The Elizabeth Neighborhood: Historic Charm Just Minutes from Uptown Charlotte

One of the most pedestrian-friendly spots in Charlotte, NC, Elizabeth offers historic charm while being only moments away from the hustle of Uptown. This well-known residential area gives you the best of both worlds: a cozy community and easy access to everything the Queen City has to offer.

With plenty of nationally registered historic homes, the beauty of Elizabeth is a sight for sore eyes without being stuck in the past. Let’s find out more about this great neighborhood where you can get your fill of things to do and places to see.

Where is Elizabeth?

The streetcar suburb lies to the south of Belmont and to the north of Eastover, with Uptown Charlotte just a few minutes away. The quaint neighborhood proudly boasts the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center and the beautiful Independence Park. Central Piedmont Community College also has a campus here. The streetcar can take you into Uptown where you can grab the Blue Line to other parts of the city, like NoDa or South End, with ease.

History

Elizabeth was established in 1891 and named after Elizabeth College, a Lutheran women’s college. Within this neighborhood sit brick mansions as well as bungalows built in the early 1900s that are still standing tall.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matt Henesy (@mattshdr) on Feb 26, 2019 at 4:16pm PST

If history and interesting architecture speak to you, Elizabeth will give you plenty to look at. John the Baptist Church, which sits on the corner of 5th and Hawthorne, was built by J.M. McMichael in 1925. Plus, the James L Staten’s Neoclassical style home still stands proudly on Hawthorne lane after being built in 1912. The William Henry Belk house, built in 1924, was designed by a talented Elizabeth architect, C.C Hook. It currently remains nestled along the parking lot of the Novant Presbyterian Medical Center. Other homes, like James Alexander’s 1913 bungalow, have been renovated and now stand as condominiums.

Lifestyle

What to do

The neighborhood holds many activities and quite a few fun places to visit. Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find is a great comic book store, carrying a massive collection of books and graphic novels. You could also visit The Visulite Theatre to take in some live music and comedy performances.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Devin Tuck (@comics_and_stuff1) on Sep 30, 2019 at 9:22pm PDT

As a largely residential area, there isn’t too much bustle, but the nightlife can still be quite enjoyable. Plus, there are small cafés tucked here and there. You will also find homes that have been renovated into shops or restaurants like Caswell Station.

Elizabeth also offers cool options if you would rather have some outdoor time. Take a break at Independence Park to enjoy its amenities or just have some quiet time. The park, christened in 1902, is home to a 1940s cinder block Armoury building with an expansive landscape. There you can engage in a number of sports, including basketball, tennis and baseball.

Elizabeth also hosts many neighborhood events starting with the ECA Progressive Dinner and Elizabeth 8K Road Race in the spring. The Elizabeth Pumpkin Carving Party follows in the fall and the ECA Holiday Party comes around each winter. Through these events, you can mingle, meet your neighbors and get a feel of the area.

Where to eat and drink

While the majority of the activity is a short walk away in Uptown, Elizabeth holds its own charm with wonderful cafés and restaurants perfect for brunches or casual business meetings.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Crunkleton Charlotte (@thecrunkletoncharlotte) on Jul 1, 2020 at 2:22pm PDT

There are many dining options in the neighborhood and no shortage of diversity. You can make it a classy night out by grabbing a specialty cocktail at The Crunkleton. Or, you can indulge yourself at Lupie’s Cafe with its expansive comfort menu.

If you’re looking for a spicy twist in your meal, Cajun Queen is your number 1 stop with its rooftop dining and festive atmosphere. As for a tasty treat, look no further than the Elizabeth Creamery. Villani’s Cafe, The Stanley and Sabor Latin Grill are other great restaurants that you could never go wrong with. When in doubt, there’s always Earl’s Grocery — a citywide favorite.

Moving to Elizabeth

Real Estate Snapshot

While walking the residential streets of Elizabeth, it’s easy to understand why many Charlotteans make this their home. The average rental rate is around $1,577 here, which is slightly higher than the city average given that Charlotte apartments go for about $1,259. However, it is still several hundred dollars cheaper than the average rent charged in nearby Uptown.

Even though the area is considered historic, your options are not limited if you’re looking for apartments for rent in Elizabeth. Grubb Properties, Novant Healthcare and Central Piedmont Community College are helping to increase the office space in the area while also increasing retail space and adding 800+ residential homes to the neighborhood.

Transportation

Elizabeth is known for being a very walkable and pedestrian-friendly part of the city. Although well within walking distance of Uptown Charlotte, there is always the trolley. In addition, there are bike lanes throughout the neighborhood, and the highway is easy to get to by car.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matt Henesy (@mattshdr) on Apr 29, 2020 at 4:22pm PDT

Drive time from Elizabeth to Uptown is less than ten minutes. You can get to the University area in about 20 minutes — depending on the time of day, and the drive to the airport is about the same barring you don’t hit any major traffic issues.

Schools and Employment

The neighborhood takes pride in Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School and Central Piedmont Community College. Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School has been around since 1912 and it continues to provide quality education. Central Piedmont Community College, founded in 1963, provides students with the opportunity to study technical skills or cover their core classes before moving to a four-year institution.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Elizabeth Traditional (@elizabethtraditionalpta) on May 8, 2020 at 11:51am PDT

Jobs in the neighborhood are available, especially in the foodservice and retail sectors. The medical center and the college are other sources of employment within Elizabeth, but due to the neighborhood’s convenient location, many residents opt for working in Uptown as well.

If peaceful and historic neighborhoods are what you like, Elizabeth would be a perfect fit. From its rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes to its access to modern amenities, it is truly the best of both worlds.