eastland mall (Charlotte, Albemarle: apartment, house, school district)

[sophialee]

I go to that part of town at least twice a week. I've not had any problems ever. Since you're going to be working at a bank I take it you won't be there at night. I think you'll be fine.

[sophialee]

I honestly didn't know that was considered a bad area even. Lol. I go there all the time. Now Freedom drive area....that's another story, but I think the East Side is ok.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by sophialee

I honestly didn't know that was considered a bad area even. Lol. I go there all the time. Now Freedom drive area....that's another story, but I think the East Side is ok.

Wow you need to drive down Central Ave between Eastway to Sharon Amity or head over to Albermarle or Idlewild in this area. For the best effects do this around 9 pm.

[sophialee]

I have been over there a lot. I'm in the business of selling old stuff, lol, so I go to the thrift stores over there. I've only been during the day though. Never past 5pm.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by sophialee

I have been over there a lot. I'm in the business of selling old stuff, lol, so I go to the thrift stores over there. I've only been during the day though. Never past 5pm.

I will say that it still is a nice mall. I was in it last week looking for a good hat.
It still has the makeup of mall stores that you will find in most malls.
The sad thing is when I parked my car I felt the need to carry my GPS and radio face plate on me while I shopped.
The demographic make up of me made me stick out like a sore thumb it was interesting. They also had way to many gumball machines lol and none of them had cinammon lol.
I would hate to see that mall go since it really a detoriation of the neighborhoods that surround it.

[sophialee]

Never been in the actual Mall, just the areas surrounding it. DH said he heard they are going to be putting quite a bit of money into it and making it *nicer* though.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by sophialee

Never been in the actual Mall, just the areas surrounding it. DH said he heard they are going to be putting quite a bit of money into it and making it *nicer* though.

The mall use to have an indoor ice skating rink. There a sign now that say under renovations where the skate rink is.

I am mix on the proposed plans since the mall was not really the issue it but what borders it and I am not sure if redeveloping that property will solve the problem or the problems will go away.
Basically putting in higher income housing is just going to push the lower incomes somewhere else in the city.
I also think the Freedom Mall area is about ripe for development now due to it very close proximity to uptown.
I wont say that area has clean up but I think it hard for crooks to rob those with nothing or nothing to rob. West Charlotte was rough in the 80's and 90's but I dont mind being in that area. The sales staff at the Shoe Warehouse on Freedom are very nice and Team Motorsports has some nice bikes.

[sophialee]

Yeah, I go to that area a lot too. Seems the *worst* neighborhoods always have the best vintage/antique stuff. You don't find that stuff at a Ballantyne Estate sale. Lol. Beanie Babies and Little Tykes mostly.

I'm actually going to head out to the east side now. Talking about it made me itch to go find some good vintage! Have a nice day!

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by sophialee

Yeah, I go to that area a lot too. Seems the *worst* neighborhoods always have the best vintage/antique stuff. You don't find that stuff at a Ballantyne Estate sale. Lol. Beanie Babies and Little Tykes mostly.

I'm actually going to head out to the east side now. Talking about it made me itch to go find some good vintage! Have a nice day!

That is what drew me to go see how that Mall was doing. I was hoping to find some unique stores and there was a few but not what I had in mind in finding.
I am not the best on that area of town but like you mention I know there around there just not sure where. Probably in one of the many strip malls.
I know there is more international stores in that area and that would be a great theme Eastland could carry nothing but international stores and be like the melting pot for all cultures to shop and have eateries with the same thing. It would be cool to go in one section and it be "china town" another section on Middle Eastern etc.
Have fun shopping.

[ivymw2002]

Ive been working here off Albemarle Rd for almost two years now. Ive never had an issue. East Charlotte is notorious for crime but just take the same precautions you would in any other neighborhood and you should be fine. The majority of the crime in this area occur at night and/or on the weekends. Generally, crime against people happen to people who are also involved in criminal acts. That's not to say that random acts of crime do not happen b/c they do. But just use common sense and I think you'll be ok.

On a positive note....east Charlotte is one of the more diverse and culturally rich areas in Charlotte. There are lots of good international restaurants and businesses.