8 Great Suburbs in the Area

We hear about Charlotte’s great neighborhoods everyday, but today I’m going to tell you about Charlotte’s popular and growing “burbs” that offer better prices and lower taxes.

1. Fort Mill

It’s not just the relatively low property tax that’s persuading families and newcomers to look across the border—“You get all of the conveniences of Ballantyne and the south Charlotte corridor without having to pay for it. Good schools, affordable single-family homes (buyers can scoop up a home in the $150,000 to $300,000 range for 1,700 to 3,200 square feet), new hospitals, and proximity to I-485 and I-77 have made Fort Mill one of the most desirable ’burbs in the area. 

Plus, neighborhoods such as Baxter Village —which has been one of the more popular neighborhoods in the Carolinas - are appealing to young families looking for a strong sense of community.

Fast Facts:

Distance from Uptown:

Eighteen miles, or about forty minutes during rush hour

Perks:

South Carolina taxes and lower cost of living coupled with decent schools, new hospitals, and access to nearby Ballantyne and south Charlotte’s offerings.

Proximity to major highways:

Five to ten minutes to I-77, fifteen to twenty to I-485

Proximity to shopping:

Ten minutes to Ballantyne, Blakeney, and Stonecrest. About twenty to Carolina Place Mall

2. Concord

When out-of-towners fall in love with the quaintness of Davidson but can’t quite afford the home prices, their best bet is to look east toward Concord. This northeastern suburb boasts a botanical garden, art galleries, theaters, specialty shops, and restaurants, all within walking distance. Downtown Concord offers a lot of entertainment options, while also maintaining its small-town charm. Add proximity to the I-85 corridor, NASCAR racetrack, Concord Mills to the diverse schooling options and relatively low property taxes, and it’s easy to see why this once-hidden gem has been one of the top places for newcomers to move to in recent years. Plus, the small-town feel isn’t confined to downtown: residents exude southern charm. “

Fast Facts:

Distance from Uptown: Twenty miles, or about forty-five minutes during rush hour

Proximity to major highways: Less than ten minutes to I-85, fifteen minutes to I-485

Proximity to major shopping destinations: Just minutes to downtown Concord. Fifteen minutes to Concord Mills

Perks: Beech Spring Mountain Bike Park (Poplar Tent Road) and Sherman Branch Park (Rocky River Church Road) are two of the best mountain biking trails in the region. Frank Liske Park offers ball fields, picnic shelters, mini-golf, volleyball courts, paddle boating, walking trails, and a popular summer camp.

3. Indian Trail

Longtime Charlotteans may have a hard time believing Indian Trail is one of the top places Realtors tell potential buyers to settle down. Believe it. This once-sleepy town in southeastern Union County became a hotbed during the boom, resulting in dozens of new neighborhoods. Six years later, the infrastructure has caught up, making way for new retail and restaurants. At nearby Sun Valley Commons, a massive cineplex now resides alongside restaurants and retailers. Indian Trail is really turning into the next Huntersville, but with easier access to south Charlotte. 

Fun Facts:

Courtesy

Distance from Uptown: Fifteen miles, or about forty-five minutes during rush hour

Perks: Union County taxes plus the addition of Sun Valley Commons’ retail and restaurant offerings mean there’s less reason to drive into town

Proximity to major highways: Less than ten minutes to I-485, just minutes to Highway 7

Proximity to shopping: Twenty minutes to Blakeney and Stonecrest, twenty-five minutes to Ballantyne, fifteen minutes to Sycamore Commons in Matthews (Old Navy, Costco, New Balance)

4. Huntersville

There’s a reason Huntersville remains one of the strongest markets in the Charlotte area. This ’burb boasts some of CMS’s best schools, area’s most very affordable homes (expect to pay $90 to $100 per square foot), and proximity to great retail like as Birkdale Village, and lots of great restaurants. You’re only twenty minutes away from Charlotte, but it feels like you’re on vacation. Considered the north Charlotte version of Ballantyne, Huntersville has one thing south Charlotte doesn’t: Lake Norman. Being able to get to Lake Norman and the area parks like Latta Plantation in five minutes, makes Huntersville even more attractive to those who work in uptown but want to live a suburban lifestyle.

