Neighborhood Guide
The Forest, Matthews: What Homebuyers Need to Know
One of the most searched zip codes in the Charlotte metro — and The Forest is a big reason why. Tucked into the 28105 corridor, this neighborhood delivers large lots, custom-built homes, and some of the best schools in Mecklenburg County. If you are looking at luxury homes in Matthews NC, here is what the numbers look like on the ground.
The Schools
School access is one of the first questions buyers in this price range ask. Elizabeth Lane Elementary sits 0.2 miles from The Forest streets. Providence High School — consistently ranked in the top tier of CMS high schools — is within walking distance per MLS data. Carmel Christian School is a strong private option close by, and many families in this segment ask about it specifically.
⚠ CMS boundary review has been active since 2024. Always verify current assignments at cms.k12.nc.us before making a purchase decision based on school access.
What Is Actually Close
This is one of the most convenient corridors in the metro for everyday living. Waverly — retail, dining, and the Whole Foods corridor — is about 12 minutes. The Arboretum, with shopping and entertainment, is roughly 8 minutes. Monroe Rd dining and Starbucks are 0.6 miles. Costco and Target sit 1.8 miles away. Novant Health Matthews Medical Center is 1.9 miles. Downtown Matthews, with local restaurants and a small-town feel, is just 1.5 miles. I-485 puts you on the ring road immediately — Uptown Charlotte is roughly 20 minutes.
| Destination | Distance | What’s There |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Rd Dining | 0.6 mi · 3 min | Restaurants, Starbucks |
| Downtown Matthews | 1.5 mi · 6 min | Local dining, events |
| Costco / Target | 1.8 mi · 5 min | Retail, groceries |
| Novant Health Matthews | 1.9 mi · 6 min | Medical center |
| The Arboretum | ~8 min | Shopping, dining, entertainment |
| Waverly | ~12 min | Retail, Whole Foods corridor |
| I-485 / Uptown Charlotte | 1.3 mi / ~20 min | Ring road access, downtown commute |
What the Homes Look Like
Custom-built construction from the early 2000s dominates The Forest. You are looking at 4,000 to 5,000 square feet on lots that run from 0.35 to over half an acre. Brick, stone, and cedar shake exteriors. Screened porches, outdoor fireplaces, and 3-car garages are standard at the upper end. Heart-of-pine wood floors throughout. Dual-zone HVAC. 10-foot ceilings. These are not builder-grade homes — they were built for buyers who knew exactly what they wanted.
“Old world charm meets today’s classic interior designs — exquisite brick, stone, and cedar shake details, with covered porches and flagstone terraces built for outdoor living.”
Inside, the craftsmanship is equally deliberate. Coffered ceilings, masonry gas fireplaces, custom detailed millwork, and exposed wood beams are the standard — not the exception — at this price point.
The Tax Advantage
Homes in this corridor fall under the Town of Matthews municipal tax rate — 27.95¢ per $100 of assessed value, among the lowest in Mecklenburg County. That is a detail that matters when buyers are running numbers. Matthews has historically maintained a competitive tax structure compared to other Charlotte-area municipalities.
The Market Right Now
Homes in this corridor, priced in the $1.5M to $1.8M range, sell with limited days on market when priced correctly and well documented. Buyers in this segment do their homework before they reach out — they have already checked the schools, done the commute math, and looked at the satellite view of the lot. The homes that sit are usually the ones where the pricing does not match the condition, or the condition has not been properly presented.
See It in Person — 508 Hideaway Ridge Court
One of the best examples of what this neighborhood looks like right now is 508 Hideaway Ridge Court — listed at $1,680,000. Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, 4,160 square feet on 0.44 acres in The Forest. Primary suite on the main floor. Furnace (2023), AC (2025). Heart-of-pine wood floors throughout. Elizabeth Lane Elementary is 0.2 miles away, and Providence High is within walking distance per MLS data.
It is the right property in the right neighborhood at the right price point. Read the full property listing →
Ready to Tour?
Contact Danielle Edwards directly at 704-604-2999 or visit dedwards.carolinahomesite.com. Text HIDEAWAY to 704-604-2999 for a private showing at 508 Hideaway Ridge Court.
Danielle Edwards | Hefferon/Edwards Team | RE/MAX Executive — full-time broker serving Greater Charlotte and the Piedmont region.
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Top Charlotte Real Estate Agent As Seen on House Hunters Charlotte guiding her buyer, Lyndsay, on her relocation. info@dedwards.carolinahomesite.com | 704-604-2999 | Charlotte Real Estate Agent | Selling Charlotte since 2006 | Visit my YouTube Testimonials
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. CMS school boundaries are subject to change — verify independently at cms.k12.nc.us. DRIVEN ADM · 2026
