Piper Glen Estates - Charlotte, NC

Piper Glen developed beginning in the 1990s around the Tournament Players Club at Piper Glen golf course and country club. South Charlotte began growing rapidly around this time as businesses moved into the nearby Ballantyne corporate complex, and that growth has remained steady through the 2000s.

Piper Glen contains a mixture of single-family homes, high-end condominiums and townhouses arranged around the sprawling country club. Subdivisions here include Glynmoor Lakes, Greenhurst and the Ninth.

Each of the 12 subdivisions within Piper Glen host block parties, happy hours and holiday parties designed for residents. An events calendar detailing these events is made available to residents. The city of Charlotte's festival and events calendar remains full year-round, and locals and visitors alike enjoy attending the St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Queen's Cup Steeplechase race. Museums and theaters found in uptown include the Mint Museum and Discovery Place.

Residents of Piper Glen Estates enjoy a number of restaurants and bars along the neighborhood's boundary. The majority of these dining options sit within either the Promenade on Providence shopping center off of Providence Road or StoneCrest at PiperGlen on Rea Road. Locally-owned restaurants and national chains here include Romano's Macaroni Grill, Applebee's, and Smashburger, as well as a number of Mexican and Asian-inspired choices.

Barbecue lovers head to the Q Shack on Providence Road for mouth-watering pulled pork and tender brisket. The Q Shack serves many types of barbecue styles using techniques popular in North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and the Midwest. Meats smoked to perfection pair perfectly with fried okra and creamy macaroni and cheese. Regulars advise capping off dinner with a big helping of the banana pudding.

Head over to Rea Road to savor a Mexican feast at Cantina 1511. Serving weekend brunch, lunch and dinner, Cantina 1511 impresses with huevos rancheros covered in a tangy ranchero sauce, chicken tacos and made-to-perfection table-side guacamole. Many locals visit weekly, so be prepared for a wait on weekend nights.

Basil Thai opened its doors to StoneCrest diners at the end of 2014 after receiving raving reviews about the uptown location. Diners flock from all over Charlotte to grab a plate of the pad Thai or pad kee mao. Dishes are spiced to perfection, and restaurant-goers say the impeccable service keeps them coming back time after time.

For nightly entertainment that includes bars, music venues, and clubs, locals head to the city center to enjoy the rowdy bowling nightclub, StrikeCity. Closer to Piper Glen, Cinebarre Arboretum Stadium 11 at the intersection of Pineville-Matthews Road and Providence Road caters to adults with food and alcoholic beverages. Down the street at Promenade on Providence, Arooji's Italian Ristorante and Wine Room offers the perfect after-work glass of wine. To catch a Sunday football game or cheer on a favorite team, locals go to either Hickory Tavern or Hawthorne's New York Pizza and Bar, both on Providence Road.

Because the area does not prove especially walkable, most Piper Glen Estates residents choose driving as their primary means of transportation. For those needing bus transportation, the Charlotte Area Transit System operates express routes along Providence Road and Rea Road into uptown every 30 minutes from 6-8 a.m. and then again at 5 p.m.during the work week.

Drivers access the I-485 loop from both Rea Road and Providence Road within 1 mile of the Piper Glen border. Charlotte's other busy highways include I-77 and I-85 – both of which can be reached from I-485. Those commuting to uptown Charlotte take Providence Road 15 miles north. Taxi service is uncommon here, but local cab companies respond if called upon, and Uber operates within the neighborhood boundary. Although rarely needed, public parking can be found on residential streets and at shopping centers. Piper Glen has a limited number of bike lanes, but that doesn't stop residents from enjoying casual rides along the scenic streets.

Neighborhoods around South Charlotte were built around the tall pines and creeks, opening up the territory for a dazzling array of parks and other recreational opportunities. To the north sits the large William R. Davie Park, which offers picnic shelters, playgrounds for the kids, walking trails and athletic fields for those who want to stay fit and active. Dog-lovers appreciate the on-site Davie Dog Park — one of Charlotte's most popular areas to bring furry friends. On the western side of Piper Glen sits Big Rock Nature Preserve, a 22-acre plot of land that contains large granite extrusions and walking trails created by area residents.

Charlotte's Parks and Recreation department has created a number of popular greenways, and an entrance to the Four-Mile Creek greenway can be found on Rea Road on the west side of Piper Glen Estates. This expansive pathway just begs for an after-work jog or family stroll.

The Tournament Players Club at Piper Glen located within the neighborhood offers a private, members only country club experience. This facility includes a number of premier benefits, including a clubhouse, championship golf course, swimming pool and tennis courts. Rental fees apply to use the facilities for golf tournaments and weddings.

The cost of living in Piper Glen averages 25 percent higher than the rest of Charlotte. Though most goods and services, including groceries and utilities, cost the same here as they do elsewhere around the city. Transportation costs in Piper Glen mirror the rest of Charlotte. One-way express bus fare with Charlotte Area Transit System costs $2.60, and gas prices run approximately 5 percent lower than the national average.

Though only 13 percent of residents in this community rent, those that do can expect to pay $1,042 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. A beer around Piper Glen costs between $5 and $6 depending on the establishment.

Piper Glen Estates borders two major shopping centers, and locals only need to drive another five minutes to reach an additional four retail areas. To the north on Providence Road, Promenade on Providence houses everything from clothing stores such as Men's Wearhouse and Ann Taylor to a Home Depot. Local specialty and boutique stores can be found scattered throughout the shopping center. The impressive and trendy boutique, Tash, can be found here at Promenade. Tash, which carries women's clothing and accessories, gains extra favor with the shoppers for its memorable motto: “Love yourself. Love your clothes.” Store visitors can't stay away from the large selection of scarves and handbags.

Housing multiple chain retailers such as Target, Michaels, Gamestop and Mattress Firm, the StoneCrest Shopping Center lies just to the west of Piper Glen, at the intersection of Ballantyne Commons Parkway and Rea Road. This complex also contains restaurants, a grocery store and service providers, including financial planners and nail salons. Tucked in the far side of Stonecrest, Brownlee Jewelers is one of Charlotte's most popular jewelry stores and the perfect place to find designer and bridal jewelry. Here, shoppers can browse specially-created diamond masterpieces, including engagement rings and high-end watches. Brownlee's has become the place in South Charlotte to purchase gifts for that special someone.

For groceries, locals head to Harris Teeter at either the StoneCrest or Promenade on Providence locations. Piper Glen residents need only drive 6 miles east to Matthews on Saturday mornings for the year-round Matthews Community Farmers Market or 15 miles west to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market.