tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post1973807510675157226..comments2024-03-05T10:58:13.425-05:00Comments on New Around Town: Charlotte vs. Portland: A comparisonLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10916922360940636719noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-87980066813534574332008-06-18T01:16:00.000-05:002008-06-18T01:16:00.000-05:00I used to live in charlotte, and it honestly is th...I used to live in charlotte, and it honestly is the most boring place ive ever lived. its all nascar and country music. and if its not that, its old, ex frat boys being idiots. Downtown has nothing going on. the parks suck, no bands or shows. i moved to atlanta and was immediately impressed. plenty to do, diverse neighborhoods, and culture all over. i would suggest that you charlottans who dont like it, move to a bigger city .. like topeka, or charleston. charlotte is a small country town. thats why it's where athletes go to die. no one with any talent wants to live there either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-8863493787325355612008-02-14T11:58:00.000-05:002008-02-14T11:58:00.000-05:00I just moved here from Los Angeles, CA to be close...I just moved here from Los Angeles, CA to be closer to some of my friends and cheaper living. I find this place boring and when I read these remarks it makes me depressed. I am hoping to move back after my lease is up.<BR/>but I do love the south... just this city is really lacking culture and open-mindness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-68170397352188769322008-01-25T21:39:00.000-05:002008-01-25T21:39:00.000-05:00Why the heck is everyone so obsessed (like to the ...Why the heck is everyone so obsessed (like to the point of hissy-fits) with their city having to be crowned the "coolest" or the most "diverse"?? All those people who supposedly want "diversity" and view it as an all-encompassing, gold-star attribute to any "cool" city, are being totally hypocritical! Charlotte and Austin and Portland are ALL different, SO WHAT!!! That's what makes our COUNTRY diverse! We live in America, you are free to choose whatever city you want to live in! If you call yourself a proponent of so-called "diversity" and then point an accusing, insulting finger at "redneck church-goers" or want to split hairs about exact population figures...well you don't sound like you are very tolerant of diversity to me!! I have always found that people who feel the need to stand on soapboxes and preach to the world about how fabulous and culturally cutting-edge they are they are for embracing "diversity" are extremely selective and actually tend to reject any culture, practice or skin color that doesn't match their paricular ideology of "diversity"- it's a bit ridiculous. I have found myself chuckling through some of the posts. Let's face it, it is politically correct to say you are "for diversity"...show it! Our country is great...cities ARE different and you can live wherever you want. But people are funny, so obsessed with being "cooler" than someone else! It's like they say, if you have to make such a point of being cool, then you probably aren't!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-45630335890402787982007-10-19T23:48:00.000-05:002007-10-19T23:48:00.000-05:00How nice a city is and how much "culture" is alway...How nice a city is and how much "culture" is always relative to personal tatse. Never forget that! Charlotte is FULL of culture for transplanted black people, families and some others. Just as Miami is to Hispanics (and no, most Hispanics I know and grew up with never identify themselves as white, btw).<BR/>People who love Portland and Austin's "culture" usually are white or are in their twenties or someting along those lines.<BR/>I am not from Charlotte, been here for three years but I would NEVER choose Portland (I've been there) over this city any day of the week simply becuase it offer to me almost nothing, culturally speaking. Same with Austin, which IMO has to be the most overrated city in America!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-83275781716927342732007-10-01T16:19:00.000-05:002007-10-01T16:19:00.000-05:00Wow, specator sports- whoopee. In all other aspec...Wow, specator sports- whoopee. In all other aspects, Portland far exceeds Charlotte. Charlotte is more comparable to Indianapolis- bland, corporate, conservative. Portland is far more authentic, prettier, closer to majestic outdoors, more urban, more artistic, better food, better nightlife, more interesting people. Charlotte is the king of chains and shopping malls. Yawn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-87747097138261085732007-09-25T11:06:00.000-05:002007-09-25T11:06:00.000-05:00As a sports fan, Portland doesn't come close to to...As a sports fan, Portland doesn't come close to touching Charlotte. <BR/><BR/>Portland = NBA <BR/><BR/>Charlotte = NBA, NFL, nearby NHL, NASCAR, PGA, NCAA basketball everywhere, and MLB not too far away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-52653273156474434012007-09-25T08:49:00.000-05:002007-09-25T08:49:00.000-05:00I wonder if people that don't like charlotte move ...I wonder if people that don't like charlotte move away will it be better a place?