Think you’re ready for small-town life but don’t want to stray too far from the big city? Just 30-45 minutes southwest of uptown, these nearby gems feature great schools, lower taxes, charming shops and restaurants. We spoke to the pros at Helen Adams Realty about what it’s like to live in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Tega Cay and Lake Wylie, and here’s what they had to say.
“It’s small-town meets big city — there’s so much character and convenience all wrapped into one quaint package in these areas,” says Helen Adams Realty Agent Amy Gamble. “The sense of community in these areas is abundant. The people and events really make these areas.”
Helen Adams Realty Agent Brooke Scott says the great schools and friendly neighborhoods are a big draw for all four of these towns.
“The ‘vibe’ is family,” she says. “These suburban towns just south of Charlotte are full of young families.”
Fort Mill / Tega Cay
Average closed sales price in past six months: $514,667
Average home price per square foot: $188
Zipcodes: 29708 and 29715
Fort Mill
Named in 1873 for its position between two points — a British colonial fort and Webb’s Mill — Fort Mill has evolved into a charming small town full of shops, restaurants, walking trails and more.
Amy says the Anne Springs Close Greenway is a must-visit. The 2,100-acre site includes hiking, biking and horse trails as well as a swinging bridge, an adventure center, a nature center, an amphitheater and event venues. Walking the trails is one of Brooke’s favorite pastimes.
“There is truly nothing else like it,” Amy says.
Brooke said Fort Mill is also the home of Walter Elisha Park, which has a nice playground and a new outdoor amphitheater for entertainment events.
Helen Adams Realty Agent Kim Kniska says The Market in downtown Fort Mill is a “cozy little boutique gift shop with unique home décor and gifts” and the owner gives back to the community by donating to a local charity each month.
If you’re planning a shopping day, Brooke recommends Crossings on Main and Broadcloth Boutique.
For date night, Brooke loves Epic Chophouse in the Kingsley shopping complex. Its fantastic wine and bourbon selection plus yummy bites like the spinach, chevre, brie and roasted garlic bake will make your tastebuds sing.
Tega Cay
With a name that means “beautiful peninsula” in Polynesian, Tega Cay lives up to its moniker well.
“A suburb of Charlotte nestled on a peninsula along Lake Wylie with a golf course, clubhouse with a restaurant, tennis courts, parks, miles of walking trails and marina, the Tega Cay motto is ‘The Good Life’,” Kim says. “When Tega Cay was first developed, the Polynesian theme was used when naming the streets and also the style of homes.”
What started as a tiny gated community is now a thriving town.
“Tega Cay used to be a neighborhood but back in the early ’80s when the developer went bankrupt, the property owners association voted to become a municipality and thus the City of Tega Cay was born,” Amy says. “This provides a pretty unique setup, since in many ways it still feels very much like a neighborhood that is operated with a city council and a mayor. It’s an amazing community!”
Kim says the city shares its birthday with America — July 4 — and throws a huge celebration each year.
“It is a day packed with activities: a parade down Tega Cay Drive, a ski show, boat parade, golf tournament, a concert and a spectacular fireworks show to end the day!” she says.
On Friday nights in the summer, watch the Carolina Ski team perform at Windjammer Park.
And Kim shared a secret only locals know about: there’s a small Civil War Cemetery behind an old red barn. Let us know if you find it!
If you want to look at houses in Tega Cay, Amy recommends the Lakeshore area.
“The style of the homes, the character it offers with a more established feel, the walkability to amenities, school, restaurants, stores, etc… It’s really coming into its own and it’s exciting to see and introduce prospective buyers to,” she says.
Rock Hill
Average closed sales price in past six months: $300,114
Average home price per square foot: $163
Zip codes: 29732 and 29730
The largest city in York County (and fifth largest in the state), Rock Hill is more than just a bedroom community of Charlotte.
Rock Hill earned its name in 1852 when the Charlotte/Columbia/Augusta Railroad line was being constructed through the area. Rail crews encountered a small, flinty hill and dubbed the spot “Rock Hill.”
A U.S. Post Office was established during that year, marking the official beginning of the city.
Kim says during the American Civil War, Rock Hill was used as a place to transfer supplies for Confederate troops.
