LIVING IN CHARLOTTE | THE PROS & CONS | HOUSING, JOBS & MORE | IS CLT DIVERSE? | ZENESE ASHLEY 

Hey y’all! Let me know where you’re from down in the comments! 🤍

I grew up in Columbia, SC and it's been so crazy seeing Charlotte grow! The young-Black professional population seems to be growing a lot too. It'll be interesting to see how the city grows in a few years. I feel like it's the next ATL once they get nightlife together lol

Moving in December. I love seeing other black women reviews

Moving to Charlotte this month! Thank you for being so real and honest about the city! 💕

Very informative! Thank you for sharing. I’m considering moving to Charlotte and this is the first video I came across that provided a detailed description of a few things that I am worried about. Thanks for your transparency.

Thank you so much for posting this.I know this is two years later, but as someone considering moving and being Hispanic, this really made me look at where I was considering.

This is one of the most “TRANSPARENT” videos about Charlotte I’ve seen..I truly appreciate your honesty…Coming from NY/NJ I really want to know these things and people don’t want to talk about it or they sugar coat it so thank you 💜

So informative.. This video needs to blow up!

Thank you! This was very honest and thorough. I’m considering moving my family up from Dallas area to Charlotte and I have concerns about how our kids will be treated there. You know; the questions we shouldn’t have to ask but we HAVE TO ask. So, I appreciate this video & I look forward to watching more of your content! Great job!

THIS IS THE VIDEO I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR IN ALL RESPECTS!!!!!!! You touched on aspects that I have seen in other videos while providing a major city perspective from SOMEONE WHO IS ORIGINALLY FROM CHARLOTTE!!! Looking to move to Charlotte before the end of 2022 coming from North Jersey just outside of New York City. THANK YOU for the totally honest and unbiased perspective. It gives me some other things to think about to hopefully minimize mistakes in my eventual move.

Thank you for this detailed review of Charlotte!

I love your candidness !

Thank you for this video. I was looking into Charlotte but when you talked about the nightlife and the food I'm rethinking my decision. I want to move to an area where there is a energetic vibe.

Thank you for doing this video and all the helpful information.

I'm from Mobile, AL, living in Houston, TX. Your video was very informative, for people looking to move to Charlotte!💗

