Best Neighborhoods in Charlotte Nc for a Family
Best Charlotte Suburbs for Families
What you need to to know about living north, south, east and west of Charlotte'south urban center center.
Life Nearly the Lake
There are many benefits to living in the northern suburbs of Charlotte, including access to Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in North Carolina, and proximity to Charlotte's sporting events, festivals, or a day of shopping in 20 minutes or less. Having lived in the Lake Norman area since 2003, I've watched the area aggrandize, change and conform effectually me. Parents who commute into Charlotte or piece of work closer to home accept admission to top-rated schools, the arts, and towns that offer something heady to exercise nearly every weekend, plus a variety of yr-round recreational activities.
Cornelius
There's more lake to be found in the ever-evolving town of Cornelius, which was originally a mill town and farming community. Smaller ranch-mode houses are available in neighborhoods about Main Street, while newly congenital townhomes and single-family home neighborhoods can exist constitute on the edges of Highway 115 and Highway 21. Big lake homes line the shores along Lake Norman, also as the Peninsula neighborhood that has access to The Peninsula Lodge, which includes a yacht gild and golf game course.
Residents enjoy lake-access neighborhoods, public parks and annual events similar the All-American Dog Show and Symphony in the Park Fireworks. On whatsoever given weekend in the spring and summertime, there are food trucks and street festivals, plus family-friendly breweries. Ten public parks make outside playtime hands accessible. Robbins Park has a treehouse-themed playground that'southward pop for the little ones, and public fine art installations are featured amid the paved walking trails.
Cornelius PARC is the town's thriving parks and recreation plan. In the summer, Ramsey Creek Park has a public beach on Lake Norman that allows swimming from Memorial Twenty-four hours weekend through Labor Day weekend, forth with fishing piers, nature trails, playgrounds, a dog park and picnic shelters. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library Cornelius branch library is in the heart of old town Cornelius and offers programming for all ages.
For all the draw of small-boondocks charm with urban center amenities, there comes congestion — lots of it. Interstate 77 between Huntersville and Mooresville is ane of the land'south most congested stretches of highway. A highly debated toll lane is under construction, only in the meantime commuters tin can expect back-ups coming and going to Charlotte.
Davidson
My family unit has always loved the charming higher town of Davidson. With our children enrolled at a small charter schoolhouse in the middle of boondocks, we were happy to make information technology our permanent home in 2017. The town is pedestrian and cycle friendly, and Main Street is popular for dining out, visiting the independently owned Chief Street Books and grabbing coffee at one of the many breakfast spots. Terminal year, actress Reese Witherspoon fabricated sure to stop by Kindred, a family unit-owned restaurant in a brick building that one time housed the town'south pharmacy. The weekends are perfect for shopping for local produce and flowers at the seasonal Farmers Market or browsing through the stores in the heart of town.
Davidson College anchors the town and provides enough for local residents to enjoy, from touring musicians, theatrical performances, fine art exhibits and sporting events. Davidson Customs Players produces three youth shows per year, plus five Chief Stage performances. Just outside of town is Fisher Farm Park, with miles of trails for walking, running, mountain biking and dog walking.
Huntersville
Huntersville is the closest town in proximity to Charlotte. It stretches for 31 miles and includes affordable single-family dwelling house neighborhoods congenital in the belatedly 1990s and early 2000s, besides as rural areas with farms and acreage, and a small downtown area.
Families look forward to the annual Hullo Huntersville! festival in the leap and Christmas in Huntersville in the winter. The children'due south museum Discovery Place KIDS is located right in the heart of downtown, forth with nearby restaurants and breweries. Huntersville is also home to Joe Gibbs Racing, which offers a souvenir shop with one-of-kind memorabilia and merchandise.
Birkdale Hamlet is a shopping hub with a movie theater, restaurants, clothing stores and annual Fourth of July parade and Christmas tree-lighting event.
Outdoor enthusiasts can visit birds of casualty at the Carolina Raptor Middle, or cheque out Latta Plantation Nature Heart and Preserve, with its gratuitous nature center, lakefront hiking trails, horseback riding, and the Historic Latta plantation.
Mooresville
In recent years, Mooresville, located in Iredell Canton, has exploded in popularity, due to more affordable taxes and lakefront property. Information technology's headquarters to many NASCAR team drivers, as well as race museums. Racing enthusiasts tin can trace NASCAR history at the N Carolina Racing Hall of Fame or rev upwardly their own engines with some go-kart racing at The Pit.
