Concord

About Homebuyers choose Downtown Concord because the neighborhood allows walkable access to retail, local dining and green spaces. Many homebuyers commute to nearby Charlotte. “Some people prefer Concord because it isn’t as congested as Charlotte, and home prices are more affordable,” says Realtor Albert Johnson, who sells homes in the neighborhood with Keller Williams Realty. The neighborhood offers a wide selection of turn-of-the-century houses with grassy lawns large enough for playing catch or hosting cookouts. The area also has moderately to highly rated public schools. “There are more new construction opportunities in Concord than in Charlotte,” Johnson says. “There are a lot of new businesses and houses.” Schools Many local children walk to Coltrane-Webb Elementary, which has a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio and an A-minus Niche rating. Students at Concord Middle School are 24% proficient in math and 30% proficient in reading. The school has a B-minus Niche rating. Many teens move on to Cabarrus Early College of Technology, which has a 25-to-1 student-teacher ratio and an A-minus Niche rating. The school specializes in providing its students with a STEM-based education. Shopping Many folks start their mornings at High Grounds Coffeehouse on Barbrick Avenue Southwest. There are multiple shopping and dining options on Cabarrus Avenue West. Tienda Hispana Regalo de Dios sells snacks and cooking ingredients. Folks enjoy modern Mexican dishes and salty margaritas at Birritaco. People go to Lil’ Robert’s Place on Union Street South to take in live music, laugh at open mics, drink craft beer and eat bar food in a zany alternative environment. Press & Porter Coffee & Poorhouse is an ideal place to chow down on chicken wraps and baked goods while imbibing coffee or something else. The Mercantile on Union Street North sells scented candles, cards, bracelets, necklaces, decorative signs and much more. People drive 3 miles southwest to shop at Walmart. Shoppers travel 3 miles north on Church Road to access Carolina Mall, which has a Staples, a Belk and a JCPenney. Transportation The streets are lined with sidewalks, and many residents walk to shopping and dining options. Concord Kannapolis Area Transit runs public bus stops on Corban Avenue Southwest and Church Street South. Kannapolis’ downtown is 6 miles north of Downtown Concord via Church Street and U.S. Route 29. People drive 27 miles southwest on Interstate 85 to reach Uptown Charlotte, where some Concord residents work. Companies like Honeywell, Duke Energy and Bank of America are headquartered in Uptown Charlotte. People drive 31 miles southwest to reach Charlotte Douglas International Airport. People drive 2 ½ miles northwest to Atrium Health Cabarrus to receive medical care. Homes “Homes are appreciating, but not as much as in Charlotte,” Johnson says. Homebuyers can purchase a two-bedroom 1940s bungalow for between $110,000 and $190,000. Three-bedroom turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival-style homes in the Concord Historic District sell for between $290,000 and $530,000. Five-bedroom turn-of-the-century Arts and Crafts-style homes are valued for between $650,000 and $810,000. A four-bedroom late 19th-century home with a wrap-around porch and dormer windows sells for between $480,000 and $555,000. Three-bedroom newly built ranch-style and contemporary-style homes sell for between $270,000 and $300,000. Parks Recreational leagues play basketball, volleyball and pickleball at the Carolina Courts sports complex on Spring Street Southwest. Some residents take relaxing strolls through the First Presbyterian Church’s Memorial Garden, where stone paths guide visitors through a 200-year-old Italian marble cemetery adorned with flower gardens, ancient oaks and ornate fountains. Adventurous locals also walk the mile-long Harold B. McEachern Greenway to the 14-acre J.W. “Mickey” McGee Jr. Park, which has children’s play equipment and a picnic pavilion. On hot summer days, residents cool off at the Concord City Pool on Academy Avenue Northwest. The Logan Multi-Purpose Center frequently holds community events. People go there to play pool, play basketball, take karate classes and play board games. Entertainment Residents travel 3 miles northwest via Church Street South to watch new film releases at the Carolina Mall Cinema. People drive 27 miles southwest on Interstate 85 to watch the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium and the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Uptown Charlotte is also home to the Mint Museum Uptown, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Blumenthal Art Center’s Belk Theater hosts musicians like Bob Dylan and musicals like Moulin Rouge!