Charlotte Neighborhoods
Getting to know the Charlotte area

Visitor, use this site as a resource for learning about Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas. As you will see, there is a lot of useful information leading from this page so you may want to bookmark it or put it in your favorite places depending on the browser you are using.

If you are looking to relocate to the Charlotte area, email me or give me a call and I'll be happy to help you and your family get settled here. It really is a great place to live...

Click on a link below:
General Overview of Charlotte as a whole
Breaking down the various neighborhoods and areas of the region
Charlotte area links
Charlotte area phone numbers

Get to know Charlotte

Charlotte is the epitome of a "New South" city, combining a sense of history with a thirst for progress. Community leaders continually strive to encourage economic growth while maintaining the high quality of life that the area has come to enjoy.

The county seat of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte is the most populous city of the state, with nearly 510,000 residents it's the 25th largest city in the country. It is nicknamed The Queen City in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who married England's George III in 1761. County population is projected at more than 660,000 in the year 2000, at an annual growth of 2.65 percent.

Now the country's second-largest banking center, it seems only natural that Charlotte's first economic boom came in the 1820's after the first discovery of gold in the United States, just 25 miles from Charlotte. In 1837, the Charlotte branch of the U.S. Mint opened, minting local gold into coins.

Textiles gained prominence after the Civil War, and charlotte grew up around the railway lines that brought raw materials into the city and took finished products to other cities. Railcars replaced horse-and-buggy carriages, establishing the first Charlotte suburbs. Through the years, with the birth and growth of the nation's highway system, charlotte became the major transportation center of the South. Easy access to Interstates 40,77 and 85 led shipping companies to emerge.

In only the past decade, however, Charlotte has soared to amazing heights. It was less than ten years ago when North Carolina National Bank and Atlanta's C&S Sovran merged to form NationsBank, based in Charlotte. Soon after its merger with San Francisco's BankAmerica Corp. in 1998, NationsBank was renamed Bank of America. Bank of America is now the largest bank in the country, and Charlotte-based First Union is not too far behind.

Nationwide television audiences began catching glimpses of the Queen City in 1988, when the National Basketball Association awarded a franchise to the Charlotte Hornets. Sports fever spread in 1993, when the National Football League announced the expansion Carolina Panthers, who now make their home at Ericsson stadium, downtown.

Charlotte/Douglas International Airport also has played an important part in bringing newcomers to town. by 1992 six major airlines began serving Charlotte-Mecklenburg with flights to 146 cities. Now, half of the entire U.S. population can be reached within a one-hour plane ride. Because it's a hub for US Airways, local residents can fly to many U.S. and overseas destinations without a connecting flight.

Today, Charlotte is truly taking off, with growth in all directions. To the north, communities in Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius and the Lake Norman area are welcoming families every day. to the northeast, the University city area--fueled by business as well as residential expansion--is another hot spot. To the south, the community of Ballantyne has helped spark development beyond the Interstate-485 outer belt. New business initiatives are planned to revitalize the west side of town.

Meanwhile, at the city's center, renovations and new energy have helped spur the resurgence of the city's oldest neighborhoods including Dilworth and the South End, Myers Park, Elizabeth, the First, Third and Fourth Wards, and Plaza-Midwood. Local artists and other creative types have brought a funky new flair tot he North Davidson Arts district, now called NoDa. As a result of such citywide expansion, new business, shopping areas and restaurants are flourishing.

Charlotte newcomers enjoy the mild climate, low unemployment, and wide variety of things to do. whether you're looking for the excitement of a city full of nightlife... the rich atmosphere of historic sites... or prefer to relax in well-maintained parks with lakes, water activities, and walking and bicycling trails...you're sure to find it in Charlotte.

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Neighborhoods within Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the outlying areas area amazingly diverse. Communities range from old and historic to new and dynamic while offering everything from apartments to acreage. Here are brief descriptions and locations of some of the area's welcoming communities

Downtown:
This area, formerly known as Uptown, lies within the Interstate 277 loop and is commonly defined as the center city. Here you'll find the traditional "grid" street pattern and neighborhoods surrounding the skyscrapers. Most residential space is within the city's original wards. For example, First Ward, the northeastern quadrant of the city, boasts the new First Ward Place, a 350-unit complex uniting residents of various income levels. Third Ward, the area closest to the southwest quadrant's Ericsson Stadium, is home to hundreds of new town homes, condominiums and apartments. Fourth Ward, with some of the city's oldest homes, led Charlotte's urban renewal in the northwestern quadrant; now its restored Victorian homes are some of the finest inner-city residences you'll find anywhere. (at this time there is no such thing as Second Ward housing: the homes in this southeast quadrant were razed in the 1960s.) Charlotteans are growing more excited about living downtown, however, as several upscale high-rise living spaces--such as 400 North Church Street and the Ivey's Condominiums--put residents right in the heart of downtown's daytime business and nighttime entertainment.