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-73694048640783108662007-09-24T12:42:00.000-05:002007-09-24T12:42:00.000-05:00Portland has a vibrant downtown and is in a much p...Portland has a vibrant downtown and is in a much prettier part of the country. Charlotte's downtown is basically just an office park. I'd rate the weather about even- Charlotte is sunnier, but the weather in Portland, even when dreary, is comfortable enough to jog/hike/bike almost every day of the year. Portland also has a lot of historic architecture and has been a decent sized city for a long time- so it feels more like a city and has a more established feel (old social clubs, old theatres, older buildings). Charlotte has more in common with Dallas and Phoenix- two towns that boomed after the advent of the automobile. In addition, Portland is a true port city because of its location at the Willamete and Columbia river. Charlotte is land locked. But Charlotte exceeds Portland in business and career opportunities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-82774591254557872352007-09-24T12:00:00.000-05:002007-09-24T12:00:00.000-05:00I have seen so many people (with this article say ...I have seen so many people (with this article say "stop whinning and do something about it." I would say the same, yet there is only a certain amount that you can TRY to do to improve living in Charlotte, and other than that it either takes years to improve/add or it doesn't really do much and money is usually used for something not to important and should (from what I've been hearing as of late) be used towards improving schools around here and roads. <BR/><BR/>So I would have to lean towards the "whinning" sideAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-7992980370164151882007-09-23T14:15:00.000-05:002007-09-23T14:15:00.000-05:00so true stacy b.so true stacy b.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-43468600417877965552007-09-23T10:48:00.000-05:002007-09-23T10:48:00.000-05:00Well, obviously there are pros and cons for living...Well, obviously there are pros and cons for living in any city. It would be more productive to actually do something about making this city into what you want it to be rather than whining about how Charlotte isn't this or that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-53252555007651258332007-09-22T22:27:00.000-05:002007-09-22T22:27:00.000-05:00Frankly, when I get done with college, I'm moving ...Frankly, when I get done with college, I'm moving back to the Portland area. Yes the property tax is high, but that's only to make up for no sales tax. Plus the people are more culturally diverse and more accepting of other cultures and tastes. Plus there's no humidity (or very little), it's a quick drive to the mountains/coast/desert so that's a plus for those environment enthusiasts and families/people who just want to get away. <BR/><BR/>Plus a big thing I've noticed is when it rains here in Charlotte people freak out and there are wrecks galore. But since those who live on the West coast are used to rain (mid Oct.-May is when it rains the most) there are less accidents and I believe people drive better, weather wise. <BR/><BR/>The writer also talks about restaurants. Here in Charlotte yes there are different cultural restaurants but you usually have to drive to one part or the other of town to get to one, and Charlotte is still growing in that aspect. But Portland, when you go into the “center city” section (more homes, shops, and small businesses) you are surrounded by different cultural cuisines (Cuban, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek, etc.). <BR/><BR/>Yes there are things to do here in Charlotte, but if you’re not a clubber or not into the theme parks then there some but not much. I’m still trying to find good family festivals (small, homey, welcoming feel), garage sales galore, cultural gardens (Portland has Chinese Gardens, Japanese Gardens, etc.) that not only introduce you to a different culture but give you a great place to relax and enjoy scenery. <BR/><BR/>Overall, Portland is better than Charlotte (yes my opinion, got it). Charlotte just has a long way to go before it can be truly used to compare to other cities of value.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-60792559129218291522007-09-22T11:03:00.000-05:002007-09-22T11:03:00.000-05:002:57 - In the US census, "Hispanic" or "Latino" ca...2:57 - In the US census, "Hispanic" or "Latino" can fit into any other race group (some are considered white, some black, some Asian, some Native American), so they can't be tracked as a different ethnicity. But I think it's a fair bet that the Charlotte area has a higher percentage of Latinos than Portland or Seattle, and probably Minneapolis too. This is not a "black and white" city by any means.<BR/><BR/><B>So Charlotte is more diverse because it is a city made up of primarily whites and blacks? Do you really think that's diverse?