Thinking about a move to Charlotte? The Queen City is one of the best places to live on the East Coast, offering great job opportunities, affordable housing, and plenty of cool things to do. Check out these best neighborhoods in Charlotte for singles and young professionals!
Belmont
Photo via @gcdesignbuild
- Home Price: $104,675 median purchase price; $960 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 17% of Charlotte neighborhoods
Located just outside of Uptown Charlotte, Belmont is an ideal spot for singles and young professionals looking for affordable homes in a trendy area. Belmont—along with the nearby Plaza Midwood and NoDa neighborhoods—is an LGBTQ-friendly area filled with one-story Victorian-style homes, Southern-style bungalows with wrap-around porches, and new condo developments that provide amazing views of the Charlotte skyline. There’s no shortage of green space either, with Alexander Street Park and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway situated along the west side of the neighborhood. Residents can also get their hands dirty and plant fruits and vegetables in the Little Sugar Creek Garden.
Things to Do in Belmont
Pick up some vintage vinyl records or see live concerts at Lunchbox Records. Buy LGBTQ gifts, books, stickers, clothing, and more at White Rabbit. Grab some drinks and settle in for live music featuring local rock bands and DJs at Snug Harbor. Tee up for “a whimsical mix of country club and speakeasy” during a night of mini golf at Stroke. Try the Chicken Florentine, Milanese, or Quattro Formaggi at Intermezzo Pizzeria & Cafe. Enjoy a Double Belmont Chili Burger, CLT Chili Dog, and Strawberry Shotcake Boozee adult milkshake at ACE No. 3 Belmont Village. Have some Jerk Chicken, Duck w/ Mole, and Bangkok Shrimp Tacos at White Duck Taco Shop. Or sample local beers like the Hopness Haze IPA, CLT IPA, or Farmer Ted’s Golden Ale at Catawba Brewing Company.
Dilworth
Photo via @dickensmitchener
- Home Price: $511,670 median purchase price; $1,113 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 13% of Charlotte neighborhoods
On the southern end of Uptown Charlotte lies the city’s first suburb that had streetcar transportation to the business district. Dilworth has since become a historic Charlotte neighborhood, and it’s a great place to live for people seeking an active community with unique local events—like sipping craft beers at the annual Dilworth Jubilee or touring some of the area’s oldest homes during the annual Dilworth Home Tour. Housing in this neighborhood is perfect for singles and young professionals looking to purchase Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquare-style homes. On top of its sought-after real estate, Dilworth is also a popular spot for many healthcare professionals who work at Levine Children’s Hospital.
Things to Do in Dilworth
Go for a jog, take your dog for a walk, or ride your bike at Latta Park. Upgrade your closet with new clothing and accessories from local Charlotte boutique Vestique. Find books, knick-knacks, gifts, and more at Paper Skyscraper. Experience live music, yoga, unique-themed nights like Emo Night or 80’s Night, and comedy shows in The Music Yard at Southbound. Satisfy your weekend brunch cravings with Chicken & Biscuits, Breakfast Tacos, and Vanilla Custard Filled French Toast at family-run restaurant 300 East. Try traditional Indian food with a modern twist like Goan Prawn Curry, Murgh Tikka Masala, and Potli Samosa at Copper Modern Indian Cuisine. Try the Bacon Cheeseburger on Steroids or the Sam I Am Burger with one of several local beers on tap from Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. Or head to Dilworth Tasting Room to sample a variety of wines and cheeses.
Elizabeth
Photo via @gwrealestate
- Home Price: $424,700 median purchase price; $1,096 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of Charlotte neighborhoods
As Charlotte’s second-oldest streetcar neighborhood, Elizabeth combines old-school charm with modern amenities! Food lovers and shoppers will love living in this area for its trendy boutiques, restaurants, and bars all within walking distance. Commutes from Elizabeth to Uptown Charlotte are easy, too, thanks to the CityLYNX Gold Line running modern streetcars and light rails along Elizabeth Avenue. In addition, new condos and townhomes are popping up alongside older Craftsman homes in this Charlotte neighborhood, so it’s a great spot for both renters and homeowners. And with Central Piedmont Community College nearby, Elizabeth is a great place to live for students pursuing a degree.
