North Carolina's largest city, Charlotte is a cultural, economic, and transportation hub for the state. The city is full of life, and has been since just after the Civil War, when it became a cotton processing center and railroad hub. Charlotte constitutes most of Mecklenburg County in the Carolina Piedmont and the city center was built on the gunnies of the St. Catherine's and Rudisill gold mines atop a long rise between Sugar Creek and Irwin Creek.

Between 2004 and 2014, Charlotte was ranked as the country's fastest-growing metro area and tops the nation in millennial population growth. The center of life in Charlotte is Uptown, where 199 different neighborhood radiate out in all directions. So where in Queen City should renter's call home? The SouthPark area is a hub for dining, shopping and multifamily housing, while University City has UNC Charlotte. Beverly Woods is known for quality schools and is praised for it's convenient location. Belmont is a trendy hub for young professionals. No matter where you live in Charlotte, it's easy to get around. The city is well connected and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just 15 minutes west of the city center. 

With a humid subtropical climate, Charlotte has become a destination for active Southern living with plenty of parks and green space. The 120-acre Park Road Park near the SouthPark area features no shortage of outdoor activities, including eight basketball courts, two horseshoe pits, six baseball fields, five picnic shelters, volleyball courts, playgrounds, trails, tennis courts, and an 11-acre lake. 

The cultural scene in Charlotte is thriving as well. Locals love the city's three professional sports teams; the Carolina Panthers in the NFL, the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA, and Charlotte FC in the MLS. Charlotte is also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which draws pays homage to stock car racing's roots in North Carolina. 

Economically, Charlotte is home to the headquarters or significant regional offices of many big banks, making it the second-largest banking center in the U.S. Seven Fortune 500 companies also call the city home, offering robust employment opportunities.