Concord, North Carolina – High Performance Best Living
This week we continue to look at our best places to retire or relocate in the Carolinas with populations of 50,000 to 100,000 people.
As you know, we've been in the Piedmont region of North Carolina for the past few weeks but today we’re moving out heading south to the Charlotte, North Carolina area.
While Charlotte’s sprawling upscale metropolis dominates the southern Piedmont area, it is the smaller towns and cities just outside of the “Queen City” that I think you may want to consider and seriously take a look at.
This area was known mostly for its cotton and textile industry and there are a number of old mill towns that offer you affordability and small town community while benefiting from the services, amenities and economic activity in nearby Charlotte.
You’ll remember we’ve already looked at one such city, Kannapolis, NC, and today we’re going to visit Concord, NC, population, 79,006.
Located only twenty miles northeast of Charlotte, Concord, NC is the county seat of Cabarrus County and the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan area.
To give you an idea how much of an impact the recent economic and population growth around Charlotte has had on Concord, only twenty-five years ago Concord was a small town of around 18,000 people.
Since that time, Concord has developed into an outer suburban town of almost 80,000. Yes, in North Carolina Concord is considered a town regardless of it's population.
What that tells you is a lot of people want to live in this area and the demographic data shows that places like Concord, NC are attracting people from all age groups, education levels and income levels.
As I mentioned before, for people wanting to move to the Charlotte area, Concord offers lower costs, affordable housing, and a stronger sense of community than you’ll find in the big city.
Yet living in Concord you have access to big city shopping, cultural attractions, job markets, medical services, educational opportunities, and so forth are literally a few minutes away.
For those of you who’ve looked at living in Charlotte you'll appreciate that in Concord, NC the median home value is approximately $120,600 which shows you the advantages it has as a lower cost alternative to living in the big city.
Downtown Concord is a real joy from its two national historic districts to its eclectic mix of small shops and restaurants.
What I like is how compact the downtown is and how it reminds me of visiting a smaller town.
You’ll be surprised how many things to see and do are packed into a few square blocks including theaters, art galleries, an historic courthouse, pedestrian greenways, a botanical garden, a pottery studio and a French chocolate shop named Chocolatier Barrucand which is c’est manifique!
Downtown Concord, NC also plays host to all manner of fairs and festivals like the annual summer concert series Union Street Live or the Peanut Butter and Jelly festival every August.
Let the people who shop for sport go to the Concord Mills Mall, I prefer the downtown.
Concord is located in NASCAR country and home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway as well as a number of NASCAR racing teams.
With continued growth has come investments in things that add to the quality of life and Concord has put a lot of money into providing parks and green spaces for you to enjoy.
Hiking, camping and getting out on the lakes and rivers in nearby Uwharrie National Forest are all popular forms of outdoor recreation around Concord, NC and don’t forget to check out the Rocky River Golf Course which I hear is one of the best courses in the state.
Nearby Charlotte offers you professional football, basketball and baseball teams as well.
Okay I don't have enough time to tell you everything I like about Concord, NC but I will hope you give it a look along with our other NC Best Places to retire or relocate and SC Best Places to retire or relocate.
Take care and I'll see you next week for more fun!
Bob
About Bob Bencivenga
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Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations and has been researching the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable. |
| Visit his blog The Carolina Report and sign up for FREE updates by email,his FREE Affordable Best Places To Live Report and, get FREE Expert Advice on how to find Your Best Place to Retire or Relocate to in North Carolina and South Carolina, additional resources, and a lot more.
Bob does not sell real estate. |
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