Charlotte, NC Area Information

Charlotte means many things to many people - Southern hospitality, the second-largest banking center in the country, a city of trees, home of major-league sports teams, a "can-do" city filled with big dreams and friendly neighbors.

Charlotte is home to 648,000 people; Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is located, totals 850,000. Still more people reside nearby. With 7.1 million residents within 100 miles, Charlotte lies at the heart of a region that is the fifth-largest urban area in the United States.

Living the easy life in Charlotte

Charlotte provides nearly unlimited choices of housing to suit any lifestyle, budget or other requirement. Whether close to the city or nestled in the suburbs, from historic homes to modern apartments and condominiums, newcomers can find the perfect place to call home.

Not surprisingly, Charlotte was the top pick for "Most Livable City" in April of 2004 by the Partners for Livable Communities. The Partners also commended Charlotte on its strong leadership and regional planning. With a strong road network and mass transit options, the average commute time is only 24.8 minutes.

Charlotte's affordability shines when compared with other markets. Charlotte has been ranked as one of the hottest and most affordable housing markets by U.S. News & World Report. The Carolinas Multiple Listing Service (CMLS) reports the 2005 average sales price of $ 219,069 for a single-family home in Charlotte.

As of the end of 2005, CMLS reported that over 16,000 homes in the county were sold, totaling $3,711,682,128 in sales volume. Analysts say Charlotte is not a hyper-inflated market, which protects homeowners here from the "real-estate bubble" seen in other areas of the country. Much of this can be attributed to the competitive practices of the construction industry in Charlotte.

Forecast: Fair and Fabulous

Just as Charlotte's location offers residents the benefits of both the mountains and the ocean, it also offers the best of all worlds in weather. This makes the city's weather one of its strongest assets, attracting visitors and new residents alike. The year is filled with days which invite you outside to enjoy the clear blue sky and bright sun, the perfect backdrop to Charlotte's beautifully landscaped neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks and lakes.

The area's climate can best be described as moderate, pleasant and sunny. Forget about the winter blues of our northern neighbors or the stifling summer heat of our southern friends. In Charlotte, the weather entices you outside all year.





Copy courtesy of Charlotte Chamber

Charlotte: A Town Defined by Dynamic Neighborhoods and Communities

In addition to 65,000 new residents a year, Charlotte is attracting talented home builders and developers that are creating wonderful neighborhoods in all price ranges throughout the area.

Charlotte’s gleaming skyline anchors an eclectic collection of neighborhoods that stretch from the center city to the outer edges of Mecklenburg County, each providing a unique and vibrant living experience.

The area’s three lakes, Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake and Lake Wylie, appeal to Charlotteans who appreciate the joys of waterfront living. Many of Charlotte’s top builders are creating neighborhoods that showcase the natural beauty of the lakes, offer a level of privacy and provide resort-like amenities.

To the north of Charlotte, and surrounding Lake Norman, are the towns of Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville. Each community is undergoing tremendous growth thanks to small town charm with easy access to uptown Charlotte.

The race to be the next “hot” area in Charlotte pits the Western edge of Mecklenburg County, from Mountain Island Lake south to Lake Wylie, against areas east of Charlotte, like desirable Mint Hill and its larger lots. Both areas feature expanses of open land mixed with compact neighborhoods that promote a sense of community. Home to some to the region’s most desirable and established neighborhoods, South Charlotte blends historic homes and streets with new, visionary developments including luxury townhomes and custom in-fill homes. The towns of South Park and Ballantyne remain hot areas for new homes and the area’s top retail offerings.

Closer in to the city center are Charlotte’s historic neighborhoods. These “streetcar suburbs” form a crescent around the city and feature homes ranging from small bungalows to impressive Georgian mansion, with new construction mixed-in throughout.