On the outskirts of boondocks, Carrigan Farms is pop for its pumpkins, haunted Halloween trails in the autumn, and pond in the picturesque rock quarry in the summer. Visitors can swim on the public embankment or take a hike at nearby Lake Norman Country Park.
The thriving downtown area, which used to exist little more than a pocket-size depot area for unloading trains, is picture perfect with local stores and restaurants, food truck rallies, live music performances, and The Charles Mack Citizen Eye, where kids can enjoy a show produced past The Mooresville Community Children's Theatre. You can besides take in several of the impressive murals painted on the walls of the historic brick buildings.
Renee Roberson is an honour-winning freelance author who lives in Davidson with her hubby and two kids. Visit her website at finishedpages.com.
Where to Explore
DeLuxe Ice Cream, started in 1924 in Mooresville, has served generations of ice cream lovers at its downtown Mooresville store. With flavors similar Lemony Sunshine, Sassy Strawberry, and Dreamy Vanilla Cream, it'southward a favorite family outing whatever time of yr.
Pack a picnic and enjoy one of the Sunday Concerts on the Green in Davidson on evenings Apr through September.
Jetton Park in Cornelius is situated on 104 acres of lakefront belongings and features paved walking trails and a sandy beach area.
The almanac Carolina Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace in Huntersville takes place from belatedly September through mid-Nov and provides a fun glimpse back in time with costumed characters, themed events and food.
Photograph courtesy of Michael Anderson
Summer celebrations are a favorite in Harrisburg.
East Side Suburbia
Photo courtesy of Gaston Outside
Goat Island in Cramerton, located between Belmont and Gastonia, is a favorite outdoor play infinite for families.
Life West of Charlotte
Where quondam-fourth dimension charm and contemporary cool coexist
By Aleigh Acerni and Michele Huggins
Residents of suburbs to the due west side of Charlotte take some of the easiest commutes in the expanse, equally they tin can often avoid the continuous structure and ongoing congestion of Interstate 77 to the north of uptown. There are other benefits to living in Gaston County, including user-friendly admission to the cute Catawba River and a quick exit out of town to the mountains of North Carolina. Here'due south why you might want to consider settling west
of Charlotte.
Belmont
Charlotte's nearby neighbor to the west is Belmont. A boondocks once dominated by textile mills is now an enclave for Charlotte commuters. A history-meets-contemporary mindset reins here, where historic homes and brick sidewalks mix with newer construction and modernistic civilities, including gratis outdoor Wifi along Main Street and a new public landscape painted with help from community members.
The town sits at the end of a large peninsula surrounded by Lake Wylie, the Catawba River and the South Fork Catawba River. Belmont's Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park has public fishing, a playground and rental shelters overlooking the river. Runners and cyclists enjoy the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail and downtown Belmont walking routes. The 300-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden includes the Lost Hollow Children'due south Garden and hosts family-friendly programming throughout the year, in addition to a plethora of seasonal events. Stowe Park, located on Main Street, offers leafy charm, a playground, walking trail and a natural amphitheatre, and is the location of various downtown festivals throughout the yr.
Have a cupcake and pint at Riverman Brewery, or wine and small-scale plates at Luna Hombre in downtown Belmont. Get a milk shake at the Belmont General Store, spin cotton fiber candy at The Cotton fiber Candy Factory, and savor a Southern meal at Nellie's Southern Kitchen, which is named for the great-grandmother of the Jonas Brothers, who spent her life in Belmont.
Mountain Holly
Mount Holly sits in northeast Gaston County, only west of Charlotte and the Catawba River, with a 20-minute commute to uptown Charlotte via Interstate 85. Mountain Holly's downtown strip includes restaurants, cafes and shopping with a welcoming vibe. Kids will definitely want to stop at Queen Bee Bakery for a peanut butter credibility or a chocolate chip cookie. On weekends from May through August, Mount Holly hosts what it claims to be the largest all-volunteer market in the state. With a chef-in-residence program, annual Independence Twenty-four hour period parade and a special "kids twenty-four hours" at the marketplace, it's a summer depict for residents. Community events have place throughout the year, including Movies in the Park and Food Truck Fridays. A greenway system is planned to connect downtown to the Catawba River.
For those who love outdoor adventure, the U.S. National Whitewater Center located on the Catawba River is a brusque 3 miles from downtown Mount Holly and offers ample opportunity for kayaking, whitewater rafting, climbing and mount biking
Gastonia
West of Belmont and about twoscore minutes from Charlotte driving s on Interstate 85, Gastonia is riding a wave of growth in recent decades, simply remains one of the well-nigh affordable suburbs in the area, with a median listing price of $160,000, according to trulia.com.
