Clearfork - Fort Worth, TX

Clearfork started as part of the historic Edwards Ranch in 1848. When the U.S. Army established Fort Worth in 1849 along the banks of the Clear Fork of the Trinity River, the city grew. This area added more people when Texas Christian University moved to Fort Worth from Waco in 1910. After World War II, much of Fort Worth grew to a mix of residential, retail and industrial use as one of the largest metro areas in the United States.

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art features original works by American masters, including Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. The Will Rogers Memorial Center hosts a variety of cultural, sporting and educational events all year long.

TCU's Festival of American Song occurs every summer as a showcase for American music masters. The School of Music hosts free classes and events on campus.

Restaurants close to Clearfork include a few Italian eateries and simple American fare, but you'll need to travel elsewhere if you want fast food or national chains. Most of the action occurs along Hulen Street. For livelier nightlife scene, head towards downtown Fort Worth or TCU.

Check out Yogi's Deli and Grill for bagels, sandwiches, quesadillas, salads and burgers. The Hopple Popple comes with scrambled eggs, tomato, onions and mushrooms for a hearty breakfast. Eat a sandwich for breakfast in the form of Yogi's Benedict, a treat that comes with two poached eggs, smoked ham and hollandaise sauce on an English muffin. Have just about any sandwich on traditional breads and buns or with a bagel.

Local Foods Kitchen on Hulen Street opened in the summer of 2015 to rave reviews. Chefs make simple sandwiches from locally sourced ingredients, including fruits, vegetables and meats. The Hulen Wedge contains crisp lettuce, blue cheese crumbles, fresh tomatoes and pecans served alongside a strip of sugar-baked bacon and buttermilk ranch dressing. If you don't have time to eat in, you can take your food to go.

An old-fashioned chalkboard sign greets visitors to Inzo Italian Kitchen on Hulen Street. The extensive wine list complements such favorites as Tuscan chicken paillard, a dish with grilled chicken, roma tomatoes, basil and evoo. Build your own pasta with your choice of five pastas, 11 sauces, four meats and 10 vegetables. Select from 15 pizzas, including a gluten-free variety.

One bar and grill sits close to Clearfork. The Tavern Bar & Grill caters to those who love upscale American cuisine with a Southwestern flair. However, people love the game-day specials on beer, wine bottles and specials of the day.

For a more active nightlife scene, head a little east to the establishments just south of TCU along Berry Street. The University Pub remains a favorite student hangout on University Drive.

The Fort Worth Branch of the Trinity Trails System goes through the Clearfork development. This extensive trail system gives bicyclists, joggers and hikers a great way to exercise and travel through Fort Worth. Houses and apartment complexes contain lots of parking spots, so cyclists should find travel through residential streets very easy. Major thoroughfares contain sidewalks, but many residential streets lack these walkways.

Businesses have plenty of free public parking. If you want to park in a TCU-owned lot, buy a parking pass. Hop on Bellaire Drive South and connect to Arborlawn Drive to access the Chisholm Trail Parkway. Hulen Street and Bellaire Drive South represent the major streets in the area. If your car breaks down, plenty of taxi companies serve the area, and Uber rides remain a viable option.

Buses from Route 7 of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority stop at the corner of University Drive and Bowie Street along the south side of TCU. This stop remains one of the closest public transportation stops to Clearfork. This route takes you toward downtown Fort Worth.

The Trinity Trails System has the best exercise-centric park in the area. Lake Como Park, just north of Clearfork, features 59 acres that include trees, picnic spots, tennis courts and a 10-acre lake. This free park has great opportunities for human and canine exercise thanks to an extensive trail system within the park.

Every summer, the local chapter of the Sierra Club hosts a cleanup at Lake Como Park. The organization provides gloves and trash bags as volunteers scour the park for any trash to help keep this park in pristine shape for everyone to enjoy.

Living costs more in the area surrounding TCU as compared to downtown Fort Worth, mainly because of more expensive housing. A one-bedroom apartment averages approximately $800 per month near this neighborhood.

A beer during happy hour at a local pub runs you $3 for a pint. Meanwhile, a one-day pass on the bus system goes for $3.50 and takes you anywhere the buses go. The cost of a gallon of gas averages 84 percent below the national average.

Trinity Commons, at the intersection of Bellaire and Hulen, serves as the major shopping hub near Clearfork. Check out plenty of high-end national chains such as Bath & Body Works, UIta Beauty and Tom Thumb. Locals head to Trader Joe's as the area's closest grocery store. For cocktails to make a home, purchase items from Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Head west about 4 miles to check out Cowtown Farmers Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon for locally produced foods grown within 150 miles of the city.

Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop operates as part of The Trailhead at Clearfork. This bike shop has everything you need to start pedaling your way to good health. Get in shape thanks to the state-of-the-art training center as specialists fit you for your perfect bicycle.

The TCU Bookstore has all of your Horned Frogs apparel for game day. Get your smartphone covers, earbuds and day timers to add accessories to your purple attire. Any fan of TCU shops here for the best selection of university-based merchandise.