</B><BR/><BR/>Again, there is a ghastly racist assumption behind this line of thinking. If Charlotte had a huge Latino population (like Miami) or a huge Asian population (like Honolulu) it would be lauded for its diversity. But it just has plain old black people, who are just not as exciting as other minorities. All they ever did was shape the food, music, language, and dress of the entire nation (and most of the rest of the world) in the last century. Darn, how did we get stuck with such a humdrum minority when we could've had something exciting like Tibetans or Hmong?<BR/><BR/>Again, the fact of the matter is that Charlotte is fully TWENTY percent more diverse than Portland. That is a huge number in terms of an overall population; we are not splitting hairs here, this is something that is plainly noticeable walking down the street. As another poster said, it's easy to pat your city on the back for embracing diversity when it's one of the whitest metropolitan areas in North America and experiences most of its cultural activity via upscale ethnic dining and Disneyfied minority festivals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-53486552646381234322007-09-21T13:36:00.000-05:002007-09-21T13:36:00.000-05:00Ok...so if you want to live amongst all of that di...Ok...so if you want to live amongst all of that diversity and think its so great...go, leave, see ya, bye!!! Why did you move here in the first place if you think its so terrible? If you can't accept where you are for what it is or try to change it to suit your needs, stop complaining and do something about it. Again, no one asked you for your approval. You may not like us natives who appreciate this place for what it is, but you moved here, so cultivate some manners and discretion and keep your complaints to yourself. I really wish the Observer would stop baiting these people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-17620631184642425922007-09-21T11:19:00.000-05:002007-09-21T11:19:00.000-05:00Anonymous said...Let's get something straight:Aust...<B>Anonymous said...<BR/>Let's get something straight:<BR/><BR/>Austin: 65% white, 16% Pacific Islander, 5% black, 4% Asian<BR/>Minneapolis: 65% white, 17% black, 6% Asian<BR/>Seattle: 67% white, 17% Asian, 10% black<BR/><BR/>Portland: 78% white, 7% black, 6% Asian<BR/>Charlotte: 58% white, 33% black, 4% Asian</B><BR/><BR/>So Charlotte is more diverse because it is a city made up of primarily whites and blacks? Do you really think that's diverse?<BR/> <BR/>I looked into Minneapolis and it is a top ten gateway city for immigrants. The Minneapolis area has the largest Somali, Hmong and Oromo populations and second largest Tibetan and Liberian populations in the country. In my opinion, this mixture of cultures is far more vital to a city than just white and black.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-89263606799990247812007-09-21T00:44:00.000-05:002007-09-21T00:44:00.000-05:00I think Portland is beautiful but I'm not sure I'd...I think Portland is beautiful but I'm not sure I'd call it "vibrant." I live in San Francisco and we think of it as sleepy. Austin is terrific and renowned for its music scene but you might expect that from a major state capital and home of a large university. <BR/><BR/>When I was much younger and lived in Charlotte, I also thought it was boring and sleepy. Now that I'm older and have lived in a lot of places, I place great value on Charlotte's beautiful trees, gorgeous in-town neighborhoods, glittering skyline and fabulous spring and autumn.<BR/><BR/>It's easy to avoid "church-going rednecks" in Charlotte if you want. But I know it's much easier to complain about them, sit around and make no effort to build a creative scene in Charlotte that appeals to you.<BR/><BR/>You might think again about that tricolor hair and holes and ink in your skin. Tell me again, what have you created, built, nurtured or passed down to future generations? My experience is that most people who complain endlessly about the lack of cool contribute nothing themselves to the culture. They remind me of junior-high kids who write in slam books and engage in cyber-bullying of the kids they have decided aren't cool. In reality, they are consumed by self-loathing and a burning desire to be accepted by the glitterati that will never happen for them. Most Charlotteans-the white bread type you love to scorn-are far more open and tolerant than you give them credit for. <BR/><BR/>And if all else fails, learn how to earn. If you can't beat em, join em. Money trumps everything, even the latest piercings for the tongue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-4300707138400952802007-09-20T14:57:00.000-05:002007-09-20T14:57:00.000-05:00The term "white bread" was used to refer to the ge...The term "white bread" was used to refer to the generic nature of Charlotte's culture (e.g., Harris Teeter or CVS on every corner and the generic skyscrapers and condos downtown and the look-a-like suburban neighborhoods) not the percentage of white folks in its population. As you pointed out, Bojangles is a chain. Showmars is a chain. The Bojangles in Charlotte is exactly like the Bojangles in Asheville or any other city - these places are not unique to Charlotte. Once again, it is not simply that Austin or Portland scores a 100 on the vibrant culture scale and Charlotte scores a 0. We are simply saying Austin and Portland have a more vibrant and unique culture than Charlotte. This doesn't have much to with race. By the way, in the figures you quoted, are Austin's Hispanics (a large contributor to Austin's culture) included in the white category?