Belmont - Charlotte, NC

Belmont began around the turn of the 20th century as a blue-collar neighborhood whose residents primarily worked in the local textile mills that were then within walking distance. Several late 19th-century homes still exist in the neighborhood, and the Alpha Mill at 12th and Brevard is an example of a well-preserved, innovative textile mill from that period.

Although Belmont hosts no museums, the Levine Museum of the New South provides fascinating insights into Southern history, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in nearby Uptown Charlotte attracts fans from all over. Those looking for an arts scene just need to head to neighboring NoDa to find top-notch live theater at the CAST Theater or head to UpStage for slam poetry, comedy shows and live music. The annual Pet Palooza event and the Queens City Brewers Festival delight pet lovers and beer aficionados each spring and winter, respectively.

Most of Belmont's restaurants are located along 10th Street, with locals also heading to the east for more dining options where 10th Street turns into Central Avenue. Neighborhood restaurants tend toward the casual, with pizzerias, pubs, barbecue joints and burger places predominating.

The Intermezzo Pizzeria and Cafe serves up the unexpected combination of pizza and Serbian specialties. With a friendly vibe and the ability to customize your pizza, Intermezzo wins raves for its Serbian beef burek, with plenty of seasoned ground beef, spinach and onions packed into filo dough. Order up a garden pizza packed with veggies or a spinach pizza, and relax on the patio on a warm evening.

Pint Central may sound like a beer bar, but once you step inside, you realize you've actually discovered a gastropub with a fascinating menu. Check out tapas plates that include specialties such as avocado egg rolls and mozzarella rangoons, then try a beet panini or the pub's famous Brussels sprouts. The live jazz and dog-friendly patio are likely to bring you back for more.

Kickstand Burgers and Bar provides plenty of parking for bicycles, as befits its name. Don't be surprised if you fall in love with the Hungover Cyclist, a perfectly cooked burger served between two grilled cheese sandwiches in place of a bun. Ask for a plate of sweet potato tots on the side, served with a maple syrup dipping sauce, and take a moment to look through the well-chosen selection of craft beers available.

When it comes time to head out for some nightlife, Belmont residents also find themselves heading just a bit east to the Plaza Midwood or Elizabeth neighborhoods, where a wide array of pubs and dive bars await them on Central Avenue, many of them featuring live music. Stop at the Thirsty Beaver to enjoy the free jukebox, Sunday afternoon live bands, killer bloody Mary menu and kicked-back vibe. For a change of pace, check out the art gallery Twenty-Two that hosts a bar and sits below Soul, a highly touted neighborhood gastrolounge.

The Charlotte Area Transit System runs several local bus lines through the Belmont Area. Route 3 connects locals to uptown Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College, route 4 loops around the Plaza Midwood neighborhood on its way to uptown, and route 23 links the Charlotte Transportation Center and the Albemarle Park and Ride by way of the northwest section of Belmont.

Those who choose to drive out of Belmont find U.S. Route 74 running right alongside the south edge of the neighborhood and connecting north to Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Public parking in the neighborhood is abundant and free.

If you prefer to ride your bike, you can find dedicated bike lanes connecting Alexander Street Park at the south end of the neighborhood to Cordelia Park at the north. Few people are able to commute by walking, with a car typically required in the neighborhood. Uber and taxis are available on an on-call basis throughout most of the Charlotte area.

The Alexander Street Park in the southwest corner of Belmont houses a soccer field, basketball courts, tennis courts and a playground for the littler kids. The free park is also dog-friendly and has a creek running through it.

The McGill Rose Garden is an unexpected oasis of beauty in the Belmont neighborhood. The beautifully kept facility hosts regular art exhibitions and gallery crawls, and it's an ideal venue for weddings or rehearsal dinners, or just a quiet picnic lunch.

The cost of living in the Belmont neighborhood is about 3 percent lower than that of Charlotte overall. Most of the neighborhood's rentals are homes rather than apartments, and the average rental for a two- or three-bedroom place runs around $900 per month.

Grabbing the bus to go into Charlotte proper runs you $2.20 per ride, and if you choose to drive, you can expect to pay about 7 percent less for a gallon of gas than the national average. Stopping off for a pint of beer on your way home should run you between $2 and $5.

When Belmont residents have major shopping to do, they're likely to head to uptown Charlotte, but you can find some intriguing specialty shops a bit closer to home. The American Beauty Garden Center just east of Belmont helps you take care of the outside of your home, with organic gardening options galore. Swing by the Queen's Gallery and Art Center to decorate your apartment, and enjoy the art demonstrations and the location in a renovated church.

Locals who need to fill the fridge head to the local Harris Teeter. Nearby farmers' markets include the Plaza Midwood Farmers Market, held every Saturday, and the NoDa Farmers Market, located behind the Smelly Cat Coffeehouse on Wednesdays and Saturdays.