Newcomer profiles

Christine Nelson-Sperow

Age: 33

Occupation: Anchor/reporter for WBTV (Channel 3)

Where are you from originally? I spent part of my childhood in Rochester, N.Y. However, it was in Miami that we finally settled in and where I graduated from high school.

Where did you live before you moved to Charlotte? We lived in Tyler, Texas (east of Dallas), and really loved the community there.

Why did you decide to move to Charlotte? Not only was this a great opportunity professionally, but we are closer to family by living in Charlotte. With a baby on the way it was important for us to know that we will be able to see relatives more often than just the holidays.

Which side of town did you choose to live in? We live in Ballantyne and just love it. The area has so much personality yet it's not too far from uptown, which is close to where I work.

What do you like most about Charlotte? There's always something to do. I can't wait to go to a Panthers and Bobcats game, see a big NASCAR race live and in person. I have a feeling I won't get bored here.

What would you like to change about Charlotte? The fact that the street names change so much. I get lost or turned around just about every time I try to explore new places around town. Remind me not to miss the next GPS sale at Best Buy.

What's your best piece of advice for other newcomers? Learn your way around (Interstate) 485. Make an effort to find your place in the community. As with any big city, what you put in is what you'll get out of it.

Age: 45

Occupation: Vice President for University Advancement, Queens University of Charlotte.

Where are you from originally? My parents were missionaries in Taiwan where I was born, then we moved to Salisbury where I grew up. I lived in Huntersville in high school (I went to North Mecklenburg), then I spent 27 years in Winston-Salem.

Why did you decide to move to Charlotte? I spent 27 years at Wake Forest, a Baptist school. Being a lifelong Presbyterian, I finally saw the light and returned to my roots. My mother, Sally Bullock, graduated from Queens in 1956.

Which side of town did you choose to live in? Myers Park because it's near work.

What do you like most about Charlotte? It is a “can do” city where good ideas are supported.

What's your best piece of advice for other newcomers? Find ways to get involved. There are opportunities for virtually every interest.

Age: 28

Occupation: Event planner. My company is called the Graceful Host.

Where are you from originally? Born in California, raised in Minnesota.

Why did you decide to move to Charlotte? A great job opportunity for my husband and a much warmer climate.

Which side of town did you choose to live in? South Charlotte. It was close to work, and there was a Trader Joe's.

What do you like most about Charlotte? I'm amazed at all the flowering foliage. There seems to always be something new in bloom. I loved the mild winter with the measly three snowfalls; I was greatly amused by the local reaction to snow.

What would you like to change about Charlotte? I wish there were more ways to plug into the community as a newcomer. This city has so much to offer in terms of culture, society, entertainment, food and shopping; we've been slow in learning about everything because we just weren't given many resources.

What's your best piece of advice for other newcomers? Don't be afraid to approach people and start up a conversation – who knows, they could be newcomers too. This city is filled with people, many of which were newcomers at some point, so put yourself out there.

Age: 50

Occupation: Office manager for a large commercial landscape construction company.

Where are you from originally? My husband John and I are originally from Los Angeles. We met in high school and married in 1980.

Where did you live before you moved to Charlotte? Orlando, where we lived for 16 years.

Why did you decide to move to Charlotte? It was a good job offer for John. Our youngest child left for college in December, so it was perfect timing.

Which side of town did you choose to live in? SouthPark. It's close to great shopping and close to all the uptown venues and fine dining. Also, it's very close to the trails at James Boyce Park where we hike, bike and walk our dogs.

What do you like most about Charlotte? The climate, culture, beauty of the city and friendly people.

What would you like to change about Charlotte? Finish 485 and maybe add a lane. Rush-hour traffic can be tricky.

What's your best piece of advice for other newcomers? Infuse yourself into the wonderful Southern hospitality and culture.

Age: 36

Where are you from originally? I grew up in Lenoir.

Where did you live before you moved to Charlotte? I lived in the West Village of Manhattan from 1994-2008.

Why did you decide to move to Charlotte? My parents are in their 80s and live in Hiddenite, 70 miles north of here. As an only child I felt the responsibility to help out. I was also a field advance agent for the Clinton presidential campaign here in North Carolina and Kentucky, and that kind of work reminded me of how nice it can be to live here.

Which side of town did you choose to live in? I live in NoDa, because I like the convenience to uptown and the feel of a walking neighborhood.

What do you like most about Charlotte? The weather.

What would you like to change about Charlotte? I'd like to see more diversity and inclusion in our municipal and state leadership.

What's your best piece of advice for other newcomers? If you come here wanting to be involved, improve the lot of Charlotteans' lives and make change, have patience with the few local people left here. Folks here have a well-reasoned distrust of outsiders.

Age: 51

Occupation: CEO of Norsan Multimedia

Where are you from originally? Monterrey, Mexico

Where did you live before you moved to Charlotte? Atlanta

Why did you decide to move to Charlotte? Because of the business opportunities we saw here based on the growth of the Hispanic community.

Which side of town did you decide to live in? Close to SouthPark mall. It's wonderful. I can walk to get groceries and walk to Starbucks.

What do you like most about Charlotte? It's a city that's very active, but is still calm. There's not the tremendous amount of traffic I experienced in Atlanta.

What would you like to change about Charlotte? Absolutely nothing. It's very livable compared to Atlanta. Here, the activities, the restaurants, the shopping – it's fantastic.

What's your best piece of advice for other newcomers? Spend time driving through the city. The winding roads here were very confusing at first.

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