Farm Pond Charlotte, NC

Originally built in the 1970s, Farm Pond continues to grow as a suburban community close to downtown Charlotte. With new homes and apartments still being built, the neighborhood has both classic homes and modern construction.

Residents interested in learning more about local history can visit the Charlotte Museum of History, three miles northwest of Farm Pond. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the museum features local artifacts and stories, as well as a preserved Revolutionary War-era home on the museum grounds.

Many recording studios and music stores operate in Farm Pond, creating an environment supportive of aspiring local musicians, who showcase their talents in downtown Charlotte at the annual Festival in the Park.

A variety of local restaurants make their home in Farm Pond, concentrated primarily along WT Harris Boulevard and Albemarle Road.

Cottage Express delivers fast, quality Chinese food. It serves a full menu of standard Chinese takeout dishes along with burgers, chicken wings and subs, and patrons enjoy the vegetable rolls and lo mein, which are served in large portions. Residents throughout Farm Pond take advantage of Cottage Express’s 10-mile delivery radius, and online ordering provides further convenience.

The Woodlands serves authentic dishes from throughout north and south India. While the extensive menu may be daunting to a first-time customer, the attentive staff can walk diners through it, and everyone will quickly find their favorite dish, such as the ever-popular chana masala and paneer. A completely vegetarian restaurant, vegetarians and vegans will be delighted to discover a restaurant in Charlotte that offers so many options.

RacknRoll Sports Bar creates a classic sports bar atmosphere. Serving pub fare such as wings and free snacks, the bar provides everything needed to watch the game. Patrons can play pool free of charge most nights, while players can buy into 8-ball tournaments for $5. Thursday and Friday nights bring live bands or DJs, and Saturdays invite patrons onstage for karaoke.

Pedestrians consider Farm Pond difficult to navigate due to the lack of sidewalks. Cyclists find the neighborhood more accommodating, with bike lanes along many main roads. However, most residents still use cars to get around the neighborhood, and drivers can locate plenty of free parking in residential and commercial areas.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operates multiple local and express bus routes around Farm Pond, offering service into city center and surrounding communities. Commuters traveling by car reach the city center via an approximately 8-mile drive up US-74. Though it's typically a 16-minute drive, commuters should allow twice that time during rush hour.

Uber and Lyft, both operate in the area. Traditional taxi services also exist, but they require calling ahead, rather than offering the option to hail a cab.

Centrally located within the Farm Pond neighborhood, Campbell Creek Park features a multipurpose trail, picnic shelters, a playground, four horseshoe pits and open green space across 21 acres. Campbell Creek Greenway, a four mile trail serving as a popular destination for Charlotte Area Cycling meet-ups, runs through the park.

Park visitors seeking a wider variety of athlete facilities find them at nearby Kilborne District Park. Located 3.5 miles from Farm Pond, the 51-acre park features a softball field, two tennis courts, a multipurpose field and an 18-hole disc golf course, which hosted the 1997 Disc Golf World Championship. Also providing standard park amenities such as a playground, picnic shelters and trails, the park draws visitors of all ages and outdoor interests.

The cost of living in Farm Pond runs 6 percent lower than the Charlotte average, with housing costs the primary contributing factor. A typical one-bedroom apartment in Farm Pond rents for $600 per month, compared to the average Charlotte price of $868. Local pubs routinely run $1 specials on domestic beers and $2 specials on imports.

Riding the Express CATS bus into city center costs $3 each way, or commuter can purchase monthly unlimited passes for $121. Commuters traveling by car find gas prices 1 percent higher than the national average.

The Farm Pond Shopping Center brings a wide selection of national chains, while unique local businesses operate throughout the neighborhood.

Master seamstresses at Ellerbe's Alterations and Boutique can custom-fit any garment brought to the shop, from simple pant hems to crafting bustles for wedding gowns. Expanding her craft beyond alterations, designer and proprietress LaVerne Ellerbe recently introduced her It's A Wrap collection, featuring casual and evening wraps to enhance any outfit. Check out the range of jewelry and accessories in the boutique as well.

Located on Albemarle Road, Bargain Hunters Thrift Store carries a variety of quality clothing along with household goods and other knickknacks. Shoppers who come to Bargain Hunters from other thrift stores frequently comment on how well-organized the racks are, sorted by brand and size. Customers can often find items from high-end brands, such as Chico's and Brooks Brothers.

Aldi, Save-A-Lot, Bi-Lo and Food Lion serve as the neighborhood's primary supermarkets. While no farmers markets operate within the neighborhood, two lie within a 5-mile drive. North of Farm Pond, Newell Farmers Market opens every Saturday, selling fresh produce from Newton Farm alongside meats and seafood from other local suppliers.