From affordable living, NASCAR Hall of Fame, and a love for the Carolina Panthers, the Queen City is a unique place to live in. Here’s why people are racing to find rooms for rent in Charlotte.
Getting to Know Charlotte
As the third-fastest growing city in North Carolina, you can truly experience life in the fast lane in Charlotte. When talking about the Queen City, it is hard to dodge references to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, or the delicious sweet tea that the state is famous for. However, Charlotte is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and has a lot to offer its residents.
Related: 15 Best Things To Do In Charlotte
Finding Rooms for Rent in Charlotte
The average rent in Charlotte is much lower than the rest of the U. S. Hence, it’s no wonder that people flock to this city to find cheap rooms for rent. Finding walkable neighborhoods in the city, and living close to work can lower expenses further, making living in the city quite affordable.
Related: How Do You Achieve Financial Freedom In Your 20’s?
Top Neighborhoods in Charlotte
- South End: New rooms for rent in Charlotte keep popping up in this neighborhood, and for good reason. The light rail system has made South End more accessible, and made several new developments possible, making it a highly coveted spot among renters.
- North Davidson: Dubbed “NoDa”, this the art district of Charlotte populated with art galleries, live music options and pubs. Street performances, flash mobs and murals make this a lively neighborhood, with several development projects underway.
- Plaza Midwood: Retaining some of the oldest spots in the city, Plaza Midwood is located just five minutes from Uptown. If you want an authentic taste of what the city is like, this is the ideal neighborhood for you, where you won’t be far from the fun.
Average Rent in Charlotte
| Rooms for Rent in Charlotte | Average Rent |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment for Rent in Charlotte | $683 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment for Rent in Charlotte | $1,632 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment for Rent in Charlotte | $1,980 |
University Life in Charlotte
Student life in the city is not too different from any other city, but affordable transport and living makes it much more pocket-friendly. From free streetcar rides, to exploring the pubs and breweries in the city, you are bound to find a lot of activities to keep your university life interesting.
Some university options that you may want to explore in Charlotte are:
- University of North Carolina
- Queens University of Charlotte
- Johnson C. Smith University
- DeVry University
- Johnson & Wales University
Related: Money-Saving and Financial Tips for Young Adults
How Transit-Friendly is Charlotte?
Trying to get around Charlotte? From buses and streetcars to exploring the city on two-wheelers, there are a lot of options to explore.
1. Walkability in Charlotte
With a walkability score of 26, Charlotte is one of the least walkable cities in the US. It ranks 49th among the largest cities in the US in terms of walkability, meaning that it is a car-dependent city. Some neighborhoods like NoDa, South End and Uptown Charlotte are more walkable than others. Depending on where you find rooms for rent in Charlotte, you may need a car to complete your chores.
2. Roads/traffic in Charlotte
Traffic in Charlotte can be quite slow, with congested roads, especially during the rush hour. On average, cars move at about 15 mph; you can expect to sit in your car for long intervals when trying to get anywhere.
3. Taxis in Charlotte
You won’t be hard-pressed to find taxi services in this city and the best part? They’re affordable as well. The base fare is $2.50 with an additional $0.50 for every kilometer, and a waiting fee of $30.00 per hour. A flat fare of $25 from Uptown to the Airport and vice versa also makes it easier to rely on them when you need to go anywhere. Alternatively, you can also opt for Uber and Lyft if you’re looking for online options.
4. Public transportation in Charlotte
Although Charlotte is a car-dependent city, if you don’t have one, you won’t be left stranded. The city’s rail, streetcar, and bus system are quite efficient as well. The LYNX Blue Line Light Rail is reliable and runs every 15 minutes during non-peak hours on the weekdays, and every 7.5 minutes during rush hours. On the weekends it runs every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during late-night hours. You can use the CATSPass app on your mobile phone to buy your $2.20 pass easily.
The CityLYNX Gold Line is Charlotte’s streetcar system that connects the eastern and western parts of the city, allowing residents to travel to the business and educational district easily. Enjoy free rides every day of the week.
You can also opt for the Charlotte Area Transit System Bus service, which has over 70 routes across the city. When trying to get from the Airport to the city center, you can also opt for the Sprinter Bus Service, which is a hybrid electric bus system that runs every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on the weekends.
5. Airports in Charlotte
Charlotte Douglas International Airport serves the city and is quite well-connected. Passengers can hop on a cab, Uber, or a bus straight out of the airport and reach the city center at affordable prices. If you’re a tourist, you won’t have too much trouble navigating into the city from the airport.
Related: How To Make A Travel Budget & Stick To It?
6. Cycling in Charlotte
Bike-sharing systems such as Spin, Mobike and LimeBike are a few of the several bike-sharing programs in the city. Even if you do not own a bike, you will not miss out on the fun. Although using the bike-sharing programs is easy, and residents have the freedom to drop off the bike in any legal location they want, the city is not quite bike-friendly. Even with extensive bike-sharing programs, the city is sorely lacking in bike-friendly infrastructure, making most roads dangerous for bicyclists.
Restaurants in Charlotte
Exploring a new city means diving headfirst into the food scene and seeing what they have to offer, Thankfully, with people in the city coming from diverse backgrounds, you will not run out of cuisines and dishes to explore.
Cultural Activities in Charlotte
The city has a rich history and filled with exciting places to explore. From free trips to the Mint Museum on Tuesdays to enjoy live music at Tremont Music Hall, there is a lot to do in the city. Don’t forget to visit Ray’s Splash Planet and enjoy indoor water park activities on a hot summer day.
Other blogs you might find interesting
