Choosing the right Charlotte suburb
Having lived in the big cities, I moved to Charlotte in 2006. I have had the experience of being in various sections of Charlotte, and I can honestly say all are great. For those looking to move to the Charlotte area from another state, or a big city, I can assure you that you will find what you are looking for here in Charlotte. I found a recent study that covered the top 10 suburbs to live in. I wasn’t surprised that 2 of them are Charlotte suburbs. The suburb study is based on criteria including cost of living, education, and amenities. At the top of the list is Westerville, OH, a suburb of Columbus, OH. The rest of the list is comprised of cities in states including Texas, California, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Tennessee:
1. Westerville, OH
2. Plano, TX
3. Georgetown, TX
4. Round Rock, TX
5. Cedar Park, TX
6. Cupertino, CA
7. Matthews, NC
8. Cornelius, NC
9. Newton, MA
10. Germantown, TN
The study is based off the top 75 suburbs connected to the largest 20 cities in the U.S.
- Amenities (shopping, dining, entertainment, etc.)
- Cost of living (percent above or below national average)
- Crime (percent above or below national average)
- Education (student to teacher ratio compared to national average)
- Employment (income and unemployment compared to national average)
From sources including the U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics—we were able to see how each city did in the individual criteria (on a scale of 1 to 75, with 1 being best) and also on average to give them an overall score.
DETAILS ON MATTHEWS and CORNELIUS
#7. Matthews, NC
Source: Wikipedia user Jon Platek
The first of two North Carolina suburbs (of Charlotte, NC) the top 10, Matthews, population 27,198, isn’t as safe as the cities we’ve talked about thus far. With 2,952 crimes per 100,000 residents, its crime rate is only 6.6 percent below the national average.
Thankfully for its residents, the city did better in other areas. One of them is cost of living, where it is 3.3 percent below the national average (and only .2 percent above the average for the rest of North Carolina). Median household income is also quite high at $70,742, which is 35.2 percent higher than the national average.
VIEW LISTINGS NOW IN MATTHEWS OR CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM SEARCH
Custom-built executive home in sought-after South Charlotte location, just minutes from the charm of downtown Matthews, offering a rare combination of luxury living, timeless architecture, and a private resort-style setting tucked within a quiet cul-de-sac. Situated on a premium wooded lot with an expansive flat usable backyard, this one-of-a-kind retreat is designed for both effortless entertaining and everyday living. This all-brick luxury residence features six bedrooms, expansive living spaces, and thoughtfully curated designer finishes throughout. Architectural details create an unforgettable first impression, including a dramatic 30-foot cedar tongue and groove ceiling, statement river rock fireplace with solid timber mantel, and a breathtaking two-story wall of windows that fills the home with natural light and seamlessly connects the indoors with the serene natural backdrop. The newly remodeled chef’s kitchen was thoughtfully designed for elevated living and entertaining, featuring an oversized island, handcrafted Moroccan Zellige tile, designer lighting, and seamless flow into the breakfast area, keeping room, and screened porch overlooking the private backyard oasis. Main-level living spaces with soaring 10-foot ceilings provide exceptional indoor-outdoor flow and elevated views of the wooded setting. The main-level primary suite offers privacy and convenience with spa-inspired potential and peaceful backyard views. Upstairs, three spacious ensuite bedrooms, a dedicated study area, bonus room, and second laundry room provide ideal flexibility for modern living. The fully finished walk-out basement delivers exceptional multigenerational living and entertainer’s dream functionality with 10-foot ceilings, refined finishes, surround sound media area, spacious fitness room, kitchenette, guest suite, fireplace, flex room ideal for a wine lounge or music room, private office or additional bedroom, and direct access to the lower terrace and expansive backyard. This level functions beautifully as private guest quarters, an au pair suite, or independent multigenerational living space with private access. Located within walking distance to highly rated schools including Providence High and Elizabeth Lane Elementary, and convenient to South Charlotte private schools, SouthPark shopping and dining, Uptown Charlotte, and all that Matthews has to offer. Rarely does a home combine this level of privacy, architectural character, functional luxury, and expansive outdoor living in such a prime South Charlotte location. Thoughtfully designed and truly one-of-a-kind, this private retreat is best experienced in person. Located in Mecklenburg County.
