Concourse - Bronx, NY

Forming the heart of the neighborhood, the Grand Concourse was conceived in 1890 as a way of connecting Manhattan to northern Bronx, its vision inspired by Paris’s Champs-Élysées. Notable sights line the street today, including an impressive collection of art deco apartment buildings as well as the Bronx Walk of Fame. Of course, it’s Yankee Stadium that is the real crowd-puller. Joining guided tours throughout the year, fans can explore the New York Yankees Museum and pay tribute to Yankee greats.

Other ways of enjoying the neighborhood’s art and culture scene include a visit to The Bronx Museum of the Arts, where exhibits, film festivals and dance workshops showcase local talent. Nearby, hop on the free Bronx Culture Trolley, which stops in the South Bronx Cultural Corridor. Time it right, and you can join Concourse residents in painting the streets red, white and blue during the annual Dominican Day Parade.

In true New York City fashion, the Concourse area features a multitude of dining options, ranging from hearty all-American to authentic Dominican. Many of the restaurants and bars situated around Yankee Stadium cater to fans; however, quality eateries exist in other parts of the neighborhood too. One of these, friendly sandwich shop Lily's Cafe, serves hot food fast. Choose the chicken tacos or chicken Caesar salad wrap, and have a shot of full-bodied espresso on your way out. Another nearby option, Sun Fung Chinese Restaurant on Marcy Place provides customers with impressively fast service for sit-down meals, take-out and delivery. Once you begin entering stadium territory, head for popular lunchtime spot, Court Deli, where reliable options such as corned beef and pastrami make for ideal quick bites before the game. Fitting for a traditionally American day out, head to NYY Steak Yankee Stadium on East 161st Street. Located inside the stadium, the steakhouse appropriately surrounds diners with baseball-themed decor, providing a true New York Yankee experience that includes tasty, high-quality dishes. Go for a classic steak, and opt for the long-bone ribeye. Keep in mind that this restaurant is only open during the baseball season. A number of more exotic options exist in the area too, and some come highly recommended by locals, such as the Feeding Tree on Gerard Avenue. The place to go for homestyle Jamaican fare, this casual restaurant provides diners with food packed full of flavour at very reasonable prices. Try the curried and jerk chicken for a true Jamaican experience, and order it with one of the shop's super-cheap, delectable fruit juices. Another exciting option comes in the form of Flavas International Grill. Serving a wide variety of Caribbean dishes, the restaurant's warm hospitality, well-seasoned meals and healthy options make it a popular spot. Fried chicken, pepper steak, curried goat, oxtail stew and jerk chicken top the list of popuar choices. Locals love sides such as yams, plantains, beans and rice. A number of bars in the area provide visitors with plenty of choice when it comes to pre- or post-game drinks. Yankee Tavern caters to fans throughout the year. Flat screen TVs, a varied beer selection and traditional bar snacks contribute towards a fun atmosphere among fans, who can stay into the early hours of the morning if they wish. Also open year-round, Hard Rock Cafe, located in the stadium, pulsates during games. Other sports bar options include Billy's Sports Bar, with friendly staff and a fun atmosphere, and Stan's Sports Bar, which only opens before home games.

Concourse residents enjoy world-class standards of transportation. With the Grand Concourse on one side of the neighborhood and the I-87 on another, drivers easily connect to Westchester County, Manhattan and New Jersey. It’s not necessary to own a car, however, since Uber operates in the area, as well as car-sharing services from ZipCar and RelayRides. Hailing a taxi is a breeze on any street in the area. Plus, the neighborhood’s impressive public transport network provides residents with alternative options.

The 4, B and D subway lines take passengers to Manhattan in one direction, while access to the Metro-North light rail takes them to Westchester County, Connecticut and New Jersey in the other. A number of regular and express bus routes get residents around the Bronx, into Manhattan and up to Westchester with ease. The Concourse also caters to bikers and walkers, with its urban infrastructure and close proximity of retail shops, services, restaurants and bars. Bikers make use of dedicated bike lanes on main roads running through the neighborhood. Walkers have access to wide sidewalks on every street.

A Concourse community recreational space located on River Avenue in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, Macombs Dam Park is equipped for football, baseball and basketball and has a running track for joggers. Mullaly Park, right on the other side of Yankee Stadium, adds handball courts, a skate park, soccer fields, a pool and a recreation center. The trifecta of park space in this area is Heritage Field, the site of the old Yankee Stadium that now provides the community with additional outdoor programming space.

Locals also play basketball and baseball in Franz Sigel Park, a hidden gem named after a German immigrant and educator who co-founded the German-American Institute. This dog-friendly park provides kids with a playground and bathrooms.

Joyce Kilmer Park, across from the Bronx courthouse, offers big, shady trees and ample seating for the area's legal professionals to eat lunch. The park is named for poet and journalist Joyce Kilmer who wrote the famous poem "Trees" in 1913. The beautiful marble monument known as the Heinrich Heine Memorial, also called the Lorelei Fountain, adds to the history and beauty of this park.

The cost of living in the Concourse area is around 14 percent cheaper than the New York average. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs $1,060 per month. The price of gas in New York typically trends 11 percent higher than the national average, while a subway or local bus ride costs $2.50. A beer at a local pub costs around $5 or $6.

For a wide range of choices, including various national retailers, head to Bronx Terminal Market next to the Major Deegan Expressway. Along with restaurants and take-out options, Home Depot, Burlington Coat Factory, Toys “R” Us, Target and Marshalls are located in this mall.

The neighborhood also provides residents with a number of sports clothing and discount stores, such as Pinstripe Collectible on River Avenue, where fan apparel appeals to baseball lovers on a budget. The well-stocked store caters to men, women and children. Other options include the nearby Slam Dunk on East 167th Street, specializing in sports clothing, and Jimmy Jazz on East 170th Street, a retail chain providing shoppers with urban streetwear and sneakers.

Abundant shops and grocers are available in and around the neighborhood. The bigger stores include Foodtown on Gerard Avenue, with a large selection of dairy and meat as well as the option of grabbing a hot drink while you shop, and Fine Fare Supermarkets on East 167th Street. For smaller food shops, stop in at one of the local delis and grocers scattered around the neighborhood or visit the farmers market at Grand Concourse and 156th Street. Open every Tuesday in the summer, this well-priced greenmarket presents browsers with a beautiful array of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as yummy baked treats.