Charlotte is a city of fast-paced reinvention. The population has grown more than 50% in the past 20 years and now stands at almost 880,000, making it the third fastest-growing city in the country, according to the World Population Review. The city’s appeal lies in its balance of desirable attributes: strong job market, top-ranked hospitality industry, good public school system, lively arts and music culture, and relatively low cost of living.
Corporate businesses and banking jobs drive many people to settle in Charlotte, but the area isn’t all work and no play. “I say Charlotte is the last affordable city of this size,” says Jennifer Monroe, an experienced Realtor and broker with Indigo Homes at Compass. “I’m not saying it’s cheap, but you get way more house and more yard space for less than you do in other big cities. About nine out of 10 people are moving in because their job transferred them here, but some people are moving to retire or just start over.”
As the largest city in the state, Charlotte offers a lot to do -- not only for foodies and craft beer aficionados, but also for outdoors lovers, sports fans and families with active kids. The NFL’s Carolina Panthers play at the Bank of America Stadium in downtown's Third Ward ; luminaries of the art world are displayed in The Mint Museum, North Carolina’s first art museum and some of the best chefs in the south cook up James Beard award-winning cuisine all over town. The weather doesn’t often stop locals from exploring, though being 3.5 hours from the coast does often mean remnants of hurricanes can cause torrential rain. Even a light dusting of snow on the highways can lead to school closures, since snowfall is so infrequent.
Charlotte’s shape-shifting skyline is a visual symbol of its accelerated growth, stretching into the developing South End and its extension, LoSo. “It’s a big city, but you still get a sense of community,” Monroe says. “We come together during a crisis to help each other, and you can really find your tribe.”
Charlotte, NC is known as the Queen City.
The Firebird sculpture sits outside of
Charlotte's Mint Museum.
Charlotte is in Mecklenburg County, which was the first to declare independence in 1775.
Charlotte locals head to Bank of America Stadium to watch the Panthers play.
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Banking giant and corporate playground
While Charlotte has roots dating from Colonial times, finding someone who was born and raised there can be difficult because so many individuals and families have relocated to the area. It is the second-largest banking center in the country, housing the corporate headquarters for Bank of America and the East Coast operations for Wells Fargo. Major employers like Duke Energy and Lowe’s are also headquartered in Charlotte, and the school district creates a significant number of jobs. Major medical centers like Atrium Health and Novant Health also account for a large portion of the regional workforce. Charlotte’s unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Charlotte, NC is home to the East Coast operations of Wells Fargo.
Duke Energy is a major employer in Charlotte.
Lowe's is also headquartered in Charlotte's Southend neighborhood.
Atrium's Levine Cancer Institute is one of Charlotte's major medical centers.
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Converting historic areas into modern residential destinations
The city’s architectural landscape points to a dynamic intersection of preservation and innovation, evidenced by its wealth of historic landmarks and adaptive reuse projects. When colonists first settled there, Charlotte was named in honor of Queen Charlotte, lending to the current nickname, the Queen City. The median housing price is around $420,000 , which is on par with the national median.
Plaza Midwood ’s stylishly restored historic homes sit beneath century-old trees and sell for $700,000 to $2 million, while a condo or townhouse in Uptown’s Fourth Ward will go for $300,000 to $600,000. Charlotteans live in Cape Cods and Craftsmans in edgy NoDa, where listings hover around $600,000. Many of Charlotte’s most desirable neighborhoods are sought-after for their proximity to downtown, such as Dilworth . Other communities, like Ballantyne , are super-suburbs with sprawling mixed-use developments that draw buyers for the top-rated public schools and spacious contemporary homes; these homes often sell for $600,000 to $900,000. Buyers can find similar styles at lower price points in the University City North and University City South suburbs. Meanwhile, change sweeps across the West End, positioning historically underinvested communities in a fast-moving revitalization mix. Brand-new townhouses and midcentury ranch styles list for $300,000 to $400,000 on the city’s west side. Local celebrities often live in the SouthPark area, either in multimillion-dollar homes or penthouses. The area is close to SouthPark Mall and other high-end shopping centers.
