Ballantyne Neighborhood: Upscale Style on Charlotte’s South Side

On the south side of the city, just along the South Carolina border, you can find Charlotte’s Ballantyne neighborhood. Sometimes considered a mini-city within the city, this affluent area offers plenty of places to work, shop, dine and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Let’s see what one of Charlotte’s most sought-after neighborhoods has in store:

Where is Ballantyne?

Wedged between Rea Road and Pineville, Ballantyne is 2,000-acres of fun located outside the 485 perimeter.  Highway 521 runs right through the middle of the neighborhood, separating it into Ballantyne East and West.

There is easy access to 485 via the Johnston Road exits, and travelers can find themselves in South Carolina in mere minutes. While Ballantyne may seem secluded from the rest of the city, major neighborhoods like Waverly, McAlpine and Providence Crossings are within easy reach.

History

This upscale neighborhood was once just a patch of hunting tract that was owned by the well-known Harris family until 1992. In the early 1990s, Johnny Harris and Smoky Bissell created the Ballantyne Corporate Park, shortly followed by one of Charlotte’s staples — Ballantyne Country Club.

Now home to more than 70,000 people, Ballantyne went from undeveloped land with lots of potential to a stylish suburban hub — all in just a couple of decades.

Lifestyle

People flock to Ballantyne for a taste of the upscale lifestyle. And the neighborhood delivers just that! This lovely area is full of beautiful modern homes, a slew of amenities, stately shops and retail establishments.

What to do

The main activity hub is Ballantyne Village which boasts a multitude of different restaurants and shops — there are more than 20 cafés and restaurants here! The offerings in Ballantyne Village include Blackfinn Ameripub, Tinder Box Cigars, Orangetheory Fitness, and Mellow Mushroom. The attached deck provides plenty of parking for visitors to the Village.

While you won’t find nightclubs in this neighborhood, there are still a few places where you can grab a drink. Blackfinn Ameripub, Duckworth’s, and Arooji’s Wine Room should be able to cater to your happy hour needs.

Those looking to spend a little time outdoors will love the well-kept sidewalks and walking trails in Ballantyne. Plus, there is a unique space called the Big Rock Nature Preserve that is a Charlotte hidden gem! And, of course, for those who are interested in hitting the greens, the Ballantyne Country Club is the answer to your golfing requirements.

Where to eat & drink

Ballantyne Village isn’t the only place where you can grab a bite to eat in Ballantyne — although it will certainly get the job done! There are plenty of other restaurants dotting the neighborhood. You can find burgers, BBQ, wings, brunch, tacos, and many other options.

Cabo Fish Taco is a fan favorite, and the local chain Sabor recently opened up a Ballantyne location. There are also a couple of Indian restaurants and Asian eateries if you want some international flare. Quality pizza is also very easy to find in Ballantyne at Tony’s, Farley’s Pizzeria and Papa Murphy’s. Your coffee fix is also easy to satisfy with the Starbucks, Sunflour Bakery and Rush Espresso in the vicinity.

Moving to Ballantyne

Real Estate Snapshot

A month’s rent runs around $1,400 in Ballantyne. The neighborhood offers comfortable living which comes with a higher price than Charlotte’s average rent of  $1,276. That being said, it’s cheaper to live in Ballantyne than in Uptown, and with the easy access to the 485 light rail station, it’s a viable option for a commute.

Apartments for rent in Ballantyne boast loads of amenities, gated communities and excellent walkability to the Ballantyne Corporate Park. There are also a wide range of homes for sale including an entire development of brick townhomes located around Ballantyne Village.

Transportation

 

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 One of Ballantyne’s amazing perks is its walkability! While it is separated into different sections or hubs, each of them includes well-kept sidewalks and ample street lighting. You will often see families out for their daily walks with little ones riding their bikes.

In addition to its walkability, the neighborhood is also very easy to navigate via car with plenty of parking near all of the shopping and retail establishments. While the light rail does not run through the neighborhood, getting to the 485 station can be done in less than 10 minutes.

Schools & Employment

With so many shops and restaurants in Ballantyne, there is an abundance of service industry jobs. However, the neighborhood is also home to a large medical and corporate park. The corporate park was even awarded the “International Office Park” of the year award in 2010. Between the medical and corporate offices, thousands of people are employed in Ballantyne.

Families will be happy to know that Ballantyne is also home to award-winning public schools including Ballantyne Elementary, Hawk Ridge Elementary and Audrey Kell High School. There are also several top-notch child care centers in the neighborhood.

Ballantyne is quintessential country club-style living wrapped in a walkable, family-friendly package. Come and check south Charlotte’s affluent, upscale neighborhood for yourself.

Looking for the perfect new place in Ballantyne? Browse through thousands of apartments in Charlotte and find your ideal home!