Getting Started
Ready to step away from the hustle and bustle of uptown and into a more relaxed way of life? Lake life may be calling your name. Located just 20 minutes from uptown Charlotte, Lake Norman is home to a diverse collection of small towns filled with unique shops, delicious restaurants, and plenty of waterfront southern charm. The area itself draws in significant amounts of travelers and relocating families from across the country. The towns surrounding the lake offer something for everyone.
From the views to golf to high-quality locally owned restaurants, there’s many reasons why so many choose to call Lake Norman home.
We’ve compiled the following resources to help you prepare for the move:
- The Weather
- Real Estate + Neighborhoods
- Finding a Home When You Live Out-of-State
- Rental Options
- Top Attractions
- Frequently Requested Links
The Weather
If you are someone who loves being warm in the summer and cold in the winter, Lake Norman may be the perfect place for you! Living in Lake Norman means that you’ll enjoy four distinct seasons.
Springtime brings warm weather ranging between the mid-’50s and upper ’70s. The balmy temperature and blooming flowers make for a perfect spring day.
Summers in Lake Norman can bring the heat, reaching temperatures in the mid- 90’s, but what better time to be out on the water? Take advantage during the summer months to enjoy waterfront restaurant and let the lake be your playground for the rest of the day.
Fall is a lovely time to be in Lake Norman. With temperatures cooling, ranging from mid-50’s to high 60’s, you’ll want to be out and about at all of the fall events. Be sure to check out the Fall Foliage Prediction Map to see when we’ll see the peak color in Lake Norman.
Real Estate + Neighborhoods
There are a variety of lake towns in the Lake Norman area, each with its own unique personality and providing everything from a serene lakefront community, to urban community minutes from downtown. With so many exceptional options, Lake Norman has options that appeal to everyone.
Here are a few of our top picks for the Best Lake Towns in Lake Norman:
Cornelius
Established in 1905, Cornelius is the second youngest town in Mecklenburg County and originated as a farming community. The town was originally named Liverpool, Cornelius in honor of Joseph Benjamin Cornelius. Cornelius is roughly a 20-minute drive from uptown Charlotte, but residents do not have to venture into the city to enjoy top-notch food and entertainment. With over 50 miles of shoreline within the city limits, Cornelius is also famous for it’s abundance of lake activities and waterfront amenities. To get the best taste of the town, spend a day on Lake Norman, where you can dine dockside, charter a pontoon boat or show off your board skills.
Popular Spots in Cornelius: 131 Main, Ramsey Creek Park, LKN Mini Golf, Port City Club, D9 Brewing Company
Photo: Ramsey Creek Park
Davidson
Davidson is one of North Carolina’s best kept secretes. Built around Davidson College, the award-winning town remains a close-knit community with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and culture. Situated just 20 miles from uptown Charlotte, it’s often described as idyllic by residents and visitors alike. Davidson’s main street offers a variety of shops, restaurants, wide brick sidewalks and public library. The town is proud to be pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Although relatively small, the sense of community is strong here, and Davidson residents often join together for festivals, concerts, and other events.
Popular Spots in Davidson: Kindred, Hello, Sailor, Summit Coffee, Davidson Ice House, Davidson Farmer’s Market, Main Street Books
Photo: Hello, Sailor
Huntersville
Incorporated in 1837, Huntersville has grown from a small mill town to a lively city with a healthy combination of residential and retail communities, along with multiple historic attractions. In Huntersville, nature preserves and outdoor attractions invite visitors to interact with wildlife and explore miles of history-rich trails. Everything you need is within five minutes drive, including shopping, restaurants, bakeries, farmers markets, and even breweries. Scattered throughout Huntersville NC are plenty of greenways, bike paths, and dog parks.
Popular Spots in Huntersville: Carolina Raptor Center, Discovery Place, Rural Hill, Frankie’s Fun Park, Latta Plantation
Photo: Carolina Raptor Center
Mooresville
Located a short drive from Charlotte up Interstate 77 is Mooresville – also known as Race City, USA. The nickname stems from several local racing connections, including the home of the N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame and the headquarters to some of NASCAR’s largest teams. Mooresville, NC is yet another incredible town in the Lake Norman area. With a little over 35,000 residents, Mooresville is a large town with a small town feel and that is one of the best parts. Mooresville is home to beautiful countryside, lakefront communities, and a growing downtown area.
Popular Spots in Mooresville: Lazy 5 Ranch, Barecelona Burger Bar, Alino Pizzeria, Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, DE Turner Hardware
Photo: Lazy 5 Ranch
Finding a Home When You're Out-of-State
Schedule to Visit Before Moving to Lake Norman
If possible, schedule a time to visit the city prior to moving. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the city and check out neighborhoods. Prior to visiting, be sure to make a list of any neighborhoods and schools that you would like to tour while you’re in the area. Follow the link HERE to see crime rates and stats for different neighborhoods. View school zones and school rankings HERE.
Buying a Home
Buying a home in North Carolina is a little different than other states. Check out our Buyer Packet to see things you need to know before buying a home in North Carolina. If you would like to receive an up-to-date list of homes for sale in Lake Norman, reach out to us HERE.
Video Tours
When you find a home you’d like to see, video tours are the best way for us to show you a home without you having to be there in person. Listing photos can often be deceiving so live video tours give you the best sense of a home. We’ll explore every nook and cranny of the home to make sure that you feel comfortable before moving forward. We also recommend using Google Maps Street View to check out the neighborhood and get a feel for commute times.
See more info on buying a home in North Carolina in our Buyer’s Packet below.
Rental Options
Short-Term Options:
If you are planning to buy a home soon after moving to Lake Norman, we recommend renting a month to month or short-term rental to live in while you shop for homes. Resources for short-term options:
1. Airbnb – Many Airbnbs offer short to long term rental options. In most cases, Airbnbs come furnished and utilities are covered.
2. Facebook Group: ‘Charlotte Housing, Rooms, Apartments, Sublets’ – Many of these short-term rentals are not furnished. These are typically offered by private renters that need to get out of their lease early.
3. Corporate Housing – This service specializes in corporate housing and offers fully furnished homes and apartments for varying periods of time.
Yearly Rental Options:
1. Click Pack Move – Free apartment locating service. Highly recommended for finding a great apartment in the area.
2. Zillow– Many landlords utilize Zillow to list their rentals so many options can be found here. Zillow also makes it easy to apply at multiple places – pay $29 for unlimited applications for 30 days.
Top Attractions
There’s so much to do and so much to see in Lake Norman! From historic sites to lake activities, it’s easy to find something to do in the area.
Here’s our list of top things to do in and around the Lake Norman:
Frequently Requested Links
Here are some of our most requested links for Lake Norman:
Have questions about moving to Lake Norman? Ask Away!
Haley Smith
Relocation Realtor