Lake Arbor - Bowie, MD

First known as Newbridge in the mid-1970s, Lake Arbor began as a town meant for development, but the developers sold only a handful of houses before their business endeavors went bankrupt. Shortly thereafter, the property name was changed to the familiar Lake Arbor, and the diverse population flourished with a mid-1980s boom. Many residents chose the neighborhood as a calmer alternative to the bustle of Washington, DC.

The Pan African Festival celebrates African culture in Lake Arbor every autumn, in collaboration with local artisans. Designed to convey the unique cultures of African countries, this festival highlights different dances, music, artworks, and stories. Authentic African cuisine is a prevalent part of this event, and over 5,000 people attend the festival every year. Nearby museums include Prince George's African American Museum and Cultural Center and the Belair Stable Museum, which highlights 200 years of Thoroughbred racing history in Maryland.

Food-loving residents and tourists alike delight in the cuisine found in Lake Arbor. While notable for being one of the best places for barbecue south of the Mason-Dixon Line, this neighborhood combines worldwide culinary dishes in a collision of flavors, fragrances, and cultures. With locations spreading across Maryland, Eddy's Carry Out has become the go-to favorite for quick meals. When the last thing you want to do is cook after an arduous workday, this restaurant provides a mixture of Chinese and American cuisine available for carry-out. Simply call ahead and the speedy cooks will have it ready when you get there. A few specialties that locals love include fried shrimp, fried chicken, and General TSO's chicken with homemade Mumbo sauce.

For foodies with a taste for old-fashioned southern cuisine, Carolina Kitchen gives local heritage a nod with soul food in plentiful portions. Everything on the menu is homemade with the comfort and passion that would come from a true southern kitchen. A sample meal could include an appetizer of crab bites and fried okra, followed by smothered pork chops, meatloaf, or short ribs with a side of melt-in-your-mouth macaroni and cheese. Banana pudding, lemon cake, and pineapple coconut cake offer a sweet touch for dessert. Watch out for Sunday afternoons, when the restaurant is packed to overflowing.

Cap off a good night with a classic Caribbean drink from Irie Bar & Grill. Their tangy rum punch leads the ranks of mixed beverages, with a Jamaican amaretto sour following at close second. The low-key atmosphere sends out cool vibes with steel drums on a sound system in the background, or live reggae tunes on Thursday nights.

Walking in the suburbs of Lake Arbor presents a safe and secure way for people to get around in the neighborhood, but you should stick to cars, bicycles, or buses when traveling into the surrounding cities. There are bus stops dotted across Lake Arbor Way, Lottsford Road, and Central Avenue, as well as companies such as Bluebird Cab Company and ezTaxi which service Lake Arbor and neighboring cities. Uber is not available in the immediate area, but has service in Greater Maryland.

Bicyclers have designated trails between Campus Way North and Sahara Lane, as well as a park trail near Lake Arbor Way where cyclists can go to unwind. Commuters with cars will find it easiest to travel Interstate 95 into the larger portions of Washington, D.C. and Maryland.

Lake Arbor teems with outdoor parks. The signature neighborhood hangout for residents and their leashed pets is Arbor Park, an area surrounded by huge trees with spacious acreage and designated walking trails. Kids enjoy taking playful tumbles down the grassy hills in springtime, or trying their hands at sledding after winter snowfalls. For elaborate events and festivals, Lake Arbor residents generally travel to the larger cities nearby, but the parks do host an annual 5K Fun Run, arts festivals, and a fireworks display on Independence Day.

Smaller and more intimate, Apricot Park bursts with vivid trees in the autumn, making it one of the must-go destinations after choosing your apartment in Lake Arbor. There are over half a dozen acres of well-trimmed grasses, and walking trails weave their way through the spacious meadows. Wildflowers dot those same knolls when spring rolls around, making this park one of the most scenic in Lake Arbor.

Living costs hover around eight percent higher than the Maryland average, with one-bedroom apartments in Lake Arbor reaching $1,361 for luxury amenities. However, affordable apartments in the area average about $870.

Gas prices in the neighborhood stay at a steady four percent above the national average, but you can get a bus ticket for $1.75 per ride. If you are looking to quench your thirst in Lake Arbor, be prepared to pay near $4.50 for a cup of coffee, or $6 for a pint of beer at a local bar.

Eager to express their southern charm and heritage, Lake Arbor residents own and operate their own boutiques and shopping plazas, nudging major chain stores into other neighborhoods. Locally-owned shops in the Lake Arbor Village Shopping Center and along Lottsford Road provide an individual touch and personal service.

A few local favorites include Calling on Creative Printing, which is a small printing press using both modern and antiquated methods to put your thoughts into words. Gold Canyon Candles supplies candles of varying shapes and sizes with an array of scents from the subtle to the exotic.

For your grocery needs, make a quick stop at Market Mekinzie Discount or Shoppers to the west of Landover Road. These markets supply the freshest produce from Maryland farms, and their grocery selections could rival those of bigger chain stores. The Dutch Village Farmer's Market in nearby Upper Marlboro provides fresh, ready-made food as well as produce and exhibits from local artisans.