Demand is at an all-time high for homes and apartments across the Queen City. | Photo via Mecklenburg County
Housing in the Queen City is in high demand. UNC Charlotte Childress Klein Center for Real Estate released its 2024 State of Housing Report. The data illustrates the city’s housing market growth, the median income needed to afford living in the 704, and predictions for 2025.
According to the report, housing prices have stabilized. The median home price increased from $414,000+ in Sept. 2023 to $429,000+ in Sept. 2024.
So how much do you need to earn to afford living in Charlotte? A family income of $138,000 would be needed for a median-priced house. The study’s authors warn only 2% of houses sold for under $150,000, and 19% sold for under $300,000 in 2024.
Regarding affordability, rent prices have been decreasing in 2023 and 2024 due to multifamily developments increasing over the last several years.
As a matter of fact, a new affordable housing complex just opened in East Charlotte.
The Bulb Mobile Market | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Camp North End | Cost of purchase | Shop fresh produce from the donation-based nonprofit.
Candlelight: Tribute to Lauryn Hill | 6:45 p.m. + 8:45 p.m. | The Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing | $40+ | You’ll be dancing to “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in this candlelight concert.
VTGCLT Pop | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | 301 Camp Rd., Ste. 101 | Cost of purchase | Cross the gifts off your shopping list by purchasing from local and regional vintage brands.
WinterFest at Carowinds | 5-10 p.m. | 14523 Carowinds Blvd. | $20 | Celebrate the winter season with millions of shimmering lights, activities, live entertainment, and attractions.
Sixpence None the Richer | 8 p.m. | Neighborhood Theatre | $30+ | Jam to “Kiss Me” when the hit 90s band performs their 25th Anniversary Tour.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Creek Releaf | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Seversville Park | Free | Help grow Charlotte’s tree canopy by planting seedlings and installing weed mats with other volunteers.
UCity Lights | 4-8 p.m. | The Shoppes at University Place | Free | Experience holiday magic when a giant Christmas tree is illuminated for the season.
Inaugural WKRP in Cincinnati Turkey Drop | 6-9 p.m. | The Casual Pint-Rivergate | $10 | Drop rubber “turkey ducks” from a towering height onto targets below for the chance to win prizes.
Winter is coming. Starting this morning, snow will fall in the mountains near the ski resorts and Boone through Saturday morning. In the Charlotte metro, expect temperatures to linger in the 50s. (WCNC)
Civic
Charlotte City Council approved a rezoning petition for a mixed-use development at Selwyn Avenue and Park Road. The petition was filed by 3G Investments and Developments for a project that is expected to have residential and commercial space. (WCNC)
Transit
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) announced it will temporarily close the Tyvola Park and Ride station for maintenance. The Blue Line station is near Old Pineville Road near Tyvola Road. An opening date is TBA. (WCNC)
Coming Soon
Bartaco is expanding into South End. The Virginia-based restaurant filed to be a tenant at 2000 South Blvd. in Atherton Mill. The restaurant recently opened its first NC and Charlotte-area location at Birkdale Village in February. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Closed
Italian restaurant Volo abruptly closed its Eastover restaurant. An email was sent Tuesday, Nov. 19 to customers announcing the closure. A Greek restaurant is expected to open in that space. We’ll let you know when a date is announced. (The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotteans
And the winner is... Charlotte Magazine announced the winners for its Charlottean of the Year awards. The honor is one of the most prestigious awards programs in the city. A ticketed luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11 to celebrate the award’s 10th anniversary and this year’s winners.
Family
Discovery Place was named a NASA Community Anchor + awarded a grant to develop NASA-themed educational programming. The museum is one of 13 institutions nationwide to share $510,000 in award funds. In February, the museum will launch a series of STEM learning opportunities across the Queen City.
Legacy
A Salisbury man is gaining closure for his family. His uncle, US Army Tech Sgt. Thomas “Odell” Moss, will be laid to rest tomorrow at Salisbury National Cemetery. Moss, killed in combat during World War II, was unaccounted for over 80 years. The service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Read about his legacy. (WBTV)
Sports
Panthers legends Luke Kuechly and Steve Smith, Sr. are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is Kuechly’s first nomination and Smith’s fourth since retiring. The list of 25 finalists will be trimmed to 15 in December.
Listen
Speaking of the Panthers... Can Bryce Young bring the heat against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday? Go beyond the playbook for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Shop
Get in, Charlotte — we’re going shopping. Join Palmetto Moon for its grand opening celebration at Rock Hill Galleria this Saturday, Nov. 23 + Sunday, Nov. 24. The first 200 attendees each day will receive a free custom 20 oz. YETI tumbler with a $50 purchase, while supplies last. RSVP.*
A sports gift your kids won’t put down: Dribbleup’s top-selling Smart Basketball. Unlock thousands of interactive drills led by real coaches — it’s 60% off for the holidays.*
Category
Try This
🎄 Speed into the holidays
Speedway Christmas is the Southeast’s largest drive-thru light show. | Photo via Charlotte Motor Speedway
Dashing through the Speedway, in a 100 hp car... Well, it was close enough to the song, right?
Starting Friday, Nov. 22, Charlotte Motor Speedway will welcome holiday lovers for its annual Speedway Christmas.
More than five million lights will illuminate + be synchronized to Christmas music, providing a rocking drive spanning over four miles.
Fun fact: The drive will also take place on a portion of the 1.5-mile superspeedway and road course.
Don’t feel like driving?Take a ride down the Cook Out Tubing Hill, a 250-ft tubing slope, before visiting the Christmas Village or illuminated Walking Trail.
That’s not all. Every Thursday-Sunday evening, grab snacks and park in the infield for a classic holiday film.
Tickets range $35-$75 + the show is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 5, closing only on Christmas Eve.
The Buy
The Buy
An oversized knit sweater that’s 52% off for Amazon’s early Black Friday sale. Get it in multiple colors, like almond, army green, and rust.
I’m excited to see Eastland Yards grow. Having covered the revitalization and proposals regarding the former Eastland Mall site, I feel it will become another hub for many Charlotteans in years to come.
