With cranes dotting the city’s skyline as much as skyscrapers, the word is out that Charlotte’s got a lot. According to Forbes Magazine, Charlotte sits among the 20 Fastest Growing Cities in America. It’s not just the booming job market that’s attracting residents though, but the complete picture –a lively downtown, quirky historic neighborhoods, enough breweries to rival Asheville, and two lakes that double as the local summertime playground.
If you, like so many others, find yourself moving to the Queen City, here are our picks for the top five neighborhoods for renting in Charlotte.
South End
Obviously, South End sits at the top of any list of best neighborhoods for renting in Charlotte. Ever since the light rail made its way south of Uptown through the once sleepy historic neighborhood, South End has exploded with development. Not only are apartment communities popping up all along the train tracks, so are retailers, restaurants, bars, and breweries to entertainment the masses.
While many longtime residents claim South End has lost some of its local charm as big box retailers move in, their development is few and far between. Fun, local, and quirky is still the name of the game from Good Bottle Co bottle shop to the Atherton Market farmers and Artisan Market to Studio Cellar sip and paint. Like any trendy neighborhood worth it’s reputation, there are plenty of boutique gyms including two Yoga studios, a CrossFit, and an Orangetheory. The biggest draws to South End though is the new Rail Trail – a path that follows the light rail from Uptown to the southern end of South End that’s dotted with pocket parks and public art displays.
Twitter: @goodbottleco @athertonmillmarket @StudioCellarNC @RailTrialCLT
South Park
While South End appeals to the millennial population of renters, South Park –located 20 minutes south of Uptown– draws the more mature and sometimes senior crowd. The anchor of the South Park neighborhood is SouthPark Mall, but this neighborhood is so much more than Nordstrom’s and the Cheesecake Factory. There is plenty of local flair like Rooster’s Wood-fired Kitchen and Paco’s Tacos and Tequila mixed in with other trendy national chains like Dean & Deluca. South Park tends to fall more on the upscale side with Whole Foods and what locals call the “Taj Mahal” Harris Teeter.
During the summers, all of Charlotte swoops into South Park for the popular Summer Pops concert series put on by the Charlotte Symphony orchestra. Nearby Park Road Park is a popular spot for adult intramural sports leagues and Marion Diehl Park offers a multi-generational playground that both grandchildren and grandparents enjoy.
Twitter: @SouthParkMallNC @RoostersCLT @PacosTacosCLT @DeanAndDeLuca @HarrisTeeter @CLTSymphony
NoDa
Much like the light rail has transformed South End, it’s also beginning to transform the historic North Davidson neighborhood as it makes it way northeast with a March 2018 expected opening. Developers aren’t waiting until next year though and state-of-the art apartment communities are under development, with several already open.
This bohemian enclave –referred to as NoDa by the locals– appeals to hipsters with art galleries like Pura Vida Worldly Art, eclectic pubs like my personal Charlotte favorite Growlers Pourhouse, and live music venues like Neighborhood Theatre and the Evening Muse. There’s also more than a smattering breweries for those looking to host a Saturday brewery crawl. It’s the neighborhood locals love to take out of town visitors to because you never know what to expect, from street murals to sidewalk performers. I once witnessed a flash mob close down the streets for a marriage proposal.
Twitter: @GrowlersPH @NTheatre @TheEveningMuse
Uptown
One of Charlotte’s biggest draws is its bustling downtown, or, as we Charlotteans call it, Uptown. Center city doesn’t go to sleep when business closes for the day, but comes alive with a variety of entertainment options. Restaurants and bars that range from casual to elegant, combined with the Bank of America Stadium (home of the Carolina Panthers), Spectrum Center (home of the Charlotte Hornets), and BB&T Ballpark (home of the Charlotte Knights), make it a great place to not only visit, but live. The best part is, everything is walkable.
When I first moved to Charlotte 10 years ago, rental options were limited to a handful of apartment complexes in Gateway Village and the First Ward and private condo rentals. Today, there is a full spectrum of apartment complexes from ranging from luxury high rises to resort-like complexes in the various outlying neighborhoods.
Twitter: @spectrumcenter @BBTBallpark
[tweetthis]Are You Thinking About Moving To #Charlotte? Check Out These Top 5 #Neighborhoods To Rent A Place![/tweetthis]
Plaza Midwood
Worried about the light rail altering the vibe of NoDa? Then Plaza Midwood is the neighborhood for you. Located five minutes east of Uptown, Plaza Midwood is one of Charlotte’s most authentic neighborhoods, housing popular dive bar the Thirsty Beaver and the city’s edgiest music hall Snug Harbor. Scattered throughout the neighborhood are some of the city’s classic restaurants like Zada Jane’s and Thomas Street Tavern, along a few spots that appeared on Diners, Dives, and Drive Throughs –Dish and the Diamond’s predecessor, the Penguin.
As Charlotte’s population grows, more and more new residents are finding Plaza Midwood and new business and apartments communities are opening to meet their needs. At the same time, Plaza Midwood is staying true to its roots and longtime businesses are only becoming more popular.
Twitter: @SnugRock @ZadaJanes @Dish
No matter what generation you relate most to or what your leisure needs are, Charlotte has plenty of great neighborhoods for renting. You’re sure to find one perfect for you!
Once you are all settled in to your new Charlotte home, check out what outdoor activities are here to enjoy!