As the city of Charlotte has been on “pause” for the last couple months, we’ve taken a reflective step back to hone in on what makes Charlotte home to so many of us and what continues to drive people from all over to our southern hub. After speaking with some of our native and self-made Charlotteans alike, we’re feeling a redefined sense of appreciation for the Queen City and how far it’s truly come - from a budding cityscape to the country’s 15th largest city.
Our Charlotte-raised Chief Marketing Officer and Relocation Director, Rebecca Adams Starrs, explains areas like Ballantyne, South End, and Davidson might have previously been deemed underdeveloped but now feel like essential pieces of what makes Charlotte so unique.
“There's a neighborhood for everyone here and so much to experience when you get out of your "bubble" and see what the rest of the Queen City has to offer,” says Starrs. Whether you’re in the mood to walk the Rail Trail in South End or try out a new axe-throwing venue in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte encompasses a scene for any outing.
Lastly, Starrs mentions how Charlotte’s intrinsic welcoming nature has prevailed despite its evident growth. “We've seen so much change and growth but the friendly spirit of Charlotte has kept everything and everyone very much woven together,” Starrs explains.
Growing up in the University area, Andy Smith, exudes Charlotte and its bustling development, noting an Ikea and light rail stop atop his old stomping grounds. He remembers visiting his grandparents at their NoDa residence, formerly an abandoned mill area. Today, NoDa is Charlotte’s primary arts district, radiating colorful murals and attracting local creatives. His fondest memory of NoDa was a “ little hamburger shack past two big mills called Brooks Sandwich Shop,” now a renowned Charlotte staple boasting one of the best burgers in the nation. “This place hasn’t changed at all,” he confidently notes. Complemented by restorative initiatives, like Optimist Hall, an abandoned textile mill turned food hall including modern office spaces.
Smith believes one of the most defining moments for Charlotte came in the late 80’s and early 90’s when two of the city's financial leaders from opposing banks joined forces to put Charlotte’s economy on the map.
“Hugh McCall of Bank of America and Ed Crutchfield of Wachovia put differences aside and worked together to make Charlotte a financial giant. They were successful and it accelerated growth on many levels and helped make Charlotte a world class city.”
This partnership set the tone for a future of banking excellence and job growth pushing Charlotte to one of the largest banking cities in the country, surpassing long-standing financial hubs like San Francisco.
Diving even further into our city’s history, Smith mentions, “From a small gold mining town in the 1800’s to a city that is exploding at the seams today. We’re the 2nd largest banking center in the US, we’ve been a top 3 real estate market for several years going, infrastructure from education to public transportation has exploded the past 10 years.”
As Smith puts it, “We’re no longer just another town from North Carolina, or a small Atlanta. We are Charlotte.”
For our Alabama transplant, Jane Grosse, who's lived in the area for over 25 years, she too, has observed Charlotte’s exponential growth over the years. She also admires the city’s ability to expand while remaining clean and welcoming.
“A few Charlotteans remember the streetcar of yesteryear while today, North Carolina’s first rapid transit system, Charlotte’s light rail, provides over 29,000 passenger trips a day,” says Grosse in reference to the city’s near 20-mile-long stretch of public transportation.
Charlotte’s undeniable growth over the past few decades continues to exceed both resident and visitor expectations, finally putting our evolved small town on the map. Subdivisions and neighboring towns are feeling the growth, too, as places like Matthews, Fort Mill, and the Lake Norman area continue to flourish. With plentiful job opportunities, a booming real estate market, and a mild climate year-round, the attraction to the city of Charlotte is quite alluring, which is why it’s no surprise natives haven’t left and why so many transplants are setting roots in our Carolina soil.