Life West Of Charlotte

Where Old-time Charm and Contemporary Cool Coexist

- Aleigh Acerni And Michele Huggins

Residents of suburbs to the west side of Charlotte have some of the easiest commutes in the area, as they can often avoid the continuous construction and ongoing congestion of Interstate 77 to the north of uptown. There are other benefits to living in Gaston County, including convenient access to the beautiful Catawba River and a quick exit out of town to the mountains of North Carolina. Here’s why you might want to consider settling west of Charlotte.

Belmont

Charlotte’s nearby neighbor to the west is Belmont. A town once dominated by textile mills is now an enclave for Charlotte commuters. A history-meetscontemporary mindset reins here, where historic homes and brick sidewalks mix with newer construction and modern amenities, including free outdoor Wifi along Main Street and a new public mural painted with help from community members.

The town sits at the end of a large peninsula surrounded by Lake Wylie, the Catawba River and the South Fork Catawba River. Belmont’s Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park has public fishing, a playground and rental shelters overlooking the river. Runners and cyclists enjoy the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail and downtown Belmont walking routes. The 300-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden includes the Lost Hollow Children’s Garden and hosts family-friendly programming throughout the year, in addition to a plethora of seasonal events. Stowe Park, located on Main Street, offers leafy charm, a playground, walking trail and a natural amphitheatre, and is the location of various downtown festivals throughout the year.