Plaza Midwood’s stylishly restored historic homes sit beneath century-old trees in Charlotte.
Ballantyne's spacious contemporary homes are popular in Charlotte.
Craftsman style homes in the NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte are a popular choice.
Condos in Charlotte's Uptown are also a popular choice.
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Booming college town with above-average public schools
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District holds an overall B-plus grade on Niche. It is the second-largest school district in North Carolina and includes the state’s three largest high schools. Superintendent Crystal Hill recently announced plans to restructure the district’s leadership configuration. Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, CMS will transition its superintendents from location-based school assignments to grade-level groupings, narrowing the scope of each learning community to provide more focused support.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte vitalized the city’s north side, referred to as University City, when the campus was established in 1946. It’s among the top research universities in the country and sees a majority of students enroll in business, finance, science and biomedical sciences. The university is close to a LYNX Blue Line station on site, which connects directly to Uptown, and the University Executive Park’s many corporations keep crowds of working professionals close to campus.
Johnson C. Smith University is a private, historically Black university with a long local history dating back to 1867. It recently received $80 million as part of Mayor Vi Lyles’ initiative for racial equality, aimed to propel the school to a top 10 nationwide spot.
Myers Park High School offers many extracurricular activities to students.
The Sedgefield Middle School entrance in Charlotte, NC.
The unique entrance to West Charlotte High School.
Dilworth Elementary School serves students K-5th grade.
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Fairways, greenways and white-water rafting
The Queen City is a golfing mecca, with more than 45 courses within an hour’s drive. From Quail Hollow Club’s PGA Championship pedigree to Charlotte Country Club’s historic stature, most locals live minutes away from a morning on the greens. With the Catawba River and Lake Norman nearby, there are lots of outdoor escapes that feel far from urban landscapes. Charlotte is also home to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, an exhilarating outdoor playpark offering hiking, rock climbing, rafting and zip line adventures in its scenic wetlands. The venue is especially popular during the city’s humid summer months, hosting live music events and Friday night movies.
Charlotte also has three main sports teams with dedicated fans. In addition to the Panthers football team, the Hornets play basketball at Spectrum Stadium. The Charlotte Knights are a Triple-A minor league team affiliated with the White Sox, and they play at Truist Field. A towering dragon statue behind the stadium's wall blows steam out its nose every time a Knight hits a home run. NASCAR fans can drive up to Concord to see a race, but the city is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where visitors can see race cars on display or try their hand at changing tires in the pit crew simulator.
The Charlotte Rail Trail is a vibrant urban greenway running parallel with the light rail through the heart of the city. The scenic pedestrian route is lined with public art and mural-splashed stop-offs, where Charlotteans can walk or bike to visit the cafes and bars in South End, Dilworth, Wilmore and Uptown. Freedom Park is one of Charlotte’s oldest and largest green spaces, home to playgrounds and sports fields, plus a lake for kayaking and fishing. It’s known for its picturesque atmosphere and local events, including the long-running Festival in the Park, a carnival-like annual arts and crafts festival.
You can spend the day kayaking down the Catawba River in Charlotte.
The Charlotte Rail Trail winds through the heart of the city.
Charlotte is home to more than 45 golf courses.
The popular Freedom Park is one of Charlotte’s oldest and largest green spaces.
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Burgeoning breweries meet luxury shopping
Charlotte is consistently ranked among the nation’s top cities for craft beer. Charlotteans can sample hop varietals at more than 100 local taprooms in and around the city. The culinary scene echoes its brewing boom, evolving from simple Southern roots into a food-focused destination city with trailblazing James Beard-nominees Greg Collier of Leah and Louise and Oscar Johnson of Jimmy Pearls leading the flavorful charge.
Though Charlotte’s center city has its fair share of retail, many of the city’s busiest shopping hot spots are outside Uptown. SouthPark mall, the self-proclaimed premier shopping destination of the Carolinas, holds over 150 stores and offers personal shopping services to its clientele, including the affluent SouthPark neighborhood. Atherton Mill and Market in the South End offers a more relaxed, boutique shopping experience. Locals peruse South Boulevard’s miles of retail strips for weekly errands or to shop vintage at the sprawling Sleepy Poet Antique Mall.
