Olde Whitehall - Charlotte, NC

The area surrounding Charlotte Douglass International Airport, including Olde Whitehall, slowly developed in a residential capacity during the 1930s and boomed during the 1950s as air travel became a popular mode of transportation. Many houses in and around Olde Whitehall were built during this time. As the population grew, so did the need for amenities, including shopping centers and restaurants. Infrastructure continues to be built to accommodate the growing populace as evidenced by the construction of Whitehall Commons.

The Carolinas Aviation Museum sits just north of Olde Whitehall and educates the public on the social implications and science behind flight. To catch a performance or art exhibit, it proves easiest to travel uptown for a visit to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or the New Gallery of Modern Art. The city of Pineville, south of Olde Whitehall, hosts annual events throughout the year, including the popular Fall Festival.

The restaurant scene in Olde Whitehall directly reflects the ethnic diversity present in the community. The Shops at Whitehall Commons, a large shopping complex in the community, houses a handful of chain restaurants, including Showmars, Chili's, Qdoba and IHOP, as well as a few locally owned options. Luigi's Pizza sits across from Walmart in Whitehall Commons and serves up some of the best pizza on this side of the city. Luigi's won the 2012 Charlotte Pizza War and has a legion of loyal devotees. This place caters to those craving quality New York-style pizza, calzones, sandwiches and pasta platters. Just outside of Whitehall Commons, a number of dining choices that guarantee to satisfy any craving can be found.

North of Whitehall Commons along North Tryon Street sits La'Wan's Soul Food Restaurant. La'Wan's serves up comfort food at its finest. All diners must try the world famous pork chops, which come either fried or grilled, and the collards seasoned with smoked turkey. Soul food lovers claim this place to be the real deal.

Siam Garden Thai Restaurant along Arrowood Road offers spiced-to-perfection Thai food. Regulars love the pineapple curry fried rice and fresh spring rolls. The eatery even serves homemade coconut, green tea, mango and taro ice creams for dessert. Siam Garden has long been considered the place in southwest Charlotte to get authentic Thai served with pride and a smile. Be sure to be specific when placing your order, as dishes can vary in spice levels from mild to extra hot and beyond.

Neighborhood favorite Mac's Speed Shop offers melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork and other barbeque dishes but has also become a lively place to grab a drink and some grub in the evening hours. The beer selection includes a solid selection of local micro-brews. Harry's Grille & Tavern, located near Mac's, offers drink specials and a highly impressive beer list. Locals drive 10 miles uptown to experience higher-end bars, nightclubs and live music.

Locals benefit from having a reliable personal vehicle to run errands and commute to work from the Olde Whitehall community. The majority of amenities, including the Shops at Whitehall Commons, are not easily accessible by foot or bike. Those with vehicles find the location of Olde Whitehall ideal, as it lies directly on the Arrowood Drive exit along the I-485 loop that encircles the city of Charlotte. Charlotte's other two highways, I-77 and I-85, can both be accessed with a quick drive along the inner loop. Public parking can be found along residential streets.

Charlotte Area Transit System provides reliable bus transportation within Olde Whitehall into the city center from South Tryon Street, Arrowood Drive and Steele Creek Road. Buses operate between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. during the work week. Express bus service runs Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. along South Tryon Street. Taxi cabs and Uber service the community but not frequently. Locals find it necessary to call ahead of time for these services.

Unlike most communities within the city of Charlotte, Olde Whitehall does not have any parks within its boundaries. To reach the closest park, Springfield Park, locals must travel 4 miles northeast to the Yorkmount neighborhood. Springfield Park offers basketball courts on a 12-acre plot of land. Renaissance Park sits due north of the Springfield facility and contains numerous amenities that draw in visitors from all around the city. This 145-acre park has a municipal golf course, a championship-caliber disc golf course and numerous athletic fields. City parks remain free for use and dog-friendly.

Renaissance Park hosts golf and disc golf tournaments throughout the year. For special festivals and events, residents of Olde Whitehall go uptown to attend the Festival in the Park at Freedom Park or east to the city of Matthews for the Matthews Alive celebration at Stumptown Park.

Olde Whitehall residents pay 2.5 percent less to live here than the average Charlotte resident. Though most factors in the cost of living, including utilities, transportation, goods and services, remain the same throughout the city, housing costs in Olde Whitehall average around 8 percent less. Renters, who make up 45 percent of the community's residents, pay $909 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Restaurant and bar prices remain steady in Olde Whitehall, and it costs patrons about $5 for a local beer.

Gas prices sit at three percent less than the national average. For bus transportation, riders pay $2.20 for one-way fare, $6.60 for a day pass and $2.60 each way for express service.

One of the largest shopping centers in southwest Charlotte sits within Olde Whitehall. The Shops at Whitehall Commons houses large and small retail shops, including Wal-Mart and Lowe's. Directly south along South Tryon Road sits the Town of Ayrsley. This master planned community has restaurants, office space and a handful of speciality retail shops.

The South Park neighborhood sits seven miles east of Olde Whitehall and has long been considered the Charlotte Metro's destination for upscale and boutique shopping. The South Park Mall, Phillips Place and the Village at South Park showcase name brands, such as Orvis, Coach and Anthropologie.

For grocery shopping, locals frequent Publix or Wal-Mart, both located at the Shops at Whitehall Commons. A Food Lion lies along South Tryon Road directly south of Ayrsley. The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, five miles north of Olde Whitehall, opens its doors year-round Tuesday through Saturday. From May through September, the market also remains open on Sundays.