There's no shortage of arts, professional sports, educational and medical facilities and unlimited housing choices, to go with lakes, parks, forests, and quick access to neighboring towns offering a down-home feel. The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently voted Charlotte the country's most livable city. The city's claim to fame currently is its ranking as the No. 2 banking center in the country, a fact that drives other industries as well. As the 11th largest trucking center in the nation, Charlotte is home to 294 trucking firms. The gleaming Charlotte-Douglass International Airport is the 17th largest in the nation, and consistently is a top finisher in national passenger satisfaction surveys.
Sports are plentiful.
Charlotte is the international gateway and trade center of the Carolinas. It's the second largest financial center in the country, home to the nation's largest energy company, the nation's largest bank and the No. 2 steelmaker. It's also a hub for regional offices, call centers and US Airways. Individuals and corporate leaders want Charlotte to be a great city with a variety of cultural opportunities. The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is the showcase for the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte Philharmonic, the Charlotte Repertory, Opera Carolina, Actor's Theater of Charlotte and the North Carolina Dance Theatre.