Eagle Lake - Charlotte, NC

The development of Eagle Lake directly relates to the history of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. As the airport grew beginning in the 1930s, so did the infrastructure within neighboring communities like Eagle Lake. The need for restaurants, services and housing for airport employees encourages growth through the present day.

Two major museums have homes near Eagle Lake. The Carolinas Aviation Museum sits just north and has a collection of over 50 specialty aircraft carriers. The Billy Graham Library contains books, memorabilia and exhibits dedicated to the life and teachings of the Reverend Billy Graham.

Charlotte has a vibrant arts scene best experienced in uptown. Locals drive 6 miles to see the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra play or a performance at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. One of the best annual events in Charlotte is the Shakespeare in the Park series housed at The Green.

Eagle Lake houses a generous number of casual, locally owned and chain restaurants along Yorkmont Road and West Tyvola Parkway. A quick drive along Tyvola showcases the diverse food available to locals.

Anita's Mexican Grill draws crowds in with its authentic menu and lunchtime specials. Served quick and piping hot, the food at Anita's screams comfort. Mexican staples, including tacos, enchiladas and burritos, pair well with the house salsas. Be sure to request a sample of the homemade hot sauce. Those working at the airport rely on Anita's take-out counter to satisfy their cravings while on the go.

Nana's Soul Food Kitchen serves its delectable ribs, perfectly fried chicken and succulent smothered pork chops buffet-style at one of Charlotte's most well-loved soul food restaurants. The large selection of meats pairs nicely with spiced sweet potatoes and collards. Walking through the front door at Nana's, diners receive a warm, friendly greeting and the exceptional service doesn't stop there. Everyone smiles at Nana's.

Close to Nana's sits Junior's Pizzeria, a New York-style Italian shop known for its tasty sauce and doughy garlic knots. New York natives rave about the calzones and crispy pizza crust reminiscent of home. The memorabilia decorating the restaurant sets the stage for an authentic pizzeria experience. Diners come to Junior's from all around the city for the food, ambiance and the best Italian food south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Most locals drive 7 miles east to the South Park shopping area to enjoy upscale restaurants and bars such as Upstream, The Palm and Zebra Restaurant and Wine Bar. For a drink closer to home, Jocks & Jills Sports Grill and Locker Room Sports Lounge both serve up bar food and daily drink specials and have enough televisions for everyone to catch their favorite game. Head north on West Tyvola toward Wilkinson Boulevard for a country music nightclub experience at Coyote Joe's or to dance the night away at Tempo. Music venues remain uncommon in Eagle Lake, but a drive uptown brings residents to places such as the Uptown Amphitheater and the NC Music Factory.

The vast majority of Eagle Lake residents rely on personal vehicles and carpools to get around Charlotte. Like much of Charlotte, Eagle Lake gets low scores in the ability to bike and walk to nearby amenities. Fortunately, the city has plans for infrastructure improvements. Around 6 percent of residents in Eagle Lake rely on bus transportation with the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). Buses operate along Yorkmont Road and Tyvola Boulevard every 30 minutes from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Taxis and Uber provide service to the Eagle Lake neighborhood. Those looking for parking within the community find the residential streets to be safe and convenient.

The major highways within the city, I-485, I-85 and I-77, are all easily reachable from Eagle Lake. 1-77 runs directly through the center of the city and Eagle Lake residents use the entrance at Tryon Street and Billy Graham Parkway. The 485 loop encircles the city and is best accessed via exit 4 at Steele Creek Road. I-85 intersects just north of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport along the Billy Graham Parkway.

The Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the world's sixth-busiest airport, sits directly north of Eagle Lake. Many people living in Charlotte rely on this airport to travel for work and pleasure.

The expansive Renaissance Park, operated by Charlotte's Parks and Recreation department, lies in the heart of the Eagle Lake neighborhood. Athletes appreciate this sprawling 140-acre park that includes superb amenities like a golf course, five softball fields, nine volleyball courts, four soccer fields, a championship disc golf course and over 6 miles of bike trails. Renaissance Park doesn't require a fee for use of its facilities and the park is also dog-friendly. Be sure to check out neighboring York Road Community Park, which holds 13 tennis courts. Directly south of Eagle Lake sits the smaller Yorkmont Park, a perfect place for a quick stroll down the walking trail or a game of basketball.

The Charlotte Parks and Recreation department hosts events at many of the 210 parks around the city. Residents make it a point to attend the Festival in the Park, an arts showcase in uptown's Freedom Park. Romare Bearden Park in uptown is home to Party in the Park, a live music series that occurs every Wednesday evening from May through September. Renaissance Park plays host to golf tournaments year-round.

The cost of living in Eagle Lake averages 6 percent less than the city average due to the low cost of housing. Renters, who make up over 60 percent of the residents, benefit from this affordability and pay around $873 for a one-bedroom apartment.

The cost of transportation, goods and services in Eagle Lake echo the rest of the city. Bus rides cost $2.20 for one-way fare and $6.60 for a day pass with Charlotte Area Transit System, while gas prices in the community sit at 4 percent less than the national average. Patrons pay $5 for a local beer and $3 for domestics in restaurants around West Charlotte.

Retail stores and service providers line Yorkmont Road and Beam Road within Eagle Lake. A quick 7-mile drive east to South Park presents a number of higher-end boutiques and speciality shops. Actual shopping centers are few and far between in Eagle Lake, but the Charlotte Premium Outlets lie directly west of the neighborhood. Here, over 60 popular retailers have storefronts including Adidas, Christopher & Banks, Hot Topic and even Yankee Candle. Due south, the Shoppes at Whitehall Commons houses anchor stores WalMart and Lowes along with a number of small retail stores and restaurants. The true heart of Eagle Lake, however, contains a perfectly eclectic mix of shopping options, including international markets, clothing stores and bakeries.

Highly rated Wilmont Florist on Byrum Drive creates beautiful floral arrangements and provides quick delivery all around Charlotte Metro. Locals rely on Wilmont to assist in finding the perfect flowers, plants, cards and gift baskets for any occasion. Shoppers claim the personal service and large selection make shopping here easy and enjoyable.

Women absolutely adore the handmade jewelry from Olive Yew. Artist Angela Parker-Kennedy creates petite personalized masterpieces out of rose gold and sterling silver. Everything made by Angela appears simple, elegant and feminine. Customers find perfect gifts here at Olive Yew and continue to give the business rave reviews.

Locals head east to the Montclaire South neighborhood for the best selection of grocery stores, including Aldi and Costco. The WalMart Supercenter at the Shoppes at Whitehall Commons also sells affordable groceries. The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market sits in the center of Eagle Lake and remains open Tuesday through Sunday during the months of May until September and Tuesday through Saturday the rest of the year.