Quick Area Guide
Known as the Queen City, Charlotte is strategically located midway between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the renowned North Carolina coast. It is the nation's second largest financial and banking center (New York City being first) and the nation's fifth largest urban region. In addition, there are nine Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Charlotte and over 600 foreign-owned companies within the region. For the past three years, the Charlotte region has been ranked #1 in "pro business attitude" by Fortune Magazine. There are few cities in the country that have grown at the pace Charlotte has over the past decade and been able to successfully maintain a strong sense of who they are and preserve the qualities that make them so special.
Located halfway between Maine and Florida, Charlotte is accessible by three major interstate highways and numerous state highways. Interstate I-77 runs north and south through Charlotte, I-85 runs east and west and I-485 is the beltway around the city, making getting around town a breeze. The beltway is 2/3 completed and is expected to be finished by 2013. Charlotte is also the largest trucking center in the southeast and has wonderful rail and busing systems in place. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is a world-class facility and is the 6th largest airline hub in the United States, offering more than 500 flights daily going to and from over 160 cities throughout the world.
Over the past 10 years, the exciting pace of the well-planned growth in the Charlotte region would make anyone's head spin, but the extraordinary results in architecture and spectacular transformation of landscape have shaped the area into an exceptionally beautiful and vibrant place to live and work. Some of the most dramatic changes in architecture have been in Uptown Charlotte. On average, developers have added several new skyscrapers to the ever-changing skyline each year, adding to the excitement of the growth of this southern city. Not long ago, Uptown was quiet after 6 p.m.; it is now hustling and bustling with life into the wee hours of the morning.
There is a wide range of educational opportunities available and they include public, private and parochial schools for K-12 children, as well as the region's 11 universities, 9 liberal arts colleges, 9 community colleges, and 5 professional and technical schools. New schools are being built each year to keep up with the growth of the communities.
With a mild year round climate, newcomers and residents are always delighted with the change of seasons. Spring is an exceptionally beautiful time of year and a favorite for residents and visitors with the breathtaking flowers and flowering trees and shrubs that have been so thoughtfully planted and cared for over the years. Fall is also a popular time of year and thousands flock to the nearby mountains to witness the spectacular change of leaves.
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Attractions
While Charlotte may be attracting world-class performers, we are a city proud of it roots and history and retains a unique Southern charm that is most evident at the many festivals, parades, holiday celebrations, outdoor concerts, and farmer's markets held throughout the year.
When it comes to sports, the region offers every major and minor league sport with NASCAR and motorsports being the most dominant. Lowe's Motor Speedway is the largest sports facility in the Southeast and is recognized as one of the best NASCAR tracks in the country. The excitement of having such a variety of professional and semi-professional teams is contagious and makes attending events all the more fun. There is a sport for every season and fans love attending the games of the NFL Carolina Panthers, NBA Charlotte Bobcats, WNBA Charlotte Sting (women's professional basketball), Charlotte Checkers (minor league hockey), Charlotte Knights (semi-professional baseball), Carolina Cobras (arena football), Charlotte Eagles & Lady Eagles (professional soccer), and watching their favorite players in the PGA's Wachovia Championship. We are looking forward to the completion of the U.S. National Whitewater Center, an outdoor adventure center that will be a world-class sports and training center for Olympic athletes and weekend enthusiasts. It is expected to open in the Spring of 2006.
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Golf and Tennis
With an average temperature of 61*, golfers can enjoy year-round play on one of the dozens of courses; any of which are located within country club communities. The sheer number of shopping and dining choices can sometimes be overwhelming, but it is also what makes the Charlotte area such a fun place to live! Residents and visitors delight in exploring every nook and cranny of the region because there is always something new to do and see.
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Museums
The Charlotte area is rich in history and culture and ranks #1 per capita giving to the arts and sciences. Your weekends will never be dull if you take time to attend one of the many museums, art galleries, theaters and concerts.
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Neighborhoods
The diversity of the hundreds of neighborhoods and communities is one of the biggest attractions for newcomers and residents to the Charlotte region. If you enjoy living in historical areas, you will want to visit the Myers Park, Eastover, and Dilworth areas of Charlotte. If lake living is your preference, there is a large selection of homes on and around Lake Wylie and Lake Norman, both of which have shores within Mecklenburg County. Golfing communities are located throughout the county; some of the more popular ones include: The Peninsula, Ballantyne, Highland Creek, Myers Park, Raintree, Quail Hollow, River Run, and Piper Glen (TPC course). If you enjoy living in an arts community, be sure to visit No-Da, Plaza Midwood and Uptown Charlotte. Whatever your price range, preference for architecture, convenience and amenities agents can find the perfect home and community to suit your lifestyle.
The Mecklenburg County area is divided into the following towns and areas:
Uptown Charlotte: First Ward, Second Ward, Third Ward, Fourth Ward
Historic Charlotte: Myers Park, Eastover, Dilworth, Southend, Midwood & No-Da (The Arts District)
South Charlotte: Matthews, Pineville, SouthPark, Cotswold, Ballantyne North Charlotte: Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Lake Norman, Birkdale, University East Charlotte: Indian Trail, Mint Hill, Midwood West
Charlotte: Lake Wylie, Mountain Island Lake, The Sanctuary
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Preserves and Parks
Whatever your whim, diversity reigns when it comes to recreation and entertainment. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will delight in taking advantage of the recreational opportunities at any of the 175 parks or Lake Wylie and Lake Norman.
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