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Moving to a new city can be challenging, especially when you’re comparing the house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, and the convenience of location of the city’s most popular neighborhoods.
That’s why we’ve researched the best neighborhoods in Charlotte for you, so you don’t have to. You’ve no doubt seen our Charlotte City Guide, which includes a short section on a few of Charlotte’s most popular neighborhoods (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop — your movers in Charlotte and beyond).
This list and our “Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Charlotte” and our “Best Neighborhoods for Families in Charlotte” lists are more in-depth neighborhood guides meant to examine what it’s like living in each of these highlighted areas. They include all the info on popular destinations, as well as info on where to find available houses for sale and apartments for rent. Check out our local schools in Charlotte guide to get the low-down on the Queen City’s school districts, and check out our guide to Charlotte Suburbs to see what’s outside of the city.
What Are the 5 Best Neighborhoods in Charlotte?
Charlotte is the full package: sports, nearby natural recreation opportunities, renowned arts and entertainment, world-class restaurants, and more.
Charlotte boasts popular options for sports (NFL, NBA, minor league baseball, MLS and more) and outdoor destinations (mountains, nearby beaches, lakes, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center). It features charming residential areas and boasts of a booming financial sector and tech industry.
The Queen City is home to several art museums such as the Mint Museum and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra claims the beautiful Blumenthal Performing Arts Center as its home.
In Charlotte, you’ll easily find some of the best dining destinations in the country. One highly-renowned and can’t-miss spot in the city is chef Rocco Whalen’s Fahrenheit, which has been featured by several local and national magazines and newspapers.
Other top Charlotte restaurants include the Capital Grille, the Fig Tree Restaurant, and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood.
We love the beer in Charlotte too, especially what flows from one of our favorite watering holes, Wooden Robot (check out our list of the best beer in the city if you’re starting to get thirsty).
On top of it all, Charlotte dishes out its killer North Carolina Barbecue. And with bellies full, we submissively bow to the Queen City, thanking her majesty for her delicious gifts.
With all these perks, Charlotte has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. But Charlotte still maintains a lower cost of living compared to the national average. Even while housing prices are billowing with plenty of new residents, Charlotte’s 199 neighborhoods offer plenty of diversity in affordability, culture, and amenities.
Below, we’ll zoom in and take a closer look at five neighborhoods we think are the best spots to live in this royal city.
Dilworth
Just a few miles south of the city center, Dilworth features beautiful and historic houses intermingled with elegant law firms and doctor’s offices. The neighborhood is home to several upscale restaurants that feature a wide variety of cuisines.
Close to Uptown, Dilworth can be pretty pricey when it comes to housing and feels suburban even in its convenient and central location.
What’s Happening in Dilworth
Dilworth blends its eclectic housing with local dining spots and boutique shops. East Boulevard is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, providing locals with plenty of unique restaurants.
- Inizio Pizza Napoletana
- Kid Cashew
- Copper
- JJ’s Red Hots
- The People’s Market
Pop into 300 East for a bite to eat and some of the best dessert in the city.
Looking for a drinking destination? Visit:
- The Wine Loft for wine
- Dilworth Tasting Room for cocktails
- Ed’s Tavern for a brew
Stop by Modern Lighting Design and (the dog-friendly) Paper Skyscraper for a Dilworth shopping experience.
Schools in Dilworth
Schools in the area include Dilworth Elementary, Piedmont Open Middle School, and West Charlotte High among others.
Homes in Dilworth
Dilworth is home to chic condos, new renovations, and single-family homes of all sizes. Here are some of the current houses for sale and homes for rent in the area.
South Park
Longstanding and wealthy families fill many of the homes in South Park. The neighborhood offers convenient amenities to its residents, with high-end shopping malls, theaters, and restaurants along Fairview Road.
South Park does, though, have a few casual spots, even a McDonald’s. And yet – this Mcdonald’s has two stories and features framed artwork on its walls.
What’s Happening in South Park
Overall, the southside of Charlotte is on the up and up. Unique eateries, new local business, and real-estate renovations in this area go to show that old money definitely doesn’t mean stagnant development.
The SouthPark Mall is upscale and is one of the few large shopping malls within the 485 loop. The mall features over 150 stores, including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Apple, Burberry, Lilly Pulitzer, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co. and a wide range of casual and fine dining options.
