Living in Charlotte's South End
Formerly written off as an industrial corridor, Charlotte’s South End has grown into a thriving urban neighborhood.
Along the twin spines of South Boulevard and South Tryon Street, scores of apartment buildings have sprung up with rooftop courtyards, yoga studios and quick access to Uptown. These are interspersed with booming restaurants, hip breweries and, increasingly, gleaming office buildings. The original Blue Line light rail brings urbanites right to their doorsteps.
While South End itself is fairly compact, the energy of the neighborhood is spreading in all directions.
To the west, the tree-lined neighborhood of Wilmore is booming with redevelopment. To the south, an entertainment district full of breweries, distilleries and nightspots has earned the name LoSo, or Lower South End. And to the north, the up-and-coming Gold District is making a name for itself.
Vitals
Population: 8,880
Commute distance to Uptown: 5 minutes
Median age: 31
Median household income: $46,585
Median home sales price: $217,730
Average rent: $1,600
Things to do in Charlotte’s South End
Futo Buta: This tiny restaurant bills itself as the “Ramen Shop of the South” and always draws a crowd. It’s directly on the light rail line at the Bland Street station. Details.
Golden Cow Creamery: This homemade ice cream shop is fittingly in the ground floor of an apartment building. Relive your childhood with their famous “Dunkaroos” flavor. Details.
Wooden Robot Brewery: South End is packed with breweries, but Wooden Robot is arguably its finest. Be sure to try their “Good Morning Vietnam” coffee blonde ale. Details.
Sleepy Poet Antique Mall: You can get lost in this massive and eclectic antique mall that has something for every type of style — from 1980s prom dresses to mid-century modern furniture. Details.
Rail Trail: Originally just a service path for the Blue Line, the Rail Trail has become a destination in its own right. Walk your dog, go for a jog or find a bench and people-watch. Details.
South End real estate
South End is best known for its apartment buildings, but there is starting to be more for sale as millennials age into homeownership. New townhomes are going up all around the neighborhood.
For a more traditional residential feel, you’ll just need to go a few blocks to Wilmore. Here, 1920s-era bungalows are being torn down and larger homes built in their stead — with property values rising along with them.