Bethune Grant - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona was first settled by the Timucuan Indians in the 18th century and later by Seminole Indians in the 19th century. In plantation times, sugar cane, cotton, and rice was grown in the area. In 1871, a wealthy tycoon named Mathias Day purchased over 2,000 acres of land in Daytona Beach and built its first hotel. By the early 1900s, motorcycle and automobile races were ever popular and drew in throngs of tourists. This eventually led to the construction of International Speedway and the birth of NASCAR.

Today, Daytona Beach makes sure it remembers the area's rich cultural history. If planetarium star shows and giant sloth exhibits sound like they might be up your alley, don't miss the Museum of Arts and Science. In addition to city history, it introduces traveling exhibits every few months that range encompass paintings, sculptures, and models of historic events.

Bethune Grant residents enjoy abundant dining options, including Chinese, Italian, American, Mexican, and Thai. The area is full of steakhouses, pizzerias, and ethnic restaurants that serve nearly every food imaginable, from hearty breakfasts to late night nibbles.

Leanh's Chinese Restaurant, a locally owned fusion joint, offers not only Chinese cuisine but Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai dishes on its menu as well. Regulars say they frequent Leanh's for the large portions, inexpensive prices, and attentive service. Crowd favorites include the orange beef, wonton soup, and general chicken with pork-fried rice. All dishes are cooked to order with fresh ingredients and available for dine-in or takeout.

If you're a pizza lover, Constantine's Pizza House makes some of the best handmade pizza and garlic knots in town. For appetizers, start off with an eggplant rollatini or bruschetta with tomato and red onion on toasted bread. Entrée options include salads, Italian 'hero' sandwiches, lasagna, calzone, pizza, and more. If it's one of their pies you're after, the chicken parmesan specialty pizza comes highly recommended.

Nightlife in South Daytona consists mainly of pool halls and dive bars. On weekends, locals flock to Pool 'N' Brew, a pool hall that also houses one of the area's only snooker tables and serves cold beer off the tap and in bottles. If 8-ball isn't your game, head to the back for a game of darts or shuffleboard.

Because the Bethune Grant neighborhood has few sidewalks, walking the area proves difficult. Residents will need to use public transportation or have access to a car. Bicyclists have limited access to bike lanes, but a few of the major streets such as Beville Road and Ridgewood Avenue feature them.

The Votran bus transports Bethune Grant residents to numerous locations across Volusia County. Be careful, though; the bus doesn't run past early evening hours, so a night on the town will require your destination to lie within walking distance, or a taxi if you don't own a vehicle. Speaking of taxis, Daytona Beach is laden with a large number of taxi companies, so hailing a cab is no problem - Uber is unavailable in Daytona Beach itself.

Daily commuters will only need to drive 10 minutes west on Beville Road until they hit Interstate 95, making drives to cities such as Orlando a bit easier.

Because the city of Daytona Beach places great importance on recreational activities for its residents, the Bethune Grant neighborhood has access to some fantastic parks. Nearby Bethune Point Skatepark gives kids and teens a safe hangout for practicing 360s and kick flips. Just a short walk away, Bethune Point Park offers a baseball field and tennis courts to those seeking a fun way to exercise. Pet owners travel to Reed Canal Park in South Daytona; a free park that's dog-friendly and offers scenic trails in a gated setting.

Not only does Daytona know how to do parks and recreation, but the city also puts on a large number of annual events and festivals. Top events include Bike Week, Biketoberfest, the Turkey Rod Run, Daytona 500, and the Halifax Oyster Festival.

The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Bethune Grant averages out to $635 per month. Public transportation costs are also low; for a one-way ride to the Daytona Beach city center, take the Votran bus and pay just $1.50 for a one-way ticket or $3.50 for an all-day pass. Beer at a local bar will run you between $3 and $4, while filling up your gas tank costs about 4 percent higher than the national average.

For a bag of potato chips or a jolt of energy in a cup of coffee, a number of convenience stores sit along Beville Road, some within walking distance. To stock up on everyday necessities, locals travel to the Walmart Supercenter or Publix, also on Beville. Smaller grocery options for quick trips include Bravo Supermarket and Save-A-Lot, which lies a couple of miles up the road.

Although the neighborhood itself has no standalone boutiques, nearby Daytona Beach has plenty of options, including the iconic Maui Nix surf shop — a must-see for snagging suits, boards and other beach-ready gear before hitting the surf and sand. The Volusia Mall on International Speedway houses more than 130 stores, including big-name retailers such as Macy's and Sears along with fun specialty shops.

Also stationed on International Speedway, the Daytona Flea and Farmers Market was voted "One of the Top 5 Markets in the Country" by USA Weekend and features over 300 vendors. Find exotic animals, handmade clothing and jewelry, antiques, musical instruments, fresh fruits and vegetables here alongside dozens of unique items for sale at the market.