesthetist and moved to Albuquerque for a job opportunity. I moved out west to leave the hustle of the New York City and the soaring real estate prices. The job didn’t work out so I reluctantly made the decision to leave New Mexico. I had purchased a spectacular home (I could never have afforded it in NYC) and hated to leave. I knew my next real estate purchase would at least have to be comparable to my standards and have the “wow” factor my house in New Mexico had.• Charlotte was voted "most livable city" in April 2004
• Charlotte has been ranked as one of the hottest and most affordable housing markets
What drew you to Charlotte?
My sister and her family have been in Charlotte for 21 years and love it here. I have visited them frequently over the years and always had a great time. I did a job search and found a great opportunity at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.
Where did you go for information about Charlotte and the housing market?
The housing market was slightly soft in Albuquerque, but I was fortunate to sell my home for a descent price. I was surprised and glad to see that Charlotte's real housing market really was not affected to the degree it has been in other parts of the country.
How would you compare the housing market in Albuquerque to Charlotte?
New home prices here in Charlotte are much more affordable than New Mexico and so much better than the New York City area.Let’s talk a bit about the home buying process. Where areas of Charlotte did you explore? Why did you end up where you did? Since my sister lives in Knightsbridge in Fort Mill, I wanted to relocate near her. She did all the leg work for me. I went online and researched communities that she recommended. She actually made a video of the models and sent it to me on line .I always came back to The Reserve and Standard Pacific homes. I was so pleased at the quality, the amenities and the location when I came down to look at the models in person.How difficult was it to find a mortgage? My good credit paid off and finding a mortgage at a very good rate was surprisingly easy. It’s actually a good time to be looking for mortgages if you have a good credit history and some money for downpayment.