As the largest city (and county seat) of Gaston County, and third-largest metropolis in the surface area, behind Charlotte and Concur, Gastonia looks promising for families interested in a lower toll of living. Gastonia'due south affordable housing includes two historic districts. York-Chester is the city's oldest neighborhood, with 1920s architecture including bungalows, Victorians and New England saltbox homes. The Brookwood neighborhood dates to the mid-1930s and '40s, with many Tudor and craftsman-style homes.
Though not that far from the big-city amenities of Charlotte, residents may experience less of a pull to head to Charlotte from Gastonia than some other Charlotte suburbs as at that place are plenty of well-established activities.
Stock the pantry at the Dougie Henry Farmers Market place located almost downtown. Launched in the 1970s, it moved into its current downtown infinite in 1995, with room for twenty vendors. In improver to fruits and vegetables from the surrounding surface area, it offers a Power of Produce (Popular) gild to teach kids about gardening and healthy nutrient.
The Schiele Museum Museum of Natural History, located on Garrison Boulevard, is a well-loved science museum that has permanent exhibits and temporary exhibitions — like Dinosafari with life-size replica dinosaurs — and is home to the James H. Lynn Planetarium and Science Theater. Little Theater of Gastonia produces a wide array of plays and musicals, and Gaston Dance offers professional curriculum for dancers and showcases talents at various performances throughout the twelvemonth
Mega-store shopping centers along Franklin Boulevard, the main elevate connecting Belmont to Gastonia, cater to residents' shopping needs. Eastridge Mall on New Promise Road is anchored by Belk and Dillard's, as well as a variety of other retail and entertainment experiences.
Aleigh Acerni lives and writes from her house in Charlotte, simply daydreams about life in the suburbs. Michele Huggins is the editor of Charlotte Parent magazine who spent many weekends as a child at her grandparents' house in Belmont.
Where to Explore
With its beautiful orchid house and grounds, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a favorite destination for Charlotteans. The garden hosts family-friendly events throughout the twelvemonth, and the Lost Hollow Children'due south Garden is a three.5 acre, kid-friendly medieval mainstay.
With threescore,000 square feet of science-minded exhibits to explore, including a large collection of gemstones and minerals and a collection of well-cared-for dioramas, the Schiele Museum of Natural History is a great rainy-day family unit destination. Just with an 18th-century backcountry farm and Catawba Indian village staffed with actors in period costumes and a .75-mile nature trail on the grounds, there's a lot to explore when the sun is out, likewise.
Lake Wylie on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line sits at the confluence of the South Fork and Catawba rivers. With six public boat admission points and 325 miles of shoreline, it is popular with fisherman and boaters alike. On the Mecklenburg County side of the lake, there are more than 1,000 acres to explore at the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, including a campground, playgrounds, picnic areas and more than than seven miles of trails.
Photograph courtesy of Pineville Ice House
Pineville House Water ice offers yr-round ice-skating lessons, hockey and recreation.
Southside Towns and 'Burbs
Big-city amenities with small-town appeal
By Meagan Church
The southside communities of Ballantyne, Matthews, Pineville and Waxhaw combine historic sites with new construction. With a drive time of twenty to 40 minutes from uptown Charlotte, these towns may be small, but are mighty in amenities and offerings for residents.
Matthews
Located southeast of uptown Charlotte, Matthews delights with historic charm alongside new development. Established along trading trails and a track line in 1879, the boondocks is domicile to over 30,000 residents with many neighborhoods nestled beneath the green canopy. The downtown boasts a year-round farmers market, arts and crafts-beer pubs, locally owned shops and eateries, a public library, and Matthew's Playhouse of Performing Arts.
There are enough of outdoor activities bachelor thanks to the Four Mile Creek Greenway that connects downtown with Squirrel Lake Park, and Colonel Francis Beatty Park that has miles of hiking and biking trails, and a small lake for fishing.
The new Sportsplex features five multipurpose fields, playground equipment, walking trails and shelters, and is the dwelling playing field for Charlotte Independence soccer.
Ballantyne
What once was farm country is now a humming business and retail community. Ballantyne has grown to a population of 23,500 residents in two decades. Technically located inside the Charlotte-city limits, the suburb is 20 minutes (without traffic hiccups) from the heart of uptown forth major thoroughfares including Interstate 77 and South Boulevard.
