Northlake - Charlotte, NC

The history of this neighborhood goes back to when Mecklenburg County formed in 1762. The county and the county seat (Charlotte) were both named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, King George III's wife. Mecklenburg County once extended all the way to South Carolina before it was split into multiple counties. The site of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence lies in Wedgewood county. It was one of the first declarations leading to the American Revolution.

Drive 13 miles to Charlotte's Mint Museum RANDOLPH, featuring international art, live performances and educational programs. Make sure to take in the art at the open studios in Charlotte's Art Crawl, run by NoDaRioty, the arts committee of the Historic North Charlotte Neighborhood Association.

American, Tex-Mex and barbecue are popular restaurant options near Northlake, though locals also enjoy other ethnic cuisines.

Head over to Bobbee O's BBQ for a family meal of brisket served by Bobbee himself. Make sure to order the double mac and cheese and collard greens to go with your meal. You can't go wrong with the pulled pork sandwich, raved about by diners as the best in the area. Don't forget to flavor your meat order with Bobbee's famous sauce.

Squash your American food cravings with a bacon cheeseburger and Cajun-style fries at Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries, or enjoy authentic family-style Mexican dishes at Azteca Mexican restaurant in the Northlake Mall. Nosh on giant enchiladas or bean or veggie burritos served up with an ample helping of fresh cilantro and onion. Pair your meal with a margarita, such as the cabo wabo raspberry, served in a large glass with a sprinkling of salt around the rim.

Head out to one of many nightclubs in metropolitan Charlotte if you want some urban excitement. Check out the pirate theme at Snug Harbor in Plaza Midwood. For a quieter time, grab a $4 fireball, and head for seats on the back patio. For cheap tallboys, The Thirsty Beaver entices college-age drinkers with a free jukebox and hipster decor.

People in this neighborhood generally travel by car or public transit. Public parking is abundant and usually free.

Hop in your car to access Interstates 77 or 485 directly from within the neighborhood as both connect Northlake with the greater Charlotte area. Get around town in a hurry with the use of one of the many transportation option available to you in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The Charlotte Area Transit System Bus Service, or CATS, operates more than 40 bus routes throughout the county.

For travel within downtown Charlotte, don't miss out on the rubber-wheeled trolleys that run down Trade Street. The hybrid electric Sprinter bus takes you from Center City to Charlotte Douglas International Airport for a mere $2 and runs every 20 to 30 minutes. The CATS buses connect you with the first rapid transit system in North Carolina, a light rail connecting the southern portion of Charlotte with museums, entertainment, nightlife and sporting events.

You can walk easily on the paved sidewalks in Northlake, and bicycling is a popular option in Charlotte. Print out bike routes through the Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance's web page. The alliance connects riders with resources throughout the area, including events and fundraisers for improving Charlotte's streets for bicyclists.

Yellow Cab of Charlotte provides discounts for those riding with additional passengers. Alternately, you can call Uber for rides to and from the downtown area.

Access to the largest man-made body of fresh water in the state is an additional perk of living in Northlake. Lake Norman, built between 1959 and 1964, draws many folks to its accessible waters for water skiing, boating and swimming, and daily rates run as low as $5. With 520 miles of shoreline and a mild four-season climate, this location operates as a feature attraction for residents of the neighborhood and beyond.

Take your canine to the K-9 hangout at Shuffletown Park for an outdoor romp in the designated dog-friendly play area. The park contains two baseball fields, two volleyball courts, a playground and a soccer field in addition to the dog park. Exercise fanatics find the Ivory/Baker Recreation Center a resource for all of their fitness needs, with a gym open seven days a week. A day pass costs just $2.

Get your costume on at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, one of the largest renaissance-themed events in the country. Stroll through 11 stages of outdoor variety shows, a 22-acre village marketplace, an interactive circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a community feast at this all-day family adventure.

Rents for a one-bedroom residence are lower than those nearer to the city center, coming in at $906 on average. Gas prices sit about 9 percent lower than the national average, and a beer at the local pub costs you around $3. A ride to downtown Charlotte costs $2 for a single-fare pass.

A large portion of the neighborhood was developed in 2005 to support state-of-the-art shopping hub Northlake Mall. Here, find designer and box stores galore. Catch a movie at the AMC-14 before perusing clothing at one of the many designer stores and boutiques, including Dillard's, Macy's and Dick's Sporting Goods. Enjoy the Looney Tunes Play Area for children and access the free Wi-Fi.

For a truly unique shopping experience, head out of the neighborhood to Summerbird, an inspired collaborative boutique. Cull your choices from racks of neatly lined vintage and consignment clothing in appealing colors, including metallics, florals and plaids. The clerks here can help you find a steal at prices much lower than other consignment boutiques in the area.

Grocery shoppers head to Huntersville for groceries at Publix, Harris Teeter or Earth Fare, an organic grocery store. Pick up kale, squash, apples and other produce at discounted prices at the Wedgewood Farmers Market, right in the neighborhood. The market takes place on Saturdays at the Wedgewood Church and runs from 9 a.m to 2 p.m.