What it's Really Like Living in Concord, NC
Concord may be one of the larger cities in Cabarrus County, but it doesn’t always feel that way. You can get from one side of Concord to the other in about 30 minutes, and the different areas each have something of their own to offer. Concord Mills, Downtown Concord, Afton and northern Concord all feel a little different.
One of my favorite things about living here is that no matter which part of Concord you call home, you’re usually just a few minutes from a locally owned coffee shop, a park or somewhere to grab a bite. And with easy access to I-85 and several major roads, getting around Concord or heading toward Charlotte is pretty simple.
Getting to Know Concord
Downtown Concord
Historic Downtown Concord is its own little pocket of the city, with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, shops and regular community events. Union Street is the center of it, but downtown also connects quickly to some of Concord’s older established neighborhoods and parks.
Historic Downtown Concord is its own little pocket of the city, with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, shops and regular community events. Union Street is the center of it, but downtown also connects quickly to some of Concord’s older established neighborhoods and parks.
Concord Mills / Speedway Area
The western side of Concord is where you’ll find Concord Mills, Charlotte Motor Speedway and a lot of the city’s shopping, restaurants and entertainment. It also puts you right along I-85, making this part of Concord especially convenient for getting toward Charlotte.
The western side of Concord is where you’ll find Concord Mills, Charlotte Motor Speedway and a lot of the city’s shopping, restaurants and entertainment. It also puts you right along I-85, making this part of Concord especially convenient for getting toward Charlotte.
Afton Village / George Liles Parkway
The Afton area has a completely different feel. Afton Village gives you restaurants, shops and businesses built right into the community, while George Liles Parkway connects this part of Concord to I-85, Highway 29 and other parts of the city.
The Afton area has a completely different feel. Afton Village gives you restaurants, shops and businesses built right into the community, while George Liles Parkway connects this part of Concord to I-85, Highway 29 and other parts of the city.
Northern Concord / Exit 58
Northern Concord around Exit 58 gives you plenty of shopping and everyday conveniences, along with Atrium Health Cabarrus nearby. You’ll find a wide variety of neighborhoods and, generally, some more affordable housing options than in some of the areas closer to Charlotte.
Northern Concord around Exit 58 gives you plenty of shopping and everyday conveniences, along with Atrium Health Cabarrus nearby. You’ll find a wide variety of neighborhoods and, generally, some more affordable housing options than in some of the areas closer to Charlotte.
Eastern Concord
Head east and Concord starts looking very different. This is the more rural side of the city, where you’ll find more open space, larger lots and fewer large commercial developments. Keep going and you’re heading toward Mount Pleasant and Midland, two smaller Cabarrus County towns that bring an even more rural feel.
Head east and Concord starts looking very different. This is the more rural side of the city, where you’ll find more open space, larger lots and fewer large commercial developments. Keep going and you’re heading toward Mount Pleasant and Midland, two smaller Cabarrus County towns that bring an even more rural feel.
THINGS TO DO IN CONCORD
Downtown Concord
Downtown Concord is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon or evening. You can grab coffee, shop locally, have dinner or drinks and usually find something going on throughout the year. Union Street and the surrounding downtown area are home to locally owned restaurants, breweries, shops and community events.
Downtown Concord is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon or evening. You can grab coffee, shop locally, have dinner or drinks and usually find something going on throughout the year. Union Street and the surrounding downtown area are home to locally owned restaurants, breweries, shops and community events.
Parks & Outdoors
Concord has plenty of ways to get outside without leaving the city. Frank Liske Park is one of the biggest local favorites, with walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas and a lake. You’ll also find smaller neighborhood parks and greenways throughout Concord, so getting outside usually doesn’t require driving very far.
Concord has plenty of ways to get outside without leaving the city. Frank Liske Park is one of the biggest local favorites, with walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas and a lake. You’ll also find smaller neighborhood parks and greenways throughout Concord, so getting outside usually doesn’t require driving very far.
