HeedenKing

We lived in this neighborhood for 9 years while our children were young. When we first moved there in 1994, there wasn't a lot of shopping in town - just a few grocery stores, pharmacies, pizza places and locally owned video stores. Then the Wal-mart Shopping Center was built just down the street from Cottenwood, and the growth hasn't stopped since.

In addition to Wal-mart, the Home Depot and a number of retail shops, services and restaurants are all within walking distance of Cottenwood. Within about a mile are a number of chain restaurants, including Ruby Tuesday and Applebee's, as well as numerous fast food, Italian, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants. Just down the street from Cottenwood (also within walking distance) is Historic Downtown Varina, which recently opened a new retail center where the old train depot used to be.

Speaking of the old train depot, the train tracks are just across the street from the subdivision entrance, and the train does come through at night - but after our first few nights in our home there, it never woke us.

Ballentine is a friendly neighborhood with an elementary school on the edge of the subdivision. Its amenities include a swimming pool, playground, sidewalks and walking trails. Residents also enjoy the soccer and baseball fields, basketball court and playground at Ballentine Elementary School.