The latest season of Netflix’s wildly popular dating reality show Love Is Blind has everyone in a tailspin. Beyond asking “Who will end up together?” people are also asking larger questions, like “Was that gaslighting?” and “Did he actually have a girlfriend when he proposed to someone else?” and, of course, “Do you think Chelsea looks like Megan Fox?”

If you’ve found yourself curious about what it’s like to live in Charlotte (or on the East Coast), who could blame you? Let’s take a look at what makes the Queen City a popular destination for tourists and home seekers alike. And maybe you and your besties can even plan a trip to the city and hit up the Lost and Found bar. IYKYK.

Major industries: Banking and financial services, tech/fintech, and manufacturing. 

According to Zillow, the average price (as of January 31, 2024) for a Charlotte home is $385,951 — a number that crept up 2.7% over the past year. If you’re a homebuyer with your sights set on Charlotte, you’ll need to prepare to possibly make a decision (or an offer) rather quickly because 17 days is the median for a home to go into pending status, reports Zillow.

While over a third (35.8%) of Charlotte homes sold for more than the list price as of December 2023, don’t panic about your budget just yet. Zillow data also indicates that almost half (48.6%) of homes sold for under the list price — a sure sign that there might be some room for negotiation if you find a home you love in the Queen City.

Want to rent an apartment in Charlotte instead? According to Rent Café, you can expect to pay an average of $1653 a month for a 1-bedroom apartment around 941 square feet — a smidge lower than the national rent average. You can lower the price if you rent a smaller studio, and you’ll expect to pay more for a two- or three-bedroom.

Charlotte’s a big city with a lot of entertainment to show for it! Here are just some of the many cultural and entertainment opportunities you can enjoy.

There’s a much longer list of museums to visit, but here are a few to get you started.

There are home teams to root for in all the major sports, including the following:

The NASCAR Hall of Fame also parks itself here in the Queen City, where the organization got its start.

While some of the bigger names play the Spectrum Center and Bank of America Stadium, there are many other smaller venues that welcome musical acts from every genre. And of course, there are many festivals throughout the year, including the Charlotte Jazz Festival.

Charlotte is also home to various theaters, including the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, which offers numerous stages for touring and local productions.

Nature-lovers will have plenty to do in Charlotte. Top destinations include Little Sugar Creek Greenway, McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, and Freedom Park. Those who love fishing and boating will find a home on Lake Norman.

Charlotte’s got a bit of everything on the menu. Sure, you can enjoy classic comfort foods like Southern barbecue, but there are also lots of other world cuisines, including Asian, Mexican, and Mediterranean.