Motorsports & Sports
You really can't talk about Concord without mentioning Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR weekends are a very real part of life around here, especially near the Speedway and Concord Mills area. And just up the road in Kannapolis, you can catch a Cannon Ballers baseball game at Atrium Health Ballpark, one of my favorite easy nights out in Cabarrus County.
You really can't talk about Concord without mentioning Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR weekends are a very real part of life around here, especially near the Speedway and Concord Mills area. And just up the road in Kannapolis, you can catch a Cannon Ballers baseball game at Atrium Health Ballpark, one of my favorite easy nights out in Cabarrus County.
Coffee, Food & Local Favorites
One of my favorite things about Concord is how many locally owned places are tucked throughout the city. Coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, bakeries and small businesses aren't limited to Downtown Concord — you'll find local favorites throughout different parts of town, which is why you're rarely far from somewhere worth trying.
One of my favorite things about Concord is how many locally owned places are tucked throughout the city. Coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, bakeries and small businesses aren't limited to Downtown Concord — you'll find local favorites throughout different parts of town, which is why you're rarely far from somewhere worth trying.
Shopping & Entertainment
The Concord Mills area is the city's biggest hub for shopping and entertainment. Along with Concord Mills mall, this part of town is home to restaurants, entertainment and attractions that draw people from all over the Charlotte area. And yes, there is an IKEA nearby — technically Charlotte, but close enough that we claim the convenience. 😂
The Concord Mills area is the city's biggest hub for shopping and entertainment. Along with Concord Mills mall, this part of town is home to restaurants, entertainment and attractions that draw people from all over the Charlotte area. And yes, there is an IKEA nearby — technically Charlotte, but close enough that we claim the convenience. 😂
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BUYING A HOME IN CONCORD
A Little Bit of Everything
One of the nice things about buying a home in Concord is the variety. You’ll find historic homes near Downtown Concord, established neighborhoods with mature trees, newer subdivisions, townhomes, new construction and homes with more land as you head toward the eastern side of the city. There really isn’t one “typical” Concord home.
One of the nice things about buying a home in Concord is the variety. You’ll find historic homes near Downtown Concord, established neighborhoods with mature trees, newer subdivisions, townhomes, new construction and homes with more land as you head toward the eastern side of the city. There really isn’t one “typical” Concord home.
What Your Money Buys Depends on Where You Look
Home prices can vary quite a bit depending on which part of Concord you’re considering. The areas closer to Charlotte and I-85 tend to look different from northern or eastern Concord, both in the types of homes available and what you may get for your budget. This is one of those cities where expanding your search by even a few miles can open up completely different options.
Home prices can vary quite a bit depending on which part of Concord you’re considering. The areas closer to Charlotte and I-85 tend to look different from northern or eastern Concord, both in the types of homes available and what you may get for your budget. This is one of those cities where expanding your search by even a few miles can open up completely different options.
New Construction
There’s still plenty of new construction happening in and around Concord, from townhomes and smaller-lot communities to larger single-family homes. New neighborhoods continue to pop up throughout Cabarrus County too, so buyers who want something brand new aren’t limited to one particular part of town.
There’s still plenty of new construction happening in and around Concord, from townhomes and smaller-lot communities to larger single-family homes. New neighborhoods continue to pop up throughout Cabarrus County too, so buyers who want something brand new aren’t limited to one particular part of town.
HOA or No HOA?
You can find both in Concord. Many of the newer planned communities have homeowners associations and neighborhood amenities, while older neighborhoods and more rural areas are more likely to offer homes without an HOA. If avoiding an HOA — or having amenities like a community pool — matters to you, that can help narrow down where you look.
You can find both in Concord. Many of the newer planned communities have homeowners associations and neighborhood amenities, while older neighborhoods and more rural areas are more likely to offer homes without an HOA. If avoiding an HOA — or having amenities like a community pool — matters to you, that can help narrow down where you look.
Don't Search Concord by Zip Code Alone
This is probably one of the biggest things I’d tell someone moving here. Concord covers a lot of ground, and two homes with a Concord address can offer very different lifestyles. Your commute, the places you frequent and what you want around you matter just as much as the house itself. Knowing the different parts of Concord can make a huge difference in where you decide to buy.
