Diverse neighborhoods and affordable housing, historical landmarks and convenient shopping 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.

The Charlotte Museum of History and the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, Mecklenburg’s oldest surviving structure are in East Charlotte. Shamrock Drive is also home to the world’s largest ground-level bell, the American Freedom Bell.

The Plaza/Midwood area includes a delightful mixture of older, renovated and new residences. The Charlotte Country Club is also located in the Plaza-Midwood area.

Another trend shaping east Charlotte is the influx of immigrants and new citizens who make their homes here. You will 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.

Outdoor recreation in the area includes Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve, which features nearly 800 acres of nature trails, recreational fields, a disc golf course, fishing ponds and picnic areas. Golfers will enjoy 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.

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 area is a good place to look for sprawling ranch or two-story homes with a little acreage, but also offers new construction. If you prefer to live just across the line from Matthews or Mint Hill in Union County, you’ll find plenty of new communities and older homes with ample acreage. The intersection of 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.