One of the hardest decisions we had to make when we were relocating to the Carolinas was in which city we would settle down in. Myself, being relatively self employed, could go anywhere and my wife had opportunities in Chapel Hill, Charlotte, and Winston Salem. It was a tough call but we decided on the Charlotte area because it seemed to have the most to offer and, with the exception of the water, was most like where we were moving from in Maryland.
Since my wife's job opportunity was in south Charlotte, we focused our search there on a home and a new hometown. I personally adore Lake Norman and Lake Wylie but she didn't like the idea of a 1 hour 1-way commute each day (and she says she loves me). We did the typical ride around with a REALTOR showing us houses in both Indian Trail, south charlotte, and Matthews. Confused as ever, we settled on Matthews with the idea we'd rent for a year and then buy if you didn't like the area or things with my wife's job didn't pan out. We definitely made the right choice my living in Matthews and here's why:
Matthews has really convenient shopping.
While the two closest malls are South Park and Carolina Place (both only 20 minutes away), we have a large outdoor mall at Sycamore Commons (what would be the corner of Matthews Township Parkway and Independence Blvd) that features many of the same big box stores the mall carries such as:
- Dicks Sporting Goods
- Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Linen's and Things
- Office Depot
- Costco
- Sams Club
- Michaels
- Kohls
- Petsmart
- Lowes (Home Depot is across the street)
- Target
Because of how the city is zoned, all of the stores listed above and more are all grouped in less than a mile from each other. If what you need isn't there, you have a similar outdoor mall in the Crownpoint area (Old Monroe Road and Sardis Road North) and the Arboretum (Pineville-Matthews Road and Providence Road). You don't have to drive all over town to complete your errands if you don't want to.
Matthews is close to Uptown Charlotte
When I pull out from my community, I can see the Bank of America and other skyscrapers in Uptown on a clear day and definitely at night. It's a pretty cool sight to behold. From Pleasant Plains road, I can be in Uptown in no more than 30 minutes. Unlike most cities, unless you are going to see a game or grab something to eat, there's not much to do in uptown so we enjoy visiting Dilworth, the South end, South Park, Cotswold, and Ballantyne which are also only 20 minutes from our community. Of course, the building boom in uptown Charlotte will produce more attractions for our family to enjoy so being close by is a plus.
Matthews has a very large YMCA and dozens of other work out facilities
Staying in a shape other than round is a good thing and having a great place to do so in close by is a huge attraction. On the corner of Weddington and McKee Roads is the Sisky YMCA which is one of the nicest facilities in the area. My wife and I frequent the Y and we chose it to because of the other amenities it has to offer like Basketball courts, multiple swimming pools, walking track, and a great workout room. This isn't the only place in town to burn the fat. There are at least a half dozen similar facilities all over town, some open 24 hours.
Take your car to the dealer for service? You're in luck.
The majority of Charlotte's auto dealerships are located along Independence Blvd. and South Blvd. Along a five mile stretch of road starting in Charlotte on the corner of Sharon Amity and Independence Blvd are:
- Beck Imports Mercedes
- Hendrick Lexus
- Rick Hendrick's City Chevrolet (a-la Days of Thunder)
- Scott Clark Toyota
- Volvo of Charlotte
- Saab of Charlotte
- Infiniti of Charlotte
- Charlotte Audi
- Town & Country Ford
- Keffer Dodge
- Arnold Palmer Cadillac
- Carolina VW
- Crown Honda
- East Charlotte Nissan
just to name a few.
Small town feel with Big City Amenities
Visit downtown historic Matthews and you'll see the old elementary school that's still in use, the city hall that also houses the library, the Chamber of Commerce located in a train station, and Stumptown park where movies are shown on the lawn during the spring and summer. Just a few miles away from there is the highly modernized Presbyterian Hospital and related medical offices. We recently stayed in the maternity wing and my wife and I were totally impressed with how incredible the facility and staff were. They have free wi-fi too!
So when you're looking to move to the Charlotte area and were like us, still trying to find a place to settle down, consider Matthews. You will find that living here is without compromises and really quite pleasant.
Jonathan Osman
Charlotte NC Homes, Charlotte Real Estate
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