Great video, overall, specifically, the housing, job markets, social life, etc, However, I just want to speak to those who may be concerned about segregation “issues” when moving to Charlotte, as it might pertain to you overtly. I moved here in 2007 as a divorced mom of two (a son and a daughter). Coming from a small Southern town in SC, also known as “Killerville”, moving my children to Charlotte, NC, especially my son, was one of the best decisions I could’ve made! Diversity and segregation issues are no worse in Charlotte as probably any other larger city in the US. My children nor I nor any of my black friends, colleagues, associates have had any significant issues regarding racism/segregation while living here in Charlotte. No matter where I go in the US, I am quite aware of these social/racial issues…even among MY OWN RACE, if we are truly being HONEST! I don’t let things/people like this stop my show. I handle any case accordingly and keep moving. Where you choose to live is your choice. If you don’t want to feel segregated, you have the choice of moving to the East or West side of Charlotte. No one is forcing nor preventing people in Charlotte to or from particular areas. “Do you, boo!”Since I left my hometown, my best friend’s son was killed in broad daylight in a park downtown…by another black male. This has been an ongoing issue in the area before and after I moved away. I would’ve been more concerned there than I have ever had to be about my children since we’ve lived here. I absolutely love living in Charlotte NC! And yes, I personally chose to live in South/Southeast Charlotte for my children’s sake, and I would not pretend to apologize for that! No, I would not choose to live in the East nor West sides of Charlotte. If we’re going to be honest, then let’s be honest because we all know why? When I go to Atlanta, it is highly segregated, but no one really cares. Why? Because you can still go to a plethora of black-owned businesses and feel professional and classy…and not like you just walked into a hole-in-the-wall, hoping nothing is going to pop-off at any moment! I love my blackness, and I used to love seeing all the beautiful black people doing their things during CIAA in Charlotte…made me so proud…but it wasn’t long before that started getting ratchet and out-of-control, but no one wants to call anyone out on it. It’s always someone else’s fault and not our own. There are lots of great sides and areas to live in around Charlotte: Southeast/Matthews, Mint Hill, Central, NoDa, South Charlotte, University Area, Ballantyne, Cotswold….and yes, it all depends on your income. You wouldn’t choose to move to the East nor West side of Charlotte no more than you would purposely choose to move to any other hood in any other city. I am not trying to be negative, I am trying to be honest, realistic, and practical. I would say the majority of residents living in those areas are natives because it’s home for them and I am sure it doesn’t feel as bad as it might seem to someone who didn’t grow up in the neighborhood. Here’s the real bottom line, every area in Charlotte NC outside of those two sides, are ideal choices, even those areas don’t appear like most true “hoods”, and people do actually choose to move there and are content because Charlotte is just beautiful overall! The thing you really have to consider when moving here is…can you afford to live here? Honestly, that is where you should do your research because that is what is going to impact your lifestyle the most. If you have children, yes, the right neighborhood for “your” family and the school zones are your focus! If you’re single, and your pocket is right, you have a smorgasbord of choices of places/areas to live. Your biggest concern is your personal interests and goals because she is absolutely correct about the connecting with people, social life and entertainment! Charlotte fails in those areas! Just so happens the endless restaurants, coffee shops, parks and recreational sites, movies, shopping centers, bars and pubs, authenticity and aesthetics all around Charlotte outweigh those lacking components for me. Oh, yes, I appreciate all the diverse cultures from all over the world here in Charlotte. I appreciate the East and West sides, too. I am all game for “us” working together and doing the things that will really bring us the changes we’d like to see in these communities. The talking and waiting for someone else to do it…not effective. By the way, there are plenty black. wealthy and prominent people in Charlotte who could help bring about the changes we keep saying we want without having to wait for someone else to come do it for us. #justsaying❤️

Love this! It was nice seeing a video Like this from a native! Wishing your channel much success! New supporter here 💞

Thank you so much, more clear and understand about Charlotte.

Very helpful! I love Charlotte. Lots of opportunity it seems

I appreciate your honest vlog about Charlotte. I didn't find Charlotte anymore or any less segregated than any other city. I had a great time meeting new people in Charlotte. It was a very friendly city. Charlotte isn't on my top cities list but it's a great option for others to consider.

Very informative! Thanks for sharing!!!

I just moved here. I’m really loving it here. Thank you for this great video and telling us how Charlotte really gets down. It’s nice to hear an OG perspective. New subbie😘😘

My wife and I moved here about 2 years ago when my job relocated me (It was a toss up between Charlotte NC and Boca Raton FL). Neither of us had ever stepped foot in NC before coming to look for a home, but we had an awesome realtor who found us the perfect house (Northlake area) with neighbors that we could not have handpicked better ourselves. I do have a big interest in beer and cars...I found it pretty easy to meet people before we even moved here through Facebook groups and other social media. I feel like if you are a young professional moving to the state, you should not have any issues at all meeting people and making friends. I have only been to South End once since we moved here and usually stay around Northlake/University City area for the most part...I completely agree with you that the South side of Charlotte is just way overcrowded. My wife was talking to me just about a week ago that her boss offered her another position...just outside of Boca Raton FL. We love it here too much to leave now...plus There is no way I am going to fight for another house in this market.

I love this I’ve been wanting to move to NC since I was young I’m coming from Philly with two kids thanks for this!!

I needed this video! Good info. 👍🏽I live in NYC considering moving to NC. A video on specific neighborhoods that are safe and diverse will be good too.

