The city of Charlotte was named in honor of Queen Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was the wife of England’s King George III. Around 1753, Charlotte was merely an inland trading village as it happened to be located where two Indian trails crossed in the midst of an area of good farmland. The village remained fairly small for many decades and was inhabited mainly by farmers. When the first United States census was taken in 1790 Charlotte had fewer than five hundred residents. My how times have changed! Charlotte boasts a population of more than 800,000 making it the 17th largest city in the country.

Charlotte is a city of many neighborhoods, each with a unique feel and vibe. While there are plenty of housing options in the Uptown area, many residents choose to live in the neighborhoods surrounding the city’s center.

The North Davidson area, known as NoDa, is an artsy, eclectic, up and coming urban community. Ballantyne is family friendly, with excellent schools and many shopping choices. Elizabeth for historic homes in a quaint neighborhood close to town. Dilworth for family-friendly charming bungalows. Plaza Midwood has a hipster vibe with great restaurant and entertainment options. Myers Park offers affluent living with beautiful tree-lined streets. South End is known for easy rail access and walkability to restaurants and bars.

There are many others to choose from, this is just a sample of the living choices that Charlotte has to offer.

Living in Charlotte and the surrounding area is like having all the amenities of a bustling big city, but with a genteel, small town southern charm of its own.

The Charlotte Area Guide is all about connections. Our goal is to help you discover all the great things Charlotte has to offer. 

Charlotte consistently ranks as one of the top growing cities and is home to Bank of America, Lowe’s, Carolina Panthers of the NFL, the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the U.S. National Whitewater Center… just to name a few.

The food offerings are endless. With Barbecue, Italian, Seafood, Steak Houses, Japanese, Indian, Mexican, Sushi Bars and Food Trucks, there is something yummy for every palette!

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is a must see offering recreation grounds with whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, rock climbing & more. Freedom Park is a hub for hiking sports and lakeside events.

Families love the Charlotte Nature Museum, an interactive kid-oriented education center with live animals, nature trails, play areas and music events. Indoor activities abound with Discovery Place (a hands-on science museum), and IMAX theater, NASCAR Hall of Fame museum, a shrine to past and present stock-car drivers with interactive exhibits and a theater.

Carolinas Aviation Museum located on the grounds of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport is fun for aircraft enthusiasts. The Levine Museum of the New South, a post-civil War Southern history exhibit will delight history buffs young and old. There are countless activities to enjoy.

The weather is pretty mild in Charlotte with an annual high temperature of 70 degrees and an annual low temperature of 48 degrees. This makes Charlotte a great place to spend time outdoors. And boy does Charlotte have a lot of great outdoor activities to offer! For thrill seekers, Carowinds is a great choice. A sprawling theme park complete with towering roller coasters and waterslides.

For racing fans, nearby Concord and Cabarrus county is known as county  “Where Racing Lives”. Concord is home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway (yes, it’s in Concord) as well as Z-Max Drag Strip and dirt track. Don’t forget the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. True race fans know that Kannapolis is the hometown of racing legend Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Many of the top NASCAR race shops are located in the area.