Sometimes when the news is full of negativity, it is nice to sit back and take a look at the big picture, especially if you are fortunate enough to live in the Lake Norman Charlotte area.  In the recent Kiplinger article which ranked Charlotte #2  in their Best Value Cities of 2011, there are many great reminders of why the future of our area is still so bright.

Some of their reasons for Charlotte’s desirability:

• Banking/Financial center
• Diversified Economy
• Efforts by local governments to entice small and large businesses to the area
• It is becoming an “energy hub” including Duke Energy, Siemens and Toshiba as well as more than 125 companies in green industries
• Family-oriented, top-notch schools
• Affordability including low taxes, utility rates and reasonable construction costs
• Fun including “upscale restaurants and bars to funky neighborhood eateries”, the “cultural mile”, NBA and NFL stadiums, the arts and festivals
• Greenspace in the form of parks, greenway trails, the US Whitewater Center, and, of course, Lake Norman
• Location: Less than two hours to the Mountains and 3 hours to some of the best beaches on the East Coast

Here are the links to the complete article and even a video:

Kiplinger’s Guide to Best Value Cities Article

Kiplinger’s Guide to Charlotte Ranked #2

Kiplingers Best Value Cities Charlotte Video

They make it sound so good that I want to move here from California all over again!

More Articles of Interest 

A Glimpse Into Post Recession Lake Norman Real Estate

Lake Norman Area is Growing and Improving Despite the Recession!

Lake Norman Real Estate: Is Mooresville Really Bucking the Recession?

Lake Norman Real Estate: Wow! A Lot of Good News!

With more and more frequency I am being asked by potential Lake Norman home buyers about the future expectations and direction of our local economy.  Are Lake Norman, Charlotte and even the State of North Carolina seen as a good place to invest in the long term?  Where are our local and regional economies headed?

The good news is that this is indeed the silver lining for our Lake Norman real estate market during this economic downturn.  Lake Norman communities, Charlotte and North Carolina are all predicted to be popular destinations for future businesses and to experience continual population growth in the years to come.  I base this on a number of recent articles from a variety of sources as well as my own observations over the past 6 years.   Here are some of the most relevant about Charlotte and North Carolina and some older articles I have written about Lake Norman growth and development that are still relevant:

• Post-recession, N.C. economy well poised:  This April 12, 2011 article in the Triangle Business Journal refers to an analysis by the Economic Group of Wells Fargo Securities which concluded that North Carolina is “well positioned for growth when  the expansion comes around the bend…”.  “North Carolina, they found, has a regional competitive advantage in 21 industry groups, only one step behind Florida, which had 22…Among North Carolina’s groups are health care, non-durables, professional and technology and accommodations and food.”  “North Carolina continues to augment its reputation as a home for cutting-edge research and is also becoming a major destination for national and regional headquarters…Charlotte also continues to attract a growing cadre of corporate and regional headquarters and its financial sector is growing again…”
• Chief Executive Magazine ranked North Carolina #2: For the second year in a row in their poll of the best states in which to conduct business.  ” 550 CEO’s evaluated the states on a broad range of issues, including regulations, tax policies, work-force quality, education resources, quality of living and infrastructure.” 
• Charlotte is ranked as the 3rd fastest growing city according to recent census numbers. “As North Carolina’s largest metropolitan area, Charlotte boasts affordable living and great jobs in a financial services hub.”
• Site Selection Magazine: North Carolina ranks 6th for new and expanded businesses.
• Forbes named Charlotte among best retirement cities
• Kippling lists Charlotte among the best cities for college graduates due to it being a “cost of living bargain compared to other major cities with a rebounding economy.”
• Mooresville Top Micropolitan again in 2009 by Site Selection Magazine which calculates the total corporate real estate deals by year.
• Mooresville #2 Micropolitan in 2010 by Site Selection Magazine
• Lake Norman Area is Growing and Improving Despite the Recession!
• Lake Norman Real Estate: Is Mooresville Really Bucking the Recession?
• Lake Norman Real Estate: Wow! A Lot of Good News!

While this is just the tip of the iceberg of information regarding our economic future, hopefully it will serve as reassurance that the long term prognosis for the Lake Norman real estate market, thanks to our growth and development and quality and affordability of living, is a good one.