You can spend the day shopping at the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall in Starmount Forest.
You can enjoy a craft beer outside at Charlotte's OMB.
The SouthPark mall is considered one of the premier shopping destination of the Carolinas.
The Atherton Mill in the South End offers a more relaxed, boutique shopping experience.
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Transit improvements to match exponential growth
Interstates 485, 85, 277 and 77 circle around Uptown, the busy beltlines peeling off in every direction and routing locals across the city. Most Charlotteans drive, but public transportation options are improving. The Charlotte Area Transit System serves the city with several bus routes and a light rail line, LYNX, with stations patterned across town. According to the city's 2022 State of Mobility report, residents' average work commute time is 24.6 minutes. Charlotte’s geographical location also creates fairly short trips to vacation and entertainment spots. “We’re three hours from the mountain and four hours from the beach,” Monroe says. “Traffic has been getting heavier, but it’s still reasonably manageable. The airport is a hub that’s still growing, and you can get direct flights to about anywhere.” Locals live roughly 1.5 hours from Columbia and 2.5 hours from Raleigh and Asheville. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the 23rd busiest in the world, and lies 6 miles west of the business district. The city’s multimillion-dollar Destination CLT initiative will address the airport’s passenger growth forecasts, a phased project providing concourse expansions and terminal renovations. The major hub saw an increase from 28 million passengers in 2005 to 48 million in 2022.
Charlotte was recently ranked one of the nation’s most car-dependent cities by Money Inc., and city planners are taking steps to improve public transportation options to combat traffic. Roughly 86% of people drive alone or carpool to work, and just over 3% use public transportation, while 2% bike or walk., according to the city. It is taking a multipronged approach in addressing the area of concern, planning improvements to transit access, greenways, sidewalks and bicycle facilities.
The Rail Trail Bridge project is one of Charlotte’s most highly anticipated developments. It will provide a pedestrian connection to and from Center City and South End, allowing residents to get around vehicle-free. The CityLYNX Gold Line is an integral part of the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan, a 10-mile streetcar system being built in phases. The new line will ultimately connect all current and future routes, offering a seamless, car-free commute option. The Silver Line also has a projected completion in 2030, which will bring light rail service to the airport.
Police department sees largest class of recruits
Charlotte's crime rates have trended above the national average for the past several years. The city’s overall crime rates increased by 14% from 2023 to 2024, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s latest reports. This increase is often attributed to a significant rise in property crimes, and violent crimes decreased by 5% during that same period. As with other cities, Charlotte experienced a spike in vehicle thefts following a social media trend called the Hyundai/Kia Challenge, demonstrating a USB cord startup technique. Conversely, catalytic converter thefts fell 20% after CMPD created the “Operation Sawzall” initiative, a task force devoted to investigating groups responsible for major incidents. CMPD welcomed its largest class of recruits in 2023, a significant stride to accommodate a quickly growing population.
With a rich background as an International flight attendant spanning 35 years, I have called many places home, from the bustling streets of Chicago and London to the sunny vistas of San Diego and the historic charm of Columbia, SC. This extensive travel experience not only broadened my horizons but also deepened my understanding of what truly makes a place feel like home. Five years ago, life took a beautiful turn when I married my wonderful husband and relocated to the greater Charlotte area, where we are happily settled. Our blended family includes four adult sons, a vibrant 15-year-old granddaughter, and an energetic 5-year-old grandson, enriching our lives with love and laughter.
Transitioning into real estate four years ago, I brought with me a unique perspective on relocation and home buying that is especially relevant for first-time homebuyers. As an Accredited Buyer’s Agent (ABR), a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), and a certified At Home With Diversity (AHWD) professional, I am equipped with the expertise to guide clients through the complexities of the real estate process with ease and confidence.
Outside of real estate, my husband and I indulge our passion for travel and enjoy staying active through golf, embracing every opportunity to meet new people and forge meaningful connections.
Whether you are buying your first home or seeking a place to make new memories, I am here to help you navigate your journey with personalized, knowledgeable service.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
