Urban Explorer’s Handbook 2008: Battle of the Hoods ‘Ballot
March 5th, 2008 by Carlton Hargro in Battle of the Hoods
To go along with our special Battle of the Hoods edition of this year’s Urban Explorer’s Handbook 2008, Creative Loafing is giving you, dear readers, the chance to vote and pick Charlotte’s greatest neighborhood.
Let your voice be heard by finding your favorite hood in the list below and selecting it as the best. Now, if you don’t like any of the neighborhoods on our list, feel free to write in your own choice as a comment below the poll.
Vote as many times as you’d like (hell, even encourage your friends to vote, too). We’ll let folks cast “ballots” until March 19. After that we;ll determine a winner and present a representative (of our choice) from the No. 1 hood with a sexy plaque to display for the rest of the year. Be sure to check this space and the print version of Creative Loafing often to see which hood wins the big prize.
So here’s your chance. May the best hood win!
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March 6th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I was wonder why your magazine seems to shun or just totally ignores Lulu on Central Ave in Charlotte? Yo’re doing a battle of the hoods and mention Intermezzo who isn’t listed as a Plaza Midwood restaurant (nor is Penguin I believe) and just recently opened, yet Lulu won a few Best Of’s from you and your readers?!
Browsing your site, they seem to generate more comments on the positive the most any other restaurant. I’ve also noted that you don’t ever have them in your print neighborhood section. Seems strange to me, whats up with that?
March 7th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Can someone who’s pumping up Starmount’s numbers explain what makes it such a great neighborhood??
March 7th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Well, if you read the Starmount essay, it does mention that it is the largest neighborhood.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Starmount? I’ve never even heard of that. Perhaps I should borrow whatever click script they’re using to pump up numbers.
That said, I moved to NoDa a couple of years ago and will never leave. Great people, good food, awesome bands, artists and even creative panhandlers! All within walking distance plus an easy and green friendly commute to uptown for work, soon to be mass commutable.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
As a native Charlottean The Loaf has left some Hoods off the list. Arboretum, Steel Creek, Blakeney just to name a few. I’d also include Matthews, Pineville, and Mint Hill. Now I’m aware that these are considered separate towns, but if you’ve lived here all your life like I have, you’d know that Charlotte has swallowed them whole. As far as I’m concerned they’re now just hoods of Charlotte. If you’re from any of these areas and you disagree, all I can say is that you need to be honest with yourself and accept it. It’s not an insult but a compliment to the small town feel of our growing city. As for Starmount, it is definitely a hood, although it’s been relatively quite over the past 15 or 20 years but maybe the light rail will have a positive effect for those folks. My most found memory of Starmount was Skate Palace. That placed rocked in the 80s. For those who don’t know it was in the large brick building behind Luigi’s on S. Blvd.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I moved to NoDa five years ago and I love the sense of community. I also enjoy walking to restaurants, galleries, and of course Smelly Cat Coffeehouse. NoDa residents have worked hard to create a great neighborhood and we are not finished. There is always something interesting going on.
March 9th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Plaza-Midwood is what’s up! I’ve been in PM for abut two years now and LOVE IT! It offers great eatery (especially LuLu’s..my favorite), cool shopping, and the best thing….REAL Esatate!!! Though I love PM I do frequent NoDa and Elizabeth. I love all our little hoods’!!
March 10th, 2008 at 8:58 am
My wife and I moved to NoDa in 2004 after living in Brooklyn for several years. It was the only neighborhood we even considered. Now its time for us to move again and honestly, leaving our hood behind is just about the hardest part of it all. We have made so many great friends and thoroughly enjoyed the vibe and the feeling that there is always a good time to look forward to right around the corner.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Starmount is the “best for the buck.” Consisting of nearly 1,400 homes, Starmount is the largest established neighborhood in South Charlotte. Lots of mature trees, spacious lots and little through-traffic offer residents a quiet, safe and attractive community complete with a neighborhood pool and tennis courts.
Starmount homes were built to last using true pine 2 x 4s, hardwood floors and brick construction. 1,200-1,500 sq. ft ranch style plans make up a great portion of the neighborhood but there are also many split-level, two-story and basement homes pushing 2,400 sq. ft and beyond.
