Relocating to the Charlotte Area from the New York Area. Why do we do it ?

Well this seems to be the most talked about subject on every forum I can find. People ask why? Why are so many Northerners moving to Charlotte ? Well let me see if I can explain that to everyone as somone who has moved from Connecticut to Charlotte and a REALTOR who helps people with the transition.

There are so many reasons weather, schools, affordability, location, business oppurtunities, available jobs, low cost of living and most importantly a better way of life for our families. The question seems simple really why is Charlotte such a Utopia for all of us Northerns here ?

First of all we never have to shovel 5 feet of snow again, take our shoes off and walk with our socks on a icey driveway to stop from sliding onto the road ( picture me a rather round woman and a dog sliding on the ice, feett just spinning like a cartoon ), have the hoods of our cars freeze shut during a blizzard, frozen car door locks, mittens, scarves, fur coats, boots and of course the lovely ski masks, putting out our Christmas decorations in 10 degree weather, always trick or treating with a coat over our costumes.

Now that we are in Charlotte I laugh when they close schools for a dusting of snow and call my friends in the North to tell them about it.Have never worn mittens, hat , ski mask etc , dog now sleeps on fur coat and is very happy about that, wore winter coat four times in 3 years and only when walking pup at 6am. Decoate our house for Christmas in sweat shirt and get a little warm at that. We can't even figure out why we continue to go to warm climates for Christmas as it is usually still in 50's here ( has saved tremendous amount of money on travel expenses ) and now I can wear the most rediculous Holloween costume and no coat necessary.

The location if truly Fabulous. Three hours from snow ( should we get delerious and have a need to slip in it ), Three hours to the beach, 9 hours to Mickey Mouse and I hear 14 hours to NYC although I have not been back since ( I am afraid they will not let me come back ). Mountains, Ocean, Lakes, Snow all in one state, not so shabby.

Affordability.....What can I say about that. We come from a place where most peolple could never realize the dream of owning a home, where taxes kill us and a condemed house at 750K is considered a good investment ( happened in town where I grew up last year ). People come here and live a life they never thought possible. A house you buy here for 200K could cost more then a million and up in places like Fairifeld Cty CT and Westchester Cty, NY. If we were lucky enough to own property in the North we can buy a house and start a business here as the growing Charlotte Economy supports us.

QUALITY OF LIFE...Something we didn't have in the North, we work 20 hours a day to achieve nothing more then average if we are even that lucky, we don't smile, we seldom laugh , we have chronic medical conditions from stress and we are terrible drivers, blow the horn constantly and wish for a better place. We hear from friends , relatives and internet forums that Charlotte is the place to be and we perk up...huh.

We are really just looking for a place where we can leave our doors unlocked occasionally, know our neighbors, finish work early enough to see the kids play ball and smile, eleminate the stress and live longer. We love the Charuch fairs, bake sales, yard sales and happy people . I want to help my neighbors and watch their kids after school, be part of a community and that we find here in the Charlotte Aea.We don't even think the traffic is bad. We and most of our relocated friends have never been happier.

Do we miss things....Yes. Like good bakeries, strange ethnic restaurants , more concerts and maybe an old memory of a special place but other then that we are here to stay.