Eastland-Wilora Lake - Charlotte, NC

Once a rural community founded in the 18th century, the area that became Eastland-Wilora Lake experienced an economic boom in 1975 with the founding of the Eastland Mall. With the mall’s closure in 2010, the residential neighborhood still thrives thanks to its proximity to downtown Charlotte.

To explore Mecklenburg County history, visit the Charlotte Museum of History. Housing local artifacts dating back to the 18th century and offering guided tours, the museum fascinates both visitors and long-time residents. After visiting the museum, take the time to explore the grounds, which include three preserved Revolutionary War era buildings.

Eastland-Wilora Lake’s local restaurants range from old-fashioned burger joints to international cuisine, with the primary restaurant district located between Albemarle Road and Independence Boulevard.

An authentic Mexican restaurant, Las Margaritas greets customers with a simple yet colorful dining room. Dishes range from beef chimichangas to chicken tacos to spinach enchiladas, ensuring everyone will find a favorite at Las Margaritas. Providing generous portions at affordable prices, many patrons will take home half their food at the end of the meal. As the name implies, Las Margaritas also serves many variations on the classic margarita, none of which disappoint.

The Woodlands serves authentic dishes from throughout north and south India. While the extensive menu may be daunting to a first-time customer, the attentive staff can walk you through it, and you’ll quickly find favorite dishes, such as the ever-popular chana masala and paneer. A completely vegetarian restaurant, vegetarians will be delighted to discover a restaurant in Charlotte that offers them so many options, while carnivores report that the food is good enough that they don’t miss the meat.

For diners seeking traditional deli fare, Chris’ Deli is Eastland-Wilora Lake’s best option. Serving staple deli dishes such as pastrami on rye and potato salad, as well as items such as Greek salad and onion rolls, Chris’ satisfies even the pickiest deli patron. All dishes are made with Boar’s Head meats and fresh vegetables, elevating the quality of their food while still maintaining affordable prices.

With 100 TVs and a high-energy atmosphere, Steamers Sports Pub provides the perfect place to watch the game. Pool tables, foosball, darts and video games complete the sports bar atmosphere and offer patrons entertainment options throughout the night. Wednesday nights Steamers hosts trivia night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., at which point they shift gears and become a karaoke bar until midnight. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are karaoke nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The Eastland Community Transit Center serves as a hub for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), which operates four bus routes through Eastland-Wilora Lake. Uber and Lyft also operate in the area, as do traditional taxi services.

US-74 provides commuters easy access to downtown Charlotte, about a 16-minute drive. For drivers wishing to avoid the highway, Shamrock Drive offers another option into downtown, adding only a few minutes to the commute. Within the Eastland-Wilora Lake area, drivers will find free parking plentiful.

With few sidewalks, walking in Eastland-Wilora Lake is challenging. However, bike lanes run along many of the neighborhood’s major roads, and cyclists will find drivers happily share the road.

Eastland-Wilora Lake maintains a wide variety of parks and outdoor recreation facilities. Campbell Creek Park offers the neighborhood’s most inclusive park. The 21-acre park features playgrounds, volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and horseshoe pits. The Campbell Creek Trail links to the McAlpine Creek Greenway Trail, creating a 4.1-mile moderate trail perfect for hiking and mountain biking.

The 77-acre Evergreen Nature Preserve makes a peaceful, undeveloped forest available to residents within the city. Two miles of trails welcome walkers, hikers, and dogs on leashes to explore the forest and wetlands. Primarily a habitat for migratory birds, the Mecklenburg Audubon Society has adopted the park, hosting bird-watching trips and volunteer days.

Skaters and bikers congregate at the Methodist Home Skate Park. A public park open seven days a week, the park includes a 6-foot vertical half-pipe, 6-foot bike ramps, and a pyramid ramp among their street courses. Admission fees range from $2 for kids living within Mecklenburg County to $8 for adults residing outside the county, with three-month and annual passes also available.

Eastland-Wilora Lake’s cost of living index is six points lower than the Charlotte average, with housing costs being the primary contributing factor. Median rent in Eastland-Wilora Lake runs $647 per month, compared to a typical Charlotte price of $868.

Commuters can purchase a single ticket on a CATS bus into downtown Charlotte for $3, or you can obtain a monthly unlimited pass for $121, or if you prefer to travel by car, you’ll find gas prices in Eastland-Wilora Lake are 1 percent less than the national average.

With shopping centers throughout the neighborhood, primarily concentrated between WT Harris Boulevard and Independence Boulevard, Eastland-Wilora Lake residents will always find convenient shopping options, from chain stores to local shops.

Operating within but independently from the local Value Village on Central Avenue, the V. Vill Speakeasy Boutique is Eastland-Wilora Lake’s best-kept secret in affordable fashion. Accessible through an unmarked blue door in the back of the Value Village, V. Vill offers one-of-a-kind new, vintage, and reconstructed fashions, all for under $30. While some garments remain untouched, owner-designer Cigi Guzman alters some of her finds to create more fashion-forward pieces. To commemorate the shopping experience, all visitors who find the speakeasy boutique are offered the chance to have their photo taken outside the secret blue door.

Charlotte’s gold mining history dates back to 1799, and today, the Gold Rush Guys provide a modern-day outfitter for hobbyist gold prospectors. With 45 years experience in prospecting and metal detection, the Gold Rush Guys offer expert advice and equipment for everyone from kids excited to pan gold for the first time to seasoned prospectors seeking a high-quality metal detector.

Harris Teeter and Food Lion serve as the neighborhood’s primary grocers. A variety of specialty grocers also operate in Eastland-Wilora Lake, including the Caribbean market Island Grill & Grocery, Nile Ethiopian Food and Spices, and European grocer A & A International Foods. Open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Newell Farmers Market brings Eastland-Wilora Lake residents fresh produce from the Newton family farm, as well as grass-fed beef, fresh chicken, and homemade butters from other local ranchers.