And though it’s extremely historical, the city isn’t stuck in the past.
With multiple festivals, a farmers market, walking trails along the river and other family-friendly events, Rock Hill has something for everyone.
When the weather is nice, head to River Park, an environmentally sensitive 70 acres on the pristine Catawba River. Several miles of wooded trails, including handicapped-accessible trails, wander through the park and along the scenic river. Or air up your tube and float down the Catawba River: there’s an entrance point at the Fort Mill Dam and an exit point at The Pump House restaurant.
If flowers are more your thing, visit Glencairn Garden in the heart of Rock Hill. The Garden boasts a variety of blooms year-round including azaleas, dogwoods, wisteria, camellias, and hardwood trees. The Garden was the original inspiration for Rock Hill’s annual Come-See-Me Festival which has become a 10-day event held each spring at Glencairn Garden and other Rock Hill sites.
During the holidays, bundle up the kids and head to ChristmasVille, Rock Hill’s annual holiday festival celebrating the works of the city’s adopted son Vernon Grant, America’s favorite children’s illustrator and artist of the famed Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Snap!® Crackle!® Pop!®
“It speaks to how this city is evolving to keep up with the current times,” Amy says.
For date night, Amy says Pump House has hands-down the best ambiance with amazing views of the Catawaba River. It’s one of Kim’s favorites too.
“Its views are beautiful, and the food is fabulous. The rooftop bar is fun and cozy place to have a drink,” she says. “Sit by the fireplace or enjoy the water view.”
“Also, Kounter in Rock Hill totally lives up to ALL the hype!” Amy says.
As for favorite areas, Amy loves Riverwalk and its proximity to the Catawba River.
“In Rock Hill, my favorite are the older homes nestled behind what the locals refer to as ‘Winthrop Farm’. I was lucky enough to own my first home in that area,” Kim says. “My closing date was supposed to be the morning we woke up to the devastation of Hurricane Hugo. Needless to say, my closing was delayed. Myrtle Drive, Sumter Avenue, Milton Avenue and Eden Terrace are a few of my favorite streets. Huge oaks, wide streets and sidewalks are the perfect backdrops for these beautiful streets. I love the charm of the older homes.”
Lake Wylie
Average closed sales price in past six months: $426,984
Average home price per square foot: $174
Zip code: 29710
Kim calls Lake Wylie “a slice of heaven” located on the shores of Lake Wylie with a small-town vibe nestled between Charlotte and Clover.
She loves so many things about the community but her favorite is enjoying the lake — boating, skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing. She also recommends hiking or picnicing along the lake at McDowell Nature Preserve.
Hungry? Amy says Papa Doc’s Shore Club is a great way to enjoy a meal and drinks on the lake.
Kim’s tip that only locals would know: “In Lake Wylie there is a small Mountain named Nanny’s Mountain — It is a short out-and-back 1.5-mile walk. It is a beautiful walk in the fall. Some historians have claimed that it was a stop for runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad. During the American Revolutionary War, iron was mined from the mountain.”
Ready to browse homes in Lake Wylie? Amy says River Hills is always a must-see.
“The older style of the architecture is very nostalgic and even though so many of the homes have been remodeled, they still have a feeling of history and a story to tell, so to speak,” she says. “The mature trees just add to the allure.”
Thank you to our contributors:
Amy Gamble
482 Mercantile Place Suite 101
Fort Mill, SC 29715
803. 650. 3028 (Office)
Kim Kniska
82 Mercantile Place Suite 101
Fort Mill, SC 29715
803. 650. 3028 (Office)
Brooke Scott
482 Mercantile Place Suite 101
Fort Mill, SC 29715
803. 370. 4759 (Mobile)
803. 650. 3028 (Office)
Helen Adams, a sixth-generation Charlottean, founded her residential real estate company in Charlotte in 1975. Her achievements as an entrepreneur and community leader laid the foundation for a thriving, multi-office real estate business, and today she has become a role model for women throughout the Charlotte region. Second- and third-generation family members, led by Jeff Adams, continue to successfully operate four offices serving Charlotte’s finest neighborhoods with a stalwart commitment to perfecting their craft.