| MLS#: | 4371432 |
| Price: | $2,175,000 |
| Square Footage: | 5818 |
| Bedrooms: | 6 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.42 |
| Year Built: | 2004 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Dickens Mitchener & Associates Inc - ashleyaskew@dickensmitchener.com |
Contact An Agent:
8. Cornelius, NC
Source: City of Cornelius, NC
With 24,866 residents, the second suburb of Charlotte to earn a spot in our top 10, Cornelius, is about on par with the national average in terms of crime; 314 crimes per 10,000 residents annually. Property crime in the city, however, is slightly higher than the national average.
Cornelius is the first city we’ve detailed where the cost of living is actually higher than the average than the rest of the country (by 2.5 percent). Its median household income of $81,532 is 55.8 percent higher than the American average and 85.3 percent more than the average for North Carolina. In terms of education, its class sizes are double the national average; it has a 32-to-1 student-teacher ratio compared to 16-to-1 for the U.S. average.
Cornelius, also has the drawn of Lake Norman. A beautiful lake, boasting million dollar lake homes, condos, and restaurants.
VIEW LISTINGS NOW IN CORNELIUS: OR CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM SEARCH
Custom-built executive home in sought-after South Charlotte location, just minutes from the charm of downtown Matthews, offering a rare combination of luxury living, timeless architecture, and a private resort-style setting tucked within a quiet cul-de-sac. Situated on a premium wooded lot with an expansive flat usable backyard, this one-of-a-kind retreat is designed for both effortless entertaining and everyday living. This all-brick luxury residence features six bedrooms, expansive living spaces, and thoughtfully curated designer finishes throughout. Architectural details create an unforgettable first impression, including a dramatic 30-foot cedar tongue and groove ceiling, statement river rock fireplace with solid timber mantel, and a breathtaking two-story wall of windows that fills the home with natural light and seamlessly connects the indoors with the serene natural backdrop. The newly remodeled chef’s kitchen was thoughtfully designed for elevated living and entertaining, featuring an oversized island, handcrafted Moroccan Zellige tile, designer lighting, and seamless flow into the breakfast area, keeping room, and screened porch overlooking the private backyard oasis. Main-level living spaces with soaring 10-foot ceilings provide exceptional indoor-outdoor flow and elevated views of the wooded setting. The main-level primary suite offers privacy and convenience with spa-inspired potential and peaceful backyard views. Upstairs, three spacious ensuite bedrooms, a dedicated study area, bonus room, and second laundry room provide ideal flexibility for modern living. The fully finished walk-out basement delivers exceptional multigenerational living and entertainer’s dream functionality with 10-foot ceilings, refined finishes, surround sound media area, spacious fitness room, kitchenette, guest suite, fireplace, flex room ideal for a wine lounge or music room, private office or additional bedroom, and direct access to the lower terrace and expansive backyard. This level functions beautifully as private guest quarters, an au pair suite, or independent multigenerational living space with private access. Located within walking distance to highly rated schools including Providence High and Elizabeth Lane Elementary, and convenient to South Charlotte private schools, SouthPark shopping and dining, Uptown Charlotte, and all that Matthews has to offer. Rarely does a home combine this level of privacy, architectural character, functional luxury, and expansive outdoor living in such a prime South Charlotte location. Thoughtfully designed and truly one-of-a-kind, this private retreat is best experienced in person. Located in Mecklenburg County.
| MLS#: | 4371432 |
| Price: | $2,175,000 |
| Square Footage: | 5818 |
| Bedrooms: | 6 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.42 |
| Year Built: | 2004 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Dickens Mitchener & Associates Inc - ashleyaskew@dickensmitchener.com |
Contact An Agent:
Here are the details found on CORNELIUS and MATTHEWS.
CITY RANK AMENITIES EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT $LIVING CRIME RANK
If you would like to search homes in the Cornelius or Matthews area please visit www.daniellewasser.com for
my easy to use Real Estate search in the Charlotte area, and Charlotte suburbs.
Look forward to answering any of your questions!
DANIELLE WASSER
704-604-2999
