Southmont - Greensboro, NC

Since the 1890s, Greensboro has maintained its position as a center for manufacturing and other commercial industries, including textiles, medicine, and steel. Residential and commercial growth continually increased during the early-20th century, even during the Great Depression. Most of the houses within Southmont were built between 1950 and 1980. Modern-day Southmont residents take pride in their community and strive to maintain its original character.

A strong arts scene lies throughout Greensboro. Theaters and other performance venues, such as the Carolina Theatre of Greensboro, the Greensboro Ballet, the Community Theatre, and the Greensboro Opera, host performances regularly throughout the year. Popular local museums include the Greensboro Historical Museum and the International Civil Rights Museum. Music lovers attend the annual Carolina Blues Festival at Barber Park in May and the Eastern Music Festival, which runs from the end of June through the beginning on August.

Paradise West Indian American lies north of Southmont on Randleman Road. Known for authentic and savory Jamaican dishes, Paradise West serves up traditional meals such as oxtail, curry chicken, and jerk chicken. Prices have remained reasonable throughout the 20 years this restaurant has been in businesses.

Thai cuisine aficionados love to grab lunch at the Thai Corner Kitchen on High Point Road. Thai Corner creates fresh Thai favorites that include drunken noodles, basil fried rice, and pad thai. Whether you want to eat in or take your food home, this establisment lets you order anything on the menu for both choices. Be sure to let the servers know how spicy to make each meal ordered, and don't forget to finish with a helping of the fried banana.

Diners seeking American comfort food love to eat at Coliseum Country Cafe. Though unassuming from the outside, this establishment prepares scrumptious sandwiches, fried shrimp, and BBQ chicken. The made-from-scratch bread pudding perfectly complements any meal ordered here.

The only bar within the immediate vicinity of Southmont, Chunk's Hawg Haven, caters to area residents interested in motorcycle culture. Chunk's advertises drink specials, theme nights, karaoke contests, and holiday parties. Most locals drive north into downtown Greensboro to visit pubs and bars such as M'Coul's Public House, the Corner Bar, and Westerwood Tavern. Those looking to dance to a DJ or listen to live music enjoy trips to Artistika Nightclub or the Greene Street Club.

The Southmont neighborhood has typical transportation patterns compared with other neighborhoods throughout Guilford County. Close to 95 percent of residents either drive or carpool to work, while the other five percent utilize public transportation. Workers commuting into downtown Greensboro take Freeman Mill Road north. Interstate 40 runs along the southern boundary of Greensboro, accessible by taking Freeman Mill Road south for slightly over one mile.

The Greensboro Transit Authority operates an affordable and convenient bus service throughout the city. Southmont locals find bus stops along Randleman Road, Freeman Mill Road, Kersey Street, and scattered throughout the neighborhood. Buses run every 30 minutes between 5:30 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Many taxi companies and Uber provide transportation service in Southmont. Some residents can walk to basic amenities, such as small convenience stores and the area parks, but most errands and work commutes do require a vehicle. Bike lanes run along Kersey Street and Garrett Street.

The serene Spring Valley Park covers a five acres, and hosts a small stream, basketball courts, and a large playground. Locals looking for a larger neighborhood park travel to Hillsdale Park, situated to the west of Southmont. Hillsdale Park features over 40 acres filled with multipurpose fields for area athletes, basketball courts, and play areas for children.

Most of the events occurring within Greensboro's park occur at Center City Park. This plot of land hosts Center City Cinema, an outdoor movie program that happens every two weeks and draws in families from around the city. The Summer Lunchtime Concert Series provides event-goers live music and local vendors every Tuesday during the months of May through October.

Southmont's cost of living mirrors the rest of Greensboro, lying five percent below the national average. Housing costs average lower throughout Greensboro than the rest of North Carolina. Renters outnumber homeowners in Southmont, and they can expect to pay $614 per month of a one-bedroom apartment.

Transportation costs in Southmont remain similar to those around the city of Greensboro. Bus service with Greensboro Transit Authority costs riders $1.50 for one-way fare and $4 for a day pass, while gas sits at two percent less than the national average. Costs for goods and services, including meals at restaurants and beverages, sit higher in the Greensboro metropolitan area than elsewhere around the state. Patrons enjoying a pint of beer at a local establishment can expect to pay between $4 and $5.

Residents head east to Randleman Road or south around Creek Ridge Road to find stores such as Rite Aid and Family Dollar. Discover high-end boutiques and name-brand retailers at the Four Seasons Town Centre Mall west of Southmont. Get your shopping done from well-known Forever21 and Finish Line to specialty boutiques like Francesca’s and Request.

Head south on Randleman Road to Edu-play, a store designed to enhance children's learning experiences. Teachers and parents alike flock to Edu-play to purchase educational games, classroom supplies, and enrichment materials. The store contains many departments, separated by subject, age, and other factors that help you discern their appropriateness for your little learner.

Locals purchase groceries at the Save-A-Lot on Meadowview Road as well as a number of small grocery markets such as A1 Grocery and OM Grocery. A Food Lion sits to the east of Southmont along East Elm-Eugene Street. The largest and most popular farmers market in the Triad area, the state-operated Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, lies 12 miles west of Southmont on Sandy Ridge Road. This market opens seven days a week year-round.