This is probably one of the biggest things I’d tell someone moving here. Concord covers a lot of ground, and two homes with a Concord address can offer very different lifestyles. Your commute, the places you frequent and what you want around you matter just as much as the house itself. Knowing the different parts of Concord can make a huge difference in where you decide to buy.
GETTIN AROUND CONCORD
Charlotte Is Close — But How Close Depends on Where You Live
Concord sits northeast of Charlotte, but your actual drive can vary quite a bit depending on which part of Concord you call home. The Concord Mills and Speedway area puts you closest to Charlotte, while Downtown, northern and eastern Concord take you progressively farther away. If you’ll be commuting regularly, where you choose within Concord matters.
Concord sits northeast of Charlotte, but your actual drive can vary quite a bit depending on which part of Concord you call home. The Concord Mills and Speedway area puts you closest to Charlotte, while Downtown, northern and eastern Concord take you progressively farther away. If you’ll be commuting regularly, where you choose within Concord matters.
I-85 Is the Main Interstate
I-85 runs along the western side of Concord and is the main interstate connection between Concord and Charlotte. Several exits serve different parts of the city, including the Concord Mills and Speedway area, George Liles Parkway and northern Concord. Depending on where you live, Highway 29 and other major roads may be just as important for getting around day to day.
I-85 runs along the western side of Concord and is the main interstate connection between Concord and Charlotte. Several exits serve different parts of the city, including the Concord Mills and Speedway area, George Liles Parkway and northern Concord. Depending on where you live, Highway 29 and other major roads may be just as important for getting around day to day.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is on the opposite side of Charlotte from Concord, so this isn’t a five-minute airport run. Your drive will depend heavily on where you live and traffic, but having a major international airport within the Charlotte metro is a big convenience for both work and travel.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is on the opposite side of Charlotte from Concord, so this isn’t a five-minute airport run. Your drive will depend heavily on where you live and traffic, but having a major international airport within the Charlotte metro is a big convenience for both work and travel.
You’re Close to More Than Charlotte
One thing I think gets overlooked is how easy it is to get to other Cabarrus County communities. Kannapolis is directly north of Concord, Harrisburg is just south, and Mount Pleasant and Midland are to the east and southeast. Living in Concord means restaurants, events, parks and businesses in those communities can easily become part of your regular routine too.
One thing I think gets overlooked is how easy it is to get to other Cabarrus County communities. Kannapolis is directly north of Concord, Harrisburg is just south, and Mount Pleasant and Midland are to the east and southeast. Living in Concord means restaurants, events, parks and businesses in those communities can easily become part of your regular routine too.
You Don’t Have to Go to Charlotte for Everything
This may be one of my favorite things about living in Concord. Charlotte is close when you want it, but you don’t have to drive there for every dinner, event or errand. Between Concord and the surrounding Cabarrus County communities, there’s plenty to do locally — which is a big reason I spend so much time sharing the businesses, events and places worth knowing around here.
This may be one of my favorite things about living in Concord. Charlotte is close when you want it, but you don’t have to drive there for every dinner, event or errand. Between Concord and the surrounding Cabarrus County communities, there’s plenty to do locally — which is a big reason I spend so much time sharing the businesses, events and places worth knowing around here.
LISTINGS
FAQs
To help you make informed decisions, we've compiled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
What is it like living in Concord, North Carolina?
Living in Concord gives you access to shopping, restaurants, parks and locally owned businesses without having to rely on Charlotte for everything. Different parts of Concord have noticeably different feels, from historic Downtown Concord to the busy Concord Mills area and more rural eastern Concord. Most areas are also within easy reach of I-85 or other major roads, making it relatively easy to get around the city.
How far is Concord, NC from Charlotte?
What are the different areas of Concord, NC?
How much does it cost to buy a home in Concord, NC?
Is there new construction in Concord, NC?
What is there to do in Concord, NC?
Do I need to commute to Charlotte if I live in Concord?
What should I know before moving to Concord, NC?