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-29314733296282151322007-09-20T13:27:00.000-05:002007-09-20T13:27:00.000-05:00Totally agree 10:54 anon- as a native Charlottean ...Totally agree 10:54 anon- as a native Charlottean who has lived in a "northern, cultured, metropolis, diverse" city I saw more racism and segregation in that part of the country than I ever saw growing up or currently living in Charlotte. If anyone thinks they are open minded just because they live in a big city, they are thoroughly misguided. It is so much easier to say that you believe in diversity when you never see or deal with people of other races or cultures. It is nauseating to hear the assumptions made by people from other parts of the country (and some recent transplants) on this issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-25257911711209905272007-09-20T10:54:00.000-05:002007-09-20T10:54:00.000-05:00Let's get something straight:Austin: 65% white, 16...Let's get something straight:<BR/><BR/>Austin: 65% white, 16% Pacific Islander, 5% black, 4% Asian<BR/>Minneapolis: 65% white, 17% black, 6% Asian<BR/>Seattle: 67% white, 17% Asian, 10% black<BR/><BR/>Portland: 78% white, 7% black, 6% Asian<BR/>Charlotte: 58% white, 33% black, 4% Asian<BR/><BR/>Of all these cities, Charlotte is the <I>least</I> "white bread", defying a stereotype that seems to be accepted without question in this conversation. If anything, Portland is the city that desperately lacks diversity; its culture is almost totally centered around White Middle America's concept of "alternative", with almost no actual physical presence of minority groups. <BR/><BR/>This notion that "diversity" consists of having lots of different kinds of restaurants is, in reality, a form of racism. What is wrong with <I>legitimate</I> local restaurant chains like Bojangles and Showmars which are, after all, reflective of the <I>real</I> local culture? We don't need to import exotic cultures to replace our own; they are welcome, of course, but we don't "need" them any more than London "needs" Price's Chicken Coop. <BR/><BR/>If you really think Charlotte has no culture, I would question the breadth of YOUR cultural horizons. This cheap, Disneyland concept of "Diversity" has become a real detriment to the progressive movement, in that it makes appalling racist assumptions that are simply not acknowledged (for instance: why do we think of the nation's whitest cities as the most "vibrant" and "diverse" in spite of hard data to the contrary?).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-43643969389029604852007-09-20T10:43:00.000-05:002007-09-20T10:43:00.000-05:00Charlotte needs a consultant from a larger state t...Charlotte needs a consultant from a larger state to come here and make suggestions ; Someone from LA, NEW YORK, Toronto or Britian , somewhere that has a distinct flavor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-54609495174858332712007-09-20T10:40:00.000-05:002007-09-20T10:40:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-89831350355776113532007-09-20T10:36:00.000-05:002007-09-20T10:36:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-58001038422705568272007-09-19T14:30:00.000-05:002007-09-19T14:30:00.000-05:00Main reason Portland BLOWS Charlotte out of the w...Main reason Portland BLOWS Charlotte out of the water,<BR/>Commissioner meeting yesterday:<BR/><BR/>"I was undecided six months ago. I'm now very much for repeal," Bishop said. Bishop said government leaders are using the transit plan to push people into high-rises instead of "houses with lawns."<BR/>"The government wants to control how you live,"<BR/><BR/>Commissioner Dan Bishop<BR/><BR/><BR/>"My constituents won't ride the buses or trains they've been paying for.<BR/>"The only rail they're going to ride is the one that goes around Disney World," <BR/><BR/>Commissioner Bill James (AKA - Jesus)<BR/><BR/><BR/>"The light rail planners want to get away from cul-de-sacs."<BR/><BR/>Commissioner Karen Bentley<BR/><BR/>By the way, all Republicans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-5947662251626502222007-09-19T13:23:00.000-05:002007-09-19T13:23:00.000-05:00Bands bypass Charlotte because people don't go to ...Bands bypass Charlotte because people don't go to shows (especially during the weeknights) unless its arena shlock rock/country. Bands, booking agents, and promoters all know this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-6918381400022482552007-09-19T12:13:00.000-05:002007-09-19T12:13:00.000-05:00Seattle has almost no minorities and Portland has ...Seattle has almost no minorities and Portland has even less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com