Charlotte, NC has many beautiful, charming neighborhoods each with their own unique character and distinct feel.
Check out our top 10 neighborhoods for walkability in Charlotte.
1. Uptown Charlotte
Charlotte’s center city, known as Uptown (not downtown), is divided into four wards, spreading out from the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets. Uptown Charlotte’s First Ward and Fourth Ward neighborhoods are considered to be among the most walkable in all of Charlotte, NC.
The most popular ward for Uptown living, Fourth Ward is walkable to many dining and shopping spots along Graham and Poplar Streets. Fourth Ward, which encompasses Discovery Place and Fourth Ward Park, also offers the most housing options from multiple high-rise condos with all the amenities to historic Victorian homes that line picturesque streets.
Sitting east of the intersection of Trade and Tryon, the First Ward is a neighborhood rich in both sports and cultural destinations. Home to Time Warner Cable Arena (where the Hornets play) as well as the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and Spirit Square, First Ward has something for everyone. The Lynx light rail terminates at 7th Street in the First Ward providing immediate access to the popular 7th Street Market and Levine Museum of the New South as well as the Center City Building, which houses the uptown campus of UNC Charlotte.
Search Uptown Charlotte Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale HERE.
2. Plaza Midwood
One of the hippest ‘hoods in Charlotte, Plaza Midwood sits at the intersection of classic and cool. Midwood’s popularity continues to grow as its restaurants, bars and shops thrive. Don’t miss Southern comfort food at Dish or Carolina BBQ at Midwood Smokehouse. Before you leave stop at The Common Market for an interesting retro browse. Without a doubt, some of the city’s coolest hot spots are tucked into Plaza Midwood’s walkable streets.
Search Plaza Midwood Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale HERE.
3. South End
As soon as planning for the Lynx light rail began the voices of historic preservation converged with a strong civic drive to create a lively, sustainable live/work/play community. The result is the Historic SouthEnd district, a retro, trendy blend that attracts hipsters, professionals and families to one of Charlotte’s top destination neighborhoods.
The old brick mills and factories have been repurposed into enough bars, clubs and restaurants to keep you busy throughout the year. A devoted craft brew scene includes several breweries (Triple C Brewery, Lenny Boy Brewery and Olde Mecklenburg Brewery) and many other pubs and taverns. Pub crawls and brew tours are popular events and nightspots are hopping every night of the week. Numerous art galleries and boutiques feature the work of local artists while SouthEnd Fine Arts Academy offers instruction in music and dance.
4. NoDa (Charlotte’s Arts District)
NoDa, also known as the The Arts District is teaming with action. First, local artist moved in and opened galleries on North Davidson Street (thus the tag NoDa). Then came restaurants, bars and boutiques. Now you can find live/work condos, renovated mill homes, modern homes, and big beautiful bungalows throughout this popular neighborhood that is at once hipster, historic and fun.
NoDa’s culinary pleasures are truly diverse. During the week you can eat brunch at Haberdish. Get a bartender’s choice cocktail at Idlewild, tasty yet potent sangria from NoDa Company Store, doughnuts from Reigning Doughnuts, coffee from Smelly Cat Coffee, and a delicious date night meal from Crepe Cellar. Head to NoDa Yoga to work off all your meals, and take the Lynx light rail to commute to Uptown for work.
Search NoDa Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale HERE.
5. Cherry
Cherry is ideally located within walking distance of Uptown and the mansions of Queens Road. Cherry is also home to The Metropolitan Midtown aka The Met, an urban community with shopping, dining, modern homes, and art. The Met has everything you need including Target, Trader Joe’s, Best Buy, Dressler’s Restaurant, Staples, and much more. The Greenway and Linear Park are right at The Met so you won’t have to go far to enjoy a walk in the park.
This ideal location and small availability of homes are pushing prices upward in Cherry. If you love to be where the action and growth are, you need to take a look at Cherry – just make sure you move fast!
