Diverse neighborhoods and affordable housing, historical high points, convenient shopping and room to grow are just some of the appeal of east Charlotte, an area roughly defined by Independence Boulevard at its southern end and The Plaza/Plaza Road Extension at its northern end. East Charlotte homes are listed in areas 2 and 3.

Three miles “and 200 years” from uptown is the Charlotte Museum of History and the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, Mecklenburg’s oldest surviving structure. The wooded grounds on Shamrock Drive provide a relaxing and entertaining retreat for visitors looking to escape the bustle of the Queen City and learn a bit of her history as well. The site is also home to the world’s largest ground-level bell, the American Freedom Bell, which is nestled in a lovely setting on the property.

Less dramatic but equally established is the Plaza/Midwood area. One of Charlotte’s early streetcar neighborhoods, it includes a delightful mixture of older, renovated and new residences. A mixed bag of families and urban pioneers and a very active community make the area desirable and popular. East Charlotte has an active commercial sector due to development along Central Avenue/Albemarle Road and Independence Boulevard. The area is also home to some of the city’s most comfortable housing areas - many with prices that first-time buyers find appealing. And thanks to all that commercial development, residents enjoy some of Charlotte’s best and most convenient shopping.

Eastland Mall, which sits on Central Avenue between Sharon Amity and Albemarle roads, is an east Charlotte landmark. This 1.1-million-square-foot, double-decker center opened in 1975 and has recently undergone some facelift work. It boasts major department stores, specialty shops and a food court as well as an ice rink, which is a great spot to learn skating or cool off on a summer day. Spectators can watch the fun from balconies over the rink.

Albemarle Road is a busy boulevard lined with strip shopping centers filled with supermarkets, drugstores, restaurants and specialty shops.

Independence Boulevard has sprouted many strip shopping centers and retail/commercial areas. Look here for one of the city’s biggest collections of automobile showrooms, huge home-supply and furniture stores, restaurants and membership-only warehouses.

Another trend that’s shaping east Charlotte is the influx of immigrants and new citizens who make their homes here. Here’s where you’ll find the Hindu Center, the Islamic Center, the Chinese Baptist Church and a host of other facilities, as well as plenty of ethnic groceries and stores. Perhaps because of this, east Charlotte also has developed an eclectic selection of restaurants, including Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, steakhouses, family restaurants and cafeterias. Outdoor recreation in the area includes Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve, which features more than 800 acres of nature trails, recreational fields, a disc golf course, fishing ponds and picnic areas. Golfers will enjoy teeing off at the area’s public and semi-private golf courses, including Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, The Divide on Stevens Mill Road and the Charles T. Myers course on Harrisburg Road.
 

If you’d rather fly than drive, check out Wilgrove Airport, off Albemarle Road. This general-aviation facility offers charters, leasing and pilot training.

Mint Hill, a town on the southern fringe of east Charlotte, combines a country atmosphere with all the convenience of the big city. Incorporated in 1971, Mint Hill traces its history to Scotch-Irish settlers who first occupied the area in the mid-1700s.

The town’s proximity to Union County - still primarily rural and small-town - contributes to the cozy feel. The area is a good place to look for sprawling ranch or two-story homes with a little acreage, but the area also offers new construction. If you prefer to live just over the line from Matthews or Mint Hill in Union County, you’ll find plenty of new communities and older homes with acreage. (See our story on Union County for more information.)

N.C. 51 (Matthews-Mint Hill Road) and Lawyers Road is the center of Mint Hill, and shopping areas and town offices are nearby, as well as a few manufacturing companies and business parks.

Mint Hill’s 54-acre community park includes a nature trail, playground, ball fields and an asphalt track for walking, bicycling or in-line skating. The county library system’s Mint Hill branch opened in May 1999. The 14,000-square-foot facility boasts a community room, computers and music CDs for checkout.