Whiteoak Charlotte, NC

Built in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Trotter Builders, a builder of high-end Charlotte properties, the construction of Whiteoak brought all-brick housing to the area north of Ballantyne. Currently the site of 208 houses, the neighborhood still features well-maintained upscale housing.

The Whiteoak Homeowners Associations hosts several annual events to foster a sense of community among residents. Every November, the HOA hosts an annual neighborhood picnic. May and October bring the biannual neighbor yard sales, while the summer months feature an ice cream social.

The Toringdon Market houses Whiteoak’s restaurant district, which includes a wide selection of locally owned and chain restaurants.

An upscale dining option, Global Restaurant Bar and Lounge features a low-key dining room perfect for anything from romantic dinners to corporate events. Chef Bernard creates a European-inspired menu that features exotic dishes, such as rabbit and duck, as well as local proteins, including the popular She Crab Soup, made from crabs caught in Charleston. Global’s sommeliers recommend wine pairings for any dish from their wine selection from around the world. With a private dining room available for rent, accompanied by either cocktail service or a two- to-eight course meal, Global can accommodate any event for parties of up to 140 for cocktail parties or 76 for dinners.

For authentic Thai and Japanese foods, visit Bahn Thai for lunch or dinner. With sushi and an extensive menu of other Thai dishes, Bahn Thai has something to whet anyone's appetite, including the popular Pud Kee Mow and lettuce rolls. All traditional dishes can be made with beef, chicken, pork, duck, shrimp, scallops, calamari, tofu or vegetables, making them suited to most diets. With seating right at the sushi bar, diners can watch the chefs create fresh sushi rolls, or they can order a meal to go with delivery available within a three-mile radius.

For Italian comfort foods, look no further than Buona Vita Pub & Pizzeria, which supplies an array of specialty and build-your-own pizzas as well as subs, pastas and Italian entrées, including chicken Parmesan. Vegetarians love the Treehugger Pizza, and flatbreads and pastas can all be made gluten-free. Open until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, Buona Vita provides Whiteoak residents with an option for quality late-night dining.

With low walkability and limited bikes lanes, errands in and around Whiteoak require a car. Fortunately, centers of commerce provide for ample parking in the area.

Two bus routes run near the outer edges of Whiteoak, providing service into downtown Charlotte. For commuters who prefer to travel by car, I-485 to I-77 provides a direct route into downtown. Approximately an 18-mile, 25-minute drive, commuters should allow more time during rush hour traffic.

Uber operates in the neighborhood in addition to traditional taxi services. A&E Limo Service supplies the area with upscale transport via limousines, towncars and 1955 Chevys.

The Lower McAlpine Creek and McMullen Creek Greenways run right through Whiteoak, bringing a somber wooden area to the neighborhood. The 5.8-mile trail system alternates between asphalt, gravel and boardwalk, and it welcomes walkers and cyclists of all ages as well as dogs on leashes. Birdwatchers flock to the trails, which house Mecklenburg County’s first documented Great Blue Heron rookery as well as nesting sites of the American Redstart and Scarlet Tanager.

Across I-485 lies the 22-acre Big Rock Nature Preserve, named for the large granite extrusions throughout the preserve. With an unusually low number of invasive species, Big Rock provides a largely unaltered look at the native flora and fauna of the Carolinas. The only natural landmark classified as a Historic Landmark by the Charlotte Historic Landmarks Commission, Big Rock Nature Preserve also reveals archaeological evidence of Native American tribes living in the area 7,000 years ago.

The Whiteoak Homeowners Association also maintains tennis courts for residents' use, which provides exercise-minded locals with an opportunity to play together.

The cost of living in Whiteoak runs 16 percent higher than the average for Charlotte, with housing costs being the largest contributing factor. An average Whiteoak apartment rents for $945.35 per month, compared to the typical Charlotte price of $868.

Riding the bus one way to or from downtown Charlotte costs $3, or commuters can purchase unlimited passes daily for $6.60, weekly for $22 or monthly for $121. Gas prices in Whiteoak reflect the national average.

Toringdon Market serves as Whiteoak’s primary center of commerce, featuring a variety of chain stores as well as high-end local boutiques and salons.

Since 1969, Ballantyne Jewelers has proven itself as Whiteoak’s premier jeweler. With gallery collections inspired by modern European designs, Ballantyne carries fine jewelry to suit every aesthetic and occasion. For customers who don’t find the perfect piece in the gallery, Ballantynes designers can create custom pieces to meet their specifications.

For the discerning athlete, Premier Soccer Shop serves as a one-stop outfitter. Staffed by lifelong soccer players, Premier can recommend shoes and gear to suit the needs of any player, from high school and recreational players to college and professional athletes. Outside of its wide selection of stock merchandise, Premier can also import exactly what its customers need.

Earth Fare and Trader Joe’s serve as the neighborhood’s primary grocers. While no farmers markets operate in the neighborhood, Whiteoak residents can reach both the Providence Produce Market and Matthews Community Farmers Market by taking a 15-minute drive up I-485.