Are you looking for that downtown, walkable, atmosphere?  That Small Town near Charlotte NC that still offers restaurants & entertainment When you start shopping for a home in one of the Charlotte suburbs, you might be surprised at what you find: wide sidewalks, ice cream shops, coffee cafes, fine dining restaurants and plenty of shopping will greet you in these downtown burrows. 

Just outside of the thriving metropolis of Charlotte, “Main Street” still exists. Many of Charlotte’s best suburbs are actually best-kept secrets, offering a glimpse of simpler days and southern charm. Many of these towns were built around the old mill’s & have seen extensive revitalization throughout the past decades.

We love strolling the wide sidewalks of our favorite downtown havens, visiting the great eateries & breweries, smiling at passersby and soaking one of the best parts of living in Charlotte.

Want to live in an area that still has that “Main Street” vibe? These seven towns near Charlotte NC offer the best of both worlds: 

1. Matthews, NC
2. Davidson, NC
3. Fort Mill, SC
4. Belmont, NC
5. Waxhaw, NC
6. McAdenville, NC

7. Salisbury, NC

1. Living in Matthews NC: 

Matthews has one of the most vibrant downtown communities of any area near Charlotte. I may be a bit bias, as I do live downtown Matthews :). From its weekly year-round farmer’s market to a dizzying array of retail establishments, restaurants (You have to check out Seaboard Brewery) and small businesses.

Main Street right by Stumptown Park, a cute little slice of greenery that’s host to events like movies on the lawn and various festivals throughout the year. And who can forget about all the great events Matthews hosts year-round.

Thanks to its proximity to both Charlotte proper and south CLT neighborhoods like Ballantyne & Waverly, Matthews has actually become one of the most popular commuter “suburbs” in the state. Still, part of the CMS school system and home to juggernauts Family Dollar and Harris Teeter, the city is a smart choice for professionals and families alike. Homes for sale in Matthews range from two-story brick traditional’s to new construction to ranch-style, and more.

2. Living in Davidson NC: 

Downtown Davidson is literally the picture-perfect version of southern Main Street, lined with antique stores, clothing shops, and even a revered “restaurant row.” You have the check out Kindred, one of the most touted eateries in the state.

Adjacent to the gorgeous grounds of historical Davidson College, the downtown area is actually paved mostly with bricks, and exceptionally clean. Every year visitors and locals alike enjoy May Day, Movies on the Green, and a glittering “Christmas in Davidson” festival.

Great news, it’s actually surprisingly easy to find homes for sale in Davidson within walking distance of downtown. The surrounding streets are lined with historic homes ranging from brick colonials to single-story craftsmans. Between the college and the vintage charm, though, Davidson is in high demand, so it won’t be affordable here for long.

3. Living in Fort Mill SC:

Fort Mill has it all! No, really. The township of Fort Mill, just over the South Carolina line from Charlotte, is an absolute boom town. Fort Mill is one of the fastest growing cities in South Carolina.  Thankfully, despite the rapid development of the once-farmland surrounding this community, it’s charming downtown has stayed largely intact, and even been improved.

Main Street in downtown Fort Mill is still the heart of the city, and it shows. Some of the buildings in downtown date back to the late 1800s, including large mill buildings that were used for textiles in years past.

As you stroll through historic Fort Mill downtown, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Many of the buildings on Main Street were built in the late 19th Century and provide evidence of the business district’s growth during this period in time. If you find yourselves downtown Fort Mill you have to stop by and visit our friend Smokin’ Ed Currie, owner of Puckerbutt Pepper Company. Puckerbutt Pepper Company is home to the Worlds Hottest Pepper, The Carolina Reaper. Click Here to see an interview with the mad scientist himself, Ed Currie. 

For a bargain, downtown Fort Mill homes for sale offer a lot to think about; live, work, play in every sense of the word!

4. Living in Belmont NC: 

The charming city of Belmont sits about 15 miles west of Uptown Charlotte. Belmont is surrounded by the natural beauty of rolling hills, robust forests and the rambling banks of Lake Wylie. When you visit Downtown Belmont, it feels like you are stepping back in time.   

Once a community where the textile industry served as the lifeblood, Belmont is a burgeoning success story of thriving growth and redevelopment. A picturesque blend of old-fashioned nuances, Belmont offers historical homes, streetlamps, brick sidewalks and the simpler times of “back then.” These are the branches that support a budding business atmosphere of today, that embrace the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, and that help to nourish arts, culture, shopping and an assortment of fascinations for all ages to enjoy.

You can spend an entire day strolling through Downtown Belmont visiting all of the shops, stores, & restaurants. For some great southern food you have to check out  Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, owned by the Jonas Family. Or grab a craft beer at Jekyll & Hyde Taphouse & Grill

Settled all the way back in the 1750s, houses for sale in Belmont, as well as downtown itself, have a lot of rich history. Just a few miles from the beautiful Belmont Abbey College, downtown teems with locals and students alike. There are actually a variety of events held in and around downtown each year including the Belmont Boo Fest, a downtown Christmas Village, and even a Summer Concert Series on Friday nights! 

5. Living in Waxhaw NC: 

Thirty miles south of Charlotte is a small but celebrated city. While being home to only about 13,000 people, this place packs a big punch (especially in the restaurant arena). With a charming downtown sprinkled with shops, boutiques and elegant restaurants as well as a bustling market on Saturday mornings, you can’t miss wonderful Waxhaw.

While downtown, you have to check out The DreamChaser’s Brewery, Union County’s First and Waxhaw’s only Brewery. This brewery is known for its transformed space, once served as a fire station and now hosts music bingo on Tuesday nights from 7-9 p.m, trivia on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m, and the occasional build your own mimosa bar on Sunday.

The downtown area of Waxhaw was once surrounded by large tracts of farm land and pastures. Today, the landscape takes on a new look, as those farmlands have turned into substantial subdivisions. The rapidly growing town of Waxhaw is located about 23 miles southeast of downtown Charlotte.