Happy Thanksgiving, Smarties! Thank you for being a part of our readership and for following along for the coolest and latest insights on parenting in this amazing city we get to call home.
We feel so fortunate to get to raise our families here, and we thought a great way to celebrate that today was to articulate why. So here are all five Smarty staffers writing in her own words what it is we love and appreciate about Charlotte. Whether you are new to town or grew up here, we bet you’ll feel the same too!
Smarty Kiara Harlow
I’m grateful to live in a city that puts on a show for all four seasons—from crunchy leaf, trees-look-like-they’re-on-fire days to perfect-for-swimming, green grass laid out like a carpet, blue sky days.
Charlotte can make me feel like a swanky, big city girl one minute with drinks that fizzle and pop on a rooftop then have me pulling up a ponytail and riding bikes with my kids through some of the most beautiful trails this country has to offer the next minute.
In the Queen City, it’s easy to make friends, and there’s always something new to experience, and children are welcome just about everywhere. Oh, and the photo ops are endless, and that doesn’t hurt a thing! – Smarty Kiara
Smarty Jenna Michael
Charlotte has always been my home. I was raised here and now have the privilege of raising my children here alongside all my siblings and my parents. Easy access to incredible healthcare, never-ending lists of incredible places to explore, a quick drive to the mountains or the beach, plus lovely weather are just a few of the many reasons Charlotte continues to be a great place to raise our family. – Smarty Jenna
Smarty Carroll Walton
My family moved to Charlotte when I was 4, and I grew up here. It’s always been home and a place I hoped I’d move back to one day to raise a family. My now husband and I moved here 10 years ago to get married and start a family – close to family – and there is no place I’d rather be.
No matter how big this city grows and how many new buildings go up, people are still friendly, the weather is great, and the tree scape is lovely. You can go places and bump into people you know, or not, on the days you’d rather be a little anonymous. There are always both new things to try and familiar places to fall back on, and it’s easy to get around!
Thank you, Charlotte, for being such a beautiful big city with an eternally small town feel! – Smarty Carroll
Smarty Christy Quincannon
Christy’s family Christmas tree hunting in Union County.
I was actually born in Charlotte but I wasn’t raised here. So. . . When I was engaged, my now husband and I, set our eyes on Charlotte. We wanted a bigger city with a small town feel and that’s exactly what we got. I have loved raising my children here. (All three were born in the same hospital where I was born!) It has diversity, culture, and it’s where we’ve planted our roots. – Smarty Christy
Smarty Jen Plym
Having lived in the QC for exactly half of my life, I am really thankful for the opportunity to raise my family in this amazing city we get to call “home.” I fell in love with CLT the minute I got out of the car and started my first real job right out of college.
Charlotte is the perfect “city” to grow up in – it feels like a small town with big city offerings. My kids have loved all of our traditions including the Charlotte Ballet, big sports events, concerts, and of course, the Southern charm. I’ve recently gotten reacclimated with all CLT has to offer as our year-round sports and daily kids obligations have started to slow down with my kiddos in high school and college.
Charlotte is nestled right in the middle of our amazing state and we can hop up to the mountains for skiing and snowboarding, hit our beaches for surfing and everything in between. I’m sharing this pic of me and my twins, who recently took me hiking at Crowders Mountain for my birthday hike. What a gem that is, right outside of our city!
What you can’t see in this pic is the skyline just beyond the haze. Such a glorious treat! I implore all of Smarty CLT to get outside of your daily box, and go exploring! So much out there for us! – Gobble, gobble, Smarty Jen
