Belmont
Located to the west of Uptown Charlotte, Belmont holds the charm of life in a small southern town. With a population of just over 10,000, Belmont is a town where people stroll down Main Street to window shop, grab a bite to eat, or pop into the old fashioned Belmont General Store to get a milkshake at the soda counter. Home to picturesque Belmont Abbey College and the nationally recognized Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont is uniquely situated as a peninsula between the Catawba River and the South Fork Catawba River. Because of its history as a mill town and railroad stop, Belmont has many historic homes built between 1850-1949 including examples of Tudor Revival, Craftsman-style homes and Colonial Revival, as well as contemporary lofts in a renovated 1929 textile mill. Residents enjoy proximity to Lake Wylie, with many popular new neighborhoods situated on the waterfront. Downtown’s Stowe Park hosts movies and live music events throughout the summer as well as festivals throughout the year. Recently Belmont has become host to the Belmont Criterium, an exciting race for participants and spectators alike with refreshments, Kids Zone, BMX stunt show and even a family-friendly Kids Crit Dash!
Mount Holly
Mount Holly, known as “The Little City with the Big Heart”, is located approximately 20 minutes from Uptown Charlotte in Gaston County. Bordered to the east by the Catawba River and Mountain Island Lake, the community is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the river and lake and the surrounding open spaces. Residents of Mount Holly enjoy water activities, easy access to I-85 and an historic downtown. A stroll along Main Street reveals a vibrant community with bistros, coffee shops and retail in the old brick storefronts. Mount Holly is a high-growth area, attracting new residents with historic Craftsman-style bungalows and Colonials along tree-lined streets near Main Street, as well as newer waterfront construction in neighborhoods like Stonewater.
McAdenville
Located on the South Fork River, McAdenville is the headquarters of Pharr Yarns. The company has operated in McAdenville since 1939 and is the town’s largest employer. Each year, McAdenville transforms into a magical wonderland, “Christmas Town, USA.” Beginning the first of December until just after Christmas, a warm glow of lights sparkles across McAdenville. Visitors join residents for the annual tree lighting, Yule log parade, or a visit with St. Nick. This is a popular Christmas tradition and draws many visitors from the entire Charlotte area.
Gastonia
Located just west of Charlotte, Gastonia is the county seat in Gaston County. Gastonia is known for its large textile industry, and now residents have an opportunity to live in one of Gastonia’s infamous mills. The Loray Mill, said to be the largest single roof textile mill in the South, has been converted into loft-style apartments in a live/work/play residence. Gastonia is also home to The Schiele Museum of Natural History, with impressive wildlife displays, historical reinactments, nature trails and planetarium. Residents are drawn to the area for its strong schools, friendly neighborhoods and the beautiful rolling hills.