Bessemer City offers a slower pace within reach of Charlotte
Founded in 1893, Bessemer City was initially powered by the textile mill industry. Today, this community of about 5,500 is home to Livent Corporation, one of the world’s largest producers of lithium. Located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, the city sits on flat land, though the Blue Ridge Mountains lie to the west. “It’s a quaint little area,” says Michael Bulvin, a Realtor at Redwood Realty Group and lifelong resident of southwestern North Carolina. Bessemer City falls within the Charlotte metro area, about 30 miles from Charlotte and 7 miles from Gastonia. “Because it’s closer to the mountains, it’s got more of a mountain vibe," Bulvin says. "It’s on the far, far west side of Charlotte. You could commute, but it’s a little bit of a drive; it’s probably 30 to 50 minutes into Charlotte.”
Bessemer City includes single-level and manufactured homes
Bessemer City’s streets are gridded: roads going east-west are named after states and intersect with numbered streets stretching north-south. Ranch-style and bungalow-style homes sit on level lots with grassy lawns. Prices typically range from about $120,000 to $500,000. However, fixer uppers start as low as $50,000, and buyers may find fully updated, turnkey homes for around $690,000. Manufactured homes typically range from $130,000 to $240,000; however, less expensive options in need of repair are also available. Some land parcels are also for sale.
Fun and exercise at Bessemer City’s parks
The newly renovated Stinger Park is home to state-of-the-art athletic facilities and recreation areas. Softball and baseball games can be livestreamed from the park’s three fields. Athletes can also use the park’s fields for football and soccer and courts for pickleball and tennis. Stinger Park’s splash pad, play equipment, cornhole court and concession stand keep all ages entertained. Bessemer City Park includes a public pool, which is open every afternoon in the summer and charges $5 per person. The parks and recreation department organizes youth sports leagues, senior activities like bingo and crafting classes, and special events that take place in Centennial Park. Located under twinkling string lights and surrounded by colorful murals painted by local artists, Centennial Park hosts family-friendly events for the city, like Fourth of July fireworks, Juneteenth Festival and movie screenings. Crowders Mountain State Park, the most visited state park in North Carolina, is just outside Bessemer City. Here, visitors can fish, hike the Ridgeline Trail and climb up the cliffs that overlook the rugged, forested terrain below.
Students are zoned for Gaston County Schools
Gaston County Schools, rated B-plus on Niche, serve the area. Kids can attend B-plus-rated Bessemer City Primary School and C-plus-rated Bessemer City Central Elementary School. Every grade level at C-plus-rated Bessemer City Middle School has a Career and Technical Education program, encouraging students to explore career paths and develop computer skills. Bessemer City High School is rated C.
Bessemer City’s local shopping and southern dining
Southwestern North Carolina is known for seafood restaurants called fish camps, like Surf and Turf Lodge. “Fish camps are old-style long buildings with long tables where you can sit with people you don’t know,” Bulvin says. “It’s something that the South kind of created. All have a similar food style with southern flair.” Grandma Hoyt’s Country Buffet & Catering serves more southern classics like cobbler, cornbread and meatloaf. Whiskey Mill has live music, a casual dining atmosphere and covered deck seating and where guests can sip on Cheerwine, a popular soda in the region, or enjoy beer on tap.
The Sunday Market featuring produce and art from local vendors comes to town twice a month from April through October. Groceries are available at B&B Variety and Ingles Markets. More retailers like Walmart Supercenter and discount stores are located in Gastonia.
Getting to Gastonia and Charlotte
Bessemer City is less than five minutes from Interstate 85, which extends east towards Gastonia and Charlotte. Buses to Gastonia make a few stops in the center of town; rides cost $1 each way during the week. Train tracks through the city lead to the nearest Amtrak station about 9 miles away in Gastonia. Atrium Health Kings Mountain is the nearest hospital about 6 miles away and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 20 miles east.
