Brookshire - Columbus, OH

Like the rest of the Hilltop community, development in Brookshire began in the early 1900s. However, the 1913 flood caused a lot of damage in the area, and the Great Depression put a halt to all new development, so Brookshire remained relatively undeveloped until after World War II. The Hilltop area saw a surge in population when the GI Bill allowed veterans to return home. The area expanded throughout the 1950s and '60s to include the Brookshire neighborhood.

Brookshire doesn’t have a lively arts scene or museums, but a short drive downtown provides you with several options, including COSI, a hands-on science museum, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Kelton House Museum & Garden. The downtown area also hosts several annual events, including Columbus Winter Beerfest, the Greek Festival and the Columbus Scottish Festival.

A husband and wife team operate Wong’s Golden Wok, a Chinese restaurant located in the Southwest Square shopping center on Eakin Road. Don't be surprised if this friendly staff recognizes you if you make stopping in a habit. The establishment serves a wide range of Asian food, and like most Americanized Chinese restaurants, it has a reputation for serving large portions of food at affordable prices. Regular customers insist that you can’t order a bad meal at Wong’s, but the restaurant’s fried rice, pork lo mein and spicy chicken come with the highest praise.

D & E-Z-O’s Pizza on Brown Road serves the best thin crust pizza in the area, or so the locals say. The pizza arrives with a buttery crust cooked to perfection and topped with a tangy marinara sauce and your choice of fresh ingredients. When you need to feed a house full of people, order D & E-Z-O’s Destroyer pizza -- a massive 30-inch pizza cut into squares.

For great breakfast food at affordable prices, visit Ari’s Diner on Frank Road, located a few miles east of Brookshire. Known for its great customer service and large portions of food, Ari’s draws a large crowd of regular customers. Crowds love the diner’s breakfast options, and they heartily praise Ari’s rice pudding.

This mostly residential area has a fairly quiet nightlife that doesn’t extend beyond a handful of neighborhood bars. On your way home from work, stop by Bob’s Bar & Grill on Harrisburg Pike for an ice cold beer and a burger. Known for its laid-back crowd, the bar features a jukebox, a pool table and a dart board. The bar also frequently hosts karaoke nights. Other neighborhood favorites include Phil & Young’s Tavern on Harrisburg Pike, Block O Bar & Grill and Sports & Spirits on Eakin Road.

The majority of Brookshire residents rely on their own vehicles for transportation due to the convenience factor. Drivers will find that area businesses offer plenty of free parking, and U.S. Route 62 runs through the eastern portion of the neighborhood. For the most part, residents who don’t drive ride the bus. The Central Ohio Transit Authority operates the community bus routes that transport passengers throughout the entire Columbus metropolitan area.

Even though plenty of stores and restaurants sit along U.S. Route 62, the neighborhood’s hills, lack of bike lanes and often heavy traffic make it unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. If you don’t drive and prefer not to ride the bus, you can call a local cab company or use your Uber app to arrange a ride.

Adjacent to Lindbergh Elementary School, and across the street from Briggs High School, Lindbergh Park spans more than 8 acres of land filled with athletic fields, picnic tables and a playground, making it the perfect spot for a daytime outing with the kids. North of Brookside, in South Central Hilltop, Hilltonia Park attracts both families and people who enjoy outdoor exercise. The 11.5-acre park, located on West Mound Street, features a baseball field, basketball court, athletic fields, picnic shelters, and a playground. Neither parks host events, but both welcome dogs, as long as they remain in control and on their leashes.

The cost of living in Brookshire averages approximately 5 percent lower than the average cost of living in Columbus thanks to the neighborhood’s affordable housing options. Expect to pay around $549 per month to rent a one-bedroom residence and approximately $3 for a bottle of beer at a local bar. Riding the bus into downtown Columbus costs $2, or $2.75 if you take the express bus. Commuters can look forward to saving a few bucks on gas, as typical gas prices hover around 1 percent lower than the national average.

Drive into downtown Columbus to shop at upscale retail establishments, or drive north to shop at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Fortunately you don't have to drive far to pick up your basic necessities. Shopping centers filled with pet stores, auto parts stores, grocery stores, discount stores and pharmacies line U.S. Route 62, as well as Clime Road near the Demorest Road intersection.

Visit Bell's Country Mart on Harrisburg Pike for all of your gardening needs. This family-run business carries an extensive selection of spring and fall plants, firewood, straw, seeds and mulch. The store operates a small farmers market in the warmer months that sells fresh fruit and eggs, and in the spring it sells ducks and chickens.

Brookside residents complete large grocery trips at Kroger in the Southwest Square shopping center. Purchase fresh meat at Schuman's Meats on Harrisburg Pike, and grab basic necessities from United Dairy Farmers on Clime Road. For locally grown produce and fresh baked goods, visit the Hills Market Downtown on North Grant Avenue.