Thank you for this! My fiancé and I with our 7 year old are considering moving to Charolette in about 18 months or so! And being a minority with a child of color the school system is my biggest concern because I AM that mom that doesn’t play! Good to know about the “south side”. We are coming from the DMV area and are quite familiar with the gentrification of our city too! I will continue my research but your video has been very informative thank you!

Not a native, but I have been here 8 years and I agree with you! I've seen the changes and the "priorities" so your perception is spot on! Thanks for your honesty, like most of the comments are saying. Not saying I would have changed my mind to move here but I have definitely seen the changes! Just ride down South Tryon! Wow!!

I was born in Charlotte almost 20 years ago and it’s changed so so much, and my aunt living there it’s changed in the last 5 years and I want to move back to Uptown!! Ballantyne has changed so much omg it’s unrecognizable

I'm from Cleveland, OH and have lives here for 7 years. It's so refreshing to see an actual Charottean being so transparent. It's great that you have had the chance to move to other cities which has given you a more dynamic perspective. 💯

I'm so happy I found your channel. I just moved to Charlotte and was looking for someone more relatable.. lol

I’m looking to move to Charlotte June 2023. I visited Charlotte back in 2013 when rent was like $600-$900 and I loved it. Will be visiting again jan 2022/ and again in august 2022 and then moving in June23 . Im not a night life person I’m more family oriented so no night life doesn’t bother me at all. I’m from Detroit and I’m tired of the winters here. Looking for warming environment, longer warm seasons for gardening purposes, land for building a home.

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! This was really helpful. I’m moving to Charlotte early next year and I’ve only lived in bigger cities like NYC, Chicago and the Bay. I did live in VA for a lil and hated it. Lol but Charlotte seems to be a good mix of what I’m looking for.

I love your honesty and your presentation. Very professional! Sounds like if you like NASCAR and breweries it’s heaven. But you’re fortunate to have all the trappings close by, even from the other sides of town. So many smaller norther cites have taken a major hit…We in the south (SW Florida here) see them all coming and the prices going sky high! Crazy shit happening!

This was a really informative video!! I’m from Jacksonville, Fl moving to Charlotte. My main concern is meeting new people and living somewhere safe. 🙂

Hey guys I’m just moving to Charlotte in 1 month, if you would need to choose between NODA(one305 central) or south end (Solis southline) what would you choose?

I was born & raised in Charlotte! Charlotte is an amazing city 💙

Hey love! Moving to Charlotte in a few weeks. Do you have preferred neighborhoods in Charlotte you like? example: NoDa, Dilworth, South End, etc

Thanks for this video. I reside in San Francisco Bay area and wanting to visit Charlotte again. My first visit was at the peak of Covid but I want to visit again within the next 2 months. I gave myself until Halloween as my exit date to leave California and no desire to move back to Houston. So as of now it's Dallas or Charlotte for me. Thanks for this video 💛

Nice video great content I learnt so much about charlotte❤

Thank you so much for sharing this. I moved to the Steele Creek area of Charlotte in Feb 2020 from the DMV and noticed everything that you mentioned! I'm still trying REALLY HARD to catch a vibe here. Mostly it feels like a sleepy family town. Kinda boring; but I'm committed to finding my flow here as a single woman. I bought when I moved here (the best decision I made), so the housing market boom has been great for me. And I'm slowly finding some nice hangout spots that are mainly parks and outdoor spaces. Since it's warming up, it could be nice to have a Charlotte newbie meetup or something, lol Kidding; but serious is anyone is down for that. 😊

Thanks for the video. I believe there need to be more videos like this (from people that are born and raised in the city). That's if they are going to be honest about the city. I heard some good and bad about Charlotte. Well, every city/state have their good and bad area but some are worst than others though. I would love to visit there one day.

From Florence, SC & I love Charlotte! 💙

This video was very helpful. I fell in love with Charlotte about 10 years ago and planned to move down there, but flaked. I was younger and still drawn to my hometown, NYC. However NC is now back on my radar. I heard how much Charlotte has grown so I’m looking into other areas of the state as well. Kicking myself b/c I should of moved back then. But 2020 is hindsight. Charlotte is still very much on my list of places to consider.

