Brookhollow/Inwood - Houston, TX

Houston became a state in 1845 after garnering the attention of two New Yorkers. Brothers John Kirby Allen and Augustus Allen founded the area in 1836 and were intrigued by Nacogdoches, a town bordering Mexican Texas and American Louisiana. After heading to Nacogdoches upon hearing of a revolution against Mexico, the brothers befriended former Tennessee governor Sam Houston. Houston sparked a revolt that led to the slaughter of over 140 men at the Alamo in 1836. He avenged the attack by leading Texas forces to kill more than 600 Mexican troops and capture General Antonio de Santa Anna, their commander.

The city opened its first park in 1899, later named the Sam Houston Park. Houston holds the Natural Museum of Funeral History, a unique museum that educates the public on death care. NMFH features the History of Embalming, a permanent exhibit.

Brookhollow Inwood boasts no annual events or arts scene.

Along Antoine Drive and West Little York Road you find a host of fast-food restaurants. Satisfy your taste for chicken wings or burgers with a quick stop on these streets. For the best pizza in town as touted by locals, head to Lazaro's Pizza.

Found on North Houston Rosslyn Road, Lazaro's serves pizza with flair. The unassuming appearance of the restaurant belies the supreme taste of their pies. Residents rave over the southwest pizza made with grilled sausage, vegetables and beef fajitas. Roll up your sleeves and dig in with both hands.

Get ready for a Creole feast at Cajun Town Cafe. Located on West Little York Road, this local favorite dishes up mounds of savory fare. Don't shy away from the alligator and shrimp platter. Served on a heap of crispy fries, this meal ranks high with Brookhollow residents. Leave room for the shrimp etouffee and crawfish bisque.

To hit the nightlife, head over to Twin Peaks Restaurant along Northwest Freeway. Aside from serving hearty dishes such as green chili meatloaf and the towering poblano chicken sandwich, Twin Peaks stands out as a top choice for sports bars. Grab a seat, order a frosty draft beer and watch the season's game on the high-definition flat screens.

Brookhollow Inwood lies conveniently close to Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 290. Sam Houston Tollway, known as Beltway 8, also runs through the region. Brookhollow residents use a combination of driving and public transportation to get around. The neighborhood provides ample free parking.

Metropolitan Transit Authority buses and trains serve as good commuting alternatives. Those traveling by air have easy access to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located 19 miles east.

The city of Houston takes pride in catering to cyclists with the Houston Bikeway Program. Through the program, over 300 miles of bike lanes and paths developed around the city. Pedestrians in Brookhollow also benefit from numerous sidewalks in the neighborhood to make foot travel safer.

Taxis are available by phone reservation. For an Uber pickup, download the mobile app to arrange a ride.

Locals in Brookhollow have high-octane fun at Sam Houston Race Park. Head to North Sam Houston Parkway West to discover this renowned horse racing venue. Check the calendar of events for the next thoroughbred race or Connally Turf Cup competition. Book a table at the park's Winner's Circle restaurant and watch the jockeys lead their horses across the finish line while you dine. Sam Houston Race Park charges a fee for admission and caters to adults. Plan to visit for the annual Houston Ladies Classic, heralded one of the park's richest races.

For the perfect family outing, stop by Bane Park on West Little York Road. Locals hail the park for its high appeal to children and pets. Let your kids venture to the play equipment with creative options for climbing, then take your pooch for a trail walk around the pond. Bane Park provides a gazebo for picnicking and a human water sprinkler for hot days. Visitors may enjoy this public park at no cost.

Residents of Brookhollow enjoy a significant saving on housing. Compared to downtown Houston where a one-bedroom averages $1,100 a month, locals pay around $689 for similar quarters. This contributes to a cost of living that runs around 40 percent cheaper in Brookhollow.

Public transportation remains affordable. A bus or train ride to Houston's city center costs $1.25. Passengers may also purchase a Metro day pass that provides unlimited rides for $3 a day.

Drivers benefit from lower fuel costs which fall about 18 percent below the national average. A beer at a local pub runs around $3.

Locals enjoy access to many handy shopping choices around Brookhollow. Kroger Food Stores lies along Tomball Parkway, and Family Dollar stands on West Mount Houston Road. Although no farmers markets sit within the area, locals can shop at Sprouts Farmers Market on Tomball Parkway for farm-fresh goods as a convenient substitute.

To indulge in big-name shopping, residents head to Abejas Boutique located on Kirby Drive. Every fashionista in search of the hottest celebrity look peruses this shop. The list of designers featured in this exclusive boutique reflects a high-end fashion sensibility. Slip into the perfect Citizens of Humanity jeans and accessorize them with a suede Humanoid belt. Enjoy luxury with a pair of python-print espadrille flats. If you need some direction on how to showcase your individuality, the Abejas Boutique staff gladly assists.

When your wardrobe needs a retro punch, consider Retropolis. This eclectic co-op situated on West 19th Street offers vintage duds from every bygone era. With over 25 vendors, Retropolis invites frugal shoppers to scour through '50s skirts, '80s accessories and beyond. Looking for a one-of-a-kind blouse? Check out the vendor that sews original designs from vintage fabrics.