Moving to Charlotte

Welcome to Your New Home in North Carolina

Charlotte is a big city with a small-town feel. With nearly one million residents, it’s the largest city in North Carolina and one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. As a financial center and transportation hub, it attracts residents from throughout the country and is well-known to NASCAR and PGA golf fans everywhere.

The metropolitan Charlotte area, which includes Charlotte and 15 other counties within N.C. and S.C., is also home to UNC Charlotte, Duke University and several other institutions of higher education. On the weekends, the city embraces its love of festivals, and college kids and residents alike can enjoy porch fests, film festivals, performing arts showcases, food and wine weeks, and more. And with easy access to mountains, whitewater rapids, nature trails and an ocean, #charlottesgotalot to offer everyone.

We Can Help You Get Settled in Charlotte

Moving can be a daunting task, even if it’s just around the corner. We’re here to help. Penske has many convenient truck rental locations in metropolitan Charlotte. To get you started, the Penske Metropolitan Charlotte Team offers these simple moving and driving tips for the do-it-yourself mover:

Tips for Moving to Charlotte

• Avoid traveling during rush hour, which begins as early as 2 p.m. on Fridays.
• Call your metropolitan Charlotte Penske location to learn which routes prohibit trucks.
• Stay cool in the summer heat by drinking water and taking breaks.

Tips for Driving in Charlotte

• Expect delays on I-485, Charlotte’s Outer Belt.
• Be aware: median strips are heavily landscaped and can limit visibility.
• Exercise caution, Charlotte intersections have up to four lanes of traffic.
• Plan ahead, overnight parking downtown can be difficult.

10 Things To Know When You Move to Charlotte

Did you know that in 1959, Charlotte was the site of the very first Family Dollar Store? Today, of course, you can find store locations throughout the country. And did you know that the metropolitan Charlotte area is the largest city in the U.S. without a zoo within city limits? But don’t worry if you’re an animal lover, as the North Carolina Zoo is only about an hour away. Or did you know that Charlotte is home to two huge sculptures? Located at Whitehall Technology Park, Metalmorphosis is a 31-foot-tall, 14-ton rotating sculpture that’s also a working fountain. The 17-foot avian Firebird sculpture, located outside the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, is covered with 7,500 pieces of colored glass and affectionately called the Disco Chicken.

