Collingwood - Charlotte, NC

Collingwood, like most of south Charlotte, was considered the outskirts of the city until the 1970s when banks began taking residence in uptown. The need for middle- and upper-class housing drew construction outward to neighborhoods such as Collingwood, Clawsen Village and Sedgefield. Development boomed during the 1970s and 1980s. Today, much of the infrastructure along South Boulevard has undergone restoration in order to revitalize this section of the city.

Charlotte's Nature Museum sits directly east of Collingwood. This child-oriented discovery museum features live animal exhibits and performances showcasing insects, butterflies and furry creatures. Many events occur around the community of Collingwood. Just three miles away, South Park hosts the annual Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival at Symphony Park, enjoying all-you-can-eat pork and all-you-can-drink bourbon.

Collingwood houses a fine selection of locally owned restaurants along South Boulevard. Beef and Bottle has been serving locals hearty steaks and stiff drinks since 1958. The candlelit restaurant provides a quiet and comfortable atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a medium-rare ribeye, a side of sautéed mushrooms and a deep-dish apple pie for dessert. The delicious and filling food more than makes up for the unassuming exterior.

Head north on South Boulevard to visit local, family-owned favorite Zack's Hamburgers. Those craving fast food made fresh head to Zack's for classic burgers, all-beef hot dogs and crispy French fries. Diners consistently claim that Zack's makes the best burgers in Charlotte. Don't forget to order some of the homemade onion rings, which come fried to perfection in peanut oil.

Authentic taquerias are generally hard to come by in South Charlotte, but Tacos El Nevado delivers in this regard. Homemade corn tortillas and freshly grilled meat are the showstoppers at this South Boulevard restaurant. Tacos come adorned with cilantro, onions and a spritz of lime on top. Radishes and grilled jalapeños complement the platter. Regulars suggest ordering horchata, a beverage made out of rice, vanilla and cinnamon.

During the evening, residents enjoy lounging with a cold one at Sidelines Bar along South Boulevard. Sidelines has daily drink specials, free pool and enough televisions for everyone to watch a favorite sports game. An AMF bowling alley sits just north of Sidelines. Uptown Charlotte is home to a number of upscale bars, nightclubs, and the majority of the city's music venues.

Most residents of Collingwood use their personal cars to commute to work. Those driving into uptown Charlotte find taking South Tryon Street north into the city center to be the most convenient route. You can access the city's highways easily from the community by taking either Woodlawn Road or Clanton Road to Interstate 77. The Interstate 485 loop that encircles the city, as well as Interstate 85, can both be reached via Interstate 77. Those visiting the area park along residential streets or within shopping centers surrounding the neighborhood.

Over 20 percent of those in Collingwood utilize public transportation, a percentage significantly higher than the rest of Charlotte. Charlotte Area Transit System operates bus service from South Boulevard and Scaleybark Road. Buses run between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and midnight during the work week and operate during limited hours on weekends. Those using taxi services and Uber find that both operate within neighborhood boundaries but must be scheduled ahead of time.

Residents interested in walking and biking appreciate Collingwood's accessibility. Many locals find walking to grocery stores doable. This neighborhood also houses a good number of bike lanes along Old Pineville Road, Murrayhill Road and Woodlawn Road.

Charlotte and Mecklenburg County operate over 220 park facilities throughout the county. The city-operated Collins Park sits in the heart of Collingwood and features 4 acres of multipurpose fields, a tennis court and picnic shelters. A free library and walking trails can also be found on the grounds. Families appreciate that these and almost all park facilities remain free to use and dog-friendly. Just south of Collingwood sits Marion Diehl Park, housing over 79 acres of picnic shelters, playgrounds and walking trails. Athletes flock to Renaissance Park to play and practice at the municipal golf course, championship disc golf course, five softball fields, 13 tennis courts and many multipurpose fields.

Charlotte hosts numerous events and festivals at city parks during all months of the year. Dog-lovers attend Bark in the Park Top Dog Festival at Rural Hill Park in Huntersville. Freedom Park hosts Festival in the Park annually every September. This celebration of local music, arts and food is a free event that has been named one of the best festivals in the south by the Southeast Tourism Society.

The cost of living in Collingwood sits at 2 percent more than the Charlotte city average. Housing remains the biggest factor that fluctuates between communities, and Collingwood residents pay 16 percent more to live in their neighborhood than the average Charlotte resident. Fortunately, renters don't necessarily feel this burden as much as homeowners do. For a one-bedroom apartment, renters pay an average monthly amount of $691 per month.

Those utilizing public transportation with Charlotte Area Transit Service pay $2.20 for one-way fare and $6.60 for a day pass. Gas prices in Collingwood sit at 4 percent less than the national average.

Miscellaneous expenses such as salon services and bar prices mirror the rest of the city. Patrons enjoying a pint of local beer pay between $5 and $6, depending on the establishment.

Stores within the community of Collingwood can be found scattered along South Boulevard and Woodlawn Road. A majority of these shops provide locals with the basics and include auto parts stores, consignment retail shops and small grocery marts. Specialty stores such as Charlotte Supplements can also be found along this corridor. Charlotte Supplements carries wholesale supplies of supplements designed for health and wellness. Name-brand vitamins, herbs and supplements line the shelves. This store also sells farm-fresh eggs, organic chicken and alkalized water for health-conscious folks.

The Sleepy Poet Antique Mall also lies on South Boulevard. This gigantic store features antiques and treasures from many eras. Over 250 vendors showcase beautiful jewelry, furniture, signs and dishware. Those looking to decorate an apartment, buy a housewarming gift or purchase a necklace for a friend can find everything they need and more at the Sleepy Poet.

Collingwood sits three miles west of one of the most upscale shopping hubs of the Carolinas. The shopping complexes of SouthPark Mall, Phillips Place and the Village at South Park house a number of high-end retailers including Coach, Burberry and Hermes. Shoppers come here from all over the state, so those looking to avoid the crowds do best visiting at off-peak times.

Locals purchase groceries at the Harris Teeter along Park Road, or at Aldi south of Collingwood along South Boulevard. A number of smaller specialty and ethnic markets sit along South Boulevard including Mas Por Menos. Those interested in visiting a farmers market drive two miles west to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. This market features local produce and meat and remains open Tuesday through Sunday with limited hours during the winter months.