Your Guide to Moving to Charlotte, NC

REAL ESTATE

Your Guide to Moving to Charlotte, NC

Resources for your move

Haley Bowen 

Charlotte, NC

Getting Started

Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with roughly 120 people moving to Charlotte every day. People are moving into the area for various reasons – cheaper housing, jobs,  warmer weather, etc. Whether you are looking to buy immediately, rent short-term, or rent for an extended period of time, we’re here to help make relocating a bit easier on you. We are Realtors that know the market and have resources to help you find what you are looking for.

 

We’ve compiled the following resources to help prepare you for the move:

  • The Buying Process in North Carolina
  • Options for Viewing Homes When You Live Out of State
  • Neighborhood + School Information
  • Charlotte’s Most Popular Neighborhoods 
  • Short-Term Rental Options
  • Storage Solutions

The Buying Process in North Carolina

Please check out our buyer’s packet, HERE, for a complete guide to buying a home in North Carolina. 

Buying When You Live Out of State

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. If visiting in-person isn’t an option, research will be key!  If you plan to purchase a home in the area, we can guide you through the process from afar. We specialize in relocations so video tours are always an option!  To get a good feel for the area, we also recommend using Google Maps – Street View to check out specific neighborhoods and local shopping areas for each home that we see together.  Be sure to consider your commute when researching neighborhoods. If possible, map out your work, school district, etc. and determine the distances to and from each during rush hours. In Charlotte this is 7:30 am – 9:00 am and 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. What may be a 10 minute commute at 1 pm could be a 40 minute commute at 8 am. On Google Maps, there is an option to input leave/arrival times to get an estimated commute time.  

Neighborhood Information

We recommend checking out the following websites to gather information on neighborhood specific stats:

 

Neighborhood Scout

City Data

 

For information on school zones and to search schools by ranking, visit GreatSchools.org.

Charlotte Area's Most Popular Neighborhoods

Charlotte has over 199 neighborhoods and each vary greatly. Whether you’re looking for great schools, a farm with space to raise goats, or a condo in Uptown, it’s likely that Charlotte has a neighborhood to fit the bill. 

Here are some of Charlotte area’s most popular neighborhoods:

Belmont – While factory workers in the Northeast were housed in brick tenements, Charlotte’s mill workers lived in individual bungalows with neighbor-friendly front porches and skyline view of Uptown. Located on the East side of the 277 Loop, Belmont/Villa Heights is Charlotte’s most affordable up-and-coming neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from Uptown in one direction and NoDa in the other (Imagine walking to Amelie’s French bakery). The community is currently undergoing revitalization similar to other rebirths that took place in Plaza Midwood and NoDA. The beneficiary of a Hope 6 Grant, Belmont has recently seen an influx of new condos and single-family homes being built at Seigle Point. The Lynx Light Rail extension, currently under construction, will connect Belmont to SouthEnd, Uptown and the University area. If you are looking to make a difference in a neighborhood with strong roots and a promising future, don’t miss Belmont/Villa Heights.

 

Chantilly – Nestled between Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood, Chantilly is a post-war neighborhood with beautiful oak-lined streets ideal for people who want a historic home in an established area. This in-town Charlotte location allows residents to have access to all the bells and whistles of neighboring areas while being able to come home to a peaceful retreat. Insider Tips: This area is perfect for walking. You can easily walk to shops, bars, and restaurants in Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood. Park your car at home and bike, walk, run or get a scooter. 

 

Cherry – Tucked in between Myers ParkElizabeth and Charlotte’s center city is one of the city’s oldest African American neighborhoods. Closely held for over the last 20 years, it has been very difficult to even find a home for sale in Cherry. Recently, though, some homes have gone on the market, sold by longtime residents and investors. The homes that have been renovated have been done to perfection. Most keep the classic bungalow features: multiple fireplaces, large front porches and shingle style. Cherry is ideally located within walking distance of Uptown and the mansions of Queens Road. This hidden gem is ripe for appreciation. Cherry is also home to The Metropolitan Midtown aka The Met, an urban community with shopping, dining, modern homes, and art. The Met has everything you need including Target, Trader Joe’s, Best Buy, Dressler’s Restaurant, Staples, and much more. The Greenway and Linear Park are right at The Met so you won’t have to go far to enjoy a walk in the park.

