NoDa

Eclectic? Artsy? Fun? Yes, Yes Yes! Noda has developed a reputation as the place to be for entertainment in Charlotte. Based along North Davidson (NODA – see?) and E. 36th St. in North Charlotte this area offers a diverse entertainment scene and is home to some of the city’s popular small music & arts venues as well as numerous unique restaurants. The Lynx light rail extension with stops in Noda is scheduled to open in 2017 and will only make the area more popular.

Relatively few homes become available in the NODA area although there have been several new construction condo projects. Many of the smaller homes in the area have been renovated and remodeled and I expect that to continue as this area continues to increase in popularity. Demand for homes in the area and low inventory continues to push prices up and it is difficult to find single family homes under $300k or larger condos under $250k.

 
Favorite places:

Kannapolis

With a population of 44,000 Kannapolis is a small town but very conveniently located to Charlotte and the Piedmont area.  Originally a mill town the city is now home of the NC Research Campus which was developed as an economic revitalization tool and which dominates the downtown landscape.

Kannapolis boasts its own AAA baseball team, the Intimidators as well as the NC Music Hall of Fame.

Homes in Kannapolis are cheaper than in Charlotte and in neighboring Concord and recent improvements to both I-85 and the completion of I-485 have made the city an attractive option to many seeking a more economical housing option or who enjoy the small-town feel.   You can still buy a smaller single family home for well under $100k in Kannapolis but most properties are older and there are very few townhome/condo opportunities. 

City of Kannapolis

 

Cotswold

Cotswold is to the north east of Charlotte just a few miles from Uptown. 

Many homes here were built in the 1950s and 1960s and the design aesthetic of that era shows with lots of ranch & split level properties on large lots. 

The area is well established and the wealth of trees and homes with large yards adds to the attraction.  Families living here enjoy the proximity to good schools and with the additional advantage of just how close Cotswold is to Uptown it’s easy to understand the appeal of this neighborhood. 

Recent building on infill sites has included townhomes & condos and some newer single family homes bringing some new options.

Cotswold Shopping Center offers a wide range of stores and restaurants and much of the area is walkable with sidewalks connecting the various subdivisions.  

Very few homes in this area become available at less than $200K and single family homes generally start around the mid $300s.