Bear Creek/Copperfield - Houston, TX

German immigrants first came to the region around 1850. With the inclusion of the MK&T railroad in 1891, local ranchers and farmers transformed the area into a center for commerce, and the region now includes a mixture of different cultures. This middle-income area saw houses built in Bear Creek starting in 1940, and construction continued through 1999. The planned community of Copperfield consists of seven villages. Construction began in 1979 on the 1,800 acres. In 1991, the area expanded by an additional 265 homes as the development grew by 70 acres. The Museum of Fine Arts on Bissonnet Street, one of the biggest in the country, sits just a 30-mile drive from Bear Creek/Copperfield, and the Museum of Natural Science located on Hermann Park Drive holds many exhibitions. Enjoy an evening at the Houston Symphony on Louisiana Street, about 28 miles from the area.

The food options in Bear Creek/Copperfield make it difficult to choose where to go from the assortment of American, Chinese, Mexican, Cajun food, and other choices. You can find dozens of great restaurants located along Route 6. French Quarter Cajun Seafood on Highway 6 North specializes in Southern Creole and Cajun food, and the atmosphere reminds you of New Orleans. For a special dish, try the Cajun platter, a mix of catfish, alligator, and boudin balls. When you get that urge for Mexican food, head out to Los Faroles Mexican Restaurant on River Sage Drive. It carries an expansive menu of Mexican and Tex-Mex. For a hard-to-find tasty dish, try the enchiladas del mar made with crawfish and shrimp. Pecan Creek Grille on Eldridge Parkway provides breakfast at any hour and classic Texas dishes. Chow down on its scrumptious chicken fried steak for a real Southern-style treat. Whiskey River Nightclub on Highway 6 North in Copperfield has live bands, sandwiches, pizza, and bar food along with big-screen TVs. To try out your new dancing shoes and hear great country and western bands, check out Mo's Place about 18 miles north on Kingsland Blvd. The place has not one but two dance floors, so you can two-step all evening long. Located on Bay Area Boulevard, R & R Sports Bar has karaoke and live bands, pool tables, and the top of the bar that's decorated with baseball cards. This laid-back watering hole has daily specials and a good pub fare menu. Agave Bar has everything rolled into one, from big-screen TVs, dancing, and pool tables to video games. Specials run daily for food and drinks.

Residents in the Bear Creek/Copperfield neighborhood travel by car for the most part. Commuters spend 15 to 30 minutes getting to work, which lies below the average commute time nationwide, and 88.3 percent of commuters drive alone. Access to U.S. Highway 290 makes getting around simple. Public transportation, available through several bus lines through the Metropolitan Transit Authority covers the area using the 214, 219 and 036 lines. Several cab companies provide easy transport to the region. For some residents, Uber makes a good alternative. Bike trails, found off Addicks Satsuma Road and North Eldridge Parkway, both have nearly flat terrain. Walkers may enjoy following the bike trails as well. Other trails available in Bear Creek Pioneers Park provide additional choices for walkers. This walkable park allows you to enjoy time with Fido or your children.

Bear Creek Pioneers Park on War Memorial Drive allows your leashed pets to enjoy the fun and contains sports fields for soccer, baseball and softball, tennis courts, the beautiful War Memorial, a station for exercise and walking trails. Playground equipment for the kids, fishing and watching the wildlife makes for enjoyable respites here. The park also has horseback riding trails, an aviary, a wildlife habitat and a goose and duck pond. For a great day of family fun, visit Cullen Park on Saums and enjoy the ball fields, picnic areas and archery range. Children have a great time at the water playground or trying out the playground equipment. Horsepen Creek Park on Wheat Cross welcomes visitors with a bike and hiking trail, a spot for fishing, and it also includes a dog park divided for large and small dogs. Additional amenities here include a playground, picnic areas and exercise equipment. Scheduled events aren't necessary with such a diverse number of things to do.

Living in downtown Houston costs 27 percent less than living in Bear Creek/Copperfield, mostly due to higher prices on houses. Bus service runs anywhere in the city utilizing fare cards that cost $3 per day for unlimited rides, with 50 percent discounts for students, seniors and the disabled. The average rental for a one-bedroom residence in the area of Bear Creek/Copperfield costs $807. To tip some suds at a local bar runs around $3, but discounts on certain nights bring the price down considerably. A tank of gasoline here costs 11 percent less than the national average.

West Oaks Mall on Highway 6 North carries everything from clothing to electronics and has three anchor stores, including Dillard's. You can also enjoy a show at Edwards Theater. For fashionable boutiques and specialty shops, try Vickie Lynn's, about two miles away on Highway 6. It carries great women's clothing and you can pick up unique candles, warming pots, and fragrances. You may want to head to Rattle Tattle and check out the high-end children's clothing for everyday or special occasions, such as weddings, communions, and quinceaneras. You can also pick up dancewear for your children's ballet classes or other dance activities. Find groceries nearby at Randall's on Clay Road, H-E-B at Bear Creek Shopping Center, or Kroger on Highway 6 North. Urban Harvest Farmers Market, located on Canal Street less than half an hour from the neighborhood, sells everything you could hope to see at a farmers market, including seafood, fresh eggs, and vegetables.