Outer Northwest I-40 Corridor - Greensboro, NC Area Guide

Residential neighborhoods throughout the Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor developed during the 1960s from what was originally vast farmland used to grow cotton and tobacco. The entire Greensboro region has been called a well-planned community for its focus in creating large public spaces such as parks. Most of the houses and apartment complexes in and around the community were built between 1960 and 1998 to accommodate workers in the textile, tobacco and furniture industries. The Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor doesn't contain any museums or host a notable art scene. Locals must drive to downtown Greensboro or Winston-Salem to visit such cultural venues as the Greensboro Historical Museum, the International Civil Rights Center and Museum and the Old Salem Museums and Gardens. Many residents attend the Greensboro Fringe Festival, which promotes and showcases local theatre talent for two weeks every January and February.

Restaurants throughout the Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor lie along Wendover Avenue West, Piedmont Parkway, and Bridford Parkway. The shopping complex at Wendover Place contains a variety of options, especially popular chain restaurants. Most locally-owned restaurants can be found scattered along these corridors. La Fiesta Restaurante Mexicano, a popular local Mexican Restaurant found within Wendover place, prepares fresh dishes and advertises daily drink and food specials. Warm corn tortilla chips and house-made salsa begin every experience at La Fiesta. Follow that up with a cold beer, enchiladas verde and a quesadilla supreme. People from all around the Piedmont Triad flock to this La Fiesta location as well as the other four sister locations because of the exceptional service and great food. Guilford College Road serves as home to Taste of Troy, a Mediterranean and Greek restaurant that allows diners to eat in the restaurant, take out, or order for delivery. Those with specific dietary needs, such as vegetarians and vegans, love the great menu selections, including the zucchini pancakes and Turkish eggplant. Bars can mostly be found around the community's commercial developments along Wendover Avenue and Bridford Parkway. Gate City Billiards Club lies along Landmark Center Boulevard, just south of Wendover Place. This members-only club provides guests with 11 pool tables, darts, video games, a lounge with large televisions, and a full bar menu. Locals that want to see popular performers or experience the latest nightclub generally drive to downtown Greensboro. For an updated music and event schedule, be sure to check out Yes Weekly, the Triad's alternative newspaper.

Close to 94 percent of residents in Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor drive or carpool to work and another 2 percent use bus transportation. This neighborhood doesn't accommodate those looking to walk or bike to amenities or work. Commuters that drive into downtown Greensboro for work take Interstate 73 and Interstate 85 northeast to Freeman Mill Road. The easiest way to reach Interstate 73 is by following Wendover Avenue north. Interstates 85 and 40 can be accessed via Interstate 73. No public parking lots lie within the community, so residents and visitors park along residential streets. Public transportation, available through Greensboro Transit Authority, operates north of Interstate 73 along Bridford Place. Buses run every 30 minutes between 5:30 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. Uber and local taxi companies operate in the Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor.

Gibson Park, operated by Guilford County, covers an expansive 200 acres and houses a 200-year-old cabin, the Historic Deep River Cabin. The park pays tribute to rifle makers and others living in the Jamestown region of North Carolina during the early 1800s. The property also includes baseball fields, greenway access, hiking trails, soccer fields and reservable picnic shelters. No fees apply when accessing the park, but patrons need to pay to reserve the athletic fields and picnic shelters. Greensboro's Amber Park lies to the east of the Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor. This public facility houses a stream and playground, perfect for young children and families. Both of these parks welcome dogs. Festival Park, located in downtown Greensboro, hosts a number of events each year. The Carolina Blues Festival occurs annually in May, celebrating blues music with live performances all day long. Families greatly enjoy heading to Festival Park for the Fun Fourth Festival. This celebration, which has occurred since 1975, brings families and community members together for a parade, 5K, street festival and a spectacular fireworks show.

The cost of living throughout the Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor mirrors the rest of Greensboro, and averages 5 percent less than the national average. Many apartment complexes and single-family residences stand available for rent in the area, and renters pay $640 a month on a one-bedroom apartment. Bus riders using Greensboro Transit Authority's service pay $1.50 each way, with unlimited transfers. Gas prices sit 1 percent above the national average. Goods and services also cost the same throughout the city, and patrons pay between $4 and $5 for a pint of beer, depending on the establishment.

Most shopping in the Outer Northwest Interstate 40 Corridor can be accomplished in and around Wendover Place, located at the intersection of Bridford Parkway and Wendover Avenue. Wendover Place contains a number of name-brand and big-box stores, including Target, Old Navy, and GNC. Landmark Station, across the street from Wendover Place, contains Home Depot and Hobby Lobby. Upscale shopping generally occurs at the Four Seasons Town Center Mall, seven miles east of the neighborhood. North Carolina Sound Solutions, situated along Stanley Road near Interstate 40, specializes in audio, visual, and GPS equipment for vehicles. The expert staff can recommend the best radar detectors, security systems, and remote starters on the market and assist with the installation. Close by lies Window Works Studio. This beautiful and intimate store sells custom window treatments and provides professional installation. Window Works Studio carries customizable colors and sizes of drapes, pillows, swags, valances, and blinds. Locals generally purchase groceries at Lowes Foods along Piedmont Parkway, or at the Walmart Supercenter or Sam's Club warehouse at Wendover Place. The closest and largest farmers market in the region, the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, sells local produce, meats, and goods every day of the week year-round.