Known as a city for business opportunities, Charlotte and its surrounding area is home to an eclectic mix of artists, entrepreneurs, and young professionals, with a population of 2.8 million people in the entire Charlotte metropolitan area. If you’re looking to buy a piece of Charlotte real estate and are unsure of where to live, here are some of the 5 best suburbs of Charlotte, NC.
Davidson
Best Suburb of Charlotte For: Young Professionals
Located about 22 miles directly north of Charlotte and on the banks of Lake Norman, is the city of Davidson with a population of around 13,000 people. Established in 1837, Davidson is most known for its old historic charm and close-knit community. Davidson is a frequent hot spot for concerts, fairs, its year-round farmers market, and lake activities.
Davidson real estate is largely made up of single-family homes, but there are also several townhomes and condos near the lake. Though this city is known for its historical features, over 93% of the homes for sale in Davidson were built in the ‘70s with new construction homes continuing today, which widely consist of two to four bedrooms. Nearly 70% of Davidson residents own their homes. The median price of real estate in Davidson is around $549K, with homes ranging from $250K to multi-million dollar estates. Both condos and townhomes for sale in Davidson can be found between $300K and $975K.
One of the most sought-after neighborhoods to live in is River Run. It’s a country club that offers an 18-hole golf course, both indoor and outdoor tennis courts, pools, a fitness center, and dining.
Cornelius
Best Suburb of Charlotte For: Young Professionals + Families
About 20 miles north of Charlotte and situated right next to Davidson is the city of Cornelius with a population of around 30,000 people. Cornelius real estate is a charming waterfront community with a unique mix of family-owned restaurants and craft breweries on Lake Norman. Many professionals like Cornelius as a place to live because it’s not far from Charlotte, while also offering them a more laid-back atmosphere.
The highly-rated schools in Cornelius attract families and one of the best family-friendly parks in the area is Jetton Park. Many people come here for the small beaches, playgrounds, tennis courts, and trails!
There is also a variety of neighborhoods offering different home types in a wide price range. Primarily, though, you’ll find single-family detached homes in neighborhoods and condos for sale along the water. Almost all of Cornelius real estate has been built since the 1970s. The median price of homes for sale in Cornelius is about $560K. Condos for sale in Cornelius start around $225K (even for new construction) and go all the way up to $1.5M for luxury ones. Townhomes for sale in Cornelius can sometimes be found under $200K, but also range up to $700K.
One of the more popular neighborhoods in Cornelius is The Peninsula Club with a variety of modest homes to luxury estates. It’s also a country club boasting of an 18-hole golf course, pool, tennis courts, and water sports.
Mooresville
Best Suburb of Charlotte For: Families + Professionals + Rural Living
Situated about 30 miles north of Charlotte and on the north side of Lake Norman is the city of Mooresville, with a population of about 39,000 people. Mooresville is also ideal for those looking for a balance between city and lake living with some rural areas.
Mooresville is also known as Race City USA for being a racing hub for NASCAR. Lowe’s headquarters and the Lake Norman Regional Medical Center are also located in Mooresville, which provides several job opportunities. Mooresville schools have an excellent reputation in academics as well as sports, which is appealing to families.
Due to Mooresville’s location on the outskirts of the Charlotte metropolitan area, Mooresville real estate is relatively more affordable compared to other cities in the area. Single-family homes are the most common and range from $100K for a starter or fixer-upper homes all the way up to sprawling estates for $6M+. There are a few condos for sale in Mooresville, which range from $325K to $650K. There are also several townhomes in Mooresville, even several that are new construction, which typically ranges from $230K to $573K. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in Mooresville include:
- The Point
- The Harbour
- The Farmers
- Pinnacle Shores
- Bells Crossing
Tega Cay, SC
Best Suburb of Charlotte For: Families
We’ve mentioned several of the best suburbs of Charlotte from the north side, so now let’s talk about a couple from the south side. Located about 21 miles south of Charlotte on the shore of Lake Wylie is the city of Tega Cay, which is actually in South Carolina and has a population of about 11,000 people. Tega Cay offers a calm and slower pace of life with lake amenities and is one of the best places to raise a family.
The community here is friendly and neighborly. It’s such a laid-back community that oftentimes people will drive their golf carts instead of their full-size vehicle. With that said, there are several activities here including a golf course, tennis courts, waterfront parks, and more! What attracts most families here are the schools. Tega Cay is a part of Charlotte Mecklenburg District, one of the top school districts in the state!
The vast majority of residents own their homes, with 80% of Tega Cay real estate being single-family detached homes. Almost all of the homes for sale in Tega Cay have been constructed since the 1970s and primarily consist of three to four bedrooms, though five-bedroom homes are common too. The median home price in Tega Cay is roughly $600K. Condos and new construction townhomes in Tega Cay range from $335K to $500K.
Fort Mill, SC
Best Suburb of Charlotte For: Families
About 19 miles from Charlotte, Fort Mill has a population of around 20,000 people and is located in South Carolina. What makes Fort Mill (and Tega Cay) great is that the property taxes are lower in South Carolina compared to North Carolina, which makes these cities some of the best suburbs of Charlotte. With that said, property taxes aren’t the only thing that draws people to Fort Mill.
Though Fort Mill is close to Charlotte, it still offers a small-town feel, and it boasts some of the best schools in the state. There are several parks throughout the city with facilities for baseball/softball, football, and soccer, as well as a YMCA and a greenway.
The Anne Springs Close Greenway is a preserved area with miles of trails for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. As with just about anywhere in the Charlotte area, there are also several golf courses within close proximity to Fort Mill.
The vast majority of Fort Mill real estate was built in the early 2000s, but it’s common to find homes for sale in Fort Mill that were constructed from the ‘40s to the ‘90s and even some dating pre-1940. Most of the homes are single-family detached homes, but townhomes and condos are common too. The median home price in Fort Mill is roughly $495K. There are a variety of condos starting at $130K for older condos and topping out around $480K for new construction ones. Same for townhomes in Fort Mill ranging from $250K to $480K. Some of the best neighborhoods of Fort Mill include:
- Baxter Village – A neighborhood of single-family and townhomes, which have front porches and are full of character. The main street in Baxter Village is full of fun shops and dining options.
- Waterside at the Catawba – A neighborhood near the river, full of townhomes and single-family detached homes, which also has a lodge for hosting events and recreational activities, a fitness center, a pool, pickleball and tennis courts, and trails.
- Masons Bend – A neighborhood along the river, with a nature preserve with trails close by. Masons Bend also has a clubhouse with a fitness center, pools, a playground, and even a launch site for canoes and kayaks.
Best Suburbs Around Charlotte, NC
Hopefully, this gave you some helpful insight into the 5 best suburbs of Charlotte. If you’re still trying to decide which metropolitan area to move to, you might consider relocating to Atlanta. It’s a huge area with several surrounding cities to fit everyone’s needs and lifestyle. Whenever you’re ready, contact a local real estate agent to help you get started on your home search process.
