Midway East - Kannapolis, NC

Western and northern portions of Cabarrus County, including Midway East, were occupied by Scottish and Irish immigrants beginning in the mid-1750s. The area remained farmland, primarily for textile production, through the middle of the 20th century. Like much of the Charlotte metropolitan area, Midway East and Cabarrus County experienced a population surge during the 1990s and 2000s as businesses moved into uptown Charlotte and the need for middle-class housing pushed workers to outside of the city center.

Downtown Kannapolis remains the go-to place for Midway East residents to experience the culture of the area. The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame sits in Kannapolis and honors popular and noteworthy musical artists including Thelonius Monk, Charlie Daniels and Nina Simone. The streets of downtown Kannapolis open up for the Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Festival. This annual event features local musicians and artists every April, May, September and October.

Midway East houses a number of casual locally-owned and chain restaurants centered along South Cannon Boulevard. Favorites such as Little Caesars, IHOP, and Subway lie next to establishments such as Golden Dragon and El Amigo Restaurant. El Amigo has been named the best Mexican restaurant in Kannapolis 14 years in a row. Classic dishes such as tacos and enchiladas are served under the festive and expansive roof. The margaritas at El Amigo have become a local favorite. Drink and food specials change daily. For a fancier meal, locals drive to Forty Six housed in downtown Kannapolis on West Avenue. Forty Six caters to those looking for a healthy, contemporary food served in a cozy space. Featuring main courses such as grouper, chicken piccata and filet mignon, Forty Six satisfies every craving. This is the perfect place for a romantic date night or to celebrate a special occassion. Locals from Midway East head to downtown Kannapolis to experience upscale nightlife. Microbrews flow from the 28 taps at Brew 515. This place also has an large list of bottled beer and boutique wines available alongside a solid bar menu. Patrons can expect live music every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Other favorites include West A Street Lounge. For nightclubs or popular musical acts, residents drive 30 minutes to uptown Charlotte's BAR Charlotte or The Double Door Inn.

The vast majority of Midway East residents either drive or commute to work, with fewer than 1 percent using public transportation. Commuters find that their neighborhood provides easy access to Interstate 85 by taking Kannapolis Highway south. Follow Interstate 85 south to reach Charlotte and north to Salisbury and Lexington. Those needing public parking within Midway East must park along residential streets. Downtown Kannapolis and Concord both have plenty of parking decks and lots.

Midway East residents find minimal alternative modes of transportation in the neighborhood. Concord Kannapolis Area Transit provides bus transportation for residents between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. The closest bus stop to Midway East can be found at the Employment Security Commission building along South Main Street. Local taxi companies operate throughout Kannapolis and Concord, serving Midway East in the process, but Uber does not operate in the neighborhood. Midway East does not have any bike lanes, and you'd be hard-pressed to walk anywhere safely.

Cabarrus County and the city of Kannapolis operate a number of public parks and greenways. To the south of Midway East, North Cabarrus Park features basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, walking trails and a disc golf course. Residents love the running trails because they provide good changes in elevation. Walter M. Safrit Park in Kannapolis encompasses 17 acres and caters to area athletes with lighted soccer and softball fields. Parks in Cabarrus County welcome dogs and are free to use.

Cabarrus County and Kannapolis host events throughout the year at their respective parks. A Kannapolis Christmas, an annual event hosted by the Kannapolis Parks and Recreation department, features over 250,000 lights and a train during the month of December at Village Park.

Residents of Midway East pay six percent less in cost of living expenses than residents of Charlotte. Housing remains the major factor in the decreased cost of living. Renters in Midway East benefit from these low housing costs and pay $575 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Prices for transportation, utilities, goods and services do not vary much throughout central North Carolina. Those enjoying a pint of local beer at one of the many nearby restaurants pay around $5. In terms of transportation, riders aboard Concord Kannapolis Area Transit pay $1.25 each way for bus service. Gas prices sit at six percent less than the national average.

Plentiful shopping options can be found within Kannapolis and all of Cabarrus County, though stores remain limited directly in Midway East. A number of small markets, auto parts stores and lesser-known apparel shops lie relatively close to the neighborhood along South Cannon Boulevard and South Main Street.

Party House & Bakery, just north of Midway East on South Cannon Boulevard, bakes some of the best cakes in the area. Specializing in custom creations, Party House & Bakery impresses with creative touches on everything from character-themed birthday cakes to elaborate wedding masterpieces. While the artwork remains beautiful, the cake itself remains the true star of the show with its perfectly moist bake. Shoppers can also find an assortment of cupcakes, cookies and even whoopie pies presented in the front case.

Locals get all their floral needs met at Midway Florist on South Main Street. Owners Tena and Fred Stern offer sincere customer service and assist shoppers in finding the perfect arrangement for every occasion within each individual budget. Delivery service is available seven days a week.

Carolina Mall sits along Concord Parkway North and contains a number of casual and upscale stores including Christopher and Banks, Men's Wearhouse and Victoria's Secret. Locals find that Carolina Mall fulfills most retail needs. Further south along Interstate 85, Concord Mills Mall features a many upscale name brands like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Coach at outlet prices.

Locals purchase groceries at Food Lion, Save-A-Lot, or Aldi along South Cannon Boulevard. A Sam's Club warehouse store and Walmart Supercenter can be found in neighboring Royal Oaks along Roxie Street Northeast. Piedmont Farmers Market lies to the south of Midway East along Winecoff School Road and opens every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.