Although climate, low costs, and familiar jobs make the he area is a favorite for Northeast migrants, the Charlotte area blends the New South with southern-style friendliness, and it has its share of “new south workaholics. Gastonia, 20 miles west, returns to the old South, with decrepit old mills and a largely failed downtown area. Most attractive neighborhoods lie to the south towards the I-485 beltway, with attractive Southern-style homes cut into wooded lots, many on golf courses, being a common find. Growth-related urban sprawl and related traffic problems are moderate to severe. The city has modern transportation amenities and even a few direct flights to Europe. There is an active NASCAR racing circuit in the area, centered in the otherwise ordinary Concord 20 miles northeast. The city is home to the Carolina Panthers NFL team and was able to defy sports tradition by actually replacing a professional sports franchise it lost, the Charlotte Hornets NBA team (now the Bobcats).

Charlotte isn’t a world-class entertainment center – yet - but the city has a good collection of museums, shopping options, and especially sports teams.