Ballantyne is a popular golf destination thanks in part to The Golf game Club at Ballantyne — an 18-hole championship PGA golf grade that is open to the public. It also houses an outdoor mall, office complexes, shopping centers, chain and upscale dining options, bazaar clothing stores, and newer structure homes and apartments.
Nearby Waverly is a walkable community with new single-family homes and townhomes, plus shopping, restaurants, health intendance providers, business and office infinite, a splash pad and other activities for families.
Active families tin bask miles of greenways, Large Rock Nature Preserve, and Ballantyne District Park that features over 2 miles of mountain bike trails.
Pineville
Pineville's historic downtown features antique and home décor shops, a board-game hangout, wheel repair shop, craft-beer pubs and a year-round farmers marketplace. Incorporated in 1873 and formed at the junction of two major Native American trading routes, Pineville is home to nearly 9,000 residents. Home options range from historic to renovated and new builds, along with apartments and condos. Favorite spots for kids to hangout include Pineville Ice Business firm, Skyzone, Sky High Sports and Carolina Identify Mall.
Waxhaw
Dating back to the 1700s, Waxhaw is one of Matrimony Canton's oldest towns with a current population of approximately 15,000. Depending on traffic, the commute from Waxhaw to Charlotte is about 40 minutes. Homebuyers can find a pick of properties ranging from charming bungalows to new construction, upscale homes. The downtown features antique shops, fine dining, and a farmers market that opens each Saturday. Bicycle, walk or run on the town'south greenways. Explore the massive Cane Creek Park that has boating options, miniature golf, disc golf and camping. Or meander on the iconic pedestrian walking span crosses the railroad tracks that run through downtown.
The Waxhaw customs comes together to host annual events, including the Spring Kaleidoscope Fest arts off-white, concerts past the tracks in the summer, motion-picture show nights, an Independence Mean solar day parade and fireworks, an autumn festival, and a Christmas parade.
Meagan Church building a freelance writer. She lives in Charlotte with her high school sweetheart, 3 children and a plethora of pets.
Where to Explore
Cast a line with the kids at Cullman Swimming, Kid Pond, 17th Hole Pond and Hawkins Pond in Ballantyne. A angling license is not required to fish at the ponds, but merely grab-and-release fishing is permitted.
Pineville Ice House features an NHL-sized rink for public skating, figure skating and ice hockey. It provides year-circular classes, leagues, programs, and events for youth and adults skaters of all levels. Information technology as well has a pro shop and snack bar. Hours vary co-ordinate to flavour, and so check the website.
The Cross-State Suspension Bridge is a 170-foot span that connects the North and South Carolina Thread Trails. Hikers can access the trail at H.C. Nesbit Park in Waxhaw and hike 3.5 miles subsequently crossing the state line. The trail is suitable for hikers, advanced mountain bikers and leashed pets. The Carolina Thread Trail is a regional network of greenways, trails and blueways that reaches 15 counties, ii states, and 2.3 million people. Park at 1304 H.C. Nesbit Park Road.
ZABS Identify austerity bazaar in Matthews helps young adults with special needs harness their own special talents and set up them to transition into rewarding careers. Founded in 2014, ZABS offers new and used items for shoppers, and accepts donations of gently used items. Information technology also provides job skills training, entrepreneurial/micro-business, and Upscaling University programs for Specially Talented trainees.
Photo by Megan Cynowa
Stand-up paddleboarding classes are offered at The Goat Boater on Lake Wylie.
S Carolina's Southern Charm
Why families are putting down roots just across the state line
By Tiffany Wolff
South Carolina's Southern charm has families hopping the border. Pop areas, including Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Tega Cay, lie only xxx minutes south of Charlotte, and even so feel within a short reach of uptown Charlotte. Lower belongings taxes and a surge in evolution have many families moving downwards the Interstate 77 corridor.
Fort Mill
Fort Mill is one of the fastest growing cities in the state of South Carolina. Highly rated schools are part of the describe. Schools within the Fort Mill School District have earned an impressive reputation. The 2018 senior classes received more than $31 million in scholarship opportunities. The district works diligently to keep up with rapid growth in population. The commune opened its 5th middle school, Pleasant Knoll Middle School, in August 2017. The commune's tertiary high school, Catawba Ridge High School, is slated to open in Baronial 2019. This past jump, a successful $190 one thousand thousand bond referendum passed to include funding for two uncomplicated schools and i middle school.