 

Dilworth – Neighbors can be seen walking with their dogs and their families in this historic neighborhood, but it’s the homes of Dilworth that are the standout. Many homes are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and every September the Dilworth Community Association hosts a Home Tour. Ticket holders have the opportunity to tour some of the most stunning homes in the area. In addition to the historic neighborhoods, Dilworth is also home to numerous restaurants and shops, many located along East Boulevard. Insider Tips: Buy your tickets to the Dilworth Home Tour before they sell out.  Order a spicy pineapple margarita at Bakersfield. Enjoy a glass of wine from Dilworth Tasting Room or Foxcroft Wine Bar. Eat at 300 EastInizio PizzaJJ’s Red Hots, or Fran’s Filing Station. Work off your calories by walking or running around Freedom Park and Latta Park. And if you need a gift for someone, or yourself, make sure you stop by Paper Skyscraper.

 

Eastover – Located southeast of Uptown Charlotte, Eastover was the city’s first suburb where homes were built with driveways to park the new “motorcars.” The neighborhood’s stately homes have long attracted the leaders who shaped Charlotte’s growth, including banker, Hugh McColl Jr., department store icon, John Belk, and the E. C. Griffith family, who developed most of the Eastover community. One of the major landmarks is The Mint Museum of Art, located on Randolph Road, and full of rich history as well as unbelievable art and artifacts that attract visitors from all over the greater Charlotte area.  Eastover is also home to Eastover Academy, one of Charlotte’s oldest and most popular elementary schools. The Eastover community is considered one of the finest historic neighborhoods in the Charlotte metro area. Parks, public tennis courts and quaint, local shops and restaurants are all within walking distance of some of Charlotte’s most stately homes.  Eastover also features lovely shops such as Colony Furniture, Windsor Hall Antiques, Windwood Antiques, Circa Interiors, Paul Simon ClothingMorrison-Smith and Karat Patch JewelersJohn Dabbs Ltd., and The Buttercup, again, all within walking distance to Eastover homes. Don’t miss: The Manor Theatre, an old-time movie theater that features art-house films. 

 

Elizabeth – Walking the residential streets of Elizabeth you have to wonder why it isn’t law that every home in America be built with a generously sized, covered front porch. This neighborhood just cries “home.” But even Elizabeth isn’t all quaint bungalows. Single family homes in Elizabeth also include substantial brick mansions and trendy new town homes and condominiums that have sprung from old home sites. Home to department store magnate William Henry Belk, the Elizabeth neighborhood features Charlotte’s first neighborhood movie theater, The Visulite, which thrives today as a popular nightspot featuring live music nightly. New shops, upscale restaurants and revitalization along Elizabeth Avenue have created a trendy Charlotte, NC hot spot that attracts visitors to the Elizabeth community. As Trade Street comes out of Uptown it turns into Elizabeth Avenue where you’ll find a trendy assortment of restaurants as well as live entertainment venues including Carpe Diem, Viva Chicken and more. Another happening Elizabeth district appears as you move down 7th Street away from Uptown where historic homes have been converted into a lively assortment of shops and restaurants. Here you will find such notable Charlotte eateries as CrispCajun Queen (with rooftop dining), The Fig Tree Restaurant, and Sunflour Bakery.

 

 

Plaza Midwood – Established in the early 1900s, Plaza Midwood was designed around a trolley line that ran through the heart of the city. Bungalows, quaint cottages, and large mansions can all be found in this quirky yet community-focused area. Restaurants, bars, and eclectic boutiques line Central Avenue, the main neighborhood thoroughfare. Chances are high that you’ll run into people you know walking around this area. Insider Tips: Get your Southern comfort food fix at Dish and eat your weight in BBQ at Midwood Smokehouse. Get lunch at The Common Market, craft beer at Legion Brewing, or a PBR at the Thirsty Beaver. Shop at Moxie Mercantile or CLTCH and grab dinner at Soul Gastrolounge. If you have a late night at Petra’s or Workman’s Friend, head to The Diamond for late-night bites. 

