Auston Woods Apartment Homes Blog

What kind of American city is the best for small business? They're the ones that have prosperous economies, are expanding rapidly, and are densely packed with like-minded entrepreneurs. And the top two are in North Carolina.

The two markets with the nation's top scores for small-business vitality, according to a new BizJournals study, sit 140 miles apart in the Tar Heel State. IN the nation’s rankings, Charlotte is No. 2, second to Raleigh.

BizJournals used a six-part formula to analyze the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas, searching for the places that are most conducive to the creation and development of small businesses.

The two North Carolina markets emerge as the clear leaders, thanks to their outstanding records in four statistical categories with a direct impact on small-business activity:

1.Population: Raleigh and Charlotte picked up a combined total of 427,000 new residents between 2002 and 2007. Charlotte grew by 17.4 percent and dwarfed the national growth rate of 4.8 percent.

2. Employment: The entire country is endangered by the current recession.  But Charlotte had  outstanding job growth during the 2003-08 span—15.4 percent.  The U.S. gain was 5.8 percent.
3. Small-business growth: The number of small businesses grew dramatically in both markets from 2005 to 2006, the latest period covered by official statistics. Charlotte had a 4 percent rise. The national increase was 1.3 percent.

4. Small-business concentration: The typical U.S. market has 24.57 small businesses for every 1,000 residents. The North Carolina markets enjoy concentrations that are at least 10 percent bigger, with Charlotte at 27.07 per 1000.

And that's not all. Two other markets with North Carolina connections rank among the 30 best metros in the study, Greensboro and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk metro. 

The highest scores in the study went to areas that have prosperous economies, are expanding rapidly, and are densely packed with small businesses.

For more information see Portfolio.com

The Charlotte North Carolina area has a lot to offer.   Whether you want exciting city life or the quiet country living, Charlotte has something for everyone. Charlotte's population has been growing anywhere from 5% to 10% the past few years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Charlotte has also been voted one of the ten best places to live. The city has many different neighborhoods, and there is no shortage of great food and fun night life. If you are relocating to Charlotte, you couldn’t have found a better place to live.

10 Reasons to live in Charlotte North Carolina:

1. It is a perfect destination. The Appalachian Mountains are only a two hour drive to the west and the sun filled beaches are only three hours to the east.
2. Charlotte N.C. was selected as one of the "10 Best Places to Live" by Money Magazine.
3. "Best Cities For Black Families", the city ranked #4 of 20. Bet.com compiled data on African Americans in the cities with the largest Black Populations.
4. Second largest center of financial transaction in the United States.
5. Some of the best known fortune 500 companies are located in Charlotte.
6. There are very good schools in and around Charlotte.
7. The cost of living in Charlotte is relatively low compared to the national average.
8. The weather is mild in the winter and warm in the summer.
9. There are numerous Pro Sports teams: Carolina Pathers, Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Sting, Charlotte Checkers, and of course, it is the home of NASCAR's Lowes Motor Speedway.
10. Last year, the city created 12,000 new jobs.

2011 is here already.  It seems like just yesterday we were sitting up in the living room on Saturday morning eating cereal and watching cartoons like the Jetson’s.  Now we are literally living in the future with android phones and personal tablet computers… Wow!  Well, this year make sure that you stay in the know with things that are going on in the beautiful city of Charlotte and in Mecklenburg County.  You don’t want anything to pass you by.  For more information on Governmental Services and Information on Charlotte and Mecklenburg Co for 2011 you can visit there website at CharMeck.org.

Auston Woods Apartment Homes is a great place to start the new year off right.  If you are interested in scheduling a free tour, visit our website at AustonWoodsLiving.com  Happy New Year!!!

We really hope that you enjoy this Holiday Video.  We thought that you would get a knick out of it.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Apartments in Charlotte, NC

Auston Woods Apartments in Charlotte

Charlotte Visual Artists

When was the last time that you went to Open Studio Saturdays?  This could be the Charlotte art experience that you’ve been waiting for.

Open Studio Saturday is at McColl Center for Visual Art this Saturday October the 23rd.  You can swing by and personally meet the resident artists who contribute to the great artistry at McColl.  I like to get out and see art, it’s relaxing, and to meet the artist behind the artistry will really open up the visual art and the viewer to see things from a whole and more broader perspective.

The visual art work in the McColl Center for Visual Art is good.  If your looking for something fun, friendly and mentally stimulating then you will enjoy the Open Studio Saturdays.  Any artists or art directors will really appreciate this presentation as well.

Here is the link for more information about McColl Center for Visual Art or Open Studio Saturdays.

This post was brought to you by Auston Woods Apartments in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is one of the best places to live in America, in our opinion (flattering smile goes here).  If you are interested in Renting Apartments in Charlotte then we can assist you.

Clowns Without Borders stir up laughter and share smiles with many children among the temporary hospitals in post-earthquake Haiti.

“Now child without a smile,” They say… “We send laughter around the world!” These Clowns take off the limits and really use laughter as a medicine to change desperate situations.

Clowns Without Borders offers laughter to relieve the suffering of all persons, especially children, who live in areas of crisis including refugee camps, conflict zones and territories in situations of emergency. They found themselves in Haiti surrounded by beautiful children who’s spirits seem to be lifted with every laugh.

I have always enjoyed the presence of a clown and the good feelings that they bring with them. Clowns Without Boarders had been over to Haiti previously; nearly a year earlier. But they were invited to come back so they decided to do it.

Leah Able from PRI’s Here & Now says, “Once there, however, Abel believes the clowns made a difference for the children, many who lost family members or were seriously hurt in the earthquake. Citing studies show how people need laughter:”