Tim Brunson

Explaining Charlotte NC Growth

Between 2002 and 2007 Charlotte population grew by an amazing 17.4 percent.  This was compared to national growth of 4.8% during the same period.  The move of banking giant Wachovia - recently acquired by Wells Fargo - from Winston-Salem, a proactive, pro-business atmosphere, a substantial higher education presence, affordable housing, and quality life-style amenities have led to the attractiveness of this area.

Despite the current recession, Charlotte has been able to cushion itself from the woes experienced by must of the country.  This was largely due to substantial job growth between 2003 and 2008.  Charlotte's job growth during that period was 15.4 percent compared to national job growth of 5.8% 

Charlotte NC is considered one the best places to live.  With a comparably vibrant economy and affordable housing it is one of America's favorite relocation destinations.  Over the past few decades Charlotte has become a national financial hub with such major banking institutions such as Wachovia - which has been acquired by Wells Fargo - and Bank of America.  It is known as business-friendly city especially to small business owners.

This oak-tree lined city is also host to several regional organizations such as the Inventors Network, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Central Piedmont Community College's Center for Entrepreneurship.  The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the premier education institution for the city, is heavily involved with healthcare and nutrition research.

Despite the current recession Charlotte is still considered a prime location for employment opportunities. Thus it attracts young professional and provides employment for many of the graduates of the 19 nearby colleges and universities. 

With growth normally come increased housing expenses. However,  despite the pre-recession spike in home prices, Charlotte housing is considered extremely affordable and lends greatly to the attractiveness of living in this area. 

Arts, sports, and entertainment are key to the Charlotte lifestyle.  Sports fans can enjoy NASCAR races and attend Carolina Panthers football games.  Charlotte golf courses are among the best in the country.  This includes the exclusive Quail Hollow club where Tiger Woods has played.  The Blumenthal Arts Center hosts Broadway shows and touring musicians. And for the outdoor types the nearby Great Smoky Mountains offer a variety of opportunities including rock climbing, hiking, and white water rafting. 

BuyersUSA Relocation homebuyer leads are serviced by a network of top real estate agents who cover 5,011 cities. We are normally looking for additional agents to assist our leads. To find out more about our service please visit our new member information site.

These just some of the valuable ideas in my new e-book, Getting Back Your Life: Surviving the Great Depression of 21^st Century. I wrote this specifically for people undergoing the stress of the current economy and who need to get their lives back under control - and prevent this from happening again. Get your copy today.

The Lowcountry Housing Trust, which is also known as the Trust or LHT, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit that assists other non-profit corporations, private developers, and governments in the development of affordable housing in the Tri-County area around Charleston. 

The Trust evolved from the Mayor's Council on Homeless and Affordable Housing.  It was intended to promote a regional way of addressing the need for housing.  It provides funding for the construction and rehabilitation of afford housing in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. 

Their funding comes from several sources.  This includes local, state, and federal government and private donors.  In turn, the Trust provides funds for eligible and low-interest loans awarded through a competitive application process.  These loans then may be used for predevelopment, site acquisition, construction funding, and gap financing for affordable housing.  The target beneficiaries are local citizens with income below 80 percent of the area median income. 

 For more information about this project, contact Tammie C. Hoy, at 843-973-7285.

Other tidbits about Charleston, SC

Southern Living magazine's January edition features it 2009 Readers' Choice Awards, in which several honors go to the Charleston, SC area.   Magnolia's Restaurant and Jestine's Kitchen were named Southern Favorites for the restaurant category.  Charleston Place Hotel and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort were named two of the Best Hotels in the South.  Spoleto Festival, USA was named a top draw for the Festivals and Fairs Category.

Charleston offers many attractive new home communities.  This includes luxury beach condos and Charleston oceanfront real estate.  Also there are some excellent quiet retirement communities.  Of course, being on the Atlantic coast there are numerous ocean front homes as well.  And then there are the historic Charleston waterway home and home sites.  Charleston waterway homes are known for the breathtaking views and historic importance. 

When visiting Charleston, don't miss the nearby barrier islands and beaches.  The Seabrook and Kiawah resort barrier islands are developed with similar styles.  They are located about 22 miles south of Charleston.  The islands are private and owned by their residents.  The Isle of Palms is another barrier island 20 minutes from Charleston.  There you will find the world-famous Wild Dunes Resort, which features convention facilities, restaurants, and two championship golf courses.  Folly Beach is about 15 miles south of the city.

One of the key drawing points about Charleston, SC is the Historic Downtown District.  Some call this the cultural capital of the South.  Visitors can experience a variety of things to do and see.  Landmarks include 18^th century homes and plantations, the Battery, museums, churches, and even a city market.  This makes Charleston an ideal vacation spot year round. 

One of the key landmarks in Charleston is the College of Charleston.  It is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of city.  It was founded in 1770.  The College of Charleston offers a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and innovative programs.  It attracts students from all 50 states and 68 countries.  On January 10, 2008, Senator Barack Obama held a rally on the Cistern yard of the College of Charleston campus.  It was during this event that Senator John Kerry announced that he would support Obama as the next president of the United States.

The City of Charleston is very involved with promoting the "Green" way of live.  The Civic Design Center recently sponsored a series of public lectures entitled "What Green Means for Charleston."  The mayor and several international speakers addressed the audiences.  The City of Charleston is plays a key role in promoting sustainable development practices and incentives for the private sector. 

BuyersUSA Relocation homebuyer leads are serviced by a network of top real estate agents who cover 5,011 cities. We are normally looking for additional agents to assist our leads. To find out more about our service please visit our new member information site.

These just some of the valuable ideas in my new e-book, Getting Back Your Life: Surviving the Great Depression of 21^st Century. I wrote this specifically for people undergoing the stress of the current economy and who need to get their lives back under control - and prevent this from happening again. Get your copy today.

Strangely enough the sleepy little city of Asheville, North Carolina is a popular relocation destination. While population growth is no where near that of Charlotte or Raleigh, over the past 10 years it has sustained a steady 3 to 4% growth. Known to many as the home of Biltmore Estates, a tourist destination that is billed as America's largest home, this city of 72,149 is has become an what AmericanStyle Magazine has called one of "America's Top 25 Arts Destinations." AARP has also called Asheville one of the "Best Places to Reinvent Your Life". And in 2007, Asheville was named by Frommer's Cities Ranked and Rated as one of the top seven places to live.

An uncharacteristic climate is a drawing card for this city. Nestled quite nicely between the surrounding mountains, Asheville, which is the largest city in the western part of North Carolina, due to its elevation it enjoys a cooler summer as compared to the rest of the southern states. This also means it also gets a few inches a snow occasionally during the winter months.

The migration from out of state has resulted in Asheville attracting a somewhat eclectic group. In fact, CBS News once called Asheville "a New Age Mecca". Indeed, any visitor who goes beyond visiting the Biltmore Estates will notice the variety of stores and religions are not quite typical of what you would expect in the southern states.

There are a number of nearby cities that contribute to the attraction and allure of the Asheville area. Chief among them are Henderson and Waynesville. Also, there are a number of smaller incorporated towns such as Biltmore Forest, a high-end community which the actor Robin Williams claims home, and Black Mountain, a very nice resort area to the east of the city.

NewQuestCity.com is looking for photos of Asheville and over 5,000 US cities.