 

Myers Park – Myers Park is home to Queens Road West, a beautiful stretch famous for the canopy of 100-year-old trees and the 24 Hours of Booty road race. A walkable neighborhood that is frequently dotted with cyclists, runners, and families on an evening stroll, Myers Park is also home to Queens University.  Although known for homes with a hefty price tag, there are still reasonably priced homes and condos in the area. Insider Tips: Explore beautiful gardens hidden in the neighborhood at Wing Haven and the Duke Mansion. Catch a performance from Theatre Charlotte. Eat the signature burger at Reid’s Fine Foods. Treat yourself to a glass of wine and some chocolate at Petite Philippe. Enjoy a morning stroll on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and finish with a big breakfast from littleSpoon

 

NoDa – With humble beginnings as a mill village for textile workers, NoDa (short for North Davidson Street) has gone through many changes over the past twenty years. Once known as the Arts District due to the number of artists and galleries who moved into the area, NoDa has morphed into an eclectic neighborhood teeming with restaurants, bars, and various fun and funky businesses. NoDa is historic, hipster and happening all at once. 

Insider Tips: Why wait for the weekend for brunch? During the week you can eat brunch at Haberdish. Get a bartender’s choice cocktail at Idlewild, tasty yet potent sangria from NoDa Company Store, doughnuts from Reigning Doughnuts, coffee from Smelly Cat Coffee, and a delicious date night meal from Crepe Cellar. Head to NoDa Yoga to work off all your meals, and take the Lynx light rail to commute to Uptown for work.

 

Fourth Ward – Charlotte’s center city, known as Uptown, is divided into four wards, spreading out from the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets.  After earlier efforts stalled, a push for Uptown residential living took hold in the late 1990s and the city started blooming. With an influx of new condo buildings Uptown became a true urban oasis rather, not just a place to work.

Since then Charlotte has become a vibrant metropolitan city, known for easy navigation and a clean, crisp feeling. Filled with exciting urban nights spots, multiple museums, bustling theater and art exhibitions, this Southern Lady has come to life. Now all four Wards are coming together, flowing seamlessly from one to another with an unbelievable amount of carefree upscale residential condo towers coming online in the next few years, along with more shopping, entertainment and dining venues. The most popular ward for uptown living, Fourth Ward is walkable to many dining and shopping spots along Graham and Poplar Streets and points between. Fourth Ward, which encompasses Discovery Place and Fourth Ward Park, also offers the most housing options from multiple high-rise condos with all the amenities to historic Victorian homes that line picturesque streets.

 

South End – As soon as planning for the Lynx light rail began the voices of historic preservation converged with a strong civic drive to create a lively, sustainable live/work/play community. The result is the Historic SouthEnd district, a retro, trendy blend that attracts hipsters, professionals and families to one of Charlotte’s top destination neighborhoods. Located just south of Uptown along the South Blvd./Light rail corridor, many SouthEnders leave their cars at home. Housing is clustered around four light rail stations that provide five-minute access to Uptown’s office buildings, sports stadiums and art museums. Running alongside the Lynx line is the Rail Trail, 2.5 miles of walkable, bikable access to Uptown. But why leave the district? The old brick mills and factories have been repurposed into enough bars, clubs and restaurants to keep you busy throughout the year. A devoted craft brew scene includes several breweries (Triple C BreweryLenny Boy Brewery and The Old Mecklenburg Brewery) and many other pubs and taverns. Pub crawls and brew tours are popular events and nightspots such as Tremont Music HallDharma Lounge and Apostrophe are hopping every night of the week. Numerous art galleries and boutiques feature the work of local artists while SouthEnd Fine Arts Academy offers instruction in music and dance.

