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Best Neighborhoods in Charlotte for Families

Moving to Charlotte? Queen City is one of the top destinations for families, thanks to its affordable housing, excellent school districts, and abundance of family-friendly activities. Here are the five best neighborhoods for families in Charlotte!

Ballantyne West

  • Home Price: $296,475 median home price; $1,034 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of Charlotte neighborhoods

One of the best Charlotte neighborhoods for families is Ballantyne West! An urban-suburban metropolis just 25 minutes outside Uptown Charlotte, Ballantyne West offers families many different housing options including spacious contemporary houses, modern apartments, and trendy townhomes. This neighborhood is also home to highly-rated Charlotte schools like Ballantyne Elementary School, Elon Park Elementary School, Community House Middle School, and Ardrey Kell High School. Additionally, the 535-acre Ballantyne Corporate Park offers residents job opportunities, unique dining options, green spaces, entertainment, shopping, and more!

Things to Do in Ballantyne West

Support local vendors, listen to live music, and participate in outdoor yoga by attending Markets at 11 at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Play a round of golf, go swimming, or send your kids to summer camps when you become a member at Ballantyne Country Club. Get in your retail therapy at popular stores like REI, JCPenney, and Dillard’s at Carolina Place Mall. Or play disc golf, take the kids to the playground, or enjoy a picnic at Elon Park. Order waffle favorites for breakfast, like Slowberry Cobbler, Sticky Bun Deluxe, or The Lumberjack, at Cast Iron Waffles. Try authentic Indian dishes like Lamb Biryani, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Tikka Masala at Tabla Indian Restaurant. Enjoy hand-made pastas like Eggplant Lasagna, Black Spaghetti, or Seafood Rigatoni at Zinicola. Or treat your tastebuds to the Loaded Nachos, Mommoo’s Wings, or a Chorizo Burger at local Charlotte favorite, Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse.

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Barclay Downs

  • Home Price: $531,900 median home price; $1,241 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 64% of Charlotte neighborhoods

One of the best places to live in Charlotte is Barclay Downs. This upscale Charlotte neighborhood is filled with gorgeous mini-mansions, historic Craftsmans, luxury apartments, and Cape Cod-style homes. Barclay Downs is also home to top schools like Selwyn Elementary School, Alexander Graham Middle School, and the private Anami Montessori School, which makes it one of the best neighborhoods for families in Charlotte. Residents of this CLT neighborhood are always surrounded by a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops, upscale shops, and other family-friendly things to do.

Things to Do in Barclay Downs

Shop at luxury stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Burberry, and more at the largest shopping mall in Charlotte—SouthPark Mall. Watch the Charlotte Symphony perform at Summer Pops or get your chicken wing fix at Wing a Ding Ding Festival—just a few of Charlotte’s many festivals that take place at Symphony Park. Learn how to play tennis and go for a dip in the pool when you become a member at Barclay Downs Swim and Racquet Club. Take your dog on a walk, play a game of basketball, or have a picnic at Park Road Park. Try the Jalapeño Popper Show-Stopper Burger, Firecracker Roll, and Gimmie More S’more Shake at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar. Order the Zucchini Panini, Chicken Parmesan, and Fresh Fettuccine at Little Mama’s. Sink your teeth into the Caramelized Short Rib Sliders or Pork Belly Bao Buns while sipping on a Double Juicy Jay IPA at Legion Brewing. Or indulge in the Pork Carnitas, Al Pastor Tacos, and Alamo Chicken fajitas at Paco’s Tacos and Tequila.

Elizabeth

Luxury and modern apartment homes in Elizabeth neighborhood. Photo by Instagram user @draperplace.

Photo via @draperplace

  • Home Price: $424,700 median home price; $1,096 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of Charlotte neighborhoods

If you want to live close to downtown and in one of the best neighborhoods in Charlotte, check out Elizabeth. Families living in Elizabeth are near higher education options like King’s College Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College, great for kids starting their college career. Elizabeth is also close to amazing healthcare facilities, which also offer job opportunities for residents, such as Atrium Health Mercy and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. Choose from a wide range of beautiful housing options, from affordable bungalows and charming cottages to Craftsmans, Colonials, and even apartments. And when you want to get closer to the action, simply hop on the CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar for easy access to nearby shops, restaurants, and attractions in Center City Charlotte and Historic West End District.