Thank you for your transparency

I've been here my whole life and this is all definitely true stuff!

Thank you so much for your video. We’re from Miami and moved to Greensboro. It’s so night & day, we do love it but miss some of the other aspects like things to do, weekend activities etc. We want a big city feel without it being BIG CITY like NY, & Miami etc. Again, THANK YOU! Prices in CHARLOTTE are HIGH! Yikes! We’re here looking to move, but yikes. 😭

Thank you for this video.we are relocating to NC this year and LOVE Charlotte but not the prices so I may opt to move to a smaller area that’s close enough we can still enjoy the city.

Appreciate input from Charlotteans !! More please !👍

Charlotte native but definitely learned a lot. Most of these things weren’t here when we were in high school. I came back 6years later so I’m like a newbie in my home town. #eastsideallday

Kuddos this was a diverse well explain video that hit ALL major points.

Thank you! I appreciate this a lot.

Very informative video.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Thanks for this video! What do you think of Mint Hill?

Hey sis! Currently living in south GA for the past year. Strongly considering moving to CLT this year so this is super helpful! ❤Can you do like an update on your thoughts on the city & how things have changed since this video?

Is it pretty safe in the areas other than the south side/south end (where it's segregated)? So I guess meaning the north, east, and west sides? Can you rank them maybe by the safest to the least safe? Also, are these areas friendly/do they have good community? Lastly, I know you said that they put most of the fun stuff and money into the southside but are the other areas at least well kept? Even if they don't have a lot to do, are they at least nice and well-maintained neighborhoods? I really want to live in a good neighborhood if I come down from the midwest so knowing these things would be BEYOND helpful! :) Thanks!

You made valid points. I’ve been here for 4 years and I agree to everything! I’m all about culture for people of color. I don’t get that vibe yet lol but hopefully things will change.

Thank you for this honest video. As a black mother who was considering moving to Charlotte, Im glad I came across your video. Im from the DMV so I have no tolerance for ignorance. I can understand the segregation part, personally I want to be around my own. But at the same time, Im not going to move somewhere that will be traumatizing to my child.

South blvd changed dramatically over the years due to tranit oriented development from the light rail. It will continue to grow. Now that the extension north to UNCC is open we will continue to see development in those areas. Noda is another area seeing a lot of development. It will be interesting to see what happens when light rail is extended to the airport.

@ZenesaAshley thinking of moving for a drop promotion from Louisiana but I'm from the Midwest. I want to know what is the dating scene in your opinion for mid 30s black men with regards to ladies? Thanks

Thinking about moving to Charlotte from Savannah your video was very helpful

From dmv area and living in Charlotte for 10 years now. Well thought out and accurate portrayal. Lack of affordable housing, underdeveloped transit system/ low walkability, segregation, gentrification, ranked 50/50 for upward mobility, have all been hard to witness get worse over time. If you like the outdoors, the greenway system is a gem. Don’t move without a good plan.

I live in Charlotte and everything she said is 100% true, especially the nightlife being terrible for minorities

I’m from Columbia SC and I love Charlotte!

Super awesome video! I'm definitely aiming to be one of the transplants. It seems to be a good spot for college grads/young professional! I'm sick of the cold ass midwest winters and I want a young, fun, warm city!! Edit: Whaaat? No bottomless mimosas! That's a crime. I'm from wisconsin. We can start going to bars at 6am!

I finally had the chance to see Charlotte last weekend and I really enjoyed it but I think I need to visit one more time to really see if I want to move there or not. I really appreciate the transparency in your video though especially for minorities, definitely things that need to be discussed and noted prior to relocating.

