Coliseum Willow Park - San Antonio, TX

Coliseum Willow Park, along the northeast side of San Antonio, transformed over time, from 19th-century cattle farms into mid-20th century residential subdivisions. Providing a mix of low-income homes and apartments, this humble neighborhood consists of working-class families that primarily hold manufacturing and labor-oriented jobs.

The neighborhood doesn't house any museums, but Artspace, a great place to soak up the local arts scene, lies just 15 minutes away in downtown San Antonio. This 18,000-square-foot facility houses revolving exhibits of local artists, painters and sculptors. Weekly food truck events, free artists receptions and various ongoing special projects throughout the year make this museum a fun and exciting cultural experience.

The Eastside neighborhood near Coliseum Willow Park hosts the annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on East Houston Street. Live rodeos, nationally acclaimed live music acts and a horse and livestock show provide your entire family with non-stop entertainment.

The small sprinkling of restaurants within Coliseum Willow Park provides you with down-home food served in equally casual dining room atmospheres. Look for the eateries all around town, since they aren't housed along a central restaurant location.

Taqueria Mi Guanajuato, located on Vine Street, prepares traditional Mexican fare. Try one of the daily hand-held breakfast specials or savor the hearty huevos rancheros with bacon during an early-morning or lunchtime dine-in experience.

Jones Sausage House & Barbecue on Martin Luther Drive specializes in house-made, all-beef sausage. This counter-service establishment also prepares ribs and brisket that you can order stuffed into sandwiches or alongside baked beans and potato salad.

East Commerce Street, near the center of the neighborhood, houses the Texas Burger Company. Walk up to the patio window to order one of this eatery's 100-percent-beef burgers and a thick, creamy shake. This hole-in-the-wall provides outside patio dining and a drive-through window.

Also located along East Commerce Street, Alibis’ Sports & Spirits epitomizes the area's dive-bar experience. Friendly bartenders, live local music and a spacious outdoor patio area make each night a totally different yet highly entertaining experience.

When you want a more intimate night with your significant other or a close circle of friends, venture over to Bar du Mon Ami in neighboring Alamo Heights. The classy, contemporary atmosphere, booth-style seating and interesting mix of cocktails on the menu provide just the right vibe for profound, stimulating conversation.

Coliseum Willow Park's convenient access to U.S. Route 90 and U.S. Route 281 provide you with two quick ways to get where you're going. The spread-out design of this car-dependent neighborhood makes walking or biking to area businesses not a feasible option, therefore, if you don't have a car you'll need to make other transportation arrangements. When you do drive, expect free parking at most of the local retail shops and restaurants.

The VIA Metropolitan Transit system provides numerous bus stops throughout the neighborhood, including ones on Martin Luther King Drive, East Commerce Street and East Houston Street. If you'd prefer taking a cab, reserve one by phone or use Uber, since the likelihood of hailing a cab on the street is extremely low. If biking interests you as a sport or an exercise option, use the dedicated bike lanes on Mission Road or Roland Road to experience the safest ride.

Martin Luther King Park on Martin Luther King Drive gives you a place to bring your kids after school and on the weekends. The free neighborhood park features a children's playground and lots of wide-open spaces to walk your leashed dog.

When you want to encounter a multitude of exercise-focused people, go downtown to Hemisfair Park. Situated on the site of the 1968 World's Fair, this free community park houses an enormous children's play area. When weather permits, tons of bikers and hikers meander through the park's paved lanes. Join like-minded others for one of the friendly kickball tournaments that the park hosts each week, or simply stroll through the park to gaze at the artwork, seasonal foliage or flower gardens on display.

Coliseum Willow Park residents experience a drastically lower-than-average cost of living as compared to the surrounding San Antonio area. One-bedroom rentals run approximately $595 per month, and a one-way bus ticket to the center of the neighborhood costs $1.20.

Typical gas prices rest an average of 22 percent below the national average, making taking your car to work and on daily errands an affordable expenditure. Having a drink at a local bar is also easy on your pocketbook, with pints of beer at local pubs usually setting you back between $4 and $5.

Coliseum Willow Park's northeast San Antonio location allows you to arrive quickly at numerous nearby retail shopping destinations. Zip downtown to the Rivercenter Mall alongside the Riverwalk to check out the latest finds from national retail chains, such as Macy's, Victoria's Secret and the Disney Store.

The neighborhood's proximity to Universal City allows you to take part in Straight From the Crate's farmers market on Pat Booker. Drop in to pick up fresh produce, eggs, homemade treats and personal-care products. Sign up for the market's weekly bagged delivery service, which features either a small or large bag filled with freshly picked fruits, vegetables and baked goods. Pick up the rest of your grocery essentials at the H-E-B on New Brauntels Avenue or the Walmart along the I-410 Loop.

You never know what you'll find at Yeya’s Antiques & Oddities on East Commerce Street. This eclectic vintage shop houses the most extensive collection of obscure oddities in the San Antonio area. Plan to spend half a day here when you have the time to transform your home or yard into a one-of-a-kind showplace.

Put the finishing touches on your home décor project with an antique chandelier, door or hardware finish from Architectural Antiques on Dawson Street. This specialty shop houses a small collection of vintage ornamental iron, barber chairs and indoor and outdoor furniture.