Newcomer remorse in Banktown?

Banktown has lost some glitter.

Cititgroup is buying Wachovia, one of Charlotte's big banks and a leader on the national banking scene. Wachovia was pummeled by subprime debt.

So here's a question for newcomers, particulary newcomer bankers: Any "buyer's" remorse out there? Are you regretting your move, wishing you'd stayed put?

But it's not just bankers who might have opinions, I know. On Monday, I wrote about newcomers to the region and how Charlotte has a history of attracting people -- in all industries -- who move here without jobs. One woman in that story, newcomer Pam Bush, said she regrets not leaving Akron sooner. Now the market is flooded with people like her looking for jobs, she lamented. Click here to read that story.

And recent newcomers, let me know how you feel about living here now.

Living Here magazine on the streets -- and Web

In case you missed it, Living Here magazine hit the streets yesterday. The 12th annual, 168-page guide on how to live, work and play better in the Charlotte region was inserted in most copies of the Observer.

You can also check it out on the Observer's Web site. Click here.

What do you think?

Oh, you can see 10 cover options and vote for the one you would have picked. We picked this one above.

And are you new to the area? If so, please drop me an e-mail. Thanks!

Festival in the Park

I'm heading to Festival in the Park tomorrow. Going to report a story about two local artists collaborating on side-by-side easels on a festival-inspired piece.

Festival in the park is a four-day arts fest, featuring the artwork of about 150 artists and of students from kindergarten through 12th grade. New this year: A stage for young performers who sing and dance.

Are you going?

All the Festival in the Park details you need are in a column I did for Monday's paper and on the festival Web site. Click here for the column. Click here for the Web site.

If and when you go to the park, post your impressions here. Thanks!

The bus!

This fall will mark five years since my move to Charlotte. I'd been married about three weeks. My husband and I loved living in New York but it wasn't practical for us for the long term -- not for buying a house and raising a family.

We wanted a lower cost of living and a house with a yard. We wanted to be closer to family in the Southeast and Midwest.

This morning I was struck my an unexpected advantage to life here over New York. Something so simple. The school bus.

This is the transcript of my morning trip to daycare, coming from my toddler daughter in her carseat:

The bus!
The bus!
The bus!
The bus!
The bus!
The bus!

Yeah, we passed a lot of school buses. So on days when I miss public transportation, favorite restaurants or the sheer energy of New York, this is what I am going to think about. The bus!

Hey, newcomers or anyone who has moved to Charlotte from somewhere else, want to share an unexpected surprise to living here? Post it here. Thanks.

Move here in the last year?

I'm gearing up for the release of some Census data that will tell us how many newcomers have moved to the Charlotte area in the past year. As you know, this area has been a hub of newcomer relocation. But what will last year's number have to day? I'm eager to find out.

I also want to talk to some of the area's newest newcomers. If you moved here in the last year, please email me your name and daytime phone number. I'd like to chat with you about why you pick the Charlotte area and what you think so far. My email address is abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com.

Thanks!

In other news: I just got an email from AT&T spokeswoman Della Bowling in response to my Wi-Fi post last week. She wanted me to know about an announcement made yesterday and I thought I'd pass it on to you.
"AT&T announced yesterday that it is expanding its free AT&T Wi-Fi service to all AT&T broadband customers, regardless of their high speed Internet plan. As you can imagine, this features thousands of hot spots, including Starbucks and Barnes & Noble locations."

What's your favorite Wi-Fi spot?

I'm working right now from the fitness bar at the Dowd YMCA. Outside home, it's my preferred spot for Wi-Fi and it's free, by the way.

What's your favorte Wi-Fi spot? Please post it here. I'd like to collect a list of free places to try all around town. I bet readers would like that too.

The city says there are at least 200 Wi-Fi hot spots citywide. Some charge a fee; others are free. Last October, the Observer's eye magazine ran a list of uptown businesses offering free Wi-Fi. I posted it below. Warning: This info could have changed, so you might call ahead to make sure free Wi-Fi is still available. And if you find a change feel free to post it here.

Big Ben's English Pub 801 Providence Road; (704) 334-6338; 11 a.m.-midnight Sun.-Thur., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri. and Sat.

Caribou Coffee Free at three locations: 1531 East Blvd., 704-334-3570; 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 6 a.m.-midnight Fri., 7 a.m.-midnight Sat., 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. Founders Hall, 704-372-5507; 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. BB&T building, 704-371-4129; 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Dilworth Coffee House Only free at Dilworth site, 1235-B East Blvd.; 704-358-8003; 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat.; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.

