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The Details on the Charlotte Commute

When choosing a new community to live in, commute times are one of the most important considerations. How long will it take you to get to work, to daycare, to your friends’ and family’s homes? Proximity to major arteries is something to think about.

Commuting in any big city can be stressful. The Urban Institute projects that the population of Charlotte will grow by 47% between now and 2030, adding pressure to the city’s infrastructure. But if you plan where to build your new home based on your most common destinations, you can likely avoid a lot of extra unnecessary travel time and spend more time inside your new home.

Best Suburban Areas for Commuting in Charlotte

Ballantyne

Located south of Charlotte, Ballantyne is an established area with all the amenities you could need. Dotted with restaurants, shopping, movie theaters, and other such establishments, this diverse area keeps you close to home for most of your daily needs.

If you do need to commute outside the area, Ballantyne is located close to I-485 Outer and just minutes from I-77 taking you into the downtown core in around 20 minutes.

If you prefer to avoid driving in morning and evening rush hour traffic, you can opt to drive to a nearby LYNX Light Rail station where you can park and ride into the city.

Lake Norman Area

massive man-made lake with over 520 miles of shoreline just north of downtown Charlotte via I-77. There are plenty of local activities in the area to keep you active, such as hiking and horseback trails, the Carolina Raptor Center, and NorthStone Country Club if you are an avid golfer.

Historic Rural Hill offers stunning event spaces and annual festivals and games, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway is just minutes away on the I-485. If you work in downtown Charlotte, you can access Lake Norman in under 15 minutes via the I-77 and the toll lanes that allow you to skip the traffic if there is any and you are in a hurry.

Belmont

Belmont is a quaint suburb located west of Charlotte on the Catawba River. Easy access to Charlotte’s city center in around 25 minutes is available via I-85 or 74.

Young couples and families are attracted to this area as it offers close proximity to Uptown Charlotte without all the rush hour traffic. It also has a short commute to the Charlotte International Airport.

Belmont offers a more small-town feel, but with quick access to city amenities. The area is also home to the 380-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and plenty of green space for recreational activities.

If you’re looking for a quieter community with short commutes to downtown, Belmont may be your ideal new home.

Fort Mill and Lake Wylie area

South of Charlotte is the community of Fort Mill and the Lake Wylie area which are just across the state line in South Carolina. This is a fantastic area for homeowners looking to pay lower tax rates but still have a quick commute to downtown Charlotte. In South Carolina, most people pay less overall income tax and property taxes are lower too.

There’s no shortage of parks, hiking trails, and golf in Fort Mill. If you prefer indoor recreation, Fort Mill YMCA is within reach. Restaurants, bars, and shopping are littered throughout the area offering quick and easy places to relax and enjoy an evening with friends.

And who doesn’t want to live near all the recreation of Lake Wylie?! Enjoy weekends boating, fishing, or dining along the water.

Communities Located Near Charlotte City

If you’re looking for a new home that’s already close to the city center, you should consider communities within the South End and South Park areas.

South End

Just a few minutes from uptown Charlotte via South Boulevard, South End is an old Mill town that’s been revitalized into an upscale modern community with plenty of galleries, nightlife, artisan stores and luxury townhomes. The light rail links south end to the city with not just a train but also the famous rail trail for exercising and dining options.

South Park

Directly south of the city center is South Park, an upscale residential and commercial area which offers designer shopping at the SouthPark Mall, as well as smaller independent shops throughout the area. South Park is home to many vibrant communities that attract young professionals thanks to its numerous posh bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Charlotte has many beautiful communities to choose from, most of which are accessible by major arteries throughout the city. Depending on where you need to go for work, sports, family and friends, or other typical commutes, there’s an ideal neighborhood waiting for you to move into.

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