Twenty years ago, Southwest Charlotte was an expanse of farms and wooded land. But as Charlotte's growth has continued to push into the outer reaches of Mecklenburg County, this area is expected to be one of the city's fastest-growing residential and business locations. Much of this is due to the recent opening of I-485 between Arrowood Road and I-85.

Steele Creek

In earlier days, Steele Creek was a tight-knit community of modest homes. Today, this area has much more to offer if you're in the market for a new home. New, affordable communities line N.C. 49, the main thoroughfare of Southwest Charlotte, which recently expanded to a four-lane road down to Lake Wylie.

New neighborhoods are springing up on Shopton Road, Sandy Porter Road and Choate Circle. Some higher-end communities on the Mecklenburg side of Lake Wylie include the luxurious RiverPointe and the new developments: the Palisades and the Sanctuary. The area also has an abundance of new apartments and townhomes.

In addition to residential growth, the area has seen a spectacular rise in commercial and industrial development. Today, it's a hotbed of high-tech companies and national headquarters, with new buildings and office parks announced frequently. One such area is ArrowPoint Business Park, off Arrowood Road, which houses the 300,000-square-foot campus of Microsoft as well as a number of other technology-based companies.

Recreation

And since N.C. 49 is a major artery to scenic Lake Wylie, you're sure to find plenty of recreational offerings. McDowell Park on Lake Wylie features 1,108 picturesque acres of forest where you can hike, picnic, camp or visit the nature center. Theres a sandy beach for sunning and watching boaters on the lake.

Kids will find excitement at Paramount's Carowinds, a 105-acre theme park that straddles the N.C./S.C. border. The seasonal park features more than 60 world-class rides, shows and Hollywood-themed attractions for all ages.

Ayrsley

Ayrsley, a mixed-use development of retail, residential and office space, is one of the most significant additions to Southwest Charlotte. The Steele Creek YMCA is located here along with several restaurants, specialty shops and a 14-screen movie theater. When completed, Ayrsley will include 340,000 square feet of retail space, 1.8 million square feet of offices, 1,600 housing units and up to three hotels.

Central Piedmont Community College recently opened its Harper Campus (formerly Southwest) off Arrowood Road. The high-tech campus specializes in teaching graphic arts, printing, electronics and welding.

Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, US Airways' largest hub, offers non-stop flights to 117 cities and averages 600 daily departures. The airy, sunlit terminal welcomes passengers with rocking chairs and piano music, along with shops and restaurants. But youll have to move quickly to get a rocking chairthey're hot property for folks between flights.

West Charlotte

For those preferring a more urban environment, West Charlotte offers some of the area's most reasonable home prices, plus easy access to Uptown, interstates and other major thoroughfares. This area is home to Johnson C. Smith University, a private, historically black, four-year liberal arts institution that's positioning itself as a leader in technology usage and training.

Heading northwest, the area takes on a spacious, rural feel. You'll find many new developments with moderate to upscale homes along Mount Holly-Huntersville Road. The older Coulwood neighborhood has long been a favorite of families who want rambling ranches on large lots.

Mountain Island Lake is the source of water for numerous area municipalities, including Charlotte. The Trust for Public Land has bought more than 1,000 acres along the lakeside to preserve the area from development and to protect drinking water.

Historic Latta Plantation Park, on the lake's shore, shows visitors what life was like for planters, slaves and farmers on a cotton plantation in early 19th-century North Carolina. The park offers hiking and horseback riding trails, canoe rentals and fishing permits. The nearby Carolina Raptor Center is a rehabilitation facility for birds of prey that includes exhibits, programs and a gift shop.

The U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC), built on the Catawba River only 10 minutes from Uptown Charlotte, will encompass over 300 acres of woodlands. Among its amenities are a multi-channel river for rafting, canoeing and kayaking; an adventure center with indoor/outdoor climbing facilities and a ropes course; camping facilities and over 11 miles of trails for mountain biking, running and hiking. The new park will attract tourists from across the country and add a boost to the local economy.

                                                                         
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