With far-reaching academic, business and international communities, University City is essentially (but not officially) its own city. In North Charlotte, the neighborhood is named for one shining tenant: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, open since 1946. Despite its proximity to the city, the university and its lively student culture have brought college town spirit- not to mention fun pubs, dining hotspots and extensive retail-to the area. On Saturdays during football season, academics, students and residents come together to support the Charlotte 49ers. Crowds dressed in green, white and gold pile into Jerry Richardson Stadium to cheer on the relatively new program, founded in 2013. During the week, the neighborhood is all business. With more than 20 regional offices for Fortune 500 companies in this area, the stately University Executive Park, University Research Park and Innovation Park employ thousands, and the completion of the 9.3 mile LYNX Blue light rail extension makes access to Center City faster than ever.