Things to Do in Elizabeth
Go on a walk, play tennis with friends, or hit the bike trail at Independence Park—or enjoy the views while competing in the annual Elizabeth 8K Road Race. Get tickets to a student-run show like Carmen or The Wizard of Oz at CPCC’s Central Piedmont Theater. Cheer on Charlotte Independence (USL) at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Savor a cold one after Easy Urban Ride every Wednesday or while your bike gets a tune-up at The Spoke Easy. Try some of the best burgers in Charlotte at Bang Bang Burgers, like a Sriracha Burger or the Seoul 2.0. Order Pollo a la Brasa with Arroz Chauffa and a House Salad at Viva Chicken. Find old-school comfort food like Meatloaf, Chicken n Dumplins, and Mashed Potatoes that are “so good they are only available on Mondays” at Lupie’s Cafe. Or sip some scotch and don’t miss out on $1 oysters on Mondays at The Crunkleton.
First Ward
Photo via @wrealtygroup
- Home Price: $146,467 median purchase price; $939 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 59% of Charlotte neighborhoods
Part of the greater Uptown district in Charlotte, the First Ward neighborhood is a favorite among young professionals and singles. Filled with bars, restaurants, entertainment, budget-friendly rental homes, and gorgeous houses tucked back in the Garden District, First Ward is a highly sought-after place for people who want to live in a cool area that’s close to the city center. On top of that, First Ward is home to a hub for local businesses and non-profits called The Market at 7th Street, which provides an inclusive and supportive environment for young entrepreneurs. This also makes it easy to support small local businesses like CLT Find, Not Just Coffee, and Mano Bella Artisan Foods while living in Charlotte. And for those working in Charlotte’s large banking industry, living in this Charlotte neighborhood is incredibly convenient since many of these businesses are within walking distance!
Things to Do in First Ward
Get concert tickets to see artists like Lizzo and Greta Van Fleet, or cheer on the Charlotte Hornets (NBA) at the Spectrum Center. Work a booth at the festival, walk in the parade, or enjoy live music at the annual Charlotte Pride Parade and Festival. Get tickets to your favorite Broadway shows like Aladdin, Annie, and Les Miserables at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Check out Queen City Quarter to find restaurants, shopping, bowling, and more! Get a taste of Southern soul food like the Carolina Chopped BBQ Sandwich, Mom’s Meatloaf, or Fried Catfish at Mert’s Heart & Soul. Try 10 different types of fresh oysters and wash them down with a cocktail like the Hibiskiss or the Ghost Pepper Pommarita at Sea Level NC. Catch the big game on one of the many big-screen TVs and order Loaded Nachos at Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse. Or drink craft cocktails in an upscale atmosphere with great views of Uptown Charlotte on the Novelty House rooftop.
Freedom Park
Photo via @joannaenten
- Home Price: $474,800 median purchase price; $1,043 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 70% of Charlotte neighborhoods
Though it’s a bit removed from Uptown Charlotte, young professionals and singles looking for a quieter, more residential area will love Freedom Park! If you’re thinking about starting a family, this Charlotte neighborhood offers spacious single-family homes with large yards. Best of all, this is one of the safer neighborhoods throughout the Charlotte metro, making this suburban oasis one you definitely don’t want to miss! Freedom Park is also a popular Charlotte neighborhood for students pursuing a degree at Queens University of Charlotte, one of the best universities in the South.
Things to Do in Freedom Park
Play beach volleyball and tennis at the neighborhood’s namesake park or go for a run around the lake at Freedom Park. Head down to the Park Road Shopping Center and find antiques at Classic Attic or pick out some new clothing and accessories at Julie’s Boutique. Browse for your next read, attend an author talk, or start a book club at Park Road Books, “Charlotte’s favorite bookstore since 1977.” Enjoy high-quality Vietnamese food like Spicy Udon or Pork & Ginger Gyoza at CO. Dig into Chipotle BBQ or Jamaican Jerk wings at the Moosehead Grill. Dine at one of the best places to get chicken and waffles in Charlotte, Brazwells Premium Pub. Pick up fresh fish and locally-sourced oysters at go-to seafood spot ROCKSALT. Or become a member to enjoy drinks and charcuterie at Dot Dot Dot, a local speakeasy with inventive cocktails and where the rules and dress codes are strictly enforced.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