Old Charlotte:
The first suburbs or Charlotte formed along streetcar lines that extended out from the city. From the dawn of the 20th century until the beginning of World War II, these suburbs (in chronological order: Dilworth, Elizabeth, Myers Park, Plaza-Midwood and Eastover) expanded to the south and east of the city. Dilworth homeowners are busy renovating their turn-of-the-century bungalows just to the south of the city, while enjoying the unique restaurants, shops, and the urban green space of Freedom Park. The up-and-coming South End retail and entertainment district lies at the westernmost side of Dilworth. The adjacent community of Wilmore is gaining attention due to its proximity to South End.
To the east of the city lies Elizabeth, Charlotte's second suburb, with features similar to Dilworth: grid-style streets, restored front-porch bungalows and sidewalks for wandering. Here you'll find the beautiful Independence Park and Seventh Street shops and restaurants. Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) is located on the westernmost side of Elizabeth.
Between Dilworth and Elizabeth lies Myers Park, created as the city's first "high-end" suburb. With its larger lots and houses, Myers Park was--and is--home to many Old Charlotte families. The streets may get confusing--you'll hear many a newcomer gripe about the intersection of Queens Road and Queens Road--but the drive under a canopy of trees is spectacular. Cherry, one of Charlotte's oldest black communities, is located between Myers Park and downtown.
Adjacent to Myers Park--on the other side of Providence Road--is Eastover, the city's second high-end suburb. Here you'll find land and homes similar to those in Myers Park, only newer. Eastover also is home to the Mint Museum of Art, on Randolph Road.
Plaza-Midwood, hugging Central Avenue northwest of the city, is currently in the middle of a spirited rebirth. The post office has been moved and updated, the library is a stunning showplace, a major grocery chain has expanded and updated its store, and homeowners are taking on "fixer-uppers", restoring bungalows to their previous beauty. The area's stores and restaurants are eclectic, with hidden bargains especially in the antiques shops. Wedged between Elizabeth and Plaza-Midwood you'll find Chantilly, another community that young families are starting to rediscover and rebuild. Those who have renovated and re-sold within the past three years have seen up to 40 percent return on their initial investment.

North Charlotte:
In the past five years, North Charlotte has been discovered by a wave of artists and dancers who have spruced up old mill homes, doubling their investments. The main thoroughfare is North Davidson Street, which runs north right out of downtown. Along this street you'll find a historic textile mill, warehouses and rail lines. With such creativity in the area, it's no wonder that "NoDa"--North Davidson Street between 30th and 36th Streets--has become its own arts district, complete with significant galleries, shops and restaurants. Keep an eye out for Gallery Crawl nights, when the air here is filled with electricity. Or check out the Neighborhood Theatre, a restored church/adult movie house that now brings in some of the country's finest singer-songwriters.

West Charlotte:
As Charlotte has grown to the south and east, neighborhoods on the west side of the city have grown less quickly. Part of the reason is the expansion of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, which is easily accessible from West Boulevard--but which also brought increased traffic and airport noise. Affordable land values, however, recently have caused homeowners to take a fresh look at the west side; new middle- and upper-income subdivisions have been built just far enough away from the airport sounds. Expect this area to become even more attractive as the Interstate 485 "outer loop" brings more commercial activity--and more people--back to the west side.

East Charlotte:
Take Central Avenue past Plaza-Midwood and you'll run into Charlotte's most diverse community. Within a matter of blocks you'll find dozens of ethnic markets and restaurants--Mexican, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese and more. Housing is affordable and shopping is plentiful along the avenue's many strip malls or at the Eastland Mall. Independence Boulevard (Highway 74) has long stood as one of the city's main retail corridors. Along Shamrock Drive you'll find an important part of Charlotte's history, the home site of Hezekiah Alexander, one of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The newly expanded and modernized Charlotte Museum of History provides a grand entrance to the site and a reproduction of Alexander's 1770s home.

South Charlotte:
Not quite 30 years ago, this area south of the Park Road Shopping Center was mostly farmland. But the arrival of South Park mall changed all that, bringing with it shopping and residential dollars. Newcomers who sought more land than available in the older Charlotte neighborhoods were able to build larger houses at lower cost. Today, building still is brisk, expanding farther south, with houses topping out at several thousand square feet. Traffic can get heavy, especially during rush hour. Residents enjoy the area, however, with its high-end retail and restaurants, especially at the chi-chi Phillips Place and Stone Crest shopping centers. More high-end development is wrapped up in the enormous Ballantyne development, which includes a country club, apartments, shopping centers, office buildings and sizeable homes. Construction surrounding interchanges along the relatively new Interstate 485 "outer loop" promises to bring even more--or everything.

