North Point/Mallard Lakes Winston-Salem, NC

Bethania, the oldest municipality in the North Point/Mallard Lakes area, was the original home of North Carolina's first Moravian settlement, and the community still operates today. The land in and around Bethania was mostly utilized as farmland through the 19th and 20th centuries. Most of the residences throughout the North Point/Mallard Lakes region were built between 1960 and 1990 to house workers in the tobacco, textile and furniture industries. Bethania's Black Walnut Festival is an annual event, occurring in September, that celebrates local arts and crafts. The festival organizes live music, food vendors, and a black walnut recipe contest. Because of its long history, museums and preserved buildings can be found scattered throughout the entire region surrounding North Point/Mallard Lakes. The city of Bethania has preserved the 19th century Wolff-Moser house as well as the Alpha Chapel in what is called the Historic Bethania Visitor Center.

The North Point/Mallard Lakes neighborhood contains a few notable, locally-owned dining establishments. Head east to John Gold Memorial Expressway for fast food and other casual chain-operated options, such as Chick-fil-A and Waffle House. Though none of the local options can be described as upscale, most have nice décor and a quiet ambiance. Coppola's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, found along Yadkinville Road near the intersection of Reynolda Road, serves homemade pizzas, pasta dishes, and decadent desserts. Coppola's pizza special, which has become a crowd favorite, features a cheese pizza topped with onions, mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, and extra mozzarella. Those dining in shouldn't leave without trying the tiramisu or chocolate cannoli. Though not fancy, Coppola's definitely serves up quality food. Head south along Reynolda Road to Fairlawn Drive for some of Winston-Salem's most authentic Indian cuisine. Golden India Restaurant prepares house-made dishes from Northern India. Customer favorites include the tikka masala, saag paneer and chicken curry. Golden India lunch specials cost under $6 and include naan and rice. Muddy Creek Cafe lies in the heart of the city of Bethania and specializes in catering to the lunch and dinner crowds with house-made pastries and hearty sandwiches. The atmosphere at this cafe is laid-back, even when live music is playing. The menu, though small and simple, packs a punch with Moravian chicken pot pies, pimento cheese paninis and a daily quiche. The cafe also carries a substantial microbrew and wine selection. Not many bars lie in and around North Point/Mallard Lakes. Residents have a choice between a handful of casual chain restaurants that have bars, including O'Charley's, Chili's, and Applebees. Break Time Billiards and Sports Bar, while lies just south of the neighborhood along University Parkway, advertises drink specials and has pool tables, dart boards and a decent selection of pub food. Because the ride into downtown Winston-Salem is relatively short, many locals decide to travel there to enjoy higher-end bars and nightclubs. Head to Sixth & Vine for a night out on the town.

Most residents of North Point/Mallard Lakes drive everywhere they need to go. Public transportation, though available nearby, has not become a popular mode of transportation for locals. Commuters heading south to downtown Winston-Salem take U.S. Route 52 straight into the center of the city. Interstate 40 can also be accessed via Route 52. Visitors and residents park along residential streets in North Point/Mallard Lakes, as no public parking lots lie in this community. Those interested in using Winston-Salem Transit Authority's public transit catch the bus on Route 52 near the SciWorks museum. Buses operate hourly from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. Most residents living south of Bethania can rely on Uber or local taxi companies for transportation. Walking or biking to nearby amenities can prove nearly impossible, as the area remains considerably rural.

Historic Bethabara Park lies just south of North Point/Mallard Lakes. This large park, operated by the city of Winston-Salem, has been designated a nature preserve and covers over 180 acres. Considered a National Historic Landmark, Bethabara Park houses a Moravian settlement dating back to 1753. This park honors Moravian history and culture through preserved buildings, well-manicured lawns and peaceful walking trails. Wildlife enthusiasts enjoy attempting to spot all 183 bird species that call this preserve home. Though the park does not charge a fee, tours of historic buildings cost $4 for adults and $1 for children. Bethabara Park welcomes dogs on a leash along walking trails. Apple Fest, one of Winston-Salem's most popular outdoor festivals, occurs at Bethabara Park every September. Apple Fest celebrates the community through live music, food and craft vendors, and historical reenactments that demonstrate wool spinning and basket making. The park also hosts the Highland Games every May. The public is welcome to come and watch traditional Highland athletic events, family gatherings with fellow Scots and live musical entertainment.

The cost of living in North Point/Mallard Lakes runs slightly above the city average of Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem residents pay a cost of living 9 percent less than the national average, those living north toward Bethania pay 3 percent more than the national average. The biggest factor in this increased cost of living remains housing, which can be up to 40 percent higher in this community. Renters looking to live in North Point/Mallard Lakes pay an average of $689 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Winston-Salem Transit Authority charges $1 each way for bus service, and gas prices typically trend 3 percent higher than the national average. Patrons enjoying a pint of beer should expect to pay around $4 at local bars.

Most retail shops in the North Point/Mallard Lakes region line Reynolda Road or University Parkway. The majority of stores and shopping complexes in this area meet the basic needs of residents and include a number of grocery, auto part and simple apparel shops. Upscale shopping options, such as specialty boutiques and name-brand retailers, can be found at Reynolda Village. Reynolda Village houses stores such as BohoBlu, Uncorked Masterpiece pottery studio, and Village Fabric Shop. Antiques in Bethania, located in the heart of Bethania along Main Street, carries a beautiful assortment of antique furniture, jewelry and other memorabilia from yesteryear. From simple pieces to museum-quality artifacts, Antiques in Bethania caters to all kinds of antique shoppers. This shop does not open on Sundays, so plan accordingly. Piedmont Books sells gently-used and new books and can be found on Reynolda Road in the Old Town Shopping Center. This bookstore carries over 40,000 volumes, and most are priced up to 75 percent less than the retail value. The great staff can quickly recommend the best book, or guide shoppers to the best genre to suit any reader's needs. Locals purchase groceries at one of two Food Lions along either Reynolda Road or Shattalon Drive. An Aldi, Lowes Foods and Sam's Club all lie to the east of North Point/Mallard Lakes along University Parkway. The closest farmers market to the community, the Bethania Mill Farmers Market, opens Saturday mornings from May through September. The Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, the nearest year-round farmers market, lies between the cities of Winston-Salem and Greensboro and remains open seven days a week.