Home of Carolina Riverside — the Catawba River, Gaston County's lower property taxes, and Del Webb's newest Charlotte-area community. What it's really like to retire in Belmont.
Belmont NC Retirement Guide · Gaston County · 2026
Belmont is a historic river town in Gaston County, NC — about 20 miles west of Charlotte and a short distance from the South Carolina border. It's best known in retirement circles as the home of Del Webb's Carolina Riverside community, but the town has independent character worth understanding if you're considering this part of the Charlotte metro.
What Belmont Offers
The Catawba River. Belmont sits on the Catawba River, which provides scenic walking, fishing, and water access. Carolina Riverside integrates the river setting into its trail network. For buyers who want natural scenery as part of daily life, this is meaningful.
Historic downtown. Belmont has a genuine historic downtown with a town character — shops, restaurants, and the feel of an established community rather than a suburb built for commuters.
Gaston County property taxes. Gaston County's effective rate (~0.79%) is lower than Mecklenburg County (~0.93%) — meaningful savings vs Charlotte proper, though higher than the SC side communities.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. A world-class botanical garden in Belmont, NC — a genuine quality-of-life amenity within minutes of Carolina Riverside.
Lake Wylie proximity. Lake Wylie sits near the Gaston/York County line — accessible from Belmont for boating and water recreation.
The Honest Tradeoffs
The airport drive is the main limitation. Charlotte Douglas Airport is 30–40 minutes from Belmont depending on traffic and route. This is the longest airport drive of any Charlotte-area 55+ community. For buyers who fly monthly or more, this cumulative time adds up. Compare to Sun City Carolina Lakes (20 min), Cresswind (20 min), and Four Seasons (20 min).
Charlotte access: Belmont to South Charlotte is 25–30 minutes; Uptown is 30–35 minutes. Not isolated, but further than more central communities.
Healthcare: Gaston Memorial Hospital (CaroMont Health) serves the Belmont area; Level I trauma care at CMC Charlotte is 30–35 minutes.
NC taxes: Gaston County is in NC — no SC homestead exemption available. Property taxes are lower than Mecklenburg but significantly higher than Lancaster County SC on the same home value.
Gaston County Property Tax
Scenario
$400K Home Annual Tax
Monthly
Gaston County NC (~0.79%)
~$3,160
~$263
Mecklenburg County NC (~0.93%)
~$3,720
~$310
Lancaster County SC (65+ exempt)
~$720–$840
~$60–$70
Gaston County is meaningfully better than Mecklenburg. It is not competitive with Lancaster County SC for 65+ buyers with the SC homestead exemption.
Carolina Riverside — The Primary 55+ Option
The primary active adult community in Belmont is Carolina Riverside by Del Webb:
~800 homes at build-out; actively building in 2026
Del Webb/Pulte brand quality and programming template
19,000+ sq ft amenity center (planned)
Catawba River walking trails — unique in Charlotte market
New construction with three home collections
HOA: verify current rate with Del Webb sales team
$350s–$600s price range
Who Belmont / Carolina Riverside Appeals To
Buyers who specifically want Del Webb new construction and value the Catawba River setting
Buyers who appreciate historic town character and walkable downtown proximity
Outdoor-oriented buyers who want river trails as a daily activity backdrop
Buyers who are comfortable with the airport drive and prioritize other factors
Buyers who prefer NC residency for specific income tax or other legal reasons
Belmont has genuine character and Carolina Riverside has something no other Charlotte 55+ community offers — the Catawba River setting. For buyers who prioritize natural scenery and Del Webb new construction and are comfortable with the longer airport drive, this is a legitimate choice. For buyers who prioritize cost efficiency, airport access, or established community culture, the SC-side communities generally serve better.
Considering Belmont NC for Retirement?
We compare Carolina Riverside against all Charlotte options — independently, no referral fees.