University City:
While South Charlotte continues its steady growth, the area around UNC-Charlotte has grown exponentially. Even 7 years ago, you couldn't find a gas station among the farms. Now there are restaurants, shopping centers and new, family-friendly developments wherever you turn. Part of the growth is due to the technology "triangle" that has sprung up as high-tech companies built offices along West W.T. Harris Boulevard, between Interstate 85 and Interstate 77. Wachovia has a second corporate location there, a campus that features many computerized processes--as well as a florist, video rental store and drycleaner. Thanks greatly to U.S. Highways 29 and N.C. 49, University City has continued to spread east to the county line...where the Verizon Amphitheater used to be considered "in the middle of nowhere". Reedy Creek Park, Mecklenburg County's largest nature preserve, is also located in this area, offering a bit of peace and quiet near the hustle and bustle.

Lake Norman area:
Talk about a population explosion! The communities around Lake Norman--approximately 15-20 miles north of downtown--have blossomed, thanks to a combination of beautiful settings and easy access to the city via Interstate 77. Within minutes you'll find multi-million dollar lakeside homes and reasonably priced family-oriented subdivisions.

Huntersville:
The town closest to Charlotte, dates back to the years just before the Civil War, when it served as a railway depot and was known as Hunter's Deport. Today, it's a suburban haven of shopping and dining. Three public parks offer recreation for families and their children.

Cornelius:
Just a few miles farther north, Cornelius was established at the end of the 19th century as a textile town and named for the principle stockholder of the local mill. The town has since spread west toward the lake's shoreline, and has welcomed many shops , restaurants and developments that cater toward upper-income families. Here you'll find Jetton Park, at 106 acres the lake area's largest public park.

Davidson:
At Mecklenburg County's northernmost part of the lake, Davidson is home to Davidson College as well as a wonderful main-street setting. Thanks to a community commitment to maintaining its small-town feel, residential growth remains outside the campus area...which means you can stroll Main Street's shops and restaurants without feeling crowded.

Southwest Charlotte/Lake Wylie, SC:
The southwestern portion of Charlotte is mostly home to industrial parks and shiny office buildings. Residential development has been slow due to the proximity to the airport. Just across the state line, however, the shoreline of Lake Wylie has attracted commuters who enjoy living at the lake with a short drive to downtown Charlotte.
Lake Wylie--known until 1960 as Catawba Lake--was formed from the Catawba River by a dam built between 1924 and 1926. most of its 325 miles of shoreline lies in South Carolina. Development along the North Carolina side is expected to increase in the coming years with the completion of the Interstate 485 "outer loop" through the area. Already developments have sprung up, along with shopping centers to accommodate the residents.
Here you'll also find McDowell Park Nature Center, a campground, 1,000-acre park and nature preserve...as well as Paramount's Carowinds theme park, straddling the North and South Carolina state line, which delights residents and visitors every summer.

Pineville/Matthews/Mint Hill
As Charlotte stretches with growth, these three towns (connected by Highway 51 to the south of town and curving as it follows in a line to the east) are stretching to meet it.
Pineville, the home of James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, has a picturesque historic downtown, yet most shoppers are drawn to the Carolina Place Mall and its nearby chain restaurants and surrounding big-box stores. Because the town itself is small, residential options are not as plentiful as in other areas. Numerous shopping and dining options, however, can make traffic on Highway 51 slow to a crawl on weekends and at rush hour.
Matthews, formerly Fullwood, was renamed such in 1874 to honor an official of the Central Carolina Railroad. Still today, the railway goes through Matthews, where the historic downtown--complete with old-time hardware store--retains a cozy, small town feel. Outside the downtown area, however, residential growth has increased to the point where the post office had to be expanded, and the high-rise Presbyterian Hospital-Matthews was constructed. Close to Highway 74, Matthews residents find everything they could possibly want in strip malls, spacious shopping centers and dining. A Matthews interchange of the Interstate 485 "outer loop" hints that they'll see a stream of new neighbors for years to come.
Mint Hill, to the east of Charlotte, is a haven for families looking for upscale residential homes. The town retains a largely rural feel, and home sites have large lots--many of which lie in golf course communities.

Just outside of Mecklenburg County lie several communities that now serve as "bedroom" communities to Charlotte. Though they differ in age and atmosphere, they all provide easy access to the city; therefore, many families are finding these areas more affordable, attractive alternatives to city living.