As residential space around the center city and within the 485 perimeter becomes increasingly valuable, Starmount has become a hot-spot for young first-time home buyers and young professionals desiring a “great deal for the money.†Home values continue to rise - currently selling from $120k - 200k+.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I have owned a Starmount home since 1980. I have never been sorry. As Craig said earlier, the homes are solid, full of extras, ridiculously affordable, with large lots and a mature forest and creeks throughout the area. I am an urban homesteader and can grow most of my food on my lot. The neighborhood is diverse with people from all over the world, and I can testify, a great place to raise kids. The people who live here are good folks with good values, looking out for each other and the “hood”. It’s not unusual for their children to move back here when they start their own families and raise the next generation here. We are close to everything that matters, but have none of that traffic actually in our neighborhood. It is safe, clean and relatively crime free. Come check us out- we live in (what was before Creative Loafing anyway) Charlotte’s best kept secret.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I’ve been in Starmount for 2.5 years and I love it. The nearby restaurants are wonderful and the people are friendly. I’m not sure why someone would assume that the numbers are artificial because the neighborhood is the best - and most affordable - place we found in Charlotte. The light rail is an added bonus. I would recommend it to anyone.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
We rented a house in NoDa when we first moved to Charlotte about three years ago and looked for a house to buy in NoDa. Within a few weeks, we discovered the homes in that ‘hood were out of our reach, and seemed a little overpriced, considering many were on the same streets as homes that needed to be bulldozed. Our realtor showed a house in Starmount to us, and we fell in love: large, wooded lots; 15 minute commute to uptown; great restaurants within a couple of miles; fantastic, long term neighbors. Our home inspector made a point of telling us that houses aren’t built like this anymore. Starmount can’t be beat for the price, quality, low crime rate, proximity to all points in Charlotte and neighborhood friendliness.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Starmount has a neighborhood pool that has been in operation for 45 years, in addition to normal operations, and a great swim team for the kids, the pool frequently hosts cool events where everyone is invited. You don’t meet many people with their noses up in the air in Starmount, I’ve been here 15 years, can’t think of another place I’d be happier.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
this is a reply for “craig”
The largest neighborhood in South Charlotte, Starmount real estate contains nearly 1,400 individual homes that date back to the 50s and 60s, when the neighborhood was first established as a suburb of Charlotte. About five miles south of Charlotte’ s central business district, this district has the distinct advantage of being away from the sprawl in areas immediately adjacent to the urban center, while remaining close to the amenities and services the city has to provide. Being largely residential, it is a quiet and safe place for growing families, children, and senior citizens. Featuring a range of affordable housing, Starmount real estate is attracting tons of consumer interests, making this relatively newly developed area the next up-and-coming suburban neighborhood of Charlotte.
Aside from the potential in property value appreciation, the neighborhood itself is a desirable place to live and do business. Residential properties in general feature generous lots, abundant greeneries, and an eclectic selection of architectural styles. Neighborhood parks provide green spaces and recreation facilities for neighbors to gather, relax, and socialize. There are a number of shopping centers and malls nearby, providing easy access to everyday needs and entertainment options. All in all, with such a diverse range of features, consumers from all walks of life can find something in this district to satisfy their needs. Indeed, the comfortable lifestyle offered by Starmount real estate is now making this part of town more popular than ever.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Starmount Rocks! I am a native Charlottean & I just bought my second house in Starmount. You can buy the same house in Huntingtown Farms or Montclaire for $100k - $150k more - why would you do that?
As for Erik’s theory that we are using a click script to pump up numbers, it seems that if anyone’s finger is permanently on the clicker it is someone from Noda.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
We just sold our first Starmount home for $176,000 (1450 sq feet). and bought our second. We wouldn’t move anywhere else if we could afford to. Great quality-built homes with beautiful rolling landscapes in many parts and very low crime of any kind. Our neighborhood also has an extremely energetic neighborhood association leadership team that is 2nd to none. They stay on top of city and neighborhood issues and keep all residents in the loop. We raised our two kids here and have the best friends in the world. And it’s a blast to catch the nearby light rail and go downtown on a Sat afternoon too!!!!
March 11th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I bought my Starmount home in September, 1978 for $38,500. It is now appraised for more than four times that amount. I raised my two kids here and was fortunate to have their elementary school just two blocks from our house. I have been pleased to see that, as my older neighbors have had to leave their homes, the homes are often sold to young couples or singles who take on the responsibility of homeownership and pride in the neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed over the years, but it has not lost it’s southern charm. The increasing ethnic diversity in the neighborhood has encouraged family-run businesses nearby and brought an interesting international flavor to the neighborhood. I can’t imagine living anywhere else!
March 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Grew up near there in the 60’s and still near there today(Madison Park).A great neighborhood;a nice neighborhood pool with close to 10 acres,an active neighborhood association,close to the light rail and you can still get alot of house for under $200,000.Obviously very near Southpark,Carolina Place Mall,and Ballantyne
March 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Another wonderful aspect of Starmount is that it sits up against the Little Sugar Creek Greenway! We frequently walk to the greenway and enjoy the trail and the park. Starmount’s location and all it has to offer cannot be beat. We feel like we hit the jack pot finding this neighborhood 10 years ago.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
The sleeping giant has awakened!!
I just wanted to mention that Starmount is also part of Huntingtowne Farms Park which is in fact part of Starmount. Tennis Courts, Greenway project access, soccer fields and children’s playground make it a great place to relax.
But that’s not important, I love to party and Starmount is so close to everything. All my friends meet at my house because we can decide on where to go at the last minute and its all within minutes of my house; ie uptown, southend, ballentyne, southpark , park road and etc.
I have several friends who have bought homes in Starmount and list gets bigger over time; some wish they bought sooner since prices have gone up rather quickly.
But what makes Starmount the best is that it has not one but TWO light rail stations no other neighborhood can say that!!!!!!!!!! Come game day there is plenty of room on the trains for the 1400 homeowners to cheer the Panthers on.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I see NoDa is in 1st place , But will soon be in Second soon.
