Crestline - Birmingham, AL

Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama, once housed the Creek Nation, a group of Native American people. Colonists from the northern reaches of the country seized the land in the early 1800s, fully taking the land from the Creek people by 1836.

Birmingham grew as an center of industry for the Civil War effort, following the discovery of great deposits of iron ore in surrounding hillsides. After the war, the city prospered economically with its iron and steel industry.

Activists made history resisting the oppressive Jim Crow Laws and social norms of the pre-Civil Rights Era, calling attention to the prejudiced practices of the nation at large. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. even spent time in the Birmingham Jail after being arrested for participating in a non-violent protest. History buffs can visit the Birmingham Historical Museum and Park, a multi-building complex with tours, lectures and special events. Art lovers ought to check out the Birmingham Art Crawl, a monthly opening of galleries in the downtown, held the first Friday of every month.

Crestline contains a wealth of culinary options that defy expectations. You can find little pockets of eateries nestled together on both the southwest and the northeast ends of the neighborhood.

Shangri-La, a mainstay of the Crestline dining scene wows customers with dishes such as the sesame shrimp, a dish of tangy sauce-coated fried shrimp. At lunch, it comes served with a side of hot-and-sour or egg-drop soup and an egg roll. Shangri-La's large tables and busy atmosphere make the restaurant perfect for large groups or families.

La Paz brings the flavors and cuisine of south of the border to the American South. Patrons return time and time again for the queso cheese dip, a Tex-Mex delight that you can split with a large group. La Paz's drinks menu replete with margaritas and imported beers makes the restaurant a perfect location for late dinners, open till 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mafiaoza's could only improve on its authentic New York experience if it opened a subway platform beneath the dining room. While it serves a variety of standard toppings such as mushrooms, olives and peppers, guests can also enjoy more esoteric fare, like drunken goat cheese and shrimp. However, the best way to appreciate Mafiaoza's New York integrity proves to be ordering a slice of cheese. Enjoy a brew and a live band every Tuesday, and don't be surprised if you find a loose subway token on the ground.

Anyone in Crestline looking to imbibe or stay out late has a stool waiting for them at Otey's Tavern. Watch live music every Thursday through Saturday, and enjoy a cocktail any regular hour. Anyone looking for a more club-like experience can make the short drive to the Five Points South area and visit establishments such as Platinum of Birmingham and Blue Monkey Lounge.

Neighborhoods require automotive transportation for many day-to-day errands and chores. Most residents and visitors choose to use cars when getting around Crestline. Public parking costs nothing and can be found with ease. Interstate 20 cuts a path past the northern reaches of the Crestline. Accessing 20 takes less than 15 minutes from any point in Crestline, and you can then access the rest of Birmingham's tangled web of freeways, including Interstates 22, 65, 59 and 459.

Birmingham's MAX public transit system supports Crestline with bus lines, which run from 5 am to 9 pm on weekdays, and 5 am to 12:30 am on weekends.

Hailing a cab doesn't happen easily in Crestline. Anyone looking to take a taxi should call ahead, and Uber does not serve the Birmingham area.

Biking in Crestline means sharing streets with cars without any sort of bike-lane protection. Bikers should use caution when riding the streets of Crestline.

Crestline takes its name from Crestline Park, a small park nestled in the northeast corner of the neighborhood that provides residents with a much-needed green space. However, the park only contains a few acres of greenery without any sort of athletic facilities or play structures. Parents should feel comfortable bringing their kids here to play, and owners of dogs should know that Crestline Park welcomes dogs on a leash, as well. The park lies on the route for the annual Harper's Heart Run, a yearly marathon dedicated to raising money for congenital heart defect research.

Crestline costs about the same as the rest of Birmingham on average for day-to-day cost-of-living expenses. Rent in Crestline, $847 a month for a single-bedroom on average, costs less than rent in downtown Birmingham, which averages $900, but more than the rest of the city at $680. A beer costs around $2.50, and gas prices run about 5 percent less than the national average.

Crestline features shopping along its main corridors, Montclair and Montevallo Roads. Birmingham Bicycle serves the community with high-value touring and racing bikes, a perfect stop for anyone looking to make an investment in a well-crafted piece of machinery.

The Neighborhood Hops and Vine shop stocks a well-curated selection of craft beers and artisanal wines, making it a perfect stop on your way home or before a dinner party. The Pants Store sells a wide selection of fashions for your lower half. You can also find jackets, shirts, and other assorted clothing items for men, women and children at their Crestline storefront.

A Publix and a Winn Dixie grocery store provide Crestline residents with most of their grocery needs. The Pepper Place Saturday Market, near to the heart of Birmingham, provides the closest source for vendors selling locally-grown and manufactured goods.