Harrisburg/Concord (Cabarrus County):
Growth in these areas is zooming about as fast as the cars that go around Lowe's Motor Speedway, one of Concord's largest attractions. The other is the new Concord Mills Mall, North Carolina's second-largest mall at 1.4 million square feet with some 200 stores. The county seat, Concord was incorporated in 1798 and named for the peaceful resolution of a dispute over where the town should be located. It is now home to a regional airport, a historic downtown, Barber-Scotia college--and thousands of new homeowners who have found the homes of their dreams on what used to be farmland. They enjoy direct routes to Charlotte via U.S. Highway 29 and N.C. 49, and to Lake Norman via N.C. 73. Hopping onto Interstate 85, neighbors can travel to points beyond. Traffic, however, can be overwhelming; in rush hour it can take nearly an hour to make the 20-mile trip to downtown Charlotte. (An estimated 16,000 people daily commute from Cabarrus to Mecklenburg County.) On NASCAR Winston Cup race weekends or the Coca-Cola 600--when fans also are shopping at the mall--I-85 traffic can come to a standstill. The completion of the Interstate 485 "outer belt" may help ease some of that congestion, but surely its interchanges will bring more development to Harrisburg, which is located on N.C. 49 between Concord and Charlotte. First known as Harris' Depot to mark the coming of the railway, Harrisburg now owes its growth to the automobile.

Weddington/Indian Trail (Union County):
What once were small rural communities to Charlotte's southeast are now developers hot spots thanks to the open land available and improved roadways that easily take commuters into town. Charlotte's busy Providence Road (N.C. Highway 16) runs right into Weddington, 15 miles outside of the city, just past a busy interchange of the Interstate 485 "outer loop". Almost daily, new homes of every size--and their accompanying shopping centers--are popping up in this town of approximately 11 square miles. A new high school is proposed to open in 2001.
Indian Trail lies southeast of Matthews, off of U.S. 74 and just to the outside of the "outer loop". Its proximity to an I-485 interchange guarantees that growth will soon be headed its way, and already home builders' signs are dotting the roadways.

Belmont/Mount Holly (Gaston County):
Located just across the Catawba River to the west of Charlotte, the established towns of Belmont and Mount Holly offer quiet living in historic Old South towns. Belmont, home of Belmont Abbey College and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, was established in the 1870s around several cotton mills. Belmont planners anticipated the area's growth and in 1994 developed a strategic plan that includes the renovation and revitalization of the downtown area, adopted a new zoning and subdivision code that discourages suburban sprawl, adopted a tree protection ordinance, and began development of a National Register historic district.
Mt. Holly, an older textile town, dates back to 1801. Like Belmont, it has tree-lined downtown streets and working-class neighborhoods that have developed outward. Both are easily accessible to Interstate 85. Thanks to land available along U.S. Highways 29/74 and N.C. 27 (which become Wilkinson Boulevard and Freedom Drive respectively, once in Charlotte) expansion has continued, but slowly. Because Charlotte has grown to the southeast, these communities to the west have not experienced development frenzy. The current revitalization in downtown Gastonia, to the west of these towns, may cause builders to take another look, however. Already planners estimate that new Gaston County homes and businesses are consuming more than 3,000 acres of undeveloped land each year.

Denver (Lincoln County):
Located on the west side of Lake Norman--but easily accessible to Charlotte by taking Highway 16 south or Highway 73 east to Interstate 77 - Denver recently has shown signs of new growth. Residential developers are quick to tap into every inch of Lake Norman shoreline, and buyers are just as quick to snap up those lots. Most recently, SailView, an enormous waterfront community launched by the developers of South Charlotte's Ballantyne, has broken ground on several phases of half-acre home sites, with home prices soaring to more than $1 million. Retail shopping is popping up nearby, and expansion on the west side of the lake is expected to continue as land on the east side of the lake gets scarcer.

Mooresville (Iredell County):
Just north of Davidson and still hugging the northernmost shoreline of Lake Norman, Mooresville has emerged as another community popular with newcomers who don't mind driving 45 minutes or so down Interstate 77 to get to the city. In fact, so many support businesses are growing there that city access may be becoming less of a factor. Mooresville was founded in 1873 and named for its first mayor, who donated land for the town's railroad depot. Today, development has moved west of the rail line toward the lake, where new luxury homes are coexisting--for now--with modest longtime residences. Known by locals as "Race City USA" due to the prevalence of NASCAR race team garages, the town has eight parks, 14 private and eight public tennis courts, one public and one private golf course and a country club. Shopping centers are not yet as plentiful as they are at other Lake Norman towns such as Cornelius, but already discussions have taken place regarding rezonings and street widening. Look for Mooresville to catch up with Cornelius' busy pace in about four years or so, as growth pushes farther north.

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