Starmount is a great neiborhood to raise kids and meet great friends.
I have lived hear for 6yrs and this place has many hidden treasures , like the pool with it’s live bands and tennis courts , water volleyball and the annual BBQ.
Also the 2 lightrail stations make it so easy to go anywhere . with close shopping to SouthPark And Carolina Place Mall, and the movie theaters at AMC 22 , plus many resturants to choose from .
The only thing I don’t like now is that our secret is out !!!
NoDa I like your Art Hood honestly, But you are messing with people who grew up here in Starmount and returning years after to raise there kids .
After coaching baseball here for years I have seen friends and families return.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
in response to “what’s up NoDa”
you wrote: “I see NoDa is in 1st place , But will soon be in Second soon.”
Did you write this because you took a week off from work and are sitting at home voting for Starmount at the rate of 6 votes per15 seconds?
I say keep your secret. Stepford was a secret for a long time also.
NoDa is a true melting pot of culture, lifestyles, background, and stature. It is 1.7 miles from the heart of the city. It is filled with history that involves the true working class of the people who actually built this city, it is home to many wonderful artists, and it attracts people from all over Meck county as a fun place to hang. I’d never even heard of Starmount until this poll came out. Isn’t it a theater?
March 11th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
hmmmmm just wondering how from 730 pm on a Tuesday night, the vote can go from 11,298 to 11,460 at 1030 pm, all in Starmount’s favor… and then from 1030 pm to 1040 pm that same night, the vote go from 11,460 to 11,521 again in Starmount’s favor.. Noda going down 2% and Starmount climbing 2%… did all of “Starmount” just get home and decide to vote for themselves? lol It looks like the winner will be the person in the hood that cancels out enough of the person in the other hood’s votes….
March 11th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
did Jeb Bush get bannished to Starmount after leaving Florida in 07? cause the voting seems to reflect it… lol
March 11th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
if anyone is cheating, its got to be noda. There are hardly any people living there. Certainly not enough to get the vote as high as it. Most people in Noda are hippies and would rather “smoke” than buy a computer; so I don’t know where the votes are coming from.
What out for the Carpal Tunnel my friends.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
so now you are “TEAM” Starmount?
is that how you are voting so quickly in your favor? I thought it might be some sort of machine…. Where is the “voting” center set up? Did you guys send your house wives over to the elementary auditorium to mass vote so that your property values would increase? LMAO By the way, what’s playing at the cinema this friday at 8pm? Any sales going on at the mall? I heard another Starbucks is being built over there… Go back to Stepford… YAY team Starmount!!! lol
March 12th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Last time I drove thru Noda during broad daylight there was drug deal going down right on the street I turned down - I got the heck out of there quick. The guys hanging on the corner looked like they had all just been released from prison. the area seems to be shrinking rather than growing.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:13 am
in response to unbiased opinion…
I’ve lived in NoDa over 2 years, I work in NoDa, and I socialize in NoDa. I’ve never seen a drug deal going on in broad daylight. Every area in Mecklenberg has some sort of crime. Starmount’s little section of South Blvd is certainly something to be PROUD of. I saw a drug deal going on at one of your light rail stations… That’s a reflection of the drug dealer, not CATS or Starmount. We have one of the most together, productive, and committed communities in Charlotte. The comment that NoDa is shrinking is about as informed and accurate as you being in an area of NoDa during the daytime witnessing a drug deal. You would have had to have been the one receiving the drugs in order to have been close enough to varify that it was an actual drug deal. Some of our artists and characters have a bohemian look. Some of our bankers dress it down while they’re kicking it. Does this mean they have a prison record? I’d rather hang out with earthy non-conforming artists and musicians than with cookie baking soccer coaches anytime…. See you at the next gallery crawl.. We know you come here to party… LOL
March 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am
every neighborhood has it’s good and bad. I had never heard of Starmount before this so I checked it out. Seems like a nice neighborhood.
My heart is in NoDa because NoDa accepts ALL. Artist, banker, black, white, Hispanic, married, single gay, straight, We’re all here because we love it. This is a neighborhood that was taken from ghetto to thriving community in just a few years by the love and hardwork of the people who live here.
I plan on visiting all the other neighborhoods and invite all others to visit NoDa. Come down to N. Davidson for one of the crawls on the 1st or 3rd Friday of every month. We’d love to see you, hear about your neighborhood and show you ours. We promise to show you a good time and hope you return the favor when we visit you.
MY FAVORITE PART OF NODA IS SHARING IT WITH OTHERS! I’d love a tour of Starmount and the other areas from the point of view of someone who loves their neighborhood. I’ll show you my neighborhood if you show me yours.
As for the voting and trash talk. It says vote as often as you like, so cheating isn’t really possible. it’s cool to see so many people so passionate about where they live.
March 12th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
in response to NoDaGuy:
Your comment was very well written, very sincere, and extremely eloquent. I agree with you 110%. I want to apologize to Starmount for any comments I made that were less than mature. It certainly makes me feel good to know that there are people out there like me who have a passion for the “hood” they live in. It’s refreshing and gives a person hope. We are all Charlotteers.. All of our hoods touch the hoods that surround it…. maybe we can combine the passion we have for our neighborhoods and create a larger passion for the city and county we ALL live in.