Fox & Hound 330 N. Tryon St.; 704-333-4113, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily.

The Gin Mill 1411 S. Tryon; 704-373-0782; 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Tues.-Sat.

Graduate Food & Pub 123 W. Trade St.; 704-358-3024; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Jillian's 200 E. Bland; 704-376-4386; 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sun.-Th., 11:30 a.m.- 2 a.m. Fri and Sat.

Just Fresh Available at two locations: 1231-A East Blvd; 704-377-3774; 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Ivey's Building; 704-376-9595; 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri.

Mecklenburg public libraries Main branch, 310 N. Tryon St.; 704-336-2725; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sun. ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St.; 704-973-2700; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sun.

Nova's Bakery 1511 Central Ave.; 704-333-5567; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. during daylight savings time, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. otherwise.

Owen's Bagel & Deli 2041 South Blvd.; 704-333-5385; 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. every day.

Panera Bread 601 Providence Road; 704-374-0581; 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Mon.-Sat.; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun.

The Perk (formerly known as Dilworth Playhouse) 1427 South Blvd.; 704-632-0336; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.

SK NetCafe 1425 Elizabeth Ave.; 704-334-1523; 7 a.m.-midnight Mon.-Thur., 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Sat.; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun. Smelly Cat Coffee House 514 E. 36th St.; 704-374-9656; 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon.-Wed., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Thurs., 7 a.m.-midnight Fri., 8 a.m.-midnight Sat., 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.

Tea Rex 2102 South Blvd.; 704-371-4440; 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. and Sat., closed Sunday
Westin Charlotte 601 S. College St.; 704-375-2600; open 24 hours.

Where should this family live?

In yesterday's column, I wrote about Julia Allen, a Carolinas native who happens to be a Charlotte newcomer. While Allen, a vice president at Discovery Place uptown, is working here, she's not living here yet. She's commuting from Hickory until her family can relocate. It gives her time to get to know the area and where she and her family would like to live, Allen, 35, said.

I asked readers to suggest where in the area Allen and her family should consider calling their new home. I should have clarified that I wanted residents only, not home builders, Realtors, developers, etc. I got a few of those self-promotional pitches and just one, so far, from a resident suggesting her neighborhood.

Here's what Susan Wilkie-McHale:
"The Allen family should definitely take a look at the Cramer Mountain Properties. Just in the last month, three new homes have come up for sale, and they are incredible well priced properties. I work on Park Road, and a drive down Billy Graham Pkwy. Only takes about 35 minutes every morning. The school system here is great, the neighbors are awesome, and Cramer Mountain is definitely a safe haven for children."

If you would like to suggest the neighborhood or community you live in, please post it here. Thanks!

Calling on moms

In addition to my Living Here duties, I occasionally review children's books. And today I want to hear from moms who love Madeline.

The first Madeline book in 50 years just hit store shelves. In honor of the event, I'd like to hear from moms about their favorite Madeline book or simply why they -- or their young daughters -- love her. Please e-mail your responses by Saturday to abaldwin@charlotteobserver.com. Don't forget to include your name and daytime phone number. Thanks!

Sneezing your head off? Figures.

Are you sneezing your head off as we head into fall? Or are your eyes watering and pooling like lakes?

That figures. The Carolinas are hard on allergy sufferers, according to the 2008 Fall Allergy Capitals list -- produced by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and sponsored by allergy med ZYRTEC -- released today. Three of the top 5 allergy capitals are in the Carolinas.

That top 5:
1. Greensboro, N.C.
2. Greenville, S.C.
3. Little Rock, Ark.
4. Raleigh-Durham
5. Jackson, Miss.

Charlotte ranked 20th.

For a full list of Fall Energy Capitals or tips on managing allergies, go to www.allergysavvy.com.

On Tuesday, check out the Observer's Health section for an article by my colleague Karen Garloch on acupuncture for treating allergies.

Now for a question: How are your allergies here compared with other cities you've lived in?

A Cultural Free for All

In my last post, I mentioned some cheap or free stuff around town that my family has enjoyed recently.

Dig that? Well, there's more. During the month of September the Arts & Science Council is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a Cultural Free for All. Throughout the month there are free arts, science, heritage and history events. You can catch free concerts or shows or even take free dance lessons.

For a complete list of events, click here.