Friday, April 06, 2007

What's your favorite thing about Charlotte?

Last week, my colleagues in the Observer’s E&T section (our Friday section on "entertainment & things to do" – a great resource for newcomers) asked readers to describe their favorite thing about Charlotte.

Their only agenda was to be entered into a drawing for some free event tickets. Many submissions came from transplants. A sampling:

"I’m a skyscraper fanatic, and I love spending an afternoon every once in and a while in uptown checking out the progress of all the new towers and watching those cranes and construction workers do their business. Now on the other hand, if I lived in Charlotte, all the road construction, suburban sprawl, etc. might be a problem. But for me, I love the energy and positive vibe to be found in all the new Charlotte construction." Norman Cook, Hickory

"We have it all. Where else in the United States can you get to both the Great Smoky Mountains and the soft sand of the N.C. beaches in just a few hours? Where else can you get to NASCAR tracks like Darlington, Bristol, and Martinsville in just a few hours, and don’t forget our very own Lowes Motor Speedway? Where else can you visit over 90 percent of all the NASCAR race teams’ shops? Where else are you going to get famous N.C. barbecue? Where else are you going to (visit) the one-of-a-kind U.S. National Whitewater Center?" Steven Youngblood

"My favorite thing about Charlotte is the variety of things to do in and around this city and the nice weather to do them in." Paul Sanford

"When I first moved here and drove through Charlotte, I was amazed at what a clean, beautiful city it was. The sidewalks were clear of debris, the grass was cut, the people in traffic were so polite. It amazed me that there was such a big difference from Pennsylvania to N.C." Ashley Heller

"My favorite thing about Charlotte is the way it looks in the spring. I was born and raised here, and at the beginning of every spring memories come flooding back to me. It makes me realize why people would want to move here." Tim Williams

"I am originally from Colorado, where it is chilly and the temperament of the people is often a match for the temperature outdoors. I currently travel out of town weekly for my job, but what I love about Charlotte is... the fact that no one is ever in a hurry; the idea that Southern hospitality is still alive and well; that there are 30 different types of barbecue sauce; that I can get a sweet tea at any time of the day; that flowers bloom in March; and finally, that no matter where I am flying in from – I am always happy to come home." Jasmine Barnes

Reactions? Additional thoughts? Post here or send ’em my way.

18 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love the warmth of spring and all the trees and birds that sing. I love the flowering trees and, by the way,I have heard by old timers this was a beautiful spring because of the warm winter. FLOWERS , BIRDS and small green sprouts saying new birth to the season. I love Southpark mall and Cotswold because of its location; I love driving up and down Randolph and Sharon and Queens and many other streets that have flowers. Maybe if we planted flowers in run down neighborhoods this will lower crime !

8:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The birds in Charlotte should be part of a circus they are so much fun to watch; The Mockingbird in their dance and the Doves eating like the last morsal of food has hit the earth.I love the tohee who scratches and hops to find their food. The Titmouse is a hoot landing upside down and hanging there looking cute . Thats one thing Charlotte has is the SPRING.

8:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love the smell of cut-down trees lying along the red clay soil next to the bulldozers of the newest 1,000 home subdivision.

9:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hate the roads... oh wait, my favorite things? hmm...

11:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you have a retirement income or a million dollars you will find Charlotte a nice place ; If you have to work in the thick of things like traffic , crime and outrageous house prices you will not be happy here. I have been doing a study of this entity.

7:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love having 4 Targets and 8 Harris-Teeter stores within sight distance of my house.

3:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why do people think it's real cool to be three hours from the beach or mountains. I've lived in places where a beach and mountains were merely a half-hour away from eachother. I guess people here just love driving.

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Uptown and the surrounding old neighborhoods are the only thing I like about this town. Everything else is cookie cutter crap as with most new areas.

3:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

People here are just boring.

9:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My favorite thing is how the city council just does things anyways, like the new arena. If it weren't for the city council Charlotte would still be a boring hick town.

9:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like that Charlotte will be something like a real city in about 10 years. Uptown/downtown is the worse.

11:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's "WORST" when used like that.

Example:
The WORST spellers are from outside of Uptown.
Or:
The Suburbs are simply WORSE than Uptown.

Don't dog it just because you can't afford it or are too culturally deprived to "get it".

1:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I truly can say I don't have a favorite thing about Charlotte, poor roads, outrageous taxes, traffic, unfriendly people I could go on and on.. the only reason I have to live here is because my wife wanted to be closer to her family.. Charlotte is such a poser city just because you have big buildings that does not make you a "World Class City" try visiting Atlanta, Dallas, LA, San Francisco, Miami.. then get back to me.

11:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree. I moved uptown 4 years ago just so this town would be some what bareable. It worked for awhile, but I am getting bored. Maybe with the new condos coming online we will get a lot more retail and things to do.
If not I am out of here in a few more years.

2:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why would anybody move here if they didn't like it, or better yet stay here for years complaining when they are free to move anywhere else on the planet? Could it be for the good paying bank jobs, or the real estate market with steadily increasing property values, or the lower crime, cleaner environment or lower cost of living relative to other (especially Northern) cities? If you don't like it, please call 411 for the number of the local U-Haul. No, Charlotte is not New York City....or Los Angeles...or Washington DC, and I for one hope it never will be.

12:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you don't like it here, please feel free to move at any time. There are plenty of us who love it and can stay here and run things. Cheers for CHARLOTTE!

8:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is nothing more beautiful than Charlotte in the summer. I am from CA and purchased property near Lake Norman for near-future retirement. CA offers 105+ degree temperatures with brown hills from June thru Sept. Basically only get 2 seasons: Summer/Winter. The complaints people have with Charlotte are relatively easy to fix - so go do it!

3:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well certainly you don't advocate Divorce, as the only reason I am here is because of my wifes need to be close to her family. Trust me I would have been out of here long ago if not for that fact.. Love is keeping me here, love of my wife and the love I have of someday moving away.

12:00 PM  

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