Southside Towns And 'Burbs

Big-city Amenities With Small-town Appeal

- Meagan Church

The southside communities of Ballantyne, Matthews, Pineville and Waxhaw combine historic sites with new construction. With a drive time of 20 to 40 minutes from uptown Charlotte, these towns may be small, but are mighty in amenities and offerings for residents.

Matthews Located southeast of uptown Charlotte, Matthews delights with historic charm alongside new development. Established along trading trails and a rail line in 1879, the town is home to over 30,000 residents with many neighborhoods nestled beneath the green canopy. The downtown boasts a year-round farmers market, craft-beer pubs, locally owned shops and eateries, a public library, and Matthew’s Playhouse of Performing Arts.

There are plenty of outdoor activities available thanks to the Four Mile Creek Greenway that connects downtown with Squirrel Lake Park, and Colonel Francis Beatty Park that has miles of hiking and biking trails, and a small lake for fishing.

The new Sportsplex features five multipurpose fields, playground equipment, walking trails and shelters, and is the home playing field for Charlotte Independence soccer.