Having been born and raised in the South — and gone to college just 45 minutes away from my hometown — I was itching for a new experience post-graduation. Ideally, one far from home.
So, I moved to New York City to pursue my master’s at New York University and live out my big-city dreams.
In July 2021, I signed a lease for a studio in Greenwich Village for $4,600 a month. The location was dreamy, but my apartment had a lot of issues.
Less than a year into my lease, the next-door building was torn down to make way for new luxury apartments. The constant construction was annoying, but not as bad as the moisture seeping into my walls and causing the paint to crumble (not chip) or the roach-infested laundry room in my building’s basement.
Perhaps I could’ve looked for a different apartment in a more affordable neighborhood, but NYC’s generally high cost of living and fast pace was getting to me, too.
After paying over $100,000 in rent alone over two years, I was ready to save money and pursue a better quality of life. So, I set my sights on Charlotte.
As a native North Carolinian, I knew it was a growing city with a lot to offer for a fraction of what I was paying in NYC.
My apartment feels like a solid value, and there’s so much to do in Charlotte
My updated one-bedroom apartment in Charlotte’s South End, a vibrant neighborhood filled with bars, shops, restaurants, and pop-up markets, is not cheap at $2,489 a month, but the amenities help justify the price.
My apartment complex hosts at least three monthly events with free food and drinks, plus it has a two-story gym, pool, dog park, and rooftop lounge with a view of Uptown Charlotte’s skyline.
I was definitely paying much more for far fewer perks in NYC.
When I first moved, I was worried that I’d feel like I was living in a suburban town similar to where I grew up. However, my fears quickly subsided when I realized how lively and walkable my new neighborhood was.
My apartment complex is located where one of Charlotte’s first textile mills was built. The once-historic industrial site has been transformed into a trendy spot with some of the best restaurants in town, boutiques, a coffee shop, bars, and more.
After relying on crowded subways and expensive rideshares in New York, it’s nice to live within a 10-minute walk of my go-to spots.
I’m also in a very dog-friendly area. Nearly every bar welcomes pups, which is great when my partner and I don’t want to leave our senior dog alone.
We sometimes bring him along for music bingo and $8 pizza at a local brewery — and he loves the attention.
Perhaps one of my favorite parts about living in Charlotte is the seemingly constant pop-ups, including a weekly farmers market and monthly street fair with local vendors who remember my face — all steps from my front door.
Come winter, I also enjoy seasonal festivals and celebrations, like the Light the Knights Festival, a fun pop-up with an ice-skating rink, snow tubing, and local vendors. Visiting reminds me of being back in Bryant Park in December.
Giving up New York’s skyline wasn’t as difficult as I thought
Though my friends will often hear me talk about how much I miss NYC, the pros of living here outweigh the cons (which include things like the more limited public-transportation options and humid summers).
I spend less on rent and have more disposable income, which means I can frequently enjoy life outside my apartment, whether trying new restaurants, going to weekly trivia, attending concerts, or traveling, without racking up a high credit-card balance.
I’ve also found I’m not as stressed, as the pace of life is much slower and less competitive than New York. It’s easier for me to be present in the moment and savor rooftop sunsets and morning walks along the Rail Trail.
I’m not certain I’ll stay in Charlotte forever — sometimes it feels a little too familiar, having grown up an hour and a half away — but it’s exactly the home I need right now.
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