If you are looking for a walkable neighborhood in the Myers Park High district, you probably want to take a spin thru Ashbrook. Bordered by Park Road, Scaleybark, Woodlawn and Marsh Road, this small enclave of brick ranches, split-levels and the occasional atomic ranch was developed in the early 1960s. While a handful of original owners watch over the comings and goings of the hood, young couples with children have adopted the neighborhood in recent years, spruced up these terrific homes with remodeling and renovating projects. Ashbrook is so convienent you can drive to the Scaleybark light rail station in about 4 minutes or hop on Park Road and zip up town in ten.

Just across the street, Park Road Shopping Center pumps up this neighborhood’s walk score. The original retro sign still identifies this newly updated 1956 gem that features neighborhood mainstays such as Charlotte Café, Charlotte Soda Shoppe, Regal Cinemas, The Flying Biscuit, Blackhawk Hardware (don’t miss its garden center around the back) and the venerable Park Road Books. Harris Teeter next to the Post Office provides the center’s grocery anchor. The recent renovation balances out the Charlotte favorites with an influx of trendy new establishments including the Cantina 1511 (newly relocated from Dilworth), Va Da Vie Gelato and the soon-to- come RockSalt farm-to-table restaurant.

Just a block from Park Road Shopping Center you can go bowling and enjoy nightlife on Monford Road, a lively local entertainment district with a number of excellent restaurants including Good Food.

Venture out a little further and you have the SouthEnd Historic District, South Park Shopping Center, Freedom Park and Uptown.

For affordable housing in a neighborhood of roomy ranches that predates the supersized home, you can’t beat the Ashbrook-Clawson neighborhood.