I love what NoDaGuy said about getting to know more about the other hoods. Could this whole contest be the catalyst for neighbors to host neighbors?
Maybe this Summer or Spring we can hold HOOD open houses, one in each hood, so that we can share the place we love with our neighbors?
I love the whole “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine” concept… I like it for the neighborhoods too. LOL Good luck all y’all!
March 12th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
OK, time to weigh in on this conversation. I’ve lived in NoDa for a year and a half and in that time, I have found friends, family and embracing, active citizens. We take extreme pride in our neighborhood and we go to great lengths to make it a better place to live every day. We have association or committee meetings going on practically every day of the week with hundreds of active citizens involved in dozens of initiatives. NoDa was recently recognized as the #1 neighborhood in Charlotte for its community crime & safety efforts by the Chief of the CMPD. We have a Green Team, comprised of neighborhood residents committed to making NoDa a more environmentally friendly place to live. We also have active committees established for beautification, home tours, arts collaboration, family and children, economic development, social events, communications, parks and recreation, welcoming, at-risk youth, the list goes on and on. NoDa even has its own sports teams, organized by residents and sponsored by our neighborhood businesses.
We have a very cool neighborhood newsletter developed and hand delivered by volunteers to every household in the hood, of which, by the way, there are estimated to be over 1,400.
NoDa is an established neighborhood full of people from all walks of life. Many of us work extremely hard at our jobs in addition to our community. Yes, many of us actually have an education and know how to spell and use proper grammar!
NoDa has been a destination of interest for people from all over the country, and it didn’t take a light rail station to get us on the map. Yes, light rail and even greenway are coming straight through NoDa in the very near future, as well as a ton of economic development currently in the works. We all admit, it was a scary place to be 10 years ago, but then, so were many areas of Charlotte that have now transitioned into thriving and desirable communities.
Hats off to people of all neighborhoods who go the extra mile to make Charlotte a better place to live. But, when it comes to active and mobilized communities, NoDa wins, hands down!
March 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
NoDaguy - you’re awesome. You hit the nail on the head. I had never heard of Starmount before this competition was brought to my attention. However, it has been neat to learn about that neighborhood, its history and most of all, the passion its residents have for living there and seeing it thrive. I will definitely check out Starmount sometime and hope the Starmount folks will take a ride north to check out NoDa sometime. Charlotte has a lot to offer beyond our little hoods. It is nice to be reminded of that. Go Team Charlotte!
March 12th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
If we do a “show me yours and I’ll show you mine” kind of thing I’ll smoke up a boston butt or two on behalf of NoDa.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Erik,
come to my house, if you have a smoking, oral fixation. I have a butt for you to chew on and a blunt you can enjoy. If you want to know where I live or how to get ahold of me, just come into NoDa and ask anyone in any of the businesses, or other NoDa residents. Just ask them how to find Kenny. Thats the other beauty of NoDa… we know each other and we know about the people who share our community with us. If I went to Starmount and asked someone how to find Erik…. they’d look at me like I was crazy to ask I’m sure…
March 12th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
kenny you need to quit writing and get back to your click voting, click, click click. you can do it kenny, try and out vote all of starmount.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Un bi ass,
If I was click clicking it wouldn’t be against all of Starmount… it would be against you and Erik and your vote program… :0) I haven’t even voted today, but your percentage I see has gone up with your 700 votes in 3 hours. Do you have oompa loompas voting for you? or are your house wives still locked up in that elementary school gymnasium? Guess you’ll all have to order out tonight … LOL
and why not post with your real name? I have a more accurate post name for you than “uniased opinion.” you should try, Silly Man. good luck.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Well I see we kept the peace for about 2 seconds. 1 Charlotte 12+ awesome, proud neighborhoods.
I’m serious about my tour offer—I really want to see some of the other hoods.
March 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’m sorry I digressed and reacted…
It’s hard to play nice sometimes when snide comments and insults follow genuine expressions of friendship and growth. My bad. :0)
March 12th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
kenny why do you find it necessary to insult others. if you would just stop clicking and think about what you are saying? either you are a 15 year old playing hookie from school -or-you acutally do not live in Noda and just sneak in from the surrounding slums to get your drug fix and look at art. i think its the latter
March 12th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
unbiased…
on THAT note… I should have never let the original NoDa insults drag me to the dark side. Just as I refuse to let YOUR insults cause yet another childish reaction from me. The mud flinging was two sided, unwarranted, and immature. I’m sorry that I was a part of it. Even though there was trash talk and not so nice comments from both sides… I feel that in the beginning there was a bit of sporty fun attached to them. A cute rivalry. Now, the insults about slums and drugs are completely out of hand. These are serious issues that shouldn’t be joked about or taken lightly, no matter what area they are an issue. At this point, I’m wishing you and your hood all the best, sincerely.
I’m sorry to the rest of the forum readers for my part in the insults and trash talk.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
We need some fresh blood… Let’s go after Ballantyne!!!!
