Probably the number one misconception people have of Charlotte is that its a small southern city made up of stereotypical southerners.  If that's your take on Charlotte, you'd be dead wrong. 

Thanks to the explosive growth in the Charlotte area over the last few decades, it is rare to find even those with southern accents.  In 2007, over 90,000 newcomers made the Charlotte area their new home, up slightly from 88,000 and 80,000 the years prior.  For those that would have a hard time visualizing the impact of 90,000 people, look no further than a sellout at Fedex Field in Landover, MD (Home of the Washington Redskins).  Currently among the largest in the NFL, Fedex field holds 91,000 screaming fans and sells out virtually every week. 

They are coming from all over as well.  In order of quantity, residents came from Florida, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Virginia, California, and Maryland.  However, all you need to do is to drive around the city and you'll spot the out-of-state license plates or visit your local bar to find fans of your old hometown or college team.  Boston Redsox and Patriots fans can find a home at Beantown tavern.  In almost every sports bar around the city, you will find folks cheering on SEC, ACC, Big 12, and even Pac 10 teams.  Even Buffalo Bills fans, now back from hiding for the last decade, can find refuge at the Township Grill in Matthews. 

So why are they moving here?  Many just for a change of pace.  Charlotte offers a great climate, a fairly good job market, high quality of life, and affordable real estate.  Being a transplant myself from Maryland, I am continuously amazed at the opportunities for first-time buyers.  My first house in Maryland cost $290,000.  However, I am working with buyers all the time who can only spend $100,000 and they're getting far more for their money than I got for $290,000. 

It is thanks to the growth throughout the Charlotte area that our housing market did not explode nor implode.  Many builders were able to keep pace with demand and when demand started to lessen a year ago, building slowed.  Today, you can find inventory homes in my neighborhoods but most were as a result of the builder accepting a contract contingent on the sale of the buyer's home than the buyer backing out. 

The growth in our area has also fueled Charlotte higher unemployment numbers.  While many cities have businesses that are shutting down and laying off workers, businesses in the Charlotte area are struggling to keep pace with employment demands.  Many move to the area without employment and hope to find something once they're landed in town.  As the area continues to diversify from a financial capital, many more employment opportunities will come available to take advantage of our robust workforce. 

Sincerely;
Jonathan Osman
The Charlotte House Hunter