Prosperity Church Road - Charlotte, NC

This area, while fairly young, offers a great deal to residents and visitors. When Prosperity Church Rd. was widened in 1996, the area experienced a growth and influx of businesses and population. That growth has led to what we now consider the Prosperity Church Rd. neighborhood. In the area, a lot of arts, culture and history can be found. Uptown houses the ImaginOn and Discovery Place, which both mainly cater for children. Museums geared toward adults include the Levine Museum of the New South, the Mint Museum and The Carolinas Aviation Museum. NoDa, or North Davidson Arts District, is the area in Charlotte with the most active arts scene.

Because of its proximity to the university, you will find a wide array of reasonably priced dining options in this area. Indian, Italian, Asian and other types of restaurants fill the strip malls and shopping areas and offer great deals for college students as well as people working in the corporate areas.

Due Amici Pizza serves pizza, salads and pastas in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Locals rave about the New York-style pizza, and most agree that you cannot get better in Charlotte. The owners here are from NYC, and their food is cooked with passion and understanding of what pizza should taste like. The crust is thin and delicious, the sauce and cheese is perfectly proportioned and the service is fast and friendly.

Caribbean Hut will satisfy your craving for those island flavors. The jerk chicken and curry goat will blow you away with flavor and seasoning, while the plantains will balance all of those powerful flavors out with some sweetness. A casual, clean atmosphere, authentic food and friendly, fast service make this a must try in the area. Locals recommend this place not only because of the delicious dishes but also for the fun ambiance, with island music, bright decor, and reasonable prices.

Nightlife in the area is surprisingly limited for a college area. Uptown is only about a half an hour down the interstate, and there you will find a wide variety of choices for bar hopping and a fun night out. In the Prosperity Church Rd. neighborhood, check out The Wine Vault with its wide selection of wines, outdoor patio and laid-back atmosphere in the heart of University City. When you finish your wine, walk down to the pond and feed the ducks, or walk around the shopping center to get some fresh air. In that same shopping center, check out Boardwalk Billy's, which has a couple of locations in Charlotte. You will find beer, cocktails and the bar's famous "fish bowl" drinks along with live music.

There are some areas which are biker friendly because the neighborhood lies so close to the university. However, in general, Prosperity Church Rd. would be better travelled by car or bus. Public parking can be found easily and usually without cost, and this neighborhood sits directly adjacent to both I-85 and I-485, making it incredibly convenient for commuters. Uber and cabs can both be called from here and will pick you up, but hailing a cab might prove difficult as there aren't typically cabs parked or driving around looking for riders.

The nearest Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation facility to the neighborhood, Mallard Creek Greenway, accommodates active residents such as bikers, dog walkers, hikers and runners. This park suits children and adults alike, and it will supply plenty of exercise and fun. However, it does not include a playground or any type of play equipment. For that, you need to visit The Shops at University City, which has a castle-themed play area fenced in near its huge, beautiful lake filled with ducks, paddle boats and fountains; children are sure to love it here. Both of these facilities are totally free.

The cost of living lies just above the city average, and the cost of the average one-bedroom apartment will run you about $901 per month. The price of a bus ride to the city center is a flat rate of $2.20 on CATS, and the gas prices in the area average about 1 percent lower than the national average. A domestic beer costs about $3, while an import costs a dollar more.

The nearest mall, Concord Mills, can be found about 15 minutes up the interstate. The grocery shopping choices are wide and varied. You can shop at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Trader Joe's and Target. Farmer's markets in the area include Newell Farmer's Market on Rocky River Rd. and Charlotte Regional Farmer's Market on Yorkmont Rd.

In the mood for a little specialty or boutique shopping? Well, you may just fall in love with Sweet Repeats Upscale Consignment Boutique. The store sells designer and high-end clothing at reasonable prices, and these used finds will look brand new on you. The store owners, two sisters, take great pride in their store and the choices they make for their racks, and you can tell from the moment you start perusing that this is no regular thrift shop. If you want the best of the best but simply can't afford department store prices, then this shop has you covered with brands like Juicy Couture, Miu Miu and Gucci lining the shelves and hanging from the racks.

If you love used books more than used clothes, check out The Last Word, a used bookstore on E.W.T. Harris Blvd. The shelves can hardly hold all of the wonderful old books that have been tagged for resale. The store holds events like book signings and book clubs and also carries used CDs and movies. You'll surely fall in love with something that was once loved by someone else.