:-)
March 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
LOL Craig… one last post from me… my specific apologies go out to Erik and “unbiased opinion.” Come to NoDa and let me buy you a drink. I’m actually a pretty nice guy, as I’m sure the two of you are. Peace.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
kenny, i am afraid you are correct. I retract the comments about drugs and slums. my apologies to all of noda and the readers of this forum, i did not mean for anyone to take them literally but I was wrong to even bring that kind of filth into this discussion.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
We will take your offer up this summer for NoDa and Starmount to “Show me yours and we will show you ours”
I will get a hold of the Starmount neighborhood association to put this in the monthly news letter. and coordinate this visit.
Look ,I did not think this would come to alot of bickering LoL, It shows how proud we are as Charlotteteans. I love the NoDa area , the art and diversity of people there. We at Starmount are proud too. Hope to see you soon.
Also hope other Hoods get involved as passinate as we are!!
March 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I’m in! We’ll get you to NoDa!
March 12th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
We moved here about a year ago and are very happy. The neighborhood is safe, everyone takes good care of their houses and there are community parties if you want to get involved in that sort of thing. I had never heard of Starmount until our realtor told us the name, but I really like it and I’m glad we moved here. Once nice thing is that at community events, there are people of all nationalities, so it’s easy for people of all cultures to make friends.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
keep the great comments coming Diana. but its the vote that counts and we are on top of that.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I think South End is the clear winner. We’re just too immersed in all our culture and things to do to get on this site and vote!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Its interesting to read the bickering back and forth. The Starmount and NoDa areas are very similar. NoDa just has one up on the art galleries. Both offer diversity and genuine fun. These hoods are concerned more with the real issues and family than “keeping up with the Jones’”. Either hood deserves to win!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
This vote that’s now in the tens of thousands… gave me an idea for next year… if we could get 2 or 3 sponsors to match the amount of votes… one vote = one dollar… maybe all this passion for our “hoods” could be paid forward to a local charity or two? This town is so full of banks…. surely they could see a need to give to the community around them…. There are also many wonderful worth while organizations who need financial help. It would be like a BEST OF THE HOODS (carpal tunnel) charity vote-a-thon….
Then, all this voting would have more meaning than a friendly rivalry or a bunch of passionate people who refuse to give in… :0)
IF THERE’S ANY BANK EXECS READING THIS > IT”S NOT TOO LATE TO PLEDGE!!! :0)
March 13th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
kenny, perhaps you can share some of your voting techniques. You are doing a great job buddy!
March 13th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Nodaboy… when I vote, I vote with my fingers and mouse… old fashioned I know, but… I’m old school. :0)
March 13th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
the other thing is… I quit smoking cold turkey 2 weeks ago after 28 + years. When I have a craving I vote…
March 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I moved here from Seattle to Charlotte, having never seen the city ever before in 2006 and moved into a sublet place in Starmount. We were completely planning on finding a permenant house to buy in Ballantyne or somewhere like that, but fell in love with Starmount. We love the mature trees, the huge lots the houses are on, the way the houses are built and the neighbors. Actually, the Doofuses a couple of doors down are the real reasons that we stayed. LOL! We love the kind hearted neighbors and the proximity to lightrail. I even heard that the band Tesla once lived in our neighborhood in the 1980s. Wow… what history…just kidding. Seriously, it really is the best place to be for the dollar.
March 15th, 2008 at 9:54 am
CO TOES!!! ALICE!!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:11 am
We moved to Charlotte 8 years ago and were only going to stay 18 months (work assignment). After buying in Starmount and getting to know the people, we knew we are here to stay. As for a melting pot, with 1400 homes, I believe we are the biggest in the area. Our community works together improving our look with monthly clean-ups, social events and gatherings all through the year. Having a community pool is also agreat way to meet new people and build a sense of community. Starmount reaches out to new neighbors with a welcome packet full of information to make the move easy. I have never lived in a more accepting neiborhood in my live. You can see that as you walk down the streets and are greeted with a hello. NoDa come and vist us if you can get through all that trffic.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I’ve lived in and out of Starmount for going on 40 years, yeah I’m getting old. I moved to Charlotte in 1969 when I was 10 years old.
Now I am raising my son in Starmount in the same house I grew up in and can’t think of anywhere else I would rather live.
The neighborhood has gone through alot of changes over the years but it is rich in friends and warm community atmosphere.
The Swim Club is the biggest draw in my opinion as it continues to grow and has alot of community support. We have many social functions which promote family and good fun.
NoDa people are more than welcome to come check out some of our parties and events. The website for the calendar of events is http://www.starclaire.com. Come and see what we have to offer.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Honestly, Starmount sounds like a lovely place. It actually sounds a lot like NoDa in some ways. Ironically, we have 1400 ish homes, neighborhood clean ups, a green team, 2 pools, the most beautiful YMCA in North Carolina, free live entertainment approx 42 weekends out of the year, 8 restaurants and cafe’s within 3 blocks, 10 art galleries, a book store, 8 places to order cocktails with friends, (one of those being the newly renovated DOG bar where your best friend can join you while you socialize.. WOOF), 6 specialty shops, two wine bars, 2 venues for live entertainment that are jam packed EVERY weekend, a half a dozen parks, and a standing room only FUN FUN FUN gallery crawl every first and third Friday of every month.
Funny thing about the traffic you mentioned mr trusty… NoDa is able to sustain my personal life as well as a thriving business. I really don’t HAVE to leave NoDa unless I want to branch out. When I do leave NoDa, I just pop on down North Davidson and am quickly in the heart of downtown. North Lake Makll is only a 13 minute easy drive, and I usually park in front of my destination when I’m parking here. So, good luck Starmount. There’s a bunch of us here who are sincerely looking forward to the hood tour exchange during the summer. If anything, I want to see the area that has so many people SO passionate about where they live. :0) this rivalry between us has been a blast. I admire you all.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
why is there no one from starmount voting?????????
Come one people I cant do it all by myself. KEEP VOTING
March 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
concerned… you sound like ME yesterday….. hey all y’all in Starmount and NoDa… don’t leave this up to one or two people… get involved.. VOTE!!!!
There hasn’t been a fun rivalry like this in Charlotte in YEARS! KEEP VOTING
March 15th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Starmount will come back , We got a Tarheel Game to watch!!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Where are the votes for Plaza Midwood? Re: No Da/Starmount, No Da has some good restaurants, but Starmount has a better name for their hood.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
GO TEAM NoDa!!! Wooo Hoooooo!!
NoDa ROCKS!!! Damn, I love it here! You all make me proud!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I love NoDa so much, I get teary eyed just thinking about it. It’s a wonderful place to live. And with LightRail coming, all the new development planned, and the staggering community involvement, it’s only going to get better! *weeping with pride*
March 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
NoDa Lauren…
the thought of you weeping makes me weep. :0) I’m sending you a hug between votes… the sense of community I’m feeling at this moment is awe inspiring… shoot… now I am weeping……
March 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
At what point does self interest override my natural inclination towards honesty?
Yeah, I will take PMs from anyone who wants to hear my story, which I am tentatively titling “8 Months in NoDA” or “What the Hell Happened to the Crap I Had Out On My Porch” or “How I Learned to Love Answering the Door With a Pistol In My Hand” or maybe “Who’s In My Backyard Now” or perhaps “So THAT’S What Crack Smells Like ….”
March 15th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
just kidding :)
March 15th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
What was that earlier comment about NoDa not being in 1st place for long? :0)
……… As for home prices and best for the buck….
I bought my home in NoDa in January of 2006 for $171,000. In Feb of 07 I had it reappraised at $230,000. I’m about to add on 1100 square foot of single level home on my HUGE lot. My home will then be in the 375,000 range.. I would say good investment… “best for the buck,” what do you think Starmount? It’s amazing to be part of a community that is growing so quickly with such amazing focus. Better get into NoDa while you can!
March 15th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Starmount is way more affordable than NoDuh. If you don’t want to pay 300,000+ for a small house, come to Starmount. NoDuh has too many hippies and yuppies. Starmount is much cooler.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
In watching the comments go back and forth, why a couple of people in Starmount insist on attacking the character of the people in NoDa? hippy this, drug that, yuppie, etc…. The people of Starmount haven’t been insulted. The comments about Starmount from the opposition were about “a Stepford feeling” “theater this” “never heard of Starmount before” and “the mall”. Seems that Starmount’s comebacks are always attacking the character of the people in NoDa. Isn’t this about the “hoods” and about what the “neighborhood” has to offer? I don’t believe this was set up as a forum for people bashing. Just wondering out loud…. May the best hood win.
March 15th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
i think NoDa started the attacks. They are portaying Starmount as some boring cookie cutter hood. Which its not!!
And since when was being a hippie or a yuppie a bad thing? Unless you thinks it is?
Your arrogance is very insulting “never heard of starmount” how many times do we have to say its Charlotte’s best kept secret.
Noda will be a nice place to live 10 years from now when it might get a light rail station and be relatively safe.
But his poll is about the current neighborhood of the year. It’s not about what Noda might be 10 or 20 years from now, lol.
Good Luck. you’ll need it!
March 15th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
it looks like Starmount is gonna need the luck. just another observation….
March 16th, 2008 at 12:22 am
When you live in the BEST HOOD, you don’t need LUCK. :0) Good luck next year Starmount!
