Making Moves

What Makes Charlotte a Great Place for Families

- Michele Huggins

Charlotte is a thriving city in the midst of a population boom. For a birds-eye view of the Charlotte real estate market, we spoke to the Brenda Hayden, the 2019 president of the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association and CarolinaMLS. She also is a long-time Charlotte resident. She and her husband are parents to two children. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family, hiking, and volunteering in the community with organizations that focus on eliminating homelessness.

Charlotte has seen tremendous growth in the past five years. For newcomers, how would you describe Charlotte’s current real estate market? And how is it changing to accommodate the surge in population?

Charlotte and its numerous bedroom communities are spread out like a patchwork quilt and present a blanket of opportunities for families to find communities, neighborhoods and homes that fits their lifestyles. Charlotte is really a regional metro market that includes 12 North Carolina counties and four contiguous South Carolina counties. In the past three years, there has been a lack of inventory, especially in price points under $300,000, which is compounded by some 60 people on average moving to the area each day. That’s why it’s important to talk about real estate from a regional perspective.

What makes Charlotte attractive for families looking to relocate?

Charlotte’s overall cost of living for a major urban city is still lower than other cities of equal size or larger. There are many family-friendly places to visit and events to attend. Charlotte truly offers four seasons to enjoy and is within two to three hours of the mountains and beaches.

What’s your advice to a family moving here: rent first or buy?