Things to Do in Elizabeth

Walk through the rose garden, start a game of volleyball, or climb on the playground with your kids at Independence Park. Catch a Charlotte Independence (USL) game on the weekend at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Shop all things comic books, graphic novels, and manga at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find. Watch musicals and plays like Misery, Something Rotten!, or Pippin at Theatre Charlotte. Start your morning off with a Maple Puff, Triple Berry Muffin, and Cappuccino at Villani’s Bakery. Order the Crawfish Scampi, Cajun Fried Oysters, or New Orleans Platter at Cajun Queen. Try dishes like the spicy Texas Chili, Lupie’s Chili Slaw Burger, or Mashed Potatoes so good they’re only available on Mondays—at Lupie’s Cafe. Or enjoy the Pan Roasted Scottish Salmon, an extensive wine list, and finish off with Beignets for dessert at fine-dining restaurant The Fig Tree for date night.

Myers Park

  • Home Price: $771,500 median home price; $1,274 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Charlotte neighborhoods

Myers Park is an historic neighborhood with 100-year-old trees lining its sidewalks—a quiet and peaceful area great for families who love to get out and explore! As one of the safest neighborhoods in Charlotte, it’s a perfect place for families to settle down. The area is surrounded by several parks, restaurants, and top-rated schools for children such as Myers Park High School, Myers Park Traditional Elementary School, and Eastover Elementary School—making Myers Park ideal for raising kids, in particular. Queens University of Charlotte is also nearby, offering higher education to young adults who want to stay close to home and job opportunities for parents in the education field.

Things to Do in Myers Park

Practice your golf skills or take a dip in the pool with the kids when you become a member at Myers Park Country Club. Play a game of volleyball, tennis, soccer, or basketball at Freedom Park. Enjoy a historic garden and bird sanctuary featuring walking trails and educational opportunities for kids at Wing Haven Gardens. Explore exhibits like Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds and American Art at the Mint Museum, North Carolina’s first art museum. Participate in scavenger hunts, learn about animals, and hike trails at Discovery Place Nature. Try weekend brunch plates like Chicken & Waffle, Crab Cake Benedict, and Sausage Frittata at Napa On Providence. Enjoy rotating seasonal menu items like Spicy Chicken Salad Toast or the Fiesta Bowl at littleSpoon Eatery. Build your own pita or grain bowl at Mediterranean street food restaurant YAFO Kitchen. Or enjoy fresh seafood dishes like Grilled Oysters, Blackened Tuna Sandwich, or Shrimp Pasta at ROCKSALT Charlotte.

Providence Crossing

Large Neocolonial red brick home in Providence Crossing Charlotte. Photo by Instagram user @joanbgoode.

Photo via @joanbgoode

  • Home Price: $399,225 median home price; $366 median monthly rent price
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 89% of Charlotte neighborhoods

Looking for a safe, affordable neighborhood in Charlotte for your family? Put Providence Crossing on your list! What parents love most about Providence Crossing is the community environment—nearby schools like Polo Ridge Elementary School, Jay M. Robinson Middle School, and Rea Farms STEAM Academy are within walking distance to budget-friendly homes in a variety of styles, including Craftsman and Neo-Colonial. Tight-knit Providence Crossing also puts on fun neighborhood events in Charlotte, like the Annual Family BBQ, Ice Cream Social, and Children’s Halloween Party.

Things to Do in Providence Crossing

Browse a strip of retailers and boutiques before you jam out to outdoor concerts during Music on the Green in the summertime at Promenade on Providence. Play 18 holes, sign up for tennis lessons, or have your little ones join the kid’s club when you become a member at Providence Country Club. Enroll your children in ballet, hip-hop, and jazz dance classes at Miller Street Dance Academy. Take your dog for a walk or play a game of soccer at Flat Branch Park. Order true Neapolitan-style pizza like the Capricciosa, Luigi, or Pistachio Pizze at Inizio Pizza Napoletana—or try the Spinach Pie, Chicken Lemonata, and Crazy Lasagna at Ilios Noche. Devour pit-smoked barbecue favorites like the Chile-Rubbed Beef Brisket, St. Louis Cut Pork Ribs, and Hickory Smoked Pulled Chicken Sandwich at The Q Shack. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with a Cookie Monster Pie or a scoop of Birthday Cake and Chocolate Caliente ice cream at The Local Scoop.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes