DiscsIn late 2007, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) began operation of the 9.6-mile LYNX Blue Line light rail line, which extends from Uptown Charlotte southward to near the I-485 expressway. The line runs more or less parallel to South Boulevard and the I-77 expressway.

Most observers credit the line’s success to expensive parking and excessive traffic in Uptown Charlotte. The area draws 71,000 workers each day. It also features several regional destinations, including Bank of America Stadium, Time Warner Cable Arena and the Charlotte Convention Center. The area also has over 100 bars and restaurants along with numerous theaters, museums and galleries. The light rail line allows commuters and visitors to park-and-ride in several of the convenient southern stations along South Boulevard.

scaleybark A number of unique, established residential neighborhoods existed along the light rail line even before the idea was conceived of mass transit for Charlotte. These neighborhoods include Sedgefield, Colonial Village, and Collins Park. They were developed and built in the 1940’s and 1950’s and make for an ideal location for Uptown commuters. They offer a quiet lifestyle in quality, period constructed homes which were built using “bricks and sticks”. The homes here are typically bungalow-type ranches and some 2 story homes with full brick veneer, hardwood floors, and mature, tree lined streets.

These neighborhoods stretch east of South Boulevard from Poindexter Drive south to Woodlawn Road and over to Park Road. They are easy walking distance or short drive to the light rail line making them prime locations for the first time home buyer or commuter. There are endless amenities, shopping, and restaurants close by at SouthPark, Historic SouthEnd, and Park Road Shopping Center.

NOTE: I have to say, at this point, that I am particluarly familiar with this area of Charlotte because this is where I grew up.

sedgefieldSEDGEFIELD

Homes in Sedgefield were built in the 1940’s and are either brick or wood frame ranch styles, although many of the current resales have vinyl veneer. Homes for Sale range from $200,000 to $500,000. The homes range in size from 800 to 2,800 square feet.

Elementary School: Sedgefield
Middle School: Sedgefield
High School: Myers Park

colonial villageCOLONIAL VILLAGE

Homes in this neighborhood were built in the 1950’s and consist of traditional and contemporary styles and range in size from 1,200 to 2,400 square feet. Homes for Sale range from the high $100’s to the mid $200’s.

Elementary School: Sedgefield
Middle School: Sedgefield
High School: Myers Park

collins parkCOLLINS PARK

Collins Park homes were build a little later that its brothers – the mid to late 1950’s. These are 900 to 1,800 square foot homes that are predominantly brick ranch style with a few 2 story mixed in. Homes for sale range in the low $100’s to the low $200’s.

Elementary School: Pinewood Mecklenburg
Middle School: Sedgefield
High School: E.E. Waddell

Conduct a search for homes for sale and area maps in South Charlotte.

Click Here to receive free MLS listings right to your desktop

Chuck Webb, Wilkinson & Associates, www.ChuckWebb.net