Sedgefield - Charlotte, NC

Sedgefield was formed after World War II by Lex Marsh, who used part of his farm to start the neighborhood. It started small, but by the 1960s, Sedgefield had grown and included many apartment complexes, homes, and duplexes. The area has many homes under renovation and has been growing due to its accessibility to downtown Charlotte and all of its affordable condominiums.

For some art and culture, the Charlotte Nature Museum has interactive nature exhibits, including live animal displays, and also holds educational programs and summer camps for kids.

The Mint Randolph Uptown has many interesting exhibits as well, including American ceramics, European ceramics, ancient African art, and work by famous artist Romare Bearden. The area has hosted Festival in the Park every year since 1964, displaying local art exhibits during a celebration that includes food, drinks, and live music.

Many options for food sit within walking distance of the neighborhood in the South Boulevard area. Pike's Old Fashioned Soda Shop serves classic diner food with its famous floats, milkshakes and banana splits. It has the nostalgic feel of an old-fashioned family-owned soda shop.

For some international food, Fiamma serves authentic Italian cuisine and was recognized by Zagat as the best Italian Restaurant in Charlotte. Its signature dish, the tagliolini allo scoglio consists of made-from-scratch pasta sauteed with fresh seafood in a garlic, red pepper and white wine sauce.

For something a little more unique, Luna's Living Kitchen has a full vegetarian menu and always has fresh local produce. The signature dish is called the lunasagna and has zucchini noodles with sun-dried tomato sauce and a famous vegan cashew-basil cheese.

For a night out with some drinks, the Wine Loft on South Boulevard provides light fare and a great place for a date, with more than 40 different wines by the glass in an elegant setting.

Sedgefield is a highly walkable neighborhood. In fact, both walking and biking can be used to get almost anywhere between South Boulevard and Park Road due to the bike lanes and sidewalks. For traveling outside of the neighborhood, two CATS buses serve the area, and 98 percent of the housing units in Sedgefield sit within a half-mile of the transit stops. The light rail also runs through Sedgefield at New Bern Station.

Uber and Lyft can be used to take you downtown or anywhere in the Charlotte area by using their convenient phone applications. Parking in residential areas can be done easily and for free on the streets, but in the downtown area, parking can either be paid on the street at a meter or by the hour in one of the city’s many parking garages.

I-77 runs less than a mile from the neighborhood, making it simple and convenient to drive downtown or to the I-485 outer loop to get anywhere in the Charlotte area.

Two large recreational parks sit within close range of Sedgefield. Within the neighborhood, Sedgefield Park houses an enormous recreational center for the residents, as well as a basketball court, a tennis court, a playground for the kids and several miles of walking trails.

Just outside of the neighborhood, Freedom Park proves to be one of Charlotte’s most popular parks, with a large acre lake and a spacious outdoor amphitheater. The park also has 12 tennis courts, four soccer fields, a basketball court, an open field for dogs and several miles of walking trails and paths. Freedom Park hosts annual events, including Festival in the Park and Freedom Summer Series, both with live music, food, and art.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sedgefield typically costs $870, just above the Charlotte median of $868 and the North Carolina median of $760. The cost of living in the neighborhood is reasonable, as the area has a sales tax of 7.5 percent, and an average gas price that typically sits around four percent above the national average. For a trip to the pub to grab a beer somewhere nearby, it costs between $4 and $6 in the neighborhood and South Boulevard area. However, Charlotte-brewed beers are usually cheaper and can be found for as little as $3.

The South Park Mall and the South Boulevard area both offer many upscale shops to the neighborhoods residents. Less than three miles away, the South Park Mall hosts more than 100 shops, including popular stores like Louis Vuitton, Coach, Lacoste, and many others.

The area also has several boutique-style stores, such as Petal Boutique and 32 Flavors, that sell both designer and other interesting items. Petal Boutique has several well-known designer brands, including Shoshanna, Amanda Uprichard, and Alice & Trixie, and it carries many women’s items, such as tops, dresses, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. 32 Flavors provides a different style of boutique and, instead of clothing, sells local handmade jewelry, art, ceramics, candles, and other items.

For grocery shopping, the area has the Berrybrook Farm Natural Food Pantry, one of the more popular food stores in Sedgefield. The pantry has fresh made soups, wraps, and smoothies, and it also carries a wide range of vitamins, supplements, and natural and organic foods. Additionally, the neighborhood has several chain grocery locations, including stores like Food Lion and Harris Teeter. Simpson’s Produce serves the area as well, with fresh and locally-grown fruits and vegetables.