Belmont area is slowly picking up by the homeowners. This area is still being discovered by builders and homeowners alike. Belmont city overall used to be a textile/manufacturing hub in charlotte area but with all the outsourcing, all these industries have moved to either Mexico or China. This area can offer a very best value for your money. South/south-east side is steaming hot right now and property value have sky-rocketed in few years. There is not such things as areas to avoid (who is buying property close to downtown anyway?) but there is always a tradeoff between value and worth. If you want to live and can afford charlotte downtown offers excellent condos in a reasonable price.