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East Forest

East Forest

3.2
$388,954 Average Value
$223 Average Price per Sq Ft
19 Homes For Sale

Why East Forest attracts buyers and renters alike

True to its name, East Forest is a southeastern Charlotte neighborhood where mature trees form a canopy over quiet residential streets. It’s part of the evolving Monroe Road district and is known for offering more approachable home prices than you’ll typically find in this area, with a wide range of housing options for buyers and renters. Residents have manageable commutes to major job centers, and there are many places to shop, dine and enjoy the outdoors within the neighborhood. Access to highly rated public and private schools adds to East Forest's appeal.

East Forest is part of the growing Monroe Road corridor.
East Forest is part of the growing Monroe Road corridor.
An aerial view of East Forest with Uptown Charlotte on the horizon.
An aerial view of East Forest with Uptown Charlotte on the horizon.
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Ranch-style homes, split-levels, Craftsmans, townhouses and condos

In the residential areas of East Forest, you’ll find a mix of detached homes, townhomes and condos built between the 1950s and today. For detached homes, ranch-style and split-level designs are the most common, many of which have been updated over the years, but new construction is often Craftsman-inspired. Townhomes and condos typically have porches or enclosed patios, and units in the Abbotts Glen community have garages. “East Forest mainly has ranches, mature trees and large lots,” says Nicole McAlister, owner of Premier Property Solutions at Keller Williams Ballantyne. “The neighborhood isn’t new, but I’d say it’s become recently desirable.” There are far more apartments than single-family homes here, so renters vastly outnumber homeowners.

A brick ranch-style home with a spacious front yard.
A brick ranch-style home with a spacious front yard.
Mature trees shade many yards in East Forest.
Mature trees shade many yards in East Forest.
A small cottage in East Forest with an attached garage.
A small cottage in East Forest with an attached garage.
Ranch-style homes are some of the most common here.
Ranch-style homes are some of the most common here.
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Home prices range widely but are lower than those in nearby areas

The neighborhood’s median sale price is around $380,000, well below Charlotte ’s. Neighboring communities such as Cotswold and Stonehaven have much higher medians. Here’s how home prices break down by type:

  • Condos start in the mid-$100,000s and can reach the lower $500,000s.
  • Townhouses start in the mid-$100,000s and can reach the upper $200,000s.
  • Detached homes start in the upper $200,000s and can reach the upper $900,000s.
“People move to East Forest when they want to find a home under $550,000 and still be close to highly established areas like Stonehaven and Sherwood Forest,” McAlister says. “East Forest is close to Uptown and Matthews, and it has a combination of people who have lived there forever and aren’t going to move and first-time homebuyers.”

South Charlotte offers highly rated public and private schools

East Forest is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district. Assigned schools include Rama Road Elementary School, McClintock Middle School and East Mecklenburg High School, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche and offers an International Baccalaureate program and an Academy of Engineering. South Charlotte is home to many highly rated private schools, such as Charlotte Christian School in Stonehaven and Providence Day School in Lansdowne, both of which are within 5 miles of East Forest.

East Mecklenburg High School is highly rated.
East Mecklenburg High School is highly rated.
Students can attend Greenway Park Elementary School.
Students can attend Greenway Park Elementary School.
Charlotte Christian School is a nearby private option.
Charlotte Christian School is a nearby private option.
The entrance of McClintock Middle School.
The entrance of McClintock Middle School.
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Uptown and other job hubs are less than 15 miles away

Commuters can quickly hop onto East Independence Boulevard (U.S. Route 74) and other major routes, such as Providence Road and East W.T. Harris Boulevard (state Route 24), to reach job centers around Charlotte. Workers are often heading to:

  • SouthPark, which is around 8 miles away
  • Uptown, which is less than 9 miles away
  • South End, which is about 10 miles away
  • University City, which is roughly 12 miles away
The South Charlotte area can get congested during rush hour, extending commutes from as little as 15 minutes to more than 30 minutes. Most people drive to get around, but you can catch a CATS bus along Monroe Road.

East Independent Boulevard provides a straightforward commute to Uptown.
East Independent Boulevard provides a straightforward commute to Uptown.
CATS buses stop along Monroe Road.
CATS buses stop along Monroe Road.
East Forest is a fairly walkable neighborhood.
East Forest is a fairly walkable neighborhood.
East Forest is just 15 minutes from Uptown Charlotte.
East Forest is just 15 minutes from Uptown Charlotte.
East Independence Boulevard is a bustling commercial corridor.
East Independence Boulevard is a bustling commercial corridor.
East Independent Boulevard makes it easy to commute to Uptown.
East Independent Boulevard makes it easy to commute to Uptown.
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East Forest residents have plenty of places to shop and dine

With multiple commercial areas in the neighborhood, East Forest has a diverse dining scene. Popular spots include:

  • Queen's Soul Food, a no-frills eatery known for its hefty plates of fried chicken and fish
  • New Zealand Café, a sushi spot with an extensive menu of Japanese rolls and entrees
  • Boardwalk Billy's Raw Bar and Ribs, a casual seafood and barbecue joint
  • Burr & Berry Coffee, a small coffee house with signature lattes, Italian sodas and pastries
  • X Brazilian Steakhouse, a rodizio-style restaurant with fire-grilled meats carved tableside
It’s easy to run errands here with Walmart Supercenter, other national retailers and local boutiques in the neighborhood. Small markets mix with familiar grocery chains such as Harris Teeter and Food Lion, so you can find everything from basic groceries to specialty international goods minutes from home.

