Image by Pixabay
One of the hardest things about moving to a new area is figuring out where to put down roots. You probably know few people and don’t have a great sense of what it’s all about. Finding the best places to live in Charlotte isn’t as simple as a Google search, and you’ll obviously want to do your research before you make a decision. Choosing a Charlotte neighborhood with a great
Whether you’re coming from another part of North Carolina or somewhere further afield, finding your place in the Queen City should be an enjoyable experience. There are so many great Charlotte neighborhoods and wonderful little suburbs in and around Charlotte that there’s something for everyone.
Finding your place in Charlotte, NC
There are plenty of pros and cons to living in Charlotte, North Carolina. For families moving to the area, the natural questions are always going to be “Where should I live in Charlotte?” and “What are the best places for families in Charlotte?”
Exploring your options means finding the safest neighborhoods and the best subdivisions. The quality of schools is a consideration. So are the available activities for families or for couples.
Charlotte neighborhoods have plenty to offer, but this is also a southern town. Things are spread out over considerable distances and public transportation won’t go everywhere.
Your neighborhood in Charlotte is going to be the center of your community. Finding the one that fits you best is so important! Here’s our roundup of the best ‘burbs and the greatest neighborhoods in Charlotte.
1 – Uptown Charlotte
Image by PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay
The centerpiece of any city is its downtown, and Charlotte is no different. The heart of the Queen City is home to the headquarters of major companies like Wells Fargo, Duke Energy, and of course Bank of America.
The Charlotte Knights, the Charlotte Hornets and the Carolina Panthers all have sports venues in Uptown Charlotte. Pro sports is a point of pride here, with famed basketball legend Michael Jordan a fixture in the city, thanks to his ownership of the Charlotte Hornets. Downtown is where the flagship North Carolina sports teams are all situated.
Culture is also a big deal in downtown Charlotte. The Charlotte Ballet, the Charlotte Symphony, and the Mint Museum all call Center City home. There are award winning restaurants, live music venues, and art aplenty that will fit anyone’s taste all seated within the walkable footprint of the city. This walkable Charlotte neighborhood is perfect for young professionals who don’t have to worry too much about public schools or housing costs.
2 – Ballantyne
Image by Carissa Rogers via Pixabay
Around twenty-five thousand people live in Ballantyne, an upscale neighborhood in the Charlotte area. It’s seated right at the southern edge of the city, near the border of South Carolina.
One of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Queen City, Ballantyne is built with wide streets and big yards. There are several golf courses within the neighborhood. It’s a thriving part of the city with a distinct feeling that sets it apart from the other best Charlotte neighborhoods. People flock here for a reason.
Ballantyne Corporate Park is packed with more than four million square feet of office space. These house the headquarters of companies such as ESPN regional TV, Metlife, Babcock and Wilcox, and more. Families moving to Charlotte are often drawn to Ballantyne because it’s so close to the companies that they relocate with.
3 – the Fourth Ward
There are four wards in Charlotte, but the most popular is the Fourth Ward. This neighborhood has meandering, tree lined streets and majestic Victorian homes.
This area was revitalized back in the 1970s when Bank of America partnered with the Junior League of Charlotte to grow local businesses and revamp public spaces. It’s close enough to Uptown that the commute is easy for work or for leisure. That proximity is a major factor in people choosing the Fourth Ward.
In recent years, there’s been a lot of commercial development in this part of Charlotte. There are condos and businesses blended together with the stately homes. The mix is eclectic but also inviting.
4 – University City
Charlotte is home to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Immediately surrounding the campus is a neighborhood called University City, and it’s a fantastic place for families and professionals alike.
Near the edge is the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Concord Mills Mall isn’t far either. This part of Charlotte is known for its cozy neighborhood feel and its great schools. Home to more than 160,000 people, including Concord and Harrisburg, this is one of the largest neighborhoods and largest business districts in Charlotte.