After such an unusually cold and snowy winter here in the Lake Norman area the mere mention of the words “spring” and “garden” brightens my day.  Combine them with the announcement of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Southern Home & Garden Show  being held at The Park (the old Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on March 3rd – 7th and I can already imagine strolling through their 24 ” magnificently landscaped gardens”! 

Just about a 30 minute drive from Lake Norman, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Southeast’s largest and most established home and garden show is a must-attend event for Lake Norman home owners who love their homes and gardens. In the past the  incredible gardens designed by some of the best landscapers provided examples of everything from beautiful, lushly planted waterfalls and ponds to drought tolerant and low maintenance gardens for yards of every shape and size.  There is nothing more inspiring than seeing this preview of spring flowers and gardens.

Or, if you need a little incentive to  face your spring cleaning, a tour of their designer rooms from the Interior Design Society offer myriad ideas for minor face-lifts to major renovations.  This year professionals from over 400 companies will be “showcasing the latest and greatest in kitchen and bath, building and home improvement, outdoor living, green living, green market, decorative arts and crafts and wineries.”

Some of the special attractions and events this year include:

Garden Showcase:  24 spectacularly landscaped gardens with the designers on hand to answer questions

Extension’s Successful Gardener Learning Center: “Get answers for your gardening questions.  The professionals will be on had to help beginning gardeners, seasoned green thumbs, and everyone in between

Garden Club competitions including displays of Ikabana, Bonsai and Orchids.

Crestline Cottage Chic: A custom cottage built by Crestline Custom homes offers space-saving and storage solutions, interior design accessories and ideas for everything from a mountain retreat to a coastal escape

Festival of Tables:  This is a sneak-peak of The Salvation Women’s Auxillary’s April 14th and 15th fundraiser at the Blake Hotel which offers beautiful and creative tablescapes

Bold Beauty:  “Be inspired with the lastest decor and style trends in interior design with the interior design rooms created by members of the Charlotte Chapter of the Interior Design Society”

Spring for Kids First Night Gala:  This event, held on Wednesday evening, March 3rd from 7pm – 10pm is a gala fundraiser benefiting The Council for Children’s Rights.  Tickets are $50.  You can purchase tickets through a link on the Southern Spring Home & Garden’s website.

“Celebrate!

Where Spring Happens First”

Hours: 

Wednesday & Thursday: 10am – 6pm

Friday & Saturday: 10.am – 9pm

Sunday: 10am – 6pm

Admission Prices

At the door:  Adults $10, Children under 15 free with adult

Advanced tickets at Harris Teeter: $7.50

Senior Day: Wednesday $7.  ($55+)

For More Information contact Mardee Woodward:  MWoodward@southernshows.com.  704.376.4085

Website:  Southern Spring Home & Garden Show

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Coming from Pasadena CA, home of the Rose Parade, you would think I might know that Charlotte has been hosting the fourth largest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the US since 1947.  I truly don’t know how this exciting annual gathering of both Carolinas that is said to touch up to half a million people from 22 county metro areas escaped my radar screen! 

So, if you are looking for a great way to spend  this Thanksgiving, I would highly recommend that you head to Uptown Charlotte by 10:00am this Thursday, November 26, 2009. 

To learn more about the line-up for the parade and the event sponsors and details, go to: Charlotte’s 2009 Thanksgiving Day Parade or Charlotte’s got a lot.  You can even see the parade route.  They have promised that they will be “marching down Tryon Street rain or shine.

As part of the effort to “greening” the parade, organizers are encouraging folks to take the light rail rather than driving uptown. (Of course, those of us in the Lake Norman area don’t have this option….yet).

Best wishes to you all and I hope everyone of you has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks to our consistent rainfall this past winter and early spring, Mecklenburg County has lifted its 19-month restrictions of water use and the rest of the Lake Norman area counties are expected to follow.  Yes, it is now legal to water your lawns and wash your cars according to today’s article in the Charlotte Observer.  Although, conservation is always a good habit.  According to this article, single-family home water usage dropped 32% in Mecklenburg County since 2002.

This is today’s map from the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.  Lake Norman falls in the white area which means normal conditions.  Yellow is Abnormally dry and beige is moderate drought.

Lake Norman Lake Levels today are at 98.2 with a “target” level of 96.9.  With higher water levels and all of our trees turning green and the Dogwoods and Azaleas in bloom this Easter weekend should be a spectacular day to be out on the lake!

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 Lake Norman Real Estate:  Lake Levels, Water and Droughts

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