1. 1. Charlotte Has a Royal Lineage
   • The city is named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen of England at the time the town was founded. The king named the city Charlotte as a tribute to his queen, hence the nickname “the Queen City” or “Q.C.” The city has a second nickname that also has historical roots — the “Hornet’s Nest.” During the Revolutionary War, General Cornwallis marched through Charlotte and, upon meeting formidable opposing troops, referred to the city as “a hornet’s nest of rebellion.” The nickname ended up sticking for the city and its NBA basketball team, the Hornets.
2. 2. Charlotte Experiences All Four Seasons
   • Though you’ll enjoy the seasonal changes of winter, spring, summer and fall in Charlotte, temperatures generally remain pretty mild. With winter temperatures averaging in the 40s and a standard of just over 4 inches of snow a year, you won’t have to deal with excessive cold and ice. However, summers can become hot and humid, in which case you’ll want to head to the beach.
3. 3. Charlotte Has Something for Everyone
   • Whether you prefer climbing mountains, riding the rapids, hiking nature trails or spending time on the beach, you’ll find something to love in Charlotte. The city offers easy access to water for boating, swimming, fishing and more. If it’s a saltwater beach you’re after, the closest option is Myrtle Beach, which is about 3.5 hours away. For time communing with nature, visit Crowders Mountain State Park or Lake Norman State Park. You can also visit Freedom Park, a 98-acre park located about 3 miles from the city center, offering a 7-acre lake and plenty of walking trails. Looking for a bit more adventure? Charlotte is also home to the U.S. National Whitewater Center and the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. This 1,300-acre center offers 30+ land and water activities in addition to rafting.
4. 4. Charlotte Is Home to Three of NASCAR’s Biggest Annual Events
   • It’s also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. In fact, about 75% of all NASCAR teams in the world are headquartered within two hours of Charlotte. What other sports does “the Queen City” have to offer? Basketball fanatics can cheer on the Charlotte Hornets while football fans can root for the Carolina Panthers. In the summer, you can catch a Charlotte Knights baseball game, and if you’re a fan of all sports, you’ll also need to fit in time to cheer for Charlotte’s soccer and hockey teams. Oh, and don’t forget the city’s ties to PGA golf. The city offers the average sports enthusiast a well-rounded season that lasts all year.
5. 5. Charlotte Is Filled With a Wide Range of Communities
   • With nearly 200 neighborhoods within the city to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect place to lay down roots. If you’re looking for walkability, culture and energy, the city center, known as Uptown, might be for you. Families love Myers Park or SouthPark for the tree-lined streets and great schools, while Belmont offers great food, affordable rent and proximity to Uptown. If arts and culture are what you’re after, NoDa, South End or LoSo (aka the Lower South End) are probably calling your name.
6. 6. Charlotte Has Plenty of Public Transportation Options
   • Many people choose to drive in the city, with the average one-way commute time for a working Charlottean being about 25 minutes. However, there are also plenty of public transit options. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) oversees about 70 different local, regional and express bus and light rail routes for only a few bucks per one-way ticket. There are also bike and scooter-sharing services if you prefer to combine daily exercise with your commute.
7. 7. Charlotte Was the Location of the First Gold Rush in the United States
   • In 1799, the country’s first gold nugget was found by a 12-year-old boy about 40 minutes outside of Charlotte. It weighed in at an astonishing 17 lbs. and was followed by a second nugget found a few years later. Today, Reed Gold Mine, where the first nugget was found, is considered a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public for visits and mining.
8. 8. Charlotte Boasts a Reasonable Cost of Living
   • At about 5% below the national average, Charlotte’s cost of living means you’ll pay an average of about $1,600/month to rent an apartment. If you’re looking to purchase a home instead, know that the housing market can be competitive, but in general, your dollar will go further in Charlotte.
9. 9. Charlotte Is the Pimento Cheese Capital of the World
   • Made with shredded cheese, mildly flavored peppers, spices and mayonnaise, this southern staple is on the menu of nearly every restaurant in Charlotte. From grilled pimento cheese sandwiches to pimento cheesecake, there are plenty of ways to eat this classic spread.
10. 10. Charlotte Is Thriving
    • It has an up-and-coming food scene that recently made Food & Wine’s list of America’s Next Great Food Cities. Charlotte also boasts a strong financial industry and is considered the second-largest banking hub after New York City. To top things off, the city has a solid job market with an unemployment rate that falls below the national average.

Moving to Charlotte? We Offer Complete Service

Whether you’re moving to a house in historic Dilworth, a renovated loft in NoDa, or a suburb in one of metropolitan Charlotte’s 16 counties, the Penske Metropolitan Charlotte Team is always ready to help.

• Get everything for your move from Penske and our moving partners. See Moving Supplies & Services.
• We operate over 100,000 vehicles at more than 2,500 locations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Charlotte, NC, a Good Place To Live?
  • Charlotte is consistently ranked among the best U.S. cities in which to live. With a strong job market, reasonable cost of living, access to East Coast living and a variety of activities close at hand, it’s no wonder everyone wants to move to Charlotte.
• What Is Charlotte, NC, Best Known For?
  • Charlotte is well known for its ties to NASCAR and PGA Golf and Division 1 schools like Duke and UNC. The city is also an established banking hub, second only to NYC.
• What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC?
  • Pros and cons of living in Charlotte include:
    
    Pros
    • Reasonable cost of living
    • Strong job market
    • Access to mountains and coastline
    • Four seasons
    Cons
    • Traffic congestion
    • Hurricanes
    • Summer heat and humidity
• Why Is Charlotte, NC, so Popular?
  • With a low cost of living, a booming job market, access to the ocean and the mountains, a thriving arts and entertainment scene, and an up-and-coming food scene, Charlotte has become a very popular moving destination.