McAlpine - Charlotte, NC

The city of Charlotte began in 1768, and it quickly grew thanks to tobacco and cotton. After the Civil War, the city focused more on textiles and the railroad, turning Charlotte into the largest city in both Carolinas. The city continued to grow, building more businesses and suburbs, including the residential McAlpine area. As the area saw more shops and restaurants arrive, it became a thriving neighborhood.

For a taste of art, travel to the Mint Museum. This museum specializes in amazing art that inspires and celebrates with modern art, Native American art, fashion and decorative arts exhibits. The President James K. Polk State Historic Site also resides near the neighborhood. It sits on a site once owned by Polk’s parents and commemorates significant events in his presidency.

The Carmel Commons Shopping Center in the north and a cluster of businesses in the southeast of the neighborhood house most of the restaurants in McAlpine.

If you enjoy Asian food, try Nakato. This restaurant features traditional Japanese dishes and sushi prepared by teppanyaki and sushi chefs. Try the yakitori or the New York strip and chicken combination. Don’t forget to wash it down with a Japanese Sapporo beer or some hot sake.

Fans of Chinese cuisine should head over to Great Wall of China South. Get your friends together and rent a private room or just stop by with your family. When there, try the dynasty duck or the shredded duck Peking style, two of the chef’s specialties.

For tasty Italian cuisine, visit The Rusty Onion. Start off with the rusty onion appetizer and then try the chicken Parmesan, or build your own pizza. Make sure to check the draf beer list, as the Rusty Onion carries some of the best local Carolina brews.

In the evening, travel a little outside of the neighborhood to the Hickory Tavern to catch a sports game with your friends as you sip a cold drink. For a quieter experience, stop by Global Restaurant Bar and Lounge. Enjoy a bottle of Montelliana Prosecco or another wine from the extensive wine list as you enjoy good conversation surrounded by an elegant ambiance. Head to Barreled at the Lift, a speakeasy bar and hookah lounge, to sit back and relax with your friends as you enjoy a tasty cocktail or some hookah. On the weekends, DJs play great music until the early hours of the morning while you hit the dance floor.

Most residents of McAlpine choose to get around via their own cars. Most businesses provide their own free parking for customers, and the neighborhood's convenient location near Highway 51 and Interstate 485 makes it easy to get around.

City bus stops sit along major roads such as Carmel Road and Johnston Road. Few bus lines run within the center of the neighborhood, however. Hailing a cab proves challenging, so make sure to call in advance when you need a lift, or use Uber to get from place to place.

Few residents choose to walk the neighborhood as most businesses rest along the outer edge of the neighborhood, not within walking distance. Biking provides a better option, and the neighborhood even supports several biking lanes along major roads, but not many residents actually commute by bicycle.

Many parks reside near or within the McAlpine neighborhood. If you have dogs, check out the Zoom Room. An indoor dog park, the Zoom Room offers a private gym where your dog can socialize with other dogs without tracking home any mud and dirt. Join the agility league or a dog party. For pups who are just a bit unruly, the gym even provides training lessons, including lessons for puppies, learning tricks, lessons for shy dogs and typical obedience training. The Zoom Room does cost money, but all its great benefits make it worth the cost.

Free places to have fun with your pet include the McAlpine Creek Greenway and the McMullen Creek Greenway. Both offer great walking trails, surrounded by trees and greenery, perfect for getting some exercise and walking your dog. While you can certainly bring your children, there are few areas here for them to play.

For a more unique place to play and explore, head over to The Big Rock Shelter. Covered with boulders and rocks, this provides a fun place to climb and discover nature. A short walking trail leads down to McAlpine/McMullen Creek and features beautiful nature scenes.

The cost of living in McAlpine averages about 3 percent less than the Charlotte average, primarily due to the lower cost of housing. In fact, the median cost for a one-bedroom residence equals about $1031.

For most other amenities, the cost in the McAlpine area matches the rest of Charlotte. If you choose to travel to the city center via city bus, expect to pay $2.20 for a local ticket and $6.60 for a single day, unlimited use pass. If you work in the city center, consider an $88 monthly pass to save money. If you enjoy grabbing a pint at the local pub, expect to pay about $3, and if you choose to drive your own car, gas prices average about 1 percent higher than the national average.

Most stores reside in the north and southeast of McAlpine. Many of them focus on home design and landscaping, including Lillian Dickson Interior Design and Lauren Nicole Designs.

If you travel just outside the neighborhood, you find many luxury boutiques that sell designer clothing, including The Cheeky Bean and Bevello. The Cheeky Bean sells fashionable and affordable women’s clothing, while Bevello sells contemporary clothing, shoes and accessories for women.

For a unique shopping experience, head over to the Carolina Fish Market. This market sells fresh fish and seafood from the local Carolina coast, and the fishmongers here can teach you the best ways to cook your local fish and seafood.

The Fresh Market offers the closest grocery shopping opportunities within the neighborhood. This full-service grocery store stocks only the freshest ingredients and has online ordering and home delivery available if you lack the time to get out and shop.

Providence Farms Produce, located about 5 miles from McAlpine, serves as the area's closest farmers market. They sell locally grown, fresh produce at great prices. The stand opens in late spring and closes in late summer or early fall, depending on the outcome of the growing season.