West Sugar Creek - Charlotte, NC

North Charlotte was primarily vast farmland and sparse housing until the 1990s, when the population of the city surged. Those looking for affordable new construction headed to neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city, such as West Sugar Creek. In the 1980s, 2,500 new homes were built in the 28262 zip code. Throughout the 1990s, developers constructed close to 13,000 residences. The continued growth has fueled the expansion of amenities along West W.T. Harris Boulevard.

Locals find they can easily reach Charlotte's most exciting events. Every weekend during the months of October and November in nearby Huntersville, the Carolina Renaissance Festival engages visitors interested in traveling back in time. Today, festival attendees experience live music, comedy, and over 100 food and art vendors at one of the largest renaissance festivals in the country.

The only restaurants within West Sugar Creek lie directly along West W.T. Harris Boulevard. A good mix of locally-owned and chain establishments scatter this busy corridor.

Directly east of the neighborhood at the West Sugar Creek Road and West W.T. Harris intersection sits the restaurant where locals get their Chinese takeout and delivery. Lotus Chinese Cuisine has become the go-to place in the area for classic Chinese cuisine, including sesame chicken, sweet-and-sour shrimp, and hearty vegetable lo mein. The lunch and dinner combos come with fried rice and an egg roll, providing plenty of food for affordable prices. Lotus Chinese Cuisine delivers within a five-mile radius.

Closer to home, Bobbee O's BBQ on Old Statesville Road serves Carolina-style pulled pork from its family-run restaurant. Bobbee O's consistently receives rave reviews from diners enjoying the St. Louis ribs, melt-in-your-mouth brisket, and famous baked beans. Compared to many barbecue joints, this one provides huge portions of meat and sides.

Italian specialities, such as New York pizza, pasta dishes, and subs, fill the menu at DaVinci's Pizza on Davis Lake Parkway. Northerners agree that DaVinci's may just have the best pizza in town. The crust and sauce have been perfected by the owners, and the casual atmosphere and great prices draw in a band of loyal customers.

The closest sports bar to West Sugar Creek would be Hickory Tavern, which sits about three miles west near the Northlake Mall. The Northlake area also houses East Coast Wings & Grill and Fox & Hound, both of which offer daily drink specials and televisions for watching big games. For upscale nightlife and music venues, locals head to uptown Charlotte. The Fillmore Charlotte hosts great live music and entertainment by locally and nationally renowned acts.

Over 95 percent of West Sugar Creek residents who commute to work do so with a personal vehicle. Commuters find that they can easily access area interstates from West Sugar Creek. Follow West W.T. Harris Boulevard west for about a mile past Statesville Road to reach Interstate 77. To reach the 485 loop that encircles the city, keep driving along West W. T. Harris Boulevard for four miles. Visitors driving to the neighborhood find public parking along residential streets.

Locals must leave West Sugar Creek to access public transportation. The Charlotte Area Transit System operates a bus route along Mallard Creek Road into uptown every 30 minutes between 5:30 a.m and 10:30 p.m. To reach the closest bus stop, West Sugar Creek residents must walk between three and five miles. Those needing taxi service can call one of Charlotte's many taxi companies to schedule a pickup. Uber also operates in the area.

To the south of West Sugar Creek, the nearly 200-acre Nevin Community Park features four lighted softball fields, three soccer fields, a disc golf course, rentable picnic shelters, walking trails, and three separate playgrounds. Children enjoy the seasonal sprayground, a free public water park. Locals can easily access the Clark's Creek Greenway just north of West Sugar Creek. This seven-mile trail meanders along Clark's Creek and provides the perfect setting for a family walk. Parks and greenways within Mecklenburg county are free and dog friendly.

Parks throughout the city host festivals and sporting events throughout the year. Residents head to Freedom Park for the annual celebration of local food and music called Festival in the Park, while Romare Bearden Park is home to Party in the Park, which presents live music to concertgoers every Wednesday throughout the warmer months, weather permitting.

West Sugar Creek residents enjoy a cost of living that averages three percent less than the Charlotte city average. Though factors such as energy, utility, and transportation costs remain consistent throughout the Charlotte metropolitan area, housing costs tend to vary greatly. Housing prices in West Sugar Creek lie around eight percent less than the rest of the city, and homeowners make up the majority of the area's residents. Renters find that the low housing prices translate into low rental rates, and the price for a one-bedroom apartment in West Sugar Creek hovers around $804 per month. Those accessing public transportation through Charlotte Area Transit Service pay $2.20 for a one-way fare and $6.60 for a day pass. Gas prices in West Sugar Creek sit at four percent less than the national average. Restaurant and bar prices mirror the rest of the city, and diners enjoying a pint of local beer pay between $5 and $6, depending on the establishment.

Shopping centers can be found within a few miles of West Sugar Creek along West W.T. Harris Boulevard. To the east, Cheshire Place houses a Tuesday Morning, a Dollar Tree, and a Food Lion as well as a number of smaller specialty shops. Northlake Mall and the Northlake shopping area can be found to the west. Though locals tend to get the basics from shops within Cheshire Place, they go to Northlake to visit higher-end stores and restaurants. The mall and surrounding shopping complexes contain stores such as REI, Target, and Best Buy. Name brands that can be found within the mall include Apple, Aldo, and Guess.

Those looking to spruce up a home or office choose Premier Stone on Reames Road off of West W.T. Harris. Premier Stone carries an enormous selection of natural stone pavers and tiles for pools, entryways, and house interiors. Nearby, also along West W.T. Harris, sits Home South. Home decorators rejoice when stepping foot into this expansive shop, where the selection includes seasonal decorations, candles, furniture, outdoor decor, and jewelry. Carve out an hour or so to peruse the store's decorative seat cushions and throw pillows as well as kitchen wares and rugs. Be sure to sign up for the Home South email club, which provides information on upcoming specials and coupons.

Locals purchase groceries at the Food Lion in Cheshire Place or Harris Teeter just north of West Sugar Creek along Davis Lake Parkway. The closest farmers market to the neighborhood sits along Rocky River Road. The Newell Farmers Market opens every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. and features local produce and goods grown or made by the Newton family. The 7th Street Public Market in uptown and Charlotte Regional Farmers Market in East Charlotte are public markets that remain open most days of the week, year round.