Named in honor of German princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Charlotte, North Carolina, is a major city and commercial hub in the state. Incorporated 1768, it now spans 312 square miles and has a median age of 34.4 (2022). Its main industries include retail, energy, healthcare, automotive, manufacturing, technology, and banking/financial services.

Charlotte’s real-estate market includes homes in Ranch, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Mid-Century Modern styles. The typical home value is $399,218, which is an increase of 18.5% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Residents can enjoy year-round events, such as Carolina Balloonfest, Taste of Charlotte, the North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival, and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Two major highways, I-85 and I-277, intersect near the city’s center. Just off I-277 is Dilworth, a neighborhood lined with mature oak trees, charming bungalows, an occasional Victorian or two-storey Colonial-style home, and houses with front porches. Further south, scenic Foxcroft offers bungalows and Colonial-style homes, while the Fourth Ward, accessible via I-277, is a historic district that includes condos and Victorian-style homes.

Charlotte is a crowd-pleaser. It’s the epicenter of thrilling NASCAR auto racing, and also a refined, cosmopolitan metropolis with stately neighborhoods, notable museums, and Southern hospitality.