FAST FACTS: 

Distance from Uptown: Fifteen miles, or about forty-five minutes during rush hour

Perks: Boasts some of CMS’s best schools. 

Proximity to major highways: Within five to ten minutes of I-77 and I-485

Proximity to shopping: Just minutes to Birkdale and NorthLake Mall, thirty minutes to Concord Mills

5. Mount Holly

Mount Holly brands itself as Playful City USA, and with good reason; it features six parks and two recreational facilities. And if the city can’t host your favorite adventure, it’s likely within striking distance of a place that can. The U.S. National Whitewater Center is just across the Catawba River, and beautiful Crowders Mountain State Park is less than a thirty-minute drive.  “In Mount Holly, you can be in the mountains in an hour or at the beach in three. The underlying appeal of Mount Holly can be summed up in one word: potential. While local tax rates aren’t unusually low, the area’s median home listing price of $115,000 means bargains are plentiful. Plus, the proactive Mount Holly Community Development Foundation is working to revitalize downtown by establishing it as a historic district. A thirteen-mile shoreline greenway along the Catawba River is also in the works.

FAST FACTS:

Distance from Uptown: Twelve miles, or about thirty minutes during rush hour

Perks: The breathtaking Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens and the Schiele Museum of Natural History are each less than a thirty-minute drive.

Proximity to major highways: Ten minutes to 85 and 485.

Proximity to shopping areas: About thirty-five minutes to SouthPark mall, forty minutes to Concord Mills, one hour to Gaffney Premium Outlets in South Carolina

6. Marvin

Beyond the horse pastures and wooded drives are some of the best deals in Charlotte area real estate. Combine the sweet deals with Union County taxes, an impressive school system and proximity to jobs in south Charlotte, and Marvin’s worth a serious look.

FACT FACTS:

Distance from Uptown: Twenty-three miles, or about forty-five minutes during rush hour

Perks: Union County taxes and schools, not to mention a lot more land for your money

Proximity to major highways: Five to ten minutes to 485

Proximity to shopping: Five minutes to Blakeney and Stonecrest, ten minutes to Ballantyne, and the Promenade on Providence

7. Waxhaw

Think you can’t afford to live in a five-bedroom home on a two-acre lot in horse country? Think again. Waxhaw, in low-tax Union County, offers some serious bang for your buck. Plus, its prime location is just beyond the Mecklenburg County border and just off Providence Road, which was recently widened to accommodate the growth down south. Eight award-winning public schools serving Waxhaw have been built within the past six years, and Carolinas Medical Center has a new, state-of-the-art treatment facility. Combine those facts with the family-friendly atmosphere of the quaint shops, restaurants, antique stores, and art galleries in the delightful historic district and you’ve got a winner. 

FAST FACTS:

Distance from Uptown: Thirty miles, or about one hour during rush hour

Perks: Recreational opportunities abound in Waxhaw. Cane Creek Park features a 350-acre lake for boating, swimming, and fishing. Harvey Clay Nesbit Park contains a diverse array of ball fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas. There’s even a downtown skate park.

Proximity to major highways: Twenty minutes to I-485, twenty-five minutes to I-77

Proximity to major shopping destinations: Ten minutes to Blakeney, twenty minutes to Ballantyne, thirty-five minutes to SouthPark mall

8. Rock Hill

The Parks, Rec and Tourism Department is way ahead of its time with its parks and sports complexes that serve every corner of the county. Plus, Rock Hill residents can take advantage of nearby Winthrop University’s cultural scene, which includes theater, dance, and live music, usually at a fraction of the cost of performing arts venues in uptown Charlotte.
Rock Hill, SC is only about thirty miles from uptown Charlotte, but South Carolina taxes, a lower cost of living, nearby employment hubs; proximity to I-77; lots of green space and strong schools, thirty-one local parks and four rec centers make it a must see.

FAST FACTS:

Distance from Uptown: Thirty miles, or about fifty minutes during rush hour

Perks: Property diversity: “You can live on a lake or on thirty acres—there is such a wide range of residences,” says Heather Lamp, a broker with Real Estate Carolina Group.

Proximity to major highways: Five to ten minutes to I-77, twelve to fifteen minutes to I-485

Proximity to shopping: 10 minutes to Galleria Mall, which has national retailers and department stores