Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs - Charlotte, NC

The relatively new areas of North Charlotte and the University Area did not begin development until the late 1950s when a 250-acre plot of land was purchased to house the new University of North Carolina-Charlotte campus. As the university grew from 492 students to over 20,000 in the 2000s, infrastructure in and around campus increased. Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs houses a number of students and young families looking to start a professional life in Charlotte.

Charlotte houses a number of museums catering to every taste. The Backing Up Classics Auto Museum next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway draws in visitors with over 18,000 square feet of classic cars, race cars and memorabilia. Also, the university hosts ongoing art exhibits at the Rowe Arts Building and performances at Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts. During the winter months, the Charlotte Motor Speedway puts on an annual Christmas light show called Speedway Christmas.

Most restaurants within Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs sit toward the southern border along West Mallard Creek Church Road. Reflective of the area's strong diversity, there is a heavy concentration of locally owned, Asian-inspired establishments alongside popular chains. The Trader Joe's shopping center along Arbors Drive houses a number of these restaurants, including Hickory Tavern, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and Thai Taste. Thai Taste serves incredible Thai cuisine at reasonable prices. Regulars know to check its website ahead of time to see what the kitchen will be serving for the daily lunch special. Definitely start any meal with the spring rolls, as locals claim them to be the best in town.

Next door to Thai Taste sits Curry n Cake. The chefs at Curry n Cake take great pride in their food. They also offer lunch specials during the work week. The tikka masala remains a favorite. The impressive on-site bakery specializes in beautifully designed, Indian-inspired custom cakes.

Take West Mallard Creek Church Road to Cochran Commons plaza to experience a no-frills Chinese meal at House of Leng. Gigantic dinner portions of chicken lettuce wraps, crispy scallops and sesame shrimp please restaurant-goers. College students appreciate the quick service and can be found enjoying the outdoor patio on a sunny day.

Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs residents enjoy the sports-bar vibe and daily drink specials at Hickory Tavern. Those looking for evening entertainment nearby generally drive to North Tryon Street south of the neighborhood for a visit to the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Bar Louie, and Firewater Bar & Grill. A sparse selection of club and music venues in the University Area pushes locals toward uptown to joints like the Fillmore and Suite.

A vast majority of residents in Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs drive or carpool to work, and less than 2 percent rely on public transportation. A very small number of people walk or bike to commute; the area is not walkable to amenities, and no bike lanes exist. The 95 percent of locals utilizing personal vehicles have easy access to Charlotte's interstates from their neighborhood. I-485, the loop that encircles the city, is reached along North Tryon Street or via exit 47 on I-85. I-85 runs directly through Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs, with entrances along West Mallard Creek Church Road and Ridge Road. Residents suggest that visitors park along residential streets.

Charlotte Area Transit System's express bus service operates along the community's southern border, West Mallard Creek Church Road, Monday through Friday from 6-8:45 a.m. and then again from 4-7 p.m. Compared to the rest of the city, buses operate much less frequently here. Locals find that taxis will service their neighborhood if called in advance, but Uber does not operate here.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation department operates over 210 parks throughout the county, but none lie within the neighborhood boundary of Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs. However, residents don't have to travel far to experience a wonderful, free-for-use and dog-friendly park. Mallard Creek Community Park and Recreation Center lies along Johnston-Oehler Road to the northwest of Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs and covers a whopping 310 acres. The grounds here are an athlete's dream and include four softball fields, eight soccer fields, a volleyball court, a playground and a rentable picnic shelter. Mallard Creek Community Park has been deemed an inclusive and therapeutic park because of its wheelchair and stroller-accessible playground. The adjacent recreation center provides exercise and wellness programs for community members ranging in age from toddlers to seniors.

Parks throughout the city host a number of events and festivals throughout the year. Charlotte residents head uptown to experience Festival in the Park held at Freedom Park. During the summer months, Romare Bearden Park hosts Party in the Park, featuring live music every Wednesday evening.

The cost of living in Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs sits at 3 percent less than the Charlotte city average. Factors such as transportation, utilities, goods and services remain constant throughout the city. However, housing costs vary greatly within each community. Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs renters pay $824 on average for a one-bedroom apartment.

Those utilizing public transportation with Charlotte Area Transit System pay $2.60 for express service and $2.20 for regular one-way fare. Gas prices within the neighborhood also mirror the rest of Charlotte and sit at 4 percent less than the national average. Restaurants and bars in Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs charge reasonable prices for their products, and locals enjoying a microbrew generally pay between $5 and $6, depending on the establishment.

Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs lies directly south of one of the metro area's largest and most popular shopping centers, Concord Mills. Concord Mills mall lies along Concord Mills Boulevard and can be found surrounded by smaller strip malls and shopping complexes. This outlet center houses a number of anchor shops, including Bass Pro Shops, and Burlington Coat Factory, with smaller stores such as Nike, Victoria's Secret and Oakley scattered throughout the massive building. Nearby stores in adjacent centers include Babies"R"Us, Ross and Petco. Name brands can be found all throughout Concord Mills, but higher-end boutique shopping generally occurs in either uptown Charlotte or in the South Park neighborhood in southern Charlotte.

Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs itself contains limited shopping options. The Cochran Commons and Trader Joe's shopping centers primarily house grocery stores and smaller specialty shops. Locals purchase their groceries at the Trader Joe's or Harris Teeter here along West Mallard Creek Church Road. Run For Your Life, a store specializing in running gear, sits next to Trader Joe's. Advanced runners and novices alike appreciate Run For Your Life's holistic sales approach. Helpful employees assist customers in finding the perfect shoes and apparel for each individual. Be sure to check out all the information posted at the store regarding upcoming races in the region.

Great Harvest Bread Company also sits near Cochran Commons and sells freshly made bread and pastries. The attention to detail is evident in every bite of these homemade delights. The bread varieties available change on any given day, so management suggests that customers check the website in advance if in search of a particular type of bread. The closest farmers' market to Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs is Newell Farmers Market along Rocky River Road.