March 16th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I guess some people don’t have a life other than pumping up the results by just sitting here all day clicking up the votes. lol
March 16th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I love my neighborhood! We’re mid twenties ex punk rockers who wanted a neighborhood with a little personality. I live on a cul de sac in starmount with my husband and kids. We’ve lived here two years so far and we couldn’t have made a better decision. My kids can play out in the street and we can ride the lightrail to discovery place on the weekends. My neighbors are fantastic and we just love it here. I also like that I can walk down the street without being stabbed in the gut. That’s pretty rock solid.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:38 am
You’re right mrstarclairemom… team STARMOUNT has done an amazing job… LMAO just not good ENOUGH. It’s amazing how a couple of you are so detached.. you insult us for doing what you’ve been doing since the beginning… you wish us luck and tell us “you’re going to need it” while we’re ahead by 14%… Do you even READ the forum? it’s amusing at best. This has been a fun excercise. But seriously, you make fun of us for spending time to vote… but do the math sweety… there have been 45,600 votes cast… Starmount can claim 42% of them to date. 42% of 45,600 is 19,152… and you’re making fun of NoDa for voting? If you were ahead you’d be praising Starmount and it’s dedicated people. Since you’re NOT, then we in NoDa have nothing better to do than vote… double standards, yes. A reason to be bitter… not so much. Personally, the 19th of March couldn’t come fast enough. I’d love for this competition to be done with. Remember, a competition isn’t fun when there is none. I under-estimated Starmount. I know now that I’ll take the time to discover your hood. You all are a force to be reckoned with for sure. :0)
March 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
So, why am I all of a sudden being bashed by you Kenny. And don’t call me sweetie, I don’t swing that way.
All I’m saying is for the numbers of occupants in the neighborhoods, the votes are sure immense.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I’m not bashing you at all. I thought you were a female, I almost called you Claire. so, sorry about that. But do you not get it? you make comments about us, and end them with “LOL.” and when we respond similarly, you call it bashing?
since you’re not READING the comments that YOU yourself wrote…this in particular, which YOU typed.
“I guess some people don’t have a life other than pumping up the results by just sitting here all day clicking up the votes. lol”
how do you expect someone to respond? 1800flowers? When you make snide remarks against us, it’s cool. When we respond, it’s bashing. Maybe you need to test Starmount’s tap water.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Well, I believe if I’m not wrong here by READING the comments. Your own Erik kinda started the whole thing with “Starmount? I’ve never even heard of that. Perhaps I should borrow whatever click script they’re using to pump up numbers.” Hmmm
And if you had been READING yourself, you might have caught the MR in front of starclairemom. Guess you never saw the movie. MrMom
March 16th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I personally live in Madison Park,(since 1984) I joined the Starclaire Pool about 8 years ago , with my daughter, could have not met nicer people! All welcoming freindly people, with community love. I work in sales and I’m all over town, but I do work near the NoDa, personally if I have to get out of my car to make a call, I pefer to do that in Starclaire! I guess No Da is a real Rags to Riches story, glad you could clean yourselfs up, Starclaire stay Classly! The way you started and the way you have been for over 40 years! Love you guys!
March 16th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Mr. Mom, I loved that movie… excuse me for being so ignorant that I couldn’t decipher your name. I commend you for being a stay at home dad. People who live outside the box without conforming to the expectations of society are amazing. I personally have Multiple Sclerosis and qualify for gov assistance, but refuse it and do the best I can working out of my home. It feels good to be slightly different. Honest question, as I am now slightly more confused, is it Starmount? or Starclaire? When we seemingly insulted you by asking where is Starmount? and stating that we’ve never heard of it other than the theater.. it was a true statement. Your own people said that it was Charlotte’s best kept secret. But we were chastised for not knowing anything about it? Your hood is certainly NOT a secret anymore. As I said earlier, it has suddenly become a place that I am very interested in learning about. What’s a good place in Starmount for Sunday brunch? If you come to NoDa, my favorite is Solstice Tavern. $4.00 Bloody Mary’s and mimosas, eggs bene, flap jacks, breakfast wrap… very reasonably priced. I’d love to expand my outlook and discover a new place or two in Starmount. I’m not bashing, this is a sport event to me. It’s like a high school debate. I love a good debate. Competition is just that, nothing personal, simply sport. You know that if you were ahead right now you’d be gloating. If we were behind right now, I’d be more bitter than you could ever be. It’s all fun people! None of us are going to MOVE once the results are in. It aint over til the fat man sings on the 19th.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:49 am
It really makes me happy to have the support of Madison Park and Montclaire. We are all in this together. I have several friends who live in both areas from Wedgewood, to Seacroft, Londonderry, Emerwood and even the new Park South Station development on Archdale.
We are all one community, your comments are inspiring keep them coming and don’t forget to put up a few votes for Starmount. Starmount’s recognition in this vote in a plus for the entire area!!!!!!!!!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Well, the way it all works out is we are boardering another hood called Montclaire. When Starmount and Montclaire were rolling, a few key community leaders decided to begin an Athletic Association. Hence, Starclaire, which at one point was the largest Athletic Association in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Our football program which began it all was second to none.
Our Swimclub has the same moniker. We are very proud of our neighborhood. Alot of us have been living here for a long time. As a matter of fact, alot of kids that grew up here have moved back into the ‘hood’ and raising there own families.
We have been a well kept secret, but with the growth of the Light Rail and now this, we won’t be for long.
Wow, as far as a Sunday Brunch thing, I really couldn’t tell you much on that as that’s not my thing. There are alot of choices around here. Maybe someone more into to that can enlighten us as to a good place to go.