Our favorite addition to the South Park neighborhood is the local Legion Brewing location. While it still hints at the quirky, artsy vibes of its first taproom, Legion’s spot in South Park boasts of towering ceilings, a circular bar, and a sun-drenched seating area.
Schools in South Park
Schools in the area include Sharon Elementary, Piedmont Open IB Middle School, and Philips Academy among others.
Homes in South Park
South Park offers plenty of apartments and homes that range from affordable single-family homes to gorgeous new renovations. Here are some of the current houses for sale and homes for rent in the area.
NoDa
Short for “North Davidson,” NoDa is the no-brainer pick for those who love exploring and creating art in the city. It continues to develop but has maintained an authentic, urban vibe.
The neighborhood has its own small downtown section with plenty of bars and small concert venues. And the area features taco shacks, tattoo parlors, breweries, and corner shops where you can find everything from local artwork to CBD oil. So should you look for a hip apartment in this hot-spot? No-Duh.
What’s Happening in NoDa
NoDa will stack your weeknights and weekends with its great neighborhood entertainment spots, eateries, and drinkeries.
- Grab dinner at Cabo Fish Taco
- Order a pint at one of our favorite Charlotte breweries – NoDa Brewing
- Watch an indie punk band at The Evening Muse
Or explore this neighborhood’s unique shops along North Davidson and 36th streets.
If you’re looking for some green space, North Charlotte Park is your best bet. It sits right in the center of the neighborhood and features a 3-acre grassy lawn, basketball court, picnic area, playground, and walking trail.
Schools in NoDa
Schools in the area include Eastover Elementary, First Ward Creative Arts Academy, Piedmont Open Middle School, and Garinger High among others.
Homes in NoDa
NoDa offers a mix of residential options, depending on what you might be looking for as you consider a move to Charlotte. NoDa is home to trendy apartments as well as beautifully renovated homes, many with large front porches and tree-speckled lawns. Explore some of the current houses for sale and homes for rent in the area.
The Belmont
The Belmont gives the opportunity to live close to art, music, and historical buildings.
Belmont’s community boasts shared neighborhood gardens and locally-hosted neighborhood get-togethers. The tree-lined streets, white sidewalks, manicured lawns and beautiful open spaces make this a charming destination for any Charlotte newcomer. The area draws many young as well as established families to settle down in one of this neighborhood’s pretty homes.
What’s Happening in Belmont
Belmont has a quieter feel in the city, but there’s still plenty to do in the area. The Cross-Charlotte Trail passes through Belmont, providing walking and biking paths for residents.
Popular restaurants in the area include:
- Intermezzo
- La Unica
- Kickstand
And as detailed above, the NoDa neighborhood is nearby and offers tons of dining, drinking, and entertainment hot spots around the corner.
Schools in Belmont
Schools in the area include Elizabeth Traditional Elementary, First Ward Creative Arts Academy, Piedmont Open Middle School, and Cato Middle College High School among others.
Homes in Belmont
Homes in Belmont range from single-family to tightly-packed apartments and come old and new. Here are some of the current houses for sale and homes for rent in the area.
Myers Park
Myers Park is a picturesque neighborhood located about 4 miles southeast of Charlotte’s city center. Aged oak trees line the streets and massive homes sit atop wide front lawns.
The streets of Myers Park are lined with high-end grocery stores, boutiques, casual shopping and dining, and chic bars and eateries, which make it a great destination for young professionals and established families alike.
What’s Happening in Myers Park
One of the most-known (and most-loved) in Myers Park is littleSpoon Eatery, which serves dishes featuring savory ingredients like sticky rice and barbecue pork.
The closeby Discovery Place Nature planetarium, nearby Mint Museum, and The Duke Mansion’s gardens offer residents many day-trip and weekend outing options.
For an evening out, grab a pint and watch a game on the big screens at Selwyn Avenue Pub, or shop for everything you need for a pasta masterpiece at home at Pasta & Provisions.
Schools in Myers Park
Schools in the area include Myers Park Traditional Elementary School, Piedmont Open Middle School, and Myers Park High among others.
Homes in Myers Park
There are million-dollar mansions and many beautifully remodeled single-family homes in Myers Park, but you can find a range of housing options. Check out some of the current houses for sale and homes for rent in the area.
There You Have It: 5 of the Best Neighborhoods in Charlotte!
We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. As we said, we coordinate local Charlotte moves and long distance moving services in Charlotte, and we would love to help. We also offer last-minute moves in Charlotte if you’re strapped for time.
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