 

 

Southpark – SouthPark is Charlotte’s premier destination for shopping and dining. SouthPark Mall features high-end shopping, such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Tiffany & Co., mixed in with mall standards such as Belk, Gap, and J. Crew. The area surrounding the mall features both national and local boutiques and stores. If you don’t want food court fare, there are restaurants in and around the mall that will satisfy any food palate. Insider Tips: Explore the shops and restaurants at Governor Morrison Shopping Center, including YafoBoem, and winestore. Venture to Phillip’s Place for more opportunities to shop and to eat. Eat at Café Monte and feel like you’re sitting at a bistro in Paris, or enjoy burgers and sushi, or burgushi!, at Cowfish. In the summer, attend one or all of the Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops concerts. 

 

Brightwalk – Brightwalk is a community composed of single-family homes as well as 2 and 3-story townhomes in the up-and-coming North End neighborhood! Brightwalk was established in 2012 and built with great care by Standard Pacific and later Cal-Atlantic, the newest phase beginning May 2019 by David Weekly Homes.  Homes in the neighborhood sell extremely quick and are consistently appreciating in value, ranging from the upper $200’s to the $400’s.  As a part of the original Double Oaks neighborhood, now popularly coined as North End, Brightwalk has aimed to incorporate energy efficient building practices, as well as environmentally inspired artwork commissioned by the McColl Center.  It’s also home to the Anita Stroud Park!

 

Camp North End – Camp North End is the name of a 75-acre development that has changed Charlotte, and especially its neighborhood of North End. The development includes a giant factory that once turned out Ford Model Ts and, later, missiles for the Army. Now, developers are reviving the entire site, which is now home to businesses, artists, with more tenants on the way. In addition to Camp North End, the North End area is home to the AvidXchange Music Factory, which contains music venues, bars, and restaurants. 

 

 

Fort Mill – This picturesque little town is complete with historic districts, unique shopping and dining areas, and lots of entertainment options. Fort Mill is an excellent, central location, just northeast of Rock Hill. It’s also less than a 30 minute drive from Charlotte, NC. This makes it a great alternative to living in the big city, while being close enough to commute to work or school every day.

 

 

Cornelius –  Cornelius is a lakeside town located just over 20 miles north of Charlotte. With the town butting up against Lake Norman, it’s the perfect place to call home for any outdoor enthusiast. There are endless opportunities for recreation in Cornelius, whether you want to go boating, fishing, or swimming in Lake Norman or hiking the 104-acre Jetton Park. But, outdoor activities aren’t the only attractions here. Cornelius also has a wonderful selection of locally owned restaurants and stores as well as the Cornelius Arts CenterThis is a very homey town where everybody is welcomed, from the single young professional to the retiree. And, the housing selection has everything mid-century single-family homes to waterfront condos to new construction.

 

Matthews – Matthews is a hidden gem tucked between Charlotte and Monroe. Located just 25 minutes from uptown Charlotte, Matthews offers that small-town feel with the comforts of a large city. Friendly people, affordable home prices, and great amenities including several shopping centers, plenty of restaurants, and a farmers’ market, make this small town one of the most desirable communities to live in the greater Charlotte area.

Short-Term Rental Options

In some cases, a more short-term rental is required. If you are planning to buy soon after moving, we recommend finding a month to month or short-term lease to live in while you are searching for homes. 

 

Short-Term Rental Options:

  1. Airbnb – Many Airbnbs offer short to long term rental options. In most cases, Airbnbs come furnished and utilities are typically covered.

  2. Corporate Housing – This service specializes in corporate housing and offers fully furnished homes and apartments for varying periods of time.

  3. Craigslist: Sublets & Temporary – 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. Beware of scams!

  4. Facebook Group: ‘Charlotte Housing, Rooms, Apartments, Sublets’ – This is very similar to Craigslist, however it allows for you to get a better idea of who you are renting from (Facebook profiles).    

moving to charlotte nc - airbnb

Storage Solutions

If you are in need of storage, we’ve listed some of the most popular storage companies in Charlotte. Be sure to ask about their specials!

  1. Public Storage – Storage ranges in sizes from 5′ x 5′ to 10′ x 20′ rooms.

  2. Extra Space Storage – Storage ranges in sizes from 5′ x 5′ to 10′ x 25′ rooms.

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