Stonehaven - Charlotte, NC

Stonehaven developed in the 1950s as a suburb of Charlotte. Since then, its location close to city center has drawn in people looking for a small-town feel within city limits. Stonehaven was created with families in mind, and that trend has continued today.

There are no museums located within the Stonehaven neighborhood, but since it sits so close to uptown, residents needn't travel far to visit Mint Museum, Discovery Place and Charlotte Museum of History. Likewise, a couple's night at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or Actor's Theater of Charlotte is worth the quick 10-minute drive.

Stonehaven Community Association and Rama Swim Club host many events for residents throughout the year, including a Fall Festival, block parties, an Easter egg hunt and a 4th of July parade.

Because of its residential nature, Stonehaven does not have any restaurants within its physical boundaries. However, restaurants abound within a two-mile radius. Locals head toward Independence Boulevard for ethnic dining, Monroe Road for casual chain choices and South Park and Sherwood Forest for local and speciality favorites. Ted's Restaurant lies at the southeast corner of Stonehaven. Ted's popularity comes from its fresh, homemade, Southern-inspired food. Regulars come back frequently for generous portions of scratch-made gravy and sweet potato pie just like Mama used to make. For fresh Vietnamese cuisine, residents head to Pho Huong Que, one of Charlotte's most highly-rated Asian restaurants. Making pho is an art for Vietnamese chefs, and Pho Huong Que's rich and deeply complex broth doesn't disappoint. Though the decor can be viewed as humble and the location off of Independence Boulevard not ideal, fresh ingredients and affordability have made this a local staple.

Home to some of the best Neapolitan pizza in Charlotte, Mezzanotte Brick Oven near South Park satisfies every craving for hearty pies and homemade al dente pasta. Warm bread and a great wine selection make this affordable neighborhood restaurant a gem for those seeking comfort food from the old country. For dessert, be sure to indulge in the tres leches. With limited nightlife options available, locals head uptown or to South Park for music venues, clubs and trendy bars. For a quiet date night, residents drive two miles west to Red Rocks Cafe, Bar & Bakery on Providence Road. The extensive menu offers everything from quesadillas to surf-and-turf. An impressive wine list, exceptional customer service and convenient location in Strawberry Hill Shopping Plaza make this the perfect place to unwind after a long work week.

The majority of Stonehaven residents rely on cars to commute to work and run everyday errands, as the neighborhood is not walkable. Drivers take 8-mile routes along either Providence Road or Monroe Road to reach the city center. Accessing I-485 takes 15 minutes via Independence Boulevard South. I-77 can be reached in 25 minutes, but drivers must navigate through uptown Charlotte by way of Independence and Brookshire Boulevard.

Those needing public transportation find Charlotte Area Transit System a reliable and affordable option. Bus service from the Monroe Road and Sardis Road intersection runs every 30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. Taxis service the area if called on, but they do not frequent the Stonehaven neighborhood. Uber operates within the community.

Though biking is a popular recreational outlet for families around the neighborhoods in Stonehaven, it is not an ideal way to access amenities such as restaurants and stores, as bike lanes are absent in most areas.

Locals can easily access three free, dog-friendly, city-operated parks along the Stonehaven border. To the southwest, James Boyce park offers 73 acres of athletic fields, playgrounds and picnic shelters. Northeast of the neighborhood, Mason Wallace Park caters to athletic teams and those interested in basketball, tennis and baseball. At the very southeast corner along Monroe Road, extensive McAlpine Creek Park hosts over 100 acres of hiking and biking trails, a fishing pier and more athletic fields. Animals lovers appreciate McAlpine Creek's sprawling dog park.

With abundant annual activities run by Stonehaven Community Association and local swim clubs, residents have plenty to do year-round.

Stonehaven residents pay six percent more to live in their community than the city average. Renters looking for a one-bedroom apartment pay $730 per month in the community. Increased cost of living is due to higher housing prices compared with the rest of Charlotte. Other expenses such as utilities, groceries, goods, and services cost the same as they do elsewhere in the city. The gas average in Stonehaven sits equal to the national average.

Found along the corridors of Monroe Road, Independence Boulevard and Fairview Road, shopping centers around Stonehaven meet the basic needs of residents. Galleria, Sardis Crossing and Sardis Village make up a triad of shopping complexes located to the southeast of the community on Monroe Road at Sardis Road. Box stores such as Wal-Mart, Party City and Off-Broadway Shoe Warehouse sit next to smaller specialty stores. Many locals favor Harris Teeter, a popular local grocery chain, for food needs.

Independence Boulevard houses a variety of shopping options at Independence Square, including Super G Mart, GNC, Dollar General and Harbor Freight Tools. Locals head five miles to South Park on Sharon Road for an upscale shopping experience. High-end name brands and small boutique shops fill South Park Mall and the neighboring Phillips Place shopping complex. Charlotte Custom Couture is a high-end sewing and custom-design clothing business run by a Stonehaven resident and self-taught seamstress named Victoria. Her creative designs and attention to detail have people from all over Charlotte seeking her services for anything from an everyday coat to a wedding dress. Those seeking special couture items fall in love with Victoria's visionary pieces.

For a farmers market experience, locals visit Charlotte Regional Farmers Market in the southwest corner of the city, 7th Street Public Market in uptown or Matthews Community Farmers Market in the nearby city of Matthews.