Search Cherry Homes for Sale HERE.
6. Dilworth
Grand front-porch architecture and outstanding walkability mark Dilworth as one of Charlotte’s most sought-after neighborhoods. The wide tree-lined streets and neighborly attitude add to the charm. Residents are seen waving from porches, strolling with dogs and kids, and walking to the restaurants and shops on East Boulevard and the nightlife in the recently revitalized SouthEnd District. Immediate proximity to Uptown via South Boulevard or the Lynx light rail close the deal: Dilworth’s got it all.
Search Dilworth Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale HERE.
7. Third Ward
Third Ward in Charlotte, NC: Low-rise condos, townhomes and houses line Third Ward’s Cedar Street corridor from Bank of America Stadium at one end to Gateway Village and Johnson & Wales University at the other. Mixed-use Gateway Village straddles the boundary between Third and Fourth Wards, where it teems with students from Johnson and Wales University and office workers by day and transforms into a dining and entertainment destination by night. Third Ward’s housing choices have grown with the recent condo boom more new and renovated high-rises offer buyers more options in this “hot” hood.
Search Third Ward Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale HERE.
8. Chantilly
Nestled between Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood, Chantilly is a post-war neighborhood with beautiful oak-lined streets ideal for people who want a historic home in an established area. This in-town Charlotte location allows residents to have access to all the bells and whistles of neighboring areas while being able to come home to a peaceful retreat.
Chantilly’s walkable location makes it sweeter still. Elizabeth and Midwood’s shopping districts are an easy stroll away. The Diamond, a popular local eatery, Commonwealth Animal Hospital and Villani’s Bakery are nearby, while Starbucks, and the comic book store, Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find, are a few blocks in the opposite direction. With so much to see and do, Chantilly is a great place to call home!
Search Chantilly Homes for Sale HERE.
9. Elizabeth
Walking the residential streets of Elizabeth you have to wonder why it isn’t law that every home in America be built with a generously sized, covered front porch. This neighborhood just cries “home.”
The Elizabeth neighborhood features Charlotte’s first neighborhood movie theater, The Visulite, which thrives today as a popular nightspot featuring live music nightly. New shops, upscale restaurants and revitalization along Elizabeth Avenue have created a trendy Charlotte, NC hot spot that attracts visitors to the Elizabeth community.
Trendy Elizabeth Avenue
As Trade Street comes out of Uptown it turns into Elizabeth Avenue where you’ll find a trendy assortment of restaurants as well as live entertainment venues including Customshop and more.
Another happening Elizabeth district appears as you move down 7th Street away from Uptown where historic homes have been converted into a lively assortment of shops and restaurants. Here you will find such notable Charlotte eateries as Cajun Queen (with rooftop dining), The Fig Tree Restaurant, and Sunflour Bakery.
Search Elizabeth Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale HERE.
10. Wilmore
Wilmore and the newly revitalized SouthEnd District are among Charlotte’s fastest up-and-coming neighborhoods — some areas have definitely arrived! Filled with charming bungalows from the ’20s and ’30s, this neighborhood has the style of Dilworth but with more modestly sized homes at more affordable prices. When you look at the amazing downtown skyline views visible from almost every street, it is no wonder that this neighborhood is so hot.
Perhaps Wilmore’s greatest charm is its convenience. Walking distance from the Lynx light rail, Uptown is mere minutes away. But you don’t have to catch a train to enjoy SouthEnd’s trendy shops, restaurants and brew pubs. The light rail sparked a rebirth of the SouthEnd, which now booms with apartments and mid-rise condo construction with more in the works. As much as this neighborhood is happening, it isn’t finished happening yet.
Search Wilmore Homes for Sale HERE.
Charlotte’s many diverse, walkable neighborhoods have something for everyone. Whether you’re relocating to Charlotte and want to know which hip ‘hood is right for you or searching for Charlotte’s most walkable neighborhoods, drop us a line! We would love to hear from you.
