So my husband just got a job offer in Charlotte and we are considering it. We live in Texas now and haven't ever lived anywhere besides Texas. We have a 3 year old so schooling is obviously an issue. We know absolutely nothing about the area but will be going next week to visit.

Please impart on me all your knowledge, advice, suggestions, etc. about the Charlotte area.

Thanks!

Great airport!

Pros: Nice area. The people are friendly. If you like NASCAR, most of the race teams are based in the area as well as Lowes Motor Speedway. I used to go there for work. I had the chance to move up there seven years ago. I turned it down and got to experience Katrina instead.
Cons: BBQ is weird, a lot of pork and they put cole slaw on a BBQ sandwich unless you tell them to leave it off. Food overall is not good as what you are used to with more chain restaurants in the area.
Taxes are high, a lot of people live across the border in South Carolina and commute to Charlotte about a hour drive one way.
A guy that used to work for me moved up there when we were both offerred jobs and loves it.

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Cons: BBQ is weird, a lot of pork and they put cole slaw on a BBQ sandwich unless you tell them to leave it off. Food overall is not good as what you are used to with more chain restaurants in the area.
Taxes are high

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This seems to be the only arguments people can make when considering a move from TX to any decent or nice state. The food in TX is really good (see: all the large people) and it is dirt cheap. I don't think NC is very expensive; it's more that TX is about the cheapest place to live. From all I've heard and the little I've seen, NC is a really nice state.

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a lot of people live across the border in South Carolina and commute to Charlotte about a hour drive one way.

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This is pretty funny. People drive 2 hours/day to save a few bucks on taxes?

I moved to Hickory, NC 6 years ago from Texas and My family and I just love it. I live about an hour north of Charlotte. Dont know much about actual Charlotte but several of the towns around Charlotte are very nice. I live about an hour north of Charlotte.

As for as the Cole Slaw, the people around here put it on EVERYTHING. From BBQ, to hamburgers, to hot dogs.

Thanks for the input everyone! My husband actually accepted the position 2 weeks ago so we are Charlotte-bound! They flew us there for a weekend before he accepted and we really liked it. Our first choice is to stay put of course but Charlotte is not a bad place at all to be asked to move to. We are planning to move this summer sometime...dependent on when our house here sells. I think I'll be okay on the BBQ because I don't eat any red meat anyways. I hate cole slaw so I'll be sure to make sure I always say no cole slaw . Thanks everyone!

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This is pretty funny. People drive 2 hours/day to save a few bucks on taxes?

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Charlotte isn't 2 hrs from SC. Unless you are thinking Columbia, SC.

Edit- well one hour each way? Maybe if you work on the far north side of Charlotte.

I travel there often from near Chattanooga for work with one of the big box home centers. Lots of traffic and the road infrastructure on the side roads for the traffic is frustrating.

Nice area though. Main thing I wouldn't like are the state income taxes, etc.

That is why SC is preferable, I think.

Welcome to pork BBQ land.....

[This message has been edited by EMc77 (edited 2/18/2011 8:01a).]

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Main thing I wouldn't like are the state income taxes, etc.

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I'm guessing the property taxes are cheaper though? It is about 1.5% more in CO than TX when you consider property tax (1.5% more in Houston than Denver) and state income tax (4.6% CO) on 150k salary and 300k house. So it's pretty minor here.

Could be. Just know I hate the idea of income taxes. Here in TN we pay one of the highest sales taxes, but property taxes are low and no Income tax.

I can adjust and get around sales taxes if need be. Can't on the income tax.

Also, you have vehicle inspections and I believe higher registration costs that I don't here or in SC, if I am not mistaken.

That all said, NC is a really nice state.

SC seems to have similar state income tax rate as NC - I'm looking it up in case I have to move there.