Shopper browses quaint shops, discovering treasures in East Forest.
Shopper browses quaint shops, discovering treasures in East Forest.
Market stalls brim with local produce and crafts, enticing shoppers in East Forest.
Market stalls brim with local produce and crafts, enticing shoppers in East Forest.
Shopping is made easy by the great staff at the Super G Mart in East Forest.
Shopping is made easy by the great staff at the Super G Mart in East Forest.
Residents enjoy sushi at New Zealand Cafe in East Forest.
Residents enjoy sushi at New Zealand Cafe in East Forest.
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McAlpine Creek and Mason Wallace parks anchor outdoor life

McAlpine Creek Park is the largest park in the neighborhood, with a variety of amenities spread out over more than 100 acres. You can run or walk along the Larry McAfee Cross Country Course, cast a line off the fishing pier or take your dogs to Ray's Fetching Meadows. You can also bike along the McAlpine Creek Greenway. Mason Wallace Park is smaller but a favorite among families, with a playground, ballfields and courts for basketball and tennis.

Fishermen cast lines, embracing the peaceful waters at McAlpine Creek Park.
Fishermen cast lines, embracing the peaceful waters at McAlpine Creek Park.
Runners and cyclists love the McAlpine Creek Greenway.
Runners and cyclists love the McAlpine Creek Greenway.
Ray's Fetching Meadows is a popular spot for dog owners.
Ray's Fetching Meadows is a popular spot for dog owners.
Cyclists pedal through scenic paths, embracing freedom in East Forest.
Cyclists pedal through scenic paths, embracing freedom in East Forest.
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How MoRA is reshaping the Monroe Road corridor

The Monroe Road Advocates, which goes by MoRA, organizes events, supports local businesses and works to beautify the Monroe Road corridor through public art and infrastructure initiatives. Residents gather at the polished steel and mosaic Embrace sculpture outside of Edge City Brewery to enjoy live music on Friday evenings in the summer or to meet up for the MoRA Community Run/Walk Club on Wednesday evenings.

The Embrace Sculpture is Located at Conference Drive and Monroe Road.
The Embrace Sculpture is Located at Conference Drive and Monroe Road.
Edge City Brewery is the neighborhood hangout for craft beer and good times.
Edge City Brewery is the neighborhood hangout for craft beer and good times.
This colorful butterfly sculpture resides at the Shalom Campus near East Forest.
This colorful butterfly sculpture resides at the Shalom Campus near East Forest.
The sidewalks in East Forest contain some art as well.
The sidewalks in East Forest contain some art as well.
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DeeVa Payne
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Ryan Gwilliam
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Gwilliam
Ruo Zheng
Video By
Ruo Zheng

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Charlotte/Douglas International

28 min drive

Bus

Independence Blvd & 7016

Bus

Monroe Rd & Pinafore Dr

Bus

Monroe Rd & Burtonwood Cir

Bus

Monroe Rd & Long Ave

Bus

Monroe Rd & Mason Wallace Park

Bus

Monroe Rd & Fox Run Dr

Bus

Monroe Rd & Mcmullen Way

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.2 15 Reviews
2.0 Niche User
5/8/2015 Niche Review
I've heard that we have a thief problem
3.0 Niche User
5/8/2015 Niche Review
There are a lot of job opportunities but they are not life changing jobs
5.0 Current Resident
3/6/2020 Niche Review
Everyone in the neighborhood has lived there for years so everyone knows one another. We're like a big family and always look out for another. It's a very quiet neighborhood and not much goes on. There's always a neighborhood event going on when a major holiday arrives.
4.0 Niche User
4/17/2016 Niche Review
I love living in Charlotte!
Are you familiar with the East Forest neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime East Forest US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,604
Number of Homes for Sale
19
Median Year Built
1973
Months of Supply
2.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,824
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,453
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
941
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
717
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
15,245

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
15
Median Rent
$1,950
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,000
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,250
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,799
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,925
Median Condo Rent
$1,475
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,400

Demographics

Total Population
11,654
Median Age
35
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$51,977
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$60,062

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.6%
College Graduates
34%
Advanced Degrees
9.6%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76.6%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

40 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

20 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
East Forest
Don Anthony Gomez
C-A-RE Realty
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