Starmount Forest Charlotte, NC

Built in the 1960s, the Starmount neighborhood homes were built using brick construction and hardwood floors. With 1,400 ranch-style homes, split-levels and basement homes, Starmount is the largest established neighborhood in South Charlotte.

With easy access to the Charlotte arts and museum districts, Starmount is slowly developing its own arts scene, with establishments such as the J’Adore Ballroom.

Starmount provides dining options for every palate, with the neighborhood’s main restaurant district located along South Boulevard.

For Southern hospitality at its finest, visit Café South. With an extensive lunch and dinner menu ranging from barbecue pork and fried okra to grilled chicken and Greek salad, there’s something for every diner. Also open for breakfast and brunch, the Hobo Breakfast — hashbrowns topped with onions, green peppers, bacon, eggs, and sausage gravy and served with toast or biscuits — is always a crowd favorite. Pair your meal with a sweet tea to complete the Southern dining experience.

Located in a nondescript storefront within a South Boulevard shopping center, The Vietnam Grille is easy to overlook, but serves Starmount’s best Vietnamese cuisine. Featuring a friendly staff and simple yet elegant décor, the Vietnam Grill creates an atmosphere perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal. Though known primarily for its pho and spring rolls, this restaurant features an extensive menu that invites patrons to try a new dish each visit.

As the name implies, New York Pizza brings authentic New York-style pizzas to Charlotte. Its oft-praised garlic knots pair well with anything on the menu of pizzas, subs and fries. Located on South Boulevard, this dining establishment provides dine-in or delivery to anywhere in Charlotte.

Lynn’s Dance Club, more commonly known as Lynn’s Speakeasy Club, gives a unique private club experience, with live music and a large dance floor. Open Mondays and Wednesday through Saturday, this club features Argentinean tango on Mondays, and Thursdays and Saturdays are Shag nights. A private club, Lynn’s charges an annual membership fee of $30, though it admits non-members on certain nights for a cover charge.

Featuring pool tables and several TVs, Locker Room Sport Bar and Grill brings a classic sports bar experience to Starmount. With daily drink specials and a simple menu of foods like wings and fries, Locker Room provides an affordable and friendly place to grab a drink and watch a game.

No bus service operates within Starmount, so residents will need cars when running errands. Fortunately free parking is plentiful in all commercial and residential areas. Downtown Charlotte is accessible via Tryon Street and South Boulevard, about a 30-minute drive.

Sidewalks connect Starmount to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, though are limited elsewhere in the neighborhood. While few dedicated bikes lanes exist, cyclists are a common sight and drivers share the road.

A bridge from the Starmount neighborhood across Little Sugar Creek links to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, providing access to the neighborhood’s nearest park, Huntingtowne Farms Parkamenities include basketball courts, volleyball courts, ball fields, a playground and a picnic shelter on its 23 acres. Also home to the Huntingtowne Farms Community Garden, for an annual fee, the park offers 10-foot by 15-foot garden plots as well as smaller children’s plots and community composting.

The Park Road Park located northeast of Starmount features more options for sports, including twelve lit tennis courts, eight basketball courts, six baseball/softball fields, a volleyball court and two horseshoe pits. An 11-acre pond encircled by trails allows for fishing with a state fishing license required for all fishers over age 16, feeding ducks or just enjoying a walk around the pond. The 72-acre park also provides walking trails throughout the grounds, picnic shelters, a playground and concession stands.

All area parks welcome dogs on leashes.

The cost of living index in Starmount is three points higher than the average Charlotte cost of living, with the cost of purchasing a home being the largest contributing factor. Renters, however, find Starmount more affordable. Average rental rates run $703 for a one-bedroom apartment compared to the typical Charlotte price of $868.

Gas prices in Starmount run 1 percent lower than the national average. A bottle of beer at local establishments runs around $4 though drink specials on certain nights feature cheaper pricing.

Starmount residents have access to a wide variety of retail options, ranging from chain stores to unique local boutiques, with most shops located along South Boulevard.

Manifest Discs and Tapes continues to do business as one of Charlotte’s few remaining used record stores. A warehouse environment, Manifest customers are invited to explore a large selection of new and used CD’s, vinyl and movies. Browse by genre, or come in with a list of titles you haven’t been able to find elsewhere — Manifest likely stocks what you’re looking for. Because of the shop's high standards for buying used merchandise, customers are assured that anything found here is in near-mint condition. Featuring ever-changing specials and discounts for customers who bring their own reusable shopping bag, Manifest is an affordable way to add to your collection.

With hats, handbags, jewelry and accessories not found anywhere else, First Lady J Fashions has something for every fashionista. If you don’t know where to start with building your look, Lady J also offers private image consulting, ranging from wardrobe reviews to pair your existing clothes in fashion-forward ways to personal shopper services and styling for special events. Lady J also arranges private fashion shows for special events or women’s group meetings.

Bunbury Custom Clothiers handles all of your custom tailoring needs. In business since 1969, the shop specializes in shirts and suits for both men and women. Order online using their self-measuring form, or go into the store for a custom fitting.

Food Lion, Aldi and Costco serve as the neighborhood’s primary grocers. Located about 4 miles from Starmount, Wedgewood Farmer's Market serves as the nearest farmer's market. Open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market sells meats, seasonal produce and fresh flowers.