South Charlotte is home to some of the region's most desirable neighborhoods as well as shopping venues galore. In addition, two of Mecklenburg's most historic towns blend seamlessly with the city's southern edge. The two major destinations for living, shopping and working on the south side of town are South Park and Ballantyne. South Park was once part of a 3,000-acre farm owned by former N.C. Gov. Cameron Morrison. The farm's main house, the Tudor Revival style Morrocroft Mansion, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

A prestigious address, South Park offers a variety of housing styles, ranging from the 1950s ranch houses of Beverly Woods to newly built townhomes and million-dollar mansions in the gated Morrocroft community. South Park is a major business district, second only to uptown. Contemporary glass and marble buildings are home to many major Charlotte businesses. The area also boasts several fine hotels, including the Mobil four-star Park Hotel. South Park shopping is unmatched in the city. South Park mall, Charlotte's most upscale shopping center, includes four department stores and shops such as Tiffany, Brooks Brothers and Pottery Barn. Nordstrom is due to open in 2002. A rezoning request was approved and resulted in an expansion to include Saks Fifth Avenue, more specialty shops and an amphitheater that would host the Charlotte Symphony's Summer Pops concerts. 

Pedestrian-friendly Phillips Place features high-end specialty shops, restaurants, movie theaters and luxury apartments. Sharon Corners and Specialty Shops on the Park offer local and national retail shops as well as restaurants. Ballantyne is a new "live-work" community encompassing 2,000 acres south of I-485. The Corporate Park includes office buildings, a resort hotel, an 18-hole daily-fee golf course, and the nationally renowned Dana Rader School of Golf. Residential options include several apartment communities and neighborhoods with single-family homes in nearly every price range. Ballantyne Country Club features custom homes and a private, 18-hole golf course. The town center has shops, restaurants and a YMCA. Ballantyne also boasts a new public elementary school. 

South Charlotte also offers other living and shopping options. The Cotswold area offers easy access to uptown and is known for its lovely, older neighborhoods and newly renovated shopping center. Along Park Road are several charming neighborhoods dating back to the 1950s, as well as Park Road Shopping Center, a Charlotte landmark. Dozens of neighborhoods in a variety of price ranges are accessible from N.C. 51, as are countless shopping venues, including the Arboretum at Providence Road. 

South Charlotte also offers a variety of recreational opportunities. South Park's Harris YMCA and the Siskey YMCA in Matthews are family favorites; the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center keeps swimmers in shape. For nature walks, try one of the greenways. The McMullen Creek Greenway features 1.5 miles of trails that connect with 4.5 miles of the Lower McAlpine Greenway. McAlpine Creek Greenway has 8.9 miles of trails. South Charlotte also has several parks with lakes, athletic fields, playgrounds and trails. In addition to a wide variety of churches, from modern Calvary Church to historic Providence Presbyterian, South Charlotte is also home to Shalom Park. The center of Charlotte's Jewish community, Shalom Park includes two synagogues and the Jewish Community Center. 

Pineville, Mecklenburg's smallest town, is the birthplace of America's 11th President, James K. Polk. The town is proud of its success in preserving its historic downtown, where dozens of antique shops line Main Street (N.C. 51). At the same time, Pineville has embraced growth in the surrounding areas, including several hotels, shopping centers, senior residences and a thriving medical community surrounding Mercy Hospital South. Although it rests on the S.C. border, Pineville will feel much closer to Charlotte a few years from now when the town is connected to uptown by light rail. 

To the east on N.C. 51 is Matthews, another picturesque town that embraces its past and future simultaneously. A mixed-use development under way downtown will produce a new town hall, library, shops, restaurants and offices, all in keeping with the town's historical aesthetics. Just outside downtown are huge shopping complexes, restaurants, offices and Presbyterian Hospital Matthews. In addition to the commercial development, Matthews is seeing tremendous residential growth as new communities crop up everywhere. Matthews is known for its community events such as Stumptown Park summer concerts, a local summer farmers market, Fourth of July parade and fall ArtFest.