Clason Point - Bronx, NY

Inhabited since ancient times by Native Americans, this neighborhood once went by the name "Land By the Two Waters." Europeans began settling here in the 17th century, and it was later renamed to honor Isaac Clason, a Scottish merchant and landowner. In the 19th century, Clason Point developed into a resort, known for its amusements and entertainment, while the 20th century was an era of trolley cars and mansions among farmland. Undeveloped until the 1940s, it transformed into a residential neighborhood as more high-rise and co-op apartment complexes began to flourish.

Head northwest to visit the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and to enjoy the regular film festivals and dance workshops, as well as live music. Mark your calendar for the annual reunion cookout in August.

Soundview Avenue forms the central hub of nightlife and dining within this neighborhood, with a range of international cuisines available. To sample what locals claim to be the best Chinese food in the area, visit the New Yummy Chinese Kitchen. Choose from a range of classic dishes, such as chow mein and foo yung, or try one of the chef's specials, including shrimp and chicken Hunan style and the "Happy Family," featuring roast pork, chicken, shrimp, beef and lobster sautéed with garden vegetables.

Locals recommend the Maravilla's Bar and Grill for its authentic Ecuadorian menu. The specials change regularly, ranging from corviches and empanadas to tortillas and churrasco. Plates arrive at your table within a small, contemporary-style dining area.

Ms. Caridad features Spanish cuisine, including pollo with rice and fried pork chops. Call ahead and the restaurant delivers your food, whether you order a steaming plate of fish filets with plantains or fried chicken served with rice and beans.

Your nightlife options within Clason Point itself remain limited, but you need only travel a short distance outside the neighborhood to find what you want. Head north to Pinstripes Sports Bar & Grill, an establishment renowned for its mango margaritas and mojitos. Meanwhile, The South of France focuses on celebrations, such as birthdays and other parties, so bring a group of friends to drink to your health on special occasions.

While Clason Point has no direct subway service, it does feature two bus lines. One of these takes you to the 6 train at the Morrison/Soundview Avenues stop, while the other connects to the same train at Westchester Avenue. If you prefer to get around under your own steam, the neighborhood has excellent bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists.

Uber operates throughout New York City, while you can also call a local cab company for a pickup. If you own your own vehicle, you find plenty of parking throughout the neighborhood and easy access to the Bruckner Expressway via Soundview Avenue.

Though you need to keep dogs on a leash in Clason Point's parks, you can find plenty of green space to enjoy within this neighborhood. Harding Park on Bolton Avenue and Story Playground on Story Avenue both cater to children and exercise enthusiasts, with playgrounds and spray showers sharing space with basketball courts and fitness equipment.

Pugsley Creek Park, known for its untouched wetlands and marshes, also houses baseball fields and launch sites for kayaks and canoes, while the Space Time Playground takes its name from Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity and includes basketball courts, handball courts, playgrounds and spray showers. Just across the river, you can also find the Ferry Point Park, 400 acres of green space partly taken up by cricket, football and soccer fields, handball and basketball courts and barbecuing areas to relax in the summer sun.

Living in New York City and the surrounding suburbs always means swallowing a higher cost of living, and Clason Point proves no different, coming in at 56 percent above the national average. On the other hand, this particular neighborhood affords a relative haven from the expense, with an 8-percent-lower cost of living than the New York City average. You can expect to pay a median rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment around $1,700, while travel to the center of the city sets you back at least a few dollars for the price of a travel card. A glass of beer at a local establishment costs at least $10.50, while the price of gasoline in Clason Point hovers around 11.5 percent above the national average.

Not known for its shopping, Clason Point nevertheless features branches of several national brands, including Old Navy, Game Stop and Toys R Us. Visit City Jeans, a small local chain, to find sports apparel and footwear from top brand names including Nike, Reebok and ECCO, or Yubi Clothing Co for urban street wear. 74DF Accessories specializes in hair products, while Carmen's Beauty Salon and Patty's Beauty Supplies both stock cosmetics and beauty products.

Residents don't experience difficulty in finding groceries stores to access in this neighborhood, with supermarkets and delis such as Roberta's Grocery, Western Beef Supermarket and the 444 Sound View Mini Mart in reach. You find the closest farmer's markets to the north: the Top Banana Market on Castle Hill and the Hunt's Point Farmer's Market in Longwood.