This video is such an accurate assessment of CLT. I first moved here after college and then came back about 8 years ago; currently on the best side..the Eastside 🤍 Housing costs are definitely matching that of larger cities and nightlife is..well isn’t 🤣. I do enjoy the variety of food in the city but can’t find a great Chinese (not Thai, not Japanese) restaurant to save my life!

Just moved to CLT in July of 2020 transitioned from Nashville born raised in Detroit. This was a good video. I lol at south end exploding. I’m in the South Park/ Montford area. I would like to know more about the social mixers. Housing and rental seems pretty high.

I’m interested in moving to NC - haven’t settled on a city as yet but I have a few top picks. What about hurricane season, flash floods, health insurance, etc? New to your channel - thanks for this very thorough video I needed to know this as I have a 1 YO!

This review of Charlotte is 1000000% correct. I recently moved here from NYC and I’m struggling SOOOOO hard to find some nice upscale lounges, museums, classy restaurants that don’t serve dry cafeteria food (no shade) and places where you can just dress up and get cute (like the brunch vibes you were talking about.) I’m not sure if I need to go to Raleigh or ATL for that but girl, I am losttttt and strugglinggggg trying to catch a vibe out here, fr.

Southside, Northside? Name of those locations please. What are the names of the mixed neighborhoods?

Girl! This is spot on, and it’s worse a year later 2022. We moved here 16 ears ago and I cannot get past the growth, it’s making me sick! We are known for our trees and landscapes, and the developers are tearing old growth down daily to build. We are looking to move. We have LOVED it here, but the growth is ridiculous and the cost of living is outrageous now. Not to mention traffic! If you travel here, you’ll not see a prettier city…and every time we come home from visiting the left coast, we are overwhelmed at how beautiful it is here…but that is changing quickly with all the development. CMS is horribly crowded. I agree spread out the South end to the East side! I’m sorry you’re feeling pushed out, but I agree. 😭. You forgot Amazon…😘

Thank you for transparency. Im considering moving from NYC. Do the city encourage black own businesses in south end? Or the other sides?

Moved here in May from Jackson MS. Loving it so far and you’re right about CLT natives being rare 😂

You're so right! I moved to Charlotte from Houston. I moved to the Southside, Ballantyne, because of the great things I read about the area online.

I just moved here in June and I agree the rent is ridiculous 1500-1770 seems the going rate for luxury 1 bed or studio and the amenities are lacking compared to other cities it’s just kinda ridiculous I love it here but we ain’t that kinda poppin yet lol so I do agree . Your beautiful sis love the video ❤️

There is no live jazz places? I am from Chicago, living in FL but want the city life again.

I agree 100% on this video

I live in Charlotte as well. Been here for about 3 years and the rent prices are increasing like crazy. When I moved here I found a new building not far from the Belk headquarters. Rent when I moved in was $1180. I checked the website today and they’re renting the same units for $1485-$1600 depending on the floor.

All of this is def facts! I lived in Rock Hill and worked in Charlotte!! I live in Greenville, SC now and it’s about the same. Gentrification is REAL.!

Hello new subscribers I ran across your page in m considering moving to Charlotte at the end of the year could u please recommend where to start a apartment search please and thanks don't know where to start 😫

Hello, thanks for the vid. I planned a solo bday trip this weekend from Indiana. I have until tomo to cancel my flight & through all the mixed reviews I guess I’ll postpone my trip.

Hello 😊!! Charlotte has always been my dream city to live in! Im born and raised in Washington state.. and it’s time for me to fulfill my dream!! Don’t mean to be to blunt lol but Anyone currently in Charlotte have job connections? I’ve been job searching all day. Any leads…