But all of you from NoDa are more than welcome to come check us out this Spring with the opening of the pool and the events to come. You can check out our social calendar on http://www.starclaire.com and make your own decision as to what you would like to attend.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Mr. Mom, thanks for that… I just found you guys on my Charlotte map… you are pretty much where Arrowood meets South Blvd.? What are the houses like? One of my friends here in NoDa grew up there. Her father still lives over there. He loves it, she prefers NoDa. The funny thing is, if you look at the stats in Creative Loafing, the two hoods statistically are similar. pop noda = 2834/starmount = 2743
… num housing units noda = 1275/starmount = 1,103…. area acres noda = 576/starmount = 566.
I suppose that it’s the flavor of the hoods and the individual experiences that support any one person’s passion for that area. I also have a farm in Wilkes County and have been living in Charlotte for 7 years, renting in different areas until purchasing in NoDa 2 and a half years ago. I must say, I hated coming down to Charlotte from the farm until I ate at Cabo Fish Taco one night, and fell in love with NoDa and the people and the flavor. Who knows what would have happened if I would have discovered Starmount first. I’m glad I found NoDa and the amazing people in the hood. My partner and I have never felt so welcome and safe. My handicap has never been an issue here, my 8 year domestic partnership is embraced, and my vocation as a designer and conceptual architect fits right in to NoDa’s recent growth. Maybe this helps explain my passion for NoDa and quite frankly, my obsession with this stupid contest. :0)
March 16th, 2008 at 11:39 am
You can be nice when you want to be Kenny, but its not going to work. This is still a battle and the people of Starmount and the surrounding areas are going to send us over the top :)
Come down to Starmount we have the best Tacos in the town from real authentic Mexican owned restaurants. You go to fish taco joints we go to real TaquerÃas.
But there is a Taco Bell near by which should be what you are acustomed too, lmao
Keep Voting Starmount!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Well…. I’m just going to have to laugh off the personal attacks from this point on…
this one was oh so clever though….
“But there is a Taco Bell near by which should be what you are accustomed too, lmao.” ….. Is the writer’s strike still on? LOL.
Of course it’s a battle. I’m fighting just as hard as you are. But that doesn’t mean that during the battle we can’t have a few civilized conversations. If you win this battle, I will be the first one to congratulate you.. I will be pissed off, I will feel bitter, I may even cry… but I will personally go to Starmount and stand on the street corner of your choice for an hour holding a sign that says, “Starmount is the best hood in Charlotte” and shake anyone’s hand who wants to gloat over a fair and square win. You guys are way too determined for me to think that you winning couldn’t happen. So, let the battle ensue. And if you met me Starunited… you’d probably think I was a nice guy. Ask anyone who knows me..(cept my ex-wife) Sincerely…. good luck all y’all.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
No you di’n't! Let’s not even begin to get personal about neighborhood restaurants. You want authentic Southern? Try Chicken Box. You want authentic Mexican? Try Taqueria Guadalajara‎ on Tryon or Taqueria La Unica on Central - just a hop away. Authentic Jamaican? Addie’s. Pee in your pants good pub grub? Solstice Tavern. Believe me, I could go on and on. Bring it, with your Taco Bells and your McDonald’s and your corporate franchise land.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Kenny is a good guy and if you haven’t figured it out, definite local color! HEY STARMOUNT: If I’m driving down there to check out the area, what is the best place to start, what are the neighborhood boundries and what is the number 1 must see?
NoDa is easy to figure out. Start at N Davidson & 36th, then just start walking around. Grab a cup of coffee, visit the shops, meet the neighbors.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
“Pee in your pants good pub grub” - Solstice needs to put that on their menu.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Next to the Mayor Charles WIngs
March 16th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
noduh Lauren and Noduhguy how bout you pick up Kenny and take him out for a cup of coffee and a taco, he has been locked down his voting bunker for days now. Even prisoners get to spend a hour in yard.
I’m sure he is very hungry :(
March 16th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Thanks NoDaguy.. :0) and Erik, I’ll recommend that to John and Jeff at Solstice when I’m eating brunch there today. :0) this is getting good. Love all y’all!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
We’re not allowed to give Kenny sugar or caffeine.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
starmount untied.. you so clever! and ur use of grammur and speling hopefully is not a exampull of the learnin you got in starmount.. yee-haw. rock the trailur dude… keep it up as a shinin exampull of ur area.
Come join me at Solstice Tavern in a few… I’ll take a break while the rest of the amazing people in NoDa continue the vote. Don’t hate the people cause they’re more determined. I’m sure when the dust settles you’ll be fine, starmount united.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
my grammer is fine Kenny, really dude get some sleep, you’ve at this too long. When you wake up it will be all over.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
starmount united dude… I’m not voting DUDE… the rest of NoDa is. I’m actually just tuning into this site every now and again for the comments and a quick giggle. DUDE, maybe you should wake up while it’s still going on.. LOL
“my grammer is fine Kenny, you’ve at this too long.” you’re right, perfect articulation. Guys, let go of the bitterness, it’s not pretty.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
On another note. I want to send a shout out to Plaza-Midwood. They are holding onto their 1% and not letting it slip. That’s hot. 28205, Represent!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
really Lauren… I LOVE Plaza Midwood. I think I’ll start voting for them from this point on. Their hood ROCKS!!!