Breen Hills Kansas City, MO

This part of Platte County started as pastures and served as a home for the Hopewell tribe of native Americans before European families arrived to start farming and cultivating crops. The neighborhood became more developed in the 1880s, when nearby dams were built to create lakes for town water supplies. Line Creek, just to the east, became parkland in the mid-1960s to preserve the historic watershed of the Northlands portion of Kansas City. Archaeological digs in the park turned up evidence of human settlements, impressively dating back to 500 B.C. Some of the oldest homes in Breen Hills date back to the 1940s before residents began moving to suburbs. Retail shops, schools and public facilities came later after more houses were constructed. While Breen Hills itself is a little light in the festival department, nearby Parkville plays host to the Parkville River Jam, a riverside summer fest of local music and indulgent fair food. Take a short jaunt to Riverside each June to catch the Kansas City Scottish Highland Games, an unexpected whirlwind of kilts, Scottish snacks and lively bagpipe music.

The Village at Burlington Creek contains the most prevalent restaurants near the neighborhood. Drive just across I-29 on 64th Street to find high-end eateries, interesting markets, fantastic drink selections and chain restaurants. Stop by Saki, just east of the Village at Burlington Creek, for delectable Asian fusion, sushi and hibachi cuisine. For an appetizer, the Vietnamese spring roll includes rice vermicelli, lettuce, basil and cilantro along with cooked shrimp and grilled beef in rice wrappers, along with a phenomenal peanut sauce for dipping. Saki's seafood delight soup features shrimp, scallops and crab served with peas and an egg in chicken broth. If you want to make a beeline for the best, sink your teeth into the specialty of the house, the triple seafood delight — stir fried lobster, scallops and jumbo shrimp along with snap peas, mushrooms, water chestnuts and broccoli in a light white wine sauce. Saki also has vegetarian, Thai and curry-based dishes if you prefer a plate of lighter, though still flavorful, eats. Cooks at the 64 Tavern & Grille serve up food fresh, from scratch, and made-to-order. The place stays open until 3 a.m., seven days a week, and enjoys a reputation as one of the hippest night spots of the area. Each day brings a weekly special, such as "2fer" taco Tuesday and "thirsty" Thursday drink specials. Hamburgers come in at a half-pound, and the hangover burger packs a ton of protein with bacon, a fried egg and American cheese, with the option to add a topping for 75 cents. Try the Irish nachos for something a bit different — this bed of kettle-cooked chips comes topped with bacon, cheddar jack, black olives, green onions and jalapeños alongside your choice of chicken or beef, in a portion big enough to serve as a meal. Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs makes the perfect place to grab a quick lunch or dinner. The no-frills eatery serves up freshly made hot and cold sub sandwiches, handmade wraps, pasta and soup. Menu favorites include the Goodcents Original, featuring ham, bologna, salami and pepperoni, and the Penny Club, made with roast beef, turkey and ham. Choose a combo meal to complement your sub with chips and an ice-cold drink. Dessert items, such as the giant chocolate chip cookie or the giant peanut butter cookie, satisfy diners with a sweet tooth.

To properly access shopping centers in Breen Hills, a personal vehicle is best. If you'd like to get some human-powered transport in, however, bicycles can use parks in the neighborhood, and most homes have driveways so fewer cars park on the streets. Some roads have sidewalks for pedestrians, and parking in the shopping areas is plentiful except on the busiest shopping days. Access I-29 by traveling west on 64th. Waukomois Drive and Roanridge Road mark the major north-south routes in the neighborhood. If you need to hit the road and lack a vehicle of your own, several taxi companies and Uber drivers are available to pick you up with a quick call or app message. KCATA buses from Route 129 stop at Prairie View and 64th as well as 56th and Prairie View on a regular schedule, from approximately 5:55 a.m. to 10:55 p.m. on weekdays. Route 243 buses come to 56th and Prairie View starting at 7:25 a.m. until 5:25 p.m. on weekdays.

A few notable parks provide Breen Hills residents with outdoor fun. Bring your leashed pooch, stroller or bicycle for some exercise to the half-mile trail at Strathbury Park. Massive Frank Vaydik Park, just to the east, features nature trails, wildlife, ball fields and playgrounds. The Southern Platte Pass creates a two-mile concrete trail for walkers and bicyclists. No annual events or festivals occur in Breen Hills itself, but you can catch the Winter Carnival at the Garrison Community Center in Kansas City, or exciting seasonal theater presentations at the nearby Swope Park's Starlight Theater throughout the year.

Living costs a bit less in Breen Hills due to its residential nature, vast green areas and little development. A one-bedroom apartment goes for $688 per month. A KCATA day pass gets you anywhere on the system for $3. A gallon of gasoline costs 18 percent less than the national average. A pint of beer at a local bar runs you about $3.

The Village at Burlington Creek contains many high-end local shops, a salon and several eateries. Just off 64th and I-29, Hy-Vee and Hen House grocery stores have all the ingredients you need to stock your pantry and fridge. For farmers markets, head east to Gladstone or north to Zona Rosa - both places offer seasonal weekly markets to get locally-grown produce. Watercolors High Fashion specializes in prom dresses, swimwear and attire for any occasion. Find accessories such as jewelry and handbags to match the perfect dress, along with shoes tfit for a red carpet A-lister. Men can rent tuxedos, one-of-a-kind neckties and unique shirts.