Best Places to Live in Charlotte, NC
With its central proximity to both mountain and sea, the bustling, modern metropolis of Charlotte, NC is consistently ranked among the nation’s best places to live. Whether you fancy beaches or BBQ, breweries or basketball, Broadway shows or boating, the Queen City offers something for everyone. For those looking to spend more than just a weekend in this crown jewel of the South, we’re highlighting the best places to live in Charlotte.
South Charlotte/Ballantyne
The affluent Ballantyne area in South Charlotte is the most recently developed locale on our list. Established just 25 years ago, this new city on the southern tip of Charlotte is chockfull of desirable neighborhoods showcasing Ballantyne new construction homes. An upscale, suburban community where people of all ages live, work, and play, Ballantyne’s residents enjoy an array of diverse lifestyle offerings. For the fashionista, there’s no shortage of opportunities for shopping – the Ballantyne Village shopping center hosts a number of stylish clothing boutiques and one-of-a-kind jewelry stores, while nearby Blakeney Village is an outdoor shopping mall with a bevy of well-known brands. Foodies will delight at the abundant number of cafes, burger joints, and high-end restaurants. And for the outdoors enthusiast, there are opportunities for biking at Ballantyne District Park, jogging on the Greenway, and golfing at the five-star Ballantyne Golf Resort and Spa. With its proximity to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, less than 20 miles away, and its centrally located corporate office park – now home to some of Charlotte’s Fortune 500 companies – Ballantyne offers residents the perfect balance between accessibility and suburban sensibility.
Uptown West
Our list wouldn’t be complete without including Charlotte’s energetic Uptown neighborhood as a best place to live. Homes in this area possess a distinctive character unique to the “heartbeat” of Charlotte; with historic West End homes less than one mile from this central business district, Uptown meshes early 20th century charm with a modern city center. In addition to serving as the city’s central business district, Charlotte’s epicenter is home to cultural and art museums, sports arenas, culinary delights, and endless opportunities for entertainment after dark – everything from nightclubs, to bars, to live music venues. Take in a Broadway show at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, cheer on the NBA Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center, or take a virtual spin around the racetrack at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. A commuter’s dream, Uptown is also one of the most easily accessible areas of Charlotte; you can travel car-free using the city’s light rail to visit a number of other neighborhoods.
South End
Known for its vibrant nightlife, thriving artistic community, and plethora of craft breweries, the lively South End Charlotte is a hot spot for those who enjoy a laid-back lifestyle with a wide variety of things to do and see. Whether your idea of a good time is taking a jog, a gallery tour, or a sip of a locally brewed lager, you’ll find something to suit your taste in South End. Home to both chic artisan shops and elegant fine art galleries, the eclectic neighborhood is an art aficionado’s dream. Adventurists can take advantage of the Charlotte Rail Trail, a 3.5 mile public trail that runs along the light rail line, connecting South End to nearby Uptown. And perhaps more than any other area in the Queen City, South End is renowned for its impressive number of breweries, each as unique in character as in their variety of ales, lagers, and Witbiers. Craft beer enthusiasts will delight in traversing along the light rail on their own self-paced South End brewery tour.
Myers Park
Ideally situated just outside Charlotte’s bustling Uptown neighborhood, Myers Park is widely regarded as one of the city’s most desirable places to live. Sought after for its beautiful historical architecture as much as for its accessibility, the Myers Park area is located just south of the Queen City’s downtown hub. An affluent neighborhood filled with high-end shopping, eateries, galleries, and markets, it boasts an international art collection, a nature museum with live animal exhibits, and direct proximity to popular Freedom Park, a favorite spot for picnicking in Charlotte. Myers Park is perhaps best known, however, for its canopy of oak trees that are more than a century old. The awe-inspiring arbors are the perfect backdrop to the stunning 1920s architecture, a quintessential part of one of Charlotte’s most picturesque places to live.
If you’re interested in moving to any of these fantastic areas, please contact us here to learn how we can help you find your dream home in Charlotte, NC.
