Park Crossing - Charlotte, NC

Charlotte and its outlying suburbs have a rich history, dating back to about 1755, but development in Park Crossing wasn’t in full swing until the 1980s. In the neighborhood’s early years, the area was a quiet, out-of-the-way location for busy executives who wanted to leave their work behind at the end of the day. Carolina Place Mall opened nearby in the early 1990s, increasing the number of people and cars around the neighborhood, but the added convenience made Park Crossing an even more desirable place to call home.

The arts thrive in all areas of Charlotte, with museums, theaters and symphony halls scattered throughout the county. Enjoy local beer and local art at FABO Coffee Art Bar in Quail Corners, or take a 25-minute drive to the Levine Museum of the New South to explore the city’s complete history.

The restaurant options in and around Park Crossing please every palate. On South Boulevard, the Carolina Pavilion has fast food favorites, including Chick-fil-A, Steak ‘n Shake and McDonald's, along with a Golden Corral and a Hooter's. Quail Corners, at the corner of Park Road and Sharon Road West, serves up the fusion flavors of Umai Sushi and Asian Bistro, Salsarita's Fresh Cantina and a TCBY Yogurt. Charlotteans have enjoyed lunch, dinner and drinks at Rusty's Deli & Grille in Quail Corners since 1983. Try Rusty's Serious Chili on a stuffed baked potato, or bite into a South Charlotte cheesesteak, served with farm fresh lettuce and tomato.

Tower Place Festival off of Highway 51 just inside Pineville provides a great place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch, and an even better destination for entertainment. In addition to Wendy's, Bojangles' and other fast food chains, there's a Brueggers Bagels, CiCi's Pizza buffet and a K&W Cafeteria. Tower Place also features Indian cuisine at Bombay Grille, a Thai restaurant, and a Mexican eatery. It's not uncommon to find the locals hanging out at Tavern 51, especially on a game night. The sports bar serves a full menu of inexpensive eats as well as a wide selection of drinks.

The best selection of restaurants lies in and around the Carolina Place Mall. Harper's and McAlister's Deli both have locations on the mall's lower level, while choices in the food court range from Thai and Chinese, to Philly steaks and wraps. Outside the mall, international flavors really come to life. Enjoy the tastes of Italy, Mexico and Peru, or satisfy your seafood cravings at Captain D's and Red Lobster. The Carolina Place Applebee's houses a lively bar that attracts many Park Crossing residents.

Residents usually encounter a lot of stop-and-go traffic during the half hour commute to and from Center City, but driving remains the primary preferred method of getting around the Park Crossing area. The neighborhood sits less than 5 minutes away from Interstate 485, and the drive to Interstate 77 generally takes under 10 minutes. Park Road provides a direct route to Uptown Charlotte and often affords the best option for rush-hour travel.

A handful of residents skip the traffic completely by taking advantage of Charlotte’s public transit system. Nearly 24 bus stops surround the community, and the ride into the city takes about 45 minutes. Uber and several cab companies also serve the area. Residents don't recommend walking and cycling for everyday transportation due to high traffic volumes around Park Crossing, but plenty of sidewalks line the streets for leisurely walks, and a number of bike-friendly roadways exist in the area.

Aside from the Park Crossing community playgrounds, there are no parks in the nearby vicinity. William R. Davie Park has the most convenient location to the neighborhood, about 15 minutes away on Highway 51. The 107-acre facility features basketball courts, soccer fields, walking trails and a pond. Visitors can also enjoy volleyball, horseshoes and an off-leash dog park with free parking and no admission.

Park Crossing’s beautiful homes and convenient location attract individuals who earn about 20 percent more than the average Charlottean. The cost of living hits higher than other areas of the city and higher than the national average, but living in Park Crossing still costs less than some nearby South Charlotte communities. About 30 percent of the residents rent luxury apartments, condos, or single-family homes in the area and pay $862 on average for a one-bedroom unit. Aside from housing, other living costs in the area reflect the citywide average. Gas runs about 3.5 percent higher than the national average, and the local pubs charge anywhere from $3 to $6 for a beer, depending on the type. Taking a bus from Park Crossing into the city costs less than $5.

From groceries and clothing for the family, to unique gifts and eclectic decor for home, Park Crossing residents have world-class shopping opportunities in every direction. Carolina Place Mall features two levels of national and regional chains, including specialty shops such as Teavana and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. The shopping centers surrounding the mall have furniture stores including Ashley and Drexel Heritage, a Toys ‘R Us, electronics retailers and more. With a nearby Bi-Lo and a Meineke Car Care Center, you only need to make one stop for all your shopping needs.

Quail Corners affords a great destination for everyday errands. In addition to a Harris Teeter, the shopping center contains a pharmacy, the UPS Store, dry cleaners, Hallmark and an upscale locally-owned consignment shop called Divine Consign. Tower Place Festival houses a number of upscale shops and boutiques. Victoria’s Expressions and Blacklion Furniture rank as premier destinations for home improvement, decorating and design projects, or visit Fun Outdoor Living for all your outdoor living and decorating needs. The selection at Carolina Pavillion rivals that of a small shopping mall, with outlet stores from Nordstrom and Sears, shops for babies, Old Navy and an assortment of stores for the home, including Kirkland’s, hhgregg and World Market. Kohl’s, PetSmart and a movie theater share the location as well.