As individuals and families from all over the world are making the big move to North Carolina, one debate seems to always arise: Raleigh or Charlotte? As loyal fans of the entire state, we know that both options have a lot to offer and one may not always be the clear “winner.” Deciding which major metropolitan to relocate to is a topic that is brought up in our Relocating to Raleigh Facebook Group often.
Here are some of the thoughts shared by members of the group. To keep our users’ privacy, we’ve left names off of the responses.
Raleigh blends small town with big city.
The most common consensus within the group is that Raleigh is the better pick for newcomers looking for small-town vibes with big city convenience. One member chimed in, “I visited both places (from CA) to get a feel for each. Just based on first impressions I really fell in love with Raleigh and didn’t get the same feeling about Charlotte. Raleigh seemed to have more trees, Charlotte was construction EVERYWHERE, and seemed like most of the trees had been cleared out? Also so much traffic, it was like being back in CA and drivers were crazy. Raleigh seemed to have more lakes and trails and just more nature.”
Another member who has lived in both cities adds his experience, “I like Raleigh better. A more diverse economy, less stuffy. People are nicer. Yeah, Charlotte has the big buildings and a truer downtown area but traffic is terrible. The school system in Wake County is better. Closer to the beach!”
Most members agreed that Raleigh offers more greenery and slower, more down-to-earth vibes. However, that may not be what everyone is looking for.
Charlotte boasts nightlife, events, and a bigger downtown.
One member reminded the group that more excitement is often found in the Queen City, “Charlotte has great nightlife. Raleigh can feel boring at times if you don’t want to go to a bar… Charlotte also gets more big-name concert/tour stops than we do, which is probably the only detractor for Raleigh for me. They also have the Hornets (bball) and Panthers Stadium (NFL).”
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At NC Eat & Play, we really don’t want to choose a favorite. But in our roots, Raleigh and its neighboring cities and towns will always be a big focus for us here. The best news for many Raleigh Newcomers is Charlotte is only a couple of hours drive to play in a great city filled with great restaurants, professional sports events, NASCAR (can’t forget that), and some of the best high-end shopping in our state. Fellas, you may or may not want to know this, but Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and other major fashion and jewelry brands make Charlotte a shopping destination for thousands of shoppers every day.
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One of our own team members shares, “The South Park Mall is worthy of any day trip, just bring the furbaby and the AMEX if you roll that way. haha”
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