While schools are a priority to many families, Fort Manufacturing plant's quaint downtown holds shops, bustling restaurants and the local brewery Amor Artis. Nearly downtown is Millstone Park and playground. Another popular play spot is Walter Elisha Park, abode to the renowned Strawberry Festival. Residents also savor the shops and restaurants in Baxter Village and Kingsley. In the new Kingsley development, family resource include Small Easily Big Art studio, Pigtails and Crew Cuts, and SafeSplash SwimLabs Swim School.
Rock Hill
Some families are fatigued farther south to Stone Hill. This growing community of approximately 73,000 residents lies xx miles southward of Charlotte. The city is growing at a rate of two to 3 percent per twelvemonth, says Metropolis Managing director David Vehaun. The city has a number of charming attractions for families, including the Rock Hill Fire Department Headquarters and Museum, which includes a small-scale, indoor play space. The metropolis holds numerous events and festivals throughout the year, many of which feature fine art and civilisation. Pop festivals for families include the Come-Come across-Me Festival, Glencairn BloomFest, Boo-Ha-Ha and ChristmasVille. In the winter, skate at Founders Holiday Ice Rink, and in the summer, do not miss Food Truck Friday at the Fountain. Pick apples and effort some apple cider donuts at Windy Hill Orchard this autumn.
Tega Cay/Lake Wylie
Nestled between Charlotte and Rock Loma, Tega Cay is located on Lake Wylie almost Fort Manufactory. The city's waterfront location allows for breathtaking views and aplenty outdoor activities. Approximately xi,000 people reside in Tega Cay, and the urban center has experienced a 15 to 20 percent increase in population growth over the by 3 years, according to Tega Cay Urban center Manager Charlie Funderburk. Funderburk credits population growth to the reputation of schools, proximity to Charlotte and relatively favorable residential property tax rates. Tega Cay residents nourish schools within the Fort Mill Schoolhouse District. Lake Wylie students attend Clover Schoolhouse District schools.
Plans are in place to build Catawba Park, a much predictable, 61-acre destination that features athletic fields, walking trails, Catawba River access, playgrounds and picnic areas. At Windjammer Park, families enjoy line-fishing, grills, picnic areas, a playground and 2 lake beaches. A large portion of Tega Cay's notable Independence Solar day festivities occur at Windjammer Park, and the park hosts ski shows on Friday nights during the summer.
Other Considerations
Families because the move to Fort Manufactory, Stone Hill and Tega Cay should consider affect fees, school freezes and traffic. An affect fee is imposed by the government on a new or proposed evolution. Impact fees are collected on new construction only. In Fort Factory, impact fees are instituted at just over $eighteen,000 per single family abode.
Rock Loma implemented impact fees 20 years ago, Vehaun says. Revenues largely support water, sewer and fire expansion costs. Tega Cay began levying touch fees in August of concluding year, and Funderburk says fees go toward parks and recreation, law, burn down and utilities.
Earlier buying in an expanse, parents should enquiry if the currently zoned schoolhouse has an enrollment freeze. Banks Trail Middle Schoolhouse, Doby's Span Elementary Schoolhouse, Aureate Hill Elementary School and Tega Cay Elementary School had enrollment freezes for the 2018-xix school twelvemonth due to population growth and crowding. Population growth has besides brought congestion to roadways.
Tiffany Wolff is the calendar editor for Charlotte Parent magazine. She lives in Fort Mill with her husband and 2 sons.
Where to Explore
Anne Springs Shut Greenway, a 2,100 acre nature preserve in Fort Mill, offers a number of outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, mount biking, horseback riding, camping, picnicking and kayaking. Events and festivals to check out include, but aren't limited to, Autumn Frolic on the Greenway, World Day Celebration and Greenway Race Serial.
Detect educational, indoor fun at the Museum of York County. The museum features a planetarium, Tot Town play area, a naturalist center and changing exhibits featuring natural history topics.
The RiverWalk community features single-family homes, restaurants and shops, and public spaces, including a landing for canoes and kayak, and the scenic 3.25-mile Piedmont Medical Eye Trail. It likewise is home to the BMX Supercross Rail, the only bicycle-motorcross, Olympic-caliber training facility on the Eastward coast. The track hosts all levels of events and offers instruction for all ages and skill levels.
Winthrop University is located in Rock Hill. The public academy has enrollment just nether 6,000, which includes undergraduate and graduate programs. Families tin can enjoy athletic, cultural and recreational events held on campus, or merely walking enjoy a stroll around the campus lake.
Source: https://www.charlotteparent.com/best-charlotte-suburbs-for-families/
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