With a growing population of 1.7 million people living in the metro area, Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and a center for business and life. It is constantly considered one of the best places to live in the country with its warm inviting culture and strong banking industry. Many different businesses have headquartered their operations there as it offers a much more affordable market than most of the East Coast. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Charlotte has a rich southern history that plays a large part in the culture today. Charlotteans enjoy many different things that make the city unique and exciting. The city takes pride in offering an abundant amount of opportunities ranging from city attractions to scenic outdoor activities. Charlotte claims to have a lot for everyone.

The city’s is located in the south-central part of the state close to the North Carolina/South Carolina border. Its close proximity to the Appalachian Mountains makes it a convenient location for various outdoor activities including, hiking, whitewater rafting, and even skiing. Outdoor activities are one of the many things that Charlotteans enjoy. The city expresses an outdoor-friendly culture that mirrors its people. Beautiful parks and waterways make Charlotte one of the most environmentally friendly places in the state. The city also offers plentiful attractions and accommodations for those looking for something more urban. NASCAR enthusiasts and sports fan can enjoy a variety of different activities like catching a race at the speedway, checking out the NASCAR Hall of Fame, or watching a Carolina Panthers game. Various other activities like the Discovery Place Science Center and Carowinds theme park provide something for everyone visiting the city. As the city continues to expand, the arts and music scenes have grown more and more as well, providing stunning art and music offered throughout the year. Read more »

Charlotte’s financial stability is founded in the city’s prosperous banking sector. The nation’s largest financial institute, Bank of America, is headquartered in the city and employs thousands of jobs for residents in the area. Since banks began moving to the city in the 70’s, it has become one of the largest financial centers in the nation. A strong banking sector has helped to keep the city’s economy stable, especially as times have become tough for a lot of the nation. Employment has actually even grown at 3 to 5% annually as banks continue to create jobs.

Sales Trends
As the city continues to gain popularity and grow, new housing sales have experienced a significant increase. With sales of 12,231 in 2008, Charlotte has one of the largest and most exciting housing markets in the country. Large population increases can be attributed to the growing job market and general attractiveness of the city. Hanley Wood even rated the city as the 13th healthiest housing market in the country. Job creation and population growth are great for the housing market as more new residents relocate for work and purchase new homes. With a strong banking industry, Charlotte should see the housing market take off more as the economy recovers. Many experts believe the market will recover long before the rest of the country with the way the market is running now. To take a look at the report on Charlotte and other markets in the country click here.  « Close »