AWESOME take on the city. Clearly your a native which is refreshing to see!!! However, I live just outside Charlotte on the Concord/Harrisburg line. I'm about 10mins from UNCC and 20min drive to Uptown. Now, having said that. It's Concord. But I have to say God has put me in the best neighborhood, on the best street, on the best end of that street!! It is truly what integration is supposed to look like. Native North Carolinians, neighbors recently arrived are from N.VA(D.C) interracial family, Black family from Philadelphia(I lived in Philly as well as D.C and Pittsburgh) Single young professional black female from Eastern NC on one side of me, and Lesbian white couple from S.Florida on other side. I am transgender and care for my mother full time. I've seen a few gay flags in the hood. There are of course your bread and butter families and that's wonderful. This place truly feels like a melting pot. I have pointed out the diversity only because, you are very right, people from major cities are not finding what they want at the price point they want in Chatlotte proper. They are moving to Concord and other suburbs right off. Therefore, people that would normally choose NoDa or SouthPark or Uptown, just can't. That being the case your seeing a diversification of the closest neighborhoods to the city. This is actually a good thing when it comes to leveling the playing field from a political perspective. That's a completely different conversation. Keep up the amazing work.

Your video definitely on point.

From New York but yes you're right the apartments prices are ridiculous. They change daily even hourly, it's totally out of control. I did a quote for a 2 bedroom apartment, the price was 1400. 2 days later when I check it went up to $1700.

you first person that is from charlotte everyone on youtubes are from out town. i am glad to here someone point of view that is from the city

Hello I'm in Ohio in North Eastern part. I'm looking into Charlotte Nc but here's my question how is low income public housing there is it rough n unsafe ?? My family is lower income due to my husband is on disability n so am I. We do have 2 kids ages 12 n 17. Ty. Anything that you can tell me about which public housing developments to stay away from. Ty

Love this girl :)

I loved this. Thank you for keeping it real about how segregated the city is. A lot of my black friends come for a weekend or visit during CIAA tournament and they think its such a fun diverse city. They want to move here and I keep trying to explain how the city as a whole does not treat black people very well. Southpark mall has all the stores I like to shop at but they treat you like crap. I just buy stuff online. You have to really think twice about where you live in the city.

So crazy that Charlotte sounds like Nashville...Nashville has a great job market and it’s growing but the nightlife is limited for us...we have a handful of lounges and that’s about it..i don’t even know what’s our nightclubs here now so many open and closed lol!! This video was very informative💕💕

Being a New York native who has also been living in New Jersey for the last almost 5 years. Those prices are 30-70% lower than the prices in both New York and New Jersey. 😮‍💨 Also New Jersey is extremely segregated as well and there are not a whole lot of Black people living in this state at all. We are all kind of pocketed in the same places in New Jersey. You really have to travel and do your research even just to find a good hairstylist who knows how to do black hair. 🥴😢I am going to Charlotte for the first time this summer and I’m very excited. I can’t wait. Especially being an African-American millennial I feel like a lot of African-American millennials are gone up North😅I am going to visit there quite a few times because that’s on my list for places to relocate❤

Thanks very informative

Just moved to Charlotte in September from Michigan. Your so right it seems like everything is only in SouthEnd

I wanna move to charolette in 2 years so bad but literally im trying to figure out we're going to survive there. Im going to school now for IT so hopefully i can have a great career there.

Thank you for your informative and lovely video. I hear what you are saying about gentrification and thank you for being honest. I'm considering moving from Raleigh to Charlotte. I Lived in Brooklyn for over ten years and have seen my neighborhood and many others becoming more and more gentrified, which in my opinion is pushing out the culture, the love, and the authentic people that make Brooklyn so special for me. Thanks again for sharing your story because your voice is heard and it matters.

ive been here 4 months...been doing extremely well helping grow the company i joined and honestly im bored out of my mind. there is no vibe, no live music venues, no personality to be found in this city. already looking to relocate ASAP

Born & Raised in NYC, moving to CLT next year!

The rents are increasing everywhere. Went to college in Tampa, when I left it was like $900 for a decent apartment. 3 years later Tampa has grew ten fold and that $900 apartment is now $1600.

Moving from the DMV. What parts of the city are best to move to for young black professionals?