Carmel - Charlotte, NC

Charlotte began as a gold-mining town, so the local college's mascot is the 49ers in reference to the 1849 gold rush. In 1852, the first railroad came to Charlotte, transforming the area into a city from a village. The Carmel neighborhood and the rest of South Charlotte have developed into an upper-middle-class area with many affluent families and two PGA golf courses. The Quail Hollow Club was opened in 1959, and the Quail Hollow and Carmel neighborhoods grew up around it. The Wells Fargo Championship, a popular PGA Tour golf event that has been held at the Quail Hollow Club every year since 2003, contributes significantly to the ambiance of the neighborhood.

The Levine Museum of the New South as well as ImaginOn and the Mint Museum in Charlotte bring to life the history and culture of this area.

You can find a wide variety of food and entertainment in this part of Charlotte. If Mediterranean food interests you, try Zeitouni Grill, which serves all of the authentic dishes that lovers of Greek food expect, but also some Lebanese dishes and other Mediterranean specialties. Probably best known for their delicious baba ghanouj and falafel, Zeitouni has built a solid reputation in the area with its tasty food, reasonable prices and great service.

Looking for something a little more Americanized? You can't miss Barrington's Restaurant. The lovely ambiance and white tablecloths give you the sense that you have found someplace special. The fine-dining menu is simple, eclectic and filled with twists on old classics as well as new creations. The prices are a bit on the higher side, but the food is definitely worth the price. Most locals rave about the grouper. However, the fois gras starter also wows. Everything on this menu is cooked to delight the taste buds, and the service impresses every time.

This relatively quiet area does not have an explosive nightlife, but a quick drive uptown provides access to many bars and clubs in the Epicentre. For a fun night out with friends, Char Bar No. 7 has great barbecue and a ton of drink specials. Order a signature cocktail or a regular beer to enjoy one of the many appetizers on the menu at this upscale bar and grill. The Lodge on Colony Road serves great American sports bar classics, such as burgers, fries and macaroni and cheese, as well as a full bar. Open until 2 a.m., The Lodge stays busy all night.

Buses, taxis and Uber car service are all available in this neighborhood. Call a taxi about 15 minutes before you wish to leave, since hailing one on the street is not practical in this area. You can also drive to a Park and Ride stop to hop onto the Lynx light rail. Public parking tends to be limited but not difficult to find. However, when the Wells Fargo Championship is held each May, it can become difficult to find parking in this area. Interstates 4-85, 85 and 77 run nearby, with easy access from the Carmel neighborhood. Bike lanes might be difficult to find, but the flat terrain is suitable for bicyclists. The most common way to get places in Carmel is by car.

Locals enjoy an easy walk to Carmel Road Park, which has a playground and picnic tables. Though not large, the park suits children and people looking for a nice spot for lunch in a natural setting. Residents generally consider McAlpine Creek Park the nicest park in the area. This park includes hiking and biking trails, picnic tables, tennis courts and more. You can even fish off of the park's small pier. This park suits adults who want to exercise and walk their dogs. Both parks are free to the public.

Freedom Park hosts music events, festivals and other activities regularly. William R. Davie Regional Park, on Pineville-Matthews Road, has five acres of play space for dogs as well as shady areas and water to keep your pooch hydrated.

The cost of living in Carmel is higher than the city average, with the median rent sitting at about $500 more per month than the rest of Charlotte. The buses and light rail cost $2.20 as a flat fee. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood is $1,275, and a beer costs about $3 to $4. Gas prices sit about 1 percent lower than the national average.

Shopping in the Carmel area never gets boring. The many options keep locals busy for hours and Southpark Mall on Tyvola Road provides high-end as well as lower-cost shopping in an enclosed mall. There you will find Louis Vuitton, Coach, Gap and more popular retailers. Not far on Highway 51 is the Arboretum Shopping Center which has shops such as Michael's, Target and a movie theatre.

If boutiques interest you, check out the Cheeky Bean in Ballantyne Village, just a quick drive down to Rea Rd. The shop carries modern, trendy and practical clothing for young professionals. Reasonable prices and a nice staff make this a great place to shop.

Carmel would probably not make the list of most likely places for a surf shop. However, this area has a great one in Wallerbears. It carries a wide variety of surfing equipment and clothes, and the knowledge staff eagerly helps customers with a great deal of love for the sport. If you are looking for surf supplies for your next beach trip, check this place out.