Highland Creek - Charlotte, NC

Before Highland Creek became a neighborhood, the land was just another stretch of rolling hills outside of Charlotte. The master planned subdivision, which has always been home to well-to-do Charlotte residents, was carefully designed to create a pleasing balance between residential areas and natural outdoor spaces. In 2007, the city of Concord annexed the part of Highland Creek that sits within its boundaries.

The community does not have any significant venues for cultural events within its borders. Residents head into Charlotte to visit the Mint Museum, the Charlotte Nature Museum and the Carolinas Aviation Museum. The Highland Creek Neighborhood Association hosts a variety of family-friendly events throughout the year, including a holiday lighting contest, the Harvest Festival, an Easter egg hunt and a 4th of July parade.

Dining out in Highland Creek typically involves a casual environment with options such as American, Italian or pan-Asian cuisine. Almost all of the restaurants in the neighborhood line Prosperity Church Road and Mallard Creek Church Road. Food tends to be reasonably priced, and you'll find plenty of inexpensive and mid-range choices.

For a laid-back, satisfying family dinner, stop by Due Amici Pizzeria for authentic New York-style pizza. The restaurant sells pizza by the slice or by the pie, and also serves local favorites such as garlic knots and Italian meat rolls.

When you're looking for something a little bit spicier, the chili curry and the Gobi 65 at Persis Biryani Indian Grill will have your taste buds hopping. Locals love the Goan Breeze cocktail and the chicken tikka appetizer. Stop in at lunchtime and choose from a wide variety of flavorful dishes at the daily buffet.

There's no need to go all the way downtown Charlotte for great sushi because Tanaka's Grill & Sushi has Highland Creek covered. Try the signature Tanaka roll or the Midori roll, or ask the owner to surprise you with a roll of his choosing. Parents dining with children appreciate the kids' menu at Tanaka's, which provides little ones with several fully-cooked alternatives.

Highland Creek doesn't have much in the way of a raucous nightlife, but locals frequent several establishments for casual drinks on weekend evenings. The upstairs bar at Harvey's Bar and Grill usually hosts a crowd of beer-lovers eager to try microbrews such as Big Boss Aces & Ates stout or a Red Oak, which is only available in North Carolina. Stop in on Thursdays for draft beer specials. You'll find a similarly laid-back atmosphere at the Eastfield Bar and Grill, which features an excellent craft beer selection and big-screen TVs. For live music, Highland Creek residents head into nearby Concord or Charlotte, both of which have a wide variety of venues.

Given its suburban layout and location, most Highland Creek residents do the majority of their traveling by car. The neighborhood's layout accommodates drivers with ease. Most homes have driveways or dedicated parking areas as well as free street parking to accommodate guests. When you want to get out of town, simply hop on Highway 77 to the west or Highway 85 to the east. Both roads, which serve as major arteries in the Charlotte metro area, lie less than 10 miles away.

The community is safe for casual walkers and bikers, though bike lanes only exist on a few main roads. No public transportation lines run through Highland Creek. Cabs must be called in advance, or you can take advantage of one of the three different Uber service classes available.

In addition to the sprawling Highland Creek Golf Club and the neighborhood sports club, Highland Creek residents have access to Clarke Creek Park, Christenbury Park and Prosperity Park. Each park features a playground, picnic area and a pool, making them popular with local families. Prosperity Park and Clarke Creek Park also house tennis courts. Local sportsmen enjoy the catch-and-release fishing in Highland Creek's ponds and streams.

The Highland Creek sports club offers two pools and a fitness center. Basketball and volleyball courts are scattered throughout the neighborhood. Dog owners can walk their pets on leashes almost anywhere in the neighborhood. All parks and facilities in Highland Creek receive funding from community fees, so they are limited to residents and guests. The neighborhood community association hosts a variety of events in the parks, including the holiday tree lighting and farmers market.

Highland Creek offers a variety of rentals. For those considering a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay around $1,410 per month. Alternatively, if a house better suits your style, the average house for rent costs around $2,445 per month. For those with dreams of homeownership, the average house price typically hovers around $410,000.

Two major shopping areas serve Highland Creek, one at the intersection of Eastfield Road and Prosperity Church Road and the other about two miles south of there. The stores at these locations primarily sell everyday items. For clothing and high-end items, residents head to nearby Concord Mills Mall or NorthLake Mall.

Gardeners in Highland Creek love Wallace Farm Soil Products on Eastfield Road, which produces its own mulch, compost and soil. The owners carefully document the process and ingredients in each product, so you can purchase any of them with confidence.

If you play the guitar, spend some time chatting with the music experts at Cottonwood Music Emporium on Aragorn Lane. Check out the latest pedals and accessories or spend some time browsing both new and vintage guitars. Whether you're looking for new or used gear, Cottonwood has what guitar players want.

When grocery shopping, Highland Creek residents love the freshly made doughnuts and excellent produce section at Harris Teeter. At Bi-Lo, frequent customers enjoy both the regular sales, such as buy-one-get-one deals, as well as the rewards program. Aldi provides a low-cost alternative for families on a budget.

For the freshest local products, check out the Highland Creek Farmers Market in Christenbury Park, hosted by the Highland Creek Community Association. Days, hours and vendors change by the season, but regular options include produce, locally made honey and organic meat.