Light Rail (Charlotte, Pineville: apartment complexes, condo, movie theater)

[cswitzer25]

I'm considering moving to Charlotte and found a couple of apartment complexes near the light rail in the Dilworth area. Does the light rail provide an efficent way of getting around Charlotte? Are there grocery stores, malls, parks, bars, restaurants along the light rail? We just got one this year in Phoenix, and it still takes a long time to get around the city because it's so spread out.

[chicagocubs]

The light rail only goes downtown and then out to Pineville. It is a one-way track at the moment.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by cswitzer25

I'm considering moving to Charlotte and found a couple of apartment complexes near the light rail in the Dilworth area. Does the light rail provide an efficent way of getting around Charlotte? Are there grocery stores, malls, parks, bars, restaurants along the light rail? We just got one this year in Phoenix, and it still takes a long time to get around the city because it's so spread out.

Our light rail is only one line so far running about 10 miles from uptown to the south end of the city. Yes, there are many apartments, condo's and restaurants along the line. You could even get to a WalMart and movie theater. No mall accessibility however. The light rail is really best used for commuting to uptown jobs or nightlife, not for getting around Charlotte at all.

[cswitzer25]

It sounds like it would do for days when it snows. I can't drive in snow or ice.

[chicagocubs]

if it snows, the city pretty much closes down.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by cswitzer25

It sounds like it would do for days when it snows. I can't drive in snow or ice.

Ice storms have been more prevalent in recent years than snow - but more than 2 in a winter would be unusual. If we are lucky we get 6 inches of snow a year - and as chicagocubs said, the city pretty much shuts down when it happens

[lumbollo]

Originally Posted by cswitzer25

I'm considering moving to Charlotte and found a couple of apartment complexes near the light rail in the Dilworth area. Does the light rail provide an efficent way of getting around Charlotte? Are there grocery stores, malls, parks, bars, restaurants along the light rail? We just got one this year in Phoenix, and it still takes a long time to get around the city because it's so spread out.

For the most part not much. There is the development you found around South End, what's in downtown, but most of the line is just a bunch of park and ride lots ending in a huge parking deck at I-485. Originally it was supposed to end in downtown Pineville which is walkable, but they voted to keep it out, so the local transit authority eliminated that part of the plan.

[coped]

There is shuttle access to Carolina Place Mall from the 485 stop. And the bus system will get you to SouthPark. Living on the light rail line would give you better access to a lot of buses which get you further around town. It's not the most transit friendly town, but you can get where you need to go with the bus system.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by coped

There is shuttle access to Carolina Place Mall from the 485 stop. And the bus system will get you to SouthPark. Living on the light rail line would give you better access to a lot of buses which get you further around town. It's not the most transit friendly town, but you can get where you need to go with the bus system.

Excellent point - I had forgotten about the shuttle to the mall

[InformationPlease]

You know, I'd been wondering about this as well. I wanted to ask more about it. The idea of not driving to work is absolutely enchanting. Of course, only if I could find a position where I'm at a single location for the day.

I know it might be a loaded topic, but do most of the Charlotte -locals think that expansion will happen as talked about or is it one of those projects where the dream has died?