Sherwood Forest - Charlotte, NC

Similar to many neighborhoods south of Charlotte, Sherwood Forest developed in the 1950s during an urban renewal and revitalization of the city. As businesses moved into the area, the need for blue-collar residences spurred the creation of communities like Sherwood Forest. The banking industry continued to grow over the next 40 years, making this community and others of similar nature appealing to those desiring life in the suburbs with a short commute to work. The architecture and character of Sherwood Forest has not changed over the years, making it a very special place to call home.

There are no museums or theaters in Sherwood Forest. Residents head to neighboring communities such as Cotswold, Stonehaven, Matthews and Uptown for a wide variety of festivals and events such as the Labor Day celebration "Matthews Alive," the Yiasou Greek Festival in Dilworth and the Shakespeare in the Green celebration in Uptown.

Sherwood Forest does not have many restaurant and bar options, but its location close to Cotswold, South Park and Uptown more than compensate for this. Fortunately for locals, Sherwood Forest houses the popular Asian-inspired restaurant, Koishi. Koishi specializes in classic favorites like garlic chicken and simple sushi rolls. The cherry blossom sauce here makes mouths water, and the lettuce wraps are out-of-this-world. Locals rave about the volcano rolls, but almost everything on the menu is worth getting at least once.

Directly to the north in the neighborhood of Cotswold and catty-corner from Koishi sits Wolfman Pizza. With three locations throughout the Charlotte area, Wolfman attracts legions of devout diners with their killer pizza and werewolf-theme. Enjoy a five-meat pie, and then indulge in a s'more pizza for dessert. Both children and the young-at-heart love it here so much that most join Wolfman's loyalty program.

Red Rocks Cafe, Bar & Bakery holds a well-deserved reputation as one of the best places in the area to eat. Located southwest of Sherwood Forest on Providence Road, owners here pride themselves on extensive menu options and a quality wine list. Anything from chicken fingers to grouper can be found under this roof. Diners can either sit outside or enjoy the cozy, family-friendly interior.

With no live music venues in the immediate area, locals head uptown for a great selection of hotspots such as the Fillmore. For a spritely cocktail close to home, Leroy Fox in the Providence Village Shopping Center can't be beat. Those seeking a pub-like atmosphere enjoy the Pizza Peel & Tap Room in Cotswold.

Sherwood Forest can best be reached by personal vehicle and is not considered walkable. Most residents own their cars, but those dependent on public transportation find the Charlotte Area Transit System to be reliable and affordable. Buses pick commuters up at the intersection of Colwick Road and Sharon Amity Road every 30 minutes from 6:30 a.m. until midnight every day of the week.

Drive 11 miles south on Independence Boulevard to reach I-485 or 10 miles north on Providence Road through Uptown for access to 1-77. Public parking abounds in shopping centers in the area. Taxis will service the area if called on, and Uber operates here.

Biking around the neighborhood is a popular activity for families on weekends, but limited bike lanes make it difficult to run errands outside of residential areas. Fortunately, the city of Charlotte has developed a plan to increase bike facilities city-wide in the coming years.

Mecklenburg County operates one park within Sherwood Forest. Situated behind Rama Road Elementary School, Rama Road Park houses playground equipment perfect for children that just can't sit still. This park has a fire truck and giant spider made out of monkey bars, multiple slides, tires and other balance-perfecting features. With plenty of shade and picnic shelters, this idyllic spot calls for a family picnic on a sunny summer day. Don't forget to bring the dog.

The Naomi Drenan Recreation Center in Cotswold is the closest neighborhood recreation facility to Sherwood Forest. Group and individual activities can be performed here in the gymnasium, arts and crafts room, multi-purpose field and on-site skate park. Depending on usage, a rental fee may apply.

Uptown and the South Park area offer many opportunities to experience annual events and festivals like the Queen City Brewers Festival, Taste of Charlotte and the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Because of the quality of life in Sherwood Forest, residents pay 18 percent more to live here than the average Charlotte resident. Housing averages 60 percent more in this community, but everyday expenses such as goods, services, groceries and utilities are in line with the rest of the city. Locals pay 7 percent less for gas than the national average. Renters occupy only 12 percent of the properties in Sherwood Forest and generally pay $847 per month for one of the few one-bedroom residences available.

Bus passengers pay $2.20 for one-way fare and $6.60 for a day pass with Charlotte Area Transit System. Patrons pay around $6 for a pint of local beer throughout South Charlotte.

Limited shopping options within the limits of Sherwood Forest have no reflection on the quality stores located a short drive away. Locals find Cotswold Village and Providence Plaza, both located north of the community on Sharon Amity Road, to be the most accessible shopping centers nearby. Here shoppers will find a mix of chain and local retailers, including PetSmart, Bath & Body Works, and World Market.

Children of all ages love Toys & Co. in Cotswold. With over 9,000 square feet of speciality games, puzzles, arts and crafts, shoppers always enjoy a trip to this toy oasis. Down the road at Providence Village Shopping Center, comic-book lovers flock to Rebel Base Comics & Toys for comics from the past and present. Staff at Rebel Base love helping shoppers find the perfect gem, whether it be a big-name Marvel comic or small-print offering.

Those seeking upscale and boutique shops head west to visit South Park shopping complexes like the SouthPark Mall, Phillips Place, and the Village at SouthPark. Brand-name and speciality retailers fill this sometimes congested area with some of the best shopping options in North Carolina.

Sherwood Forest residents purchase everyday groceries at Harris Teeter on Sharon Amity Road or the Fresh Market at the intersection of Providence Road and Rama Road. Popular destinations for a weekend trip to the farmers' market include the 7th Street Public Market in Uptown and Charlotte Regional Farmers Market on the southeast side of the city.