Businesses thrive in this area of Charlotte, North Carolina. University Research Park is a center of scientific research and has a lot of job opportunities for transplants. There’s great shopping nearby and tons of entertainment. The only Ikea in North Carolina or South Carolina is located near University City. Young professionals will love these home prices here and the southern charm of this area that’s right on the South Carolina border.
5 – North Davidson (NoDa)
Charlotte has a wonderfully vibrant arts district called NoDA (North Davidson). It’s close to downtown and it’s bursting with wonderful things to do and beautiful little houses. It’s a vibrant, thriving artistic community makes it a sought after place to live in the Queen City.
NoDa was once home to a wealth of textile manufacturing companies. Mill workers lived in rows of modest houses. Lots of these are now renovated or restored. There are now lots of art galleries, unique dining, and local shopping options in the NoDa area. A particularly wonderful part of this neighborhood is its walkability. For families with kids, this is a fantastic Charlotte, NC neighborhood.
The close proximity of this residential area in Charlotte, NC to employment opportunities is one reason most residents stop through this area full of charming bungalows, even if they don’t live here. This area of Charlotte offers good access to public transit for those who live in Charlotte, NC. The historic homes are a great boost too!
6 – Barclay Downs
A top–rated neighborhood in North Carolina as a whole, not just Charlotte, is Barclay Downs. This is a prestigious part of the city. Schools here are highly ranked. Of everywhere in Charlotte, this is one of the most exclusive places to live. It’s got a rich history, mature trees, historic bungalows and an art gallery or two tucked in abmong the metro area population.
Former NC Governor Cameron Morrison once owned a three thousand acre farm in this area, which has since been parsed out and sold off to create a thriving neighborhood. The Colony, Southpark Mall, and Piedmont Row offer tons of shopping options. There’s a great deal of highly ranked dining here.
The large houses and wonderfully maintained streets are an essential part of this remarkable Charlotte neighborhood. On average, homes here go for a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars.
7 – Myers Park
Similar to Barclay Downs, Myers Park is a wealthy and exclusive neighborhood in Charlotte. This was also a former farm, once owned by John Spring Myers. It was his brainchild to transform he cotton fields into rolling neighborhoods, and it came off in spectacular fashion.
It took many years of planning and development to make that dream become a reality. The neighborhood gave free landscaping to create cohesion for those first residents.
Nearby are suburbs like Sedgefield, South Park, Dilworth, and Foxcroft. Leaders who made Charlotte the banking and business hub that it is today can be found in this neighborhood. This is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods, far away from Bank of America Stadium or the hustle and bustle of East Boulevard. There are no high rise condos here, and Myers Park is home to some of the best suburbs. It’s conveniently located miles south of Lake Norman, close to the Southpark mall and lot of sporting events.
8 – Commonwealth
Image by LynnDeSantis via Pixabay
One of the newest and trendiest neighborhoods in Charlotte is Commonwealth. This neighborhood is reasonably priced, with most houses priced under three hundred thousand dollars. Affordability is a major selling point of Commonwealth.
This little neighborhood is charming. It’s characterized by cottages and bungalows that have lovingly redone and updated in the last twenty years. It’s bordered on one side by Central Avenue and on the other side by Independence Boulevard.
This part of the city ranks highly in both livability and affordability. There are lots of things to love here, including high graduation rates at local schools and plenty of local amenities.
Choose your neighborhood in Charlotte
Whether you’re looking for a suburban feel near downtown, a part of town that has low crime rates or upscale restaurants, the best neighborhoods are spread all over Charlotte. There are constantly community events and sporting events to go check out. There’s also all of the fun on Lake Norman or wandering through the historic district neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC.
Young professionals can get excited about low housing costs in the Charlotte metro area. The Charlotte Mecklenburg school system is highly rated. The tree lined streets are an ideal place to raise a family. Whichever Charlotte neighborhood you choose, you’ll be sure to find a place that feels like home.
Whatever has brought you to Charlotte, finding a great place to live should feel great. There are so many options, from artsy NoDa to upscale Myers Park. Whatever your taste and your needs, you’ll find somewhere wonderful to call home in Charlotte!
