Charlotte Ebel

Data Analyst, Go Health

Native of Smyrna, GA

Industry: Insurance Brokerage

Charlotte Ebel moved to Rowan County from Charlotte five months ago after realizing her search for an affordable new home wasn’t feasible in the big city.

“I had a town home in Charlotte and I hated it. I had to get out of there,” she says. “I had a budget of $250,000 and I looked all over Charlotte. I wasn’t able to upgrade my situation in Charlotte.”

A Rowan County house “popped up in my search,” she says, “and it was perfect. I have an extra bedroom and a garage. My dollars went further here.”

Charlotte, who grew up in a career military family, has lived all over — Louisiana, Maryland, Georgia, New York, California. She sees Salisbury-Rowan as changing and developing with constant entertainment and new housing. “It’s great to see a community really thriving,” she says. “I like to see the innovative ways that they’re coming up with because that means there’s more for me to do here.”

The county slogan, “Be an Original,” fits her lifestyle. “It means that there are all types of people, cultures, and ways to do things, so no one place should define you, but you can define a place,” she says.

She would direct a first-time visitor to downtown Salisbury. “Just park and explore,” she says. “There are tons of stores, places to eat and drink and hang out. And you can enjoy the Bell Tower.”

The Bell Tower Green Park has quickly become her favorite outdoor space in Rowan County. “It’s s nice, calm place to meet friends, or to have a great big festival. It makes you feel so relaxed and a part of the city.”

Her favorite restaurant is Jasmine’s Creole Kitchen, which reminds her of her childhood in Louisiana with its gumbo and gator bites. “It brings back a lot of memories,” she says. She also likes “Bangkok Downtown for its great food and atmosphere, but you can’t beat the view at Water’s Edge Dock and Grill, and the Soda Shop is perfect for breakfast also, Tita’s Cake House for dessert and Mean Mug for coffee.”

The Cheerwine Festival is her favorite yearly event. “I had my first ever Cheerwine at a vending machine in Georgia. I pressed Cherry Coke and out pops a Cheerwine.” She was a little hesitant with “wine” in the name of Salisbury’s original soft drink, but willing to try it. “It was the most amazing cherry drink I’ve had in my life.”

Thousands of visitors attend the Cheerwine Festival here each year, which started on the 100^th anniversary of the creation of the cola.

Charlotte says that she likes giving back to the community and has found ways to do that at Saving Grace Farm and helping the animal shelter with fostering pets. “It’s great to get out on a farm again and be around horses and kids,” she says of the non-profit organization that offers equine assisted activities for people with special needs, disabilities, youth at-risk, seniors, veterans, and those who have experienced trauma. 

She is also a member of the Young Professionals, affiliated with the Rowan Salisbury Chamber of Commerce.

First on her list of great places to live is community. “I’ve found community here,” she says.