There is something for everyone in Charlotte, and perhaps that’s the secret sauce to the region’s success. On average, 84 people move here daily – the northerners can’t seem to stay away – but in-migration is just a piece of the economic development pie. The region’s success also keeps people here. Longer term residents have seen the transformation over the past decade, support the growth, and want to stay put.
New CLT Alliance team members, Eduardo Venegas (manager of business recruitment) and Karen Davison (director of business recruitment), have two unique takes on “why Charlotte” is the place for them. Here are their stories.
From Eduardo’s Perspective:
I moved to the Charlotte Region from Costa Rica 10 years ago for an opportunity to further my higher education. I first learned about the area during a trip in 2011 that took me to Greenville and Rock Hill in South Carolina, and Charlotte. The following year, I returned to begin my MBA program at Winthrop University in Rock Hill. Initially, my plan was to complete the two-year program and relocate to another city or return to Costa Rica to continue with my business career. Those two years turned into four, five, and then ten years. The Charlotte Region not only provided me with the opportunity to further my education but also the space and conditions to thrive.
There are many reasons why I have chosen to call this region home and continue believing that this is the place I want to be:
- First, the location of the Charlotte Region with its proximity to the mountains, and the coast is just a three- or four-hour drive away. There are great urban spaces, entertainment, and wonderful weather.
- Second, the area has great schools and a relatively young population overall, with an average age of 38.
- Then, the sense of community and the diversity in the area is second to none. Charlotte is becoming a place where people from all over the United States and other countries converge in a region full of life. From urban living to rural to suburban neighborhoods, you can find it all here.
- Additionally, the area’s visionary leaders have created, and are creating, the right conditions for businesses to grow and prosper.
From Karen’s Perspective:
As a South Carolina native, Charlotte was not a foreign place to me. But being a beach gal, I never considered moving more than a 20-minute drive from the ocean. Those opinions began to change after several recent trips to the Charlotte area. Each time I left, I found myself thinking, “Hey, I could live there.” So, in April 2022 and after living in Charleston for more than 12 years, I made the leap and waved goodbye to the beach.
Here are my top reasons:
- The diverse and welcoming community is number one on my list. This is true in the professional and recreational community. I feel surrounded by a progressive, motivated, creative, collaborative, and friendly culture.
- The region’s connectivity locally, nationally, and internationally makes being landlocked not so bad after all! Charlotte Douglas International Airport has more than 180 nonstop destinations, including 36 international locations and three U.S. territories. On a local level, the city offers public transit via light rail – which touts being safe and clean. The light rail is paired with the Rail Trail, a unique, public walkway connecting the Queen City’s vibrant neighborhoods.
- The corny slogan rings true – Charlotte is “clean and green!” The region has done an excellent job preserving green space, creating unique parks and prioritizing initiatives to keep public areas in upstanding condition. Charlotte has one of the best tree canopies in the country!
- When it comes to lifestyle, Charlotte has no limit. From professional sports, outdoor activities, music venues, art galleries and museums to farmers markets, craft breweries and proximity to mountains, there is really something for everyone.
