Deerfield Lawrence, KS

Situated along the Wakarusa and Kansas Rivers, Deerfield was originally part of the Shawnee Native American reservation. The region caught the eyes of early settlers coming from New England during the mid-19th century, and they officially founded the community of Lawrence in 1854.

Located on the University of Kansas campus, the KU Natural History Museum houses an impressive collection of dinosaur and animal bones. The facility’s other numerous exhibits include a live snake exhibit, a rock room and a Kansas wildlife collection.

Mingle with the locals at the nearby annual Kansas City Renaissance Festival on 126th Street in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The elaborate themed event features an array of exciting performances, period foods including giant turkey legs, and a chance to meet local like-minded people.

Deerfield’s proximity to downtown Lawrence and the University of Kansas provides quick access to several eclectic restaurants and nightclubs.

Find locally owned eateries along the 6th Street Corridor, including Morningstar’s New York Pizza, where you can start off with the melt-in-your-mouth garlic knots and then go for a large combination pizza, shrimp scampi or an Italian sausage-filled calzone. Hit up Henry T’s on West 6th Street when you have a large entourage to feed. Serving everything from veggie burgers to pizza to fish tacos, this cozy bar and grill’s menu offers something to appease the tastes of every member of your group.

Enjoy an unforgettable upscale dining experience at J. Wilson's, also on West 6th Street. Promising a modern twist and using sustainable products, this laid-back restaurant features locally-sourced steaks, burgers, and chef specialties like Shrimp & Grits, Cedar Fired Trout, and Waves of Grain.

Jackpot Music Hall, a small, intimate live music venue, features red tapestry wallpaper, a Bohemian vibe and a generally packed dance floor. This happening bar’s elevated stage makes every floor spot yield a great view of the night’s entertainment. Renowned for its Bloody Marys, Louise’s West on nearby West 7th Street gives you the perfect neighborhood dive-bar experience. A great beer selection and fun, friendly bartenders make a stop at Louise’s a welcome mid-week treat.

Deerfield’s access to the Kansas City Turnpike and the 6th Street Corridor allow you to get in and out of the neighborhood fairly easily. If you don’t have a car, call a cab, because the Uber rideshare service and hailing a taxi aren’t options in this area. The Lawrence Transit System does provide a few stops in Deerfield that take you to various parts of the community, including downtown Lawrence and Haskell University.

The neighborhood also accommodates cyclists with dedicated bike lanes, including those found along Peterson Road, West 6th Street and George Williams Way. Walking on these streets is also relatively safe, but the long distance between the residential and commercial areas makes driving the primary way to get around the neