Phenix City, AL

Two communities with different names preceded Phenix City. First came Girard around 1820, which was located near the downtown area of the present-day city. In later years, the nearby town of Brownville was established in 1883 and changed its name to Phenix City in 1889. Then, in 1923, the Alabama Legislature consolidated Girard and Phenix City into one town. The town has come a long ways from the 1930s and 1940s, when town leaders approved licenses for gambling to help get the area out of a crippling debt. These days, Phenix City serves as a proud example of a municipality's transformation into an affordable and attractive place to live.

Although there isn't a big arts scene in the area, the Russell County Historical Commission calls Phenix City home and offers a wealth of information about the area's rich historical background.

Phenix City isn't a large metropolitan area, but expect plenty of restaurants if you get the urge for a bite to eat. Most of the restaurants are in the city's downtown area by the Chattahoochee River, but plenty of other eateries are tucked away in other parts of town. One local favorite is Giovanna's Pizza Parlor, where oversized slices of pizza are popular items, especially for the lunchtime crowd. However, regulars swear by the place's gyros, Cuban sandwiches and calzones.

If you have a craving for comfort food, swing by Ed's Country Cooking & Bar-B-Que. It's not the easiest place to find, but it's worth the trip. Besides the pork, fried chicken and fall-off-the-bone ribs, regional favorites such as macaroni and cheese, collard greens and yams are menu staples. But don't expect a waitress to take your order, as Ed's serves its food cafeteria-style.

Just because you're in the South doesn't mean you have to give up on finding solid Asian food. In fact, locals regularly flock to Thai-Thai Cuisine. The restaurant's ambiance may not be impressive, but look past it, and dive into the menu. Popular choices include pad Thai with glass noodles, drunken beef and pineapple fried rice.

Locals head for the downtown area for nightly entertainment, with Kramer's Sports Bar & Grill one of the popular places to grab a drink and pub-style food. The Chattahoochee Brewing Company is another favorite spot to grab a quick beer on tap. The atmosphere is cozy and laid-back. Be sure to pick up some food before coming here if you're hungry though; this place doesn't offer any fare, but you can bring your own or order a burger from the food truck parked outside.

Area residents benefit from a variety of ways to get around Phenix City, whether it's by car, bike or foot. However, take a Phenix City Express bus, which operates a fixed-route service within the city limits, for a convenient alternative. Although ride-sharing options such as Uber and Lyft aren't available, hailing a cab either on the street or by phone as an easy option. The city offers many places to park for free, with parking meters and fee-based parking lots as alternative options. A limited number of bike lanes exist in Phenix City, but many of the city's side streets are safe for cyclists.

The major east-west highway in Phenix City is U.S. 80, with U.S. 431 considered the primary north-south road. The Columbus Airport, located just across the Chattahoochee River, provides daily service to Atlanta via Delta Connection.

Each of Phenix City's seven parks are free to use and provide a wide assortment of recreational options. Idle Hour Park along Moon Lake offers fishing, a jogging track, a nature trail, a playground, picnic areas with grills, pavilions, tennis courts and outdoor volleyball courts. The park also has a clubhouse that is available for rent.

Local Phenix City residents enjoy Meadowlane Park as another popular choice for outdoor activity. The park has a recreation center, jogging track, playground, picnic areas with grills, softball and football fields, covered picnic pavilions and a swimming pool. All parks in Phenix City welcome children and pets, as long you observe local leash laws.

One of city's largest events is the Phenix Invitational Marching Festival. This annual celebration, which occurs each fall at Garrett-Harrison Stadium, plays host to nearly two dozen high school marching bands competing for awards, including the coveted Best In Class honor for the top band in each respective division.

With the cost of living in Phenix City pegged at 15 percent below the national average, moving to the area has its financial advantages. You can hop on a city bus and take a ride on the Phenix City Express for just $1. Rent is also wallet friendly, with the average price for a one-bedroom apartment sitting at $594 a month. Beer at a local pub can cost as low as $2 a pint, and filling up your tank costs about 10 percent less than the national average.

Across the river in Columbus is where you can find some of the area's best shopping, but Phenix City still has its share of local gems. Stop by Tate Furniture to discover a large selection of bedroom sets and many pieces for your living room. Besides the wide assortment of furniture on hand, the shop delivers great customer service to make your shopping experience a pleasant one.

If you're into firearms, make sure to stop by Lee's Gun Shop. The shop has a solid selection of handguns, rifles and ammunition, coupled with personalized service in case you have any questions.

The Russell County Farmers Market operates on a seasonal basis for the benefit of locals who want farm-fresh produce. For ordinary grocery supplies, residents shop at regional chains, such as Piggly Wiggly and Publix.