University City
University City is located just a few minutes’ drive northeast of Charlotte and is home to the UNC Charlotte campus. Today this area is growing with new subdivisions and shopping centers and University Research Park, one of the largest research parks in the state. Over the past decade, this area has developed rapidly and is now home to more than 73,000 jobs and many corporate headquarters. PNC Music Pavilion and the Carolinas first IKEA store also call University City home.
Concord
Concord, located in Cabarrus County off I-77, is the Cabarrus County seat and is home to much of the NASCAR industry and the Charlotte Motor Speedway; a five billion dollar segment of the North Carolina economy. Founded on a 26-acre site in 1796, Concord today is a blend of business, industrial and residential life. Cabarrus County is attracting world-class talent in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences. Concord Mills, a popular mega-shopping and entertainment destination including SEA LIFE aquarium, is another draw to the Concord area. Homes in Concord range from new transitional styles to traditional bungalows and colonials in Historic Concord. Christenbury is a master-planned community on 255 acres in a setting reminiscent of the English countryside. With five distinct neighborhoods to select from, buyers can find the home of their choice here.
Kannapolis
The city of Kannapolis maintains the small-town charm of an historic mill town while becoming a growing presence as a hub of nutrition, human health and agriculture research. The quaint downtown lies adjacent to the North Carolina Research Campus, a life sciences campus focusing on nutrition and disease prevention. The town has a rich history of music and motorsports. The hometown of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. is also home to the Curb Museum for Music and Motosports which showcases record company owner Mike Curb’s vast collection of music and racing memorabilia. Year-round family events in Village Park and Veterans Park bring thousands of people to downtown Kannapolis for concerts, movies, and other special events. In December, a month-long Celebration of Lights marks the holiday season.
Highland Creek
Highland Creek (Charlotte, NC & Concord, NC): One of the largest master-planned communities in the state of North Carolina, Highland Creek is one of the most popular and best selling neighborhoods in the Charlotte area. Situated between I-77 and I-85, residents enjoy convenient access to Uptown Charlotte and other area attractions. This family friendly, resort-style community is home to one of the best and toughest public golf courses in Charlotte. The 18-hole Championship course designed by Clifton, Ezell & Clifton, winds through meandering creeks and towering trees. Highland Creek is also home to four swimming pool venues, many playgrounds, pocket parks and designated fishing areas.
Huntersville
Incorporated in 1873 as a small mill town, Huntersville has expanded with retail and residential areas to become North Mecklenburg’s largest town. Huntersville is home to the award-winning live-work community of Birkdale Village, which offers shopping, dining and entertainment in a setting of colorful buildings, bubbling fountains and beautiful gardens. Residents enjoy window-shopping along the main street of Birkdale Village and Friday night live music events are popular during the summer. More than just a shopping mecca, Huntersville is bursting with early Mecklenburg history including the historic homesteads Rural Hill and Latta Plantation. Located just minutes from Lake Norman, Huntersville has become a popular place to call home.
Cornelius
Cornelius was established in 1905 and originated as a textile mill and farm community. With the creation of Lake Norman in the 1960s, the focus of Cornelius shifted west toward lake front property. Now the town boasts a population of more than 17,800, and is home to lakefront mansions, retail and dining, country clubs and golf courses. Cornelius is still a laid-back town, and residents enjoy strolling down Catawba Avenue with its brick sidewalks lined with decorative street lamps, or playing in Jetton or Ramsey Creek Parks on the waterfront.
Davidson
With a population of about 8,300, Davidson is a college town with southern charm. Known for its quaint Main Street and tree-lined sidewalks, Davidson is home to Davidson College. The independent, liberal arts school has about 1,700 students and was founded in 1837. In 2011, Davidson was awarded its first Tree City USA designation, one of just 72 communities in North Carolina to receive the award. Davidson is bicycle and pedestrian friendly with more than 12 miles of greenways, bike lanes, parks and a national arboretum to encourage residents to explore outside. The area is highly desirable due to the proximity of Lake Norman and Lake Davidson, as well as the many new upscale developments and the allure of the town’s historic charm. The town of Davidson is located 25 miles north of Uptown Charlotte off I-77 Exit 30.
Mooresville
Known as “Race City, USA,” Mooresville is home to the NC Auto Hall of Fame and many NASCAR drivers and teams. Founded in the 1850s as a railroad town, several areas in Mooresville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the quaint downtown area filled with antique shops. Many residents make their homes along the shores of Lake Norman or in one of the many new home communities surrounding the area. The Point, an exclusive waterfront golf community situated on 18 miles of shoreline, offers water views and the fantastic Greg Norman golf course. In addition to the lake, attractions in Mooresville include The Lazy 5 Ranch, featuring over 750 exotic animals, Carrigan Farms, a U-Pick farm with strawberry fields and an apple orchard, the Depot Visual Arts Center and several local racing shops.
Statesville
Historic downtown Statesville is filled with quaint shops and lovely older homes on tree-lined streets. Lake Norman and Zootastic Park are close by, as are NASCAR and outlet shopping. Statesville also serves as a gateway to the North Carolina Mountains, furniture outlets that populate Hickory, NC and the Yadkin Valley Wine Region. Statesville is home to two of North Carolina’s most unique and anticipated festivals, the Carolina BalloonFest and the CrossRoads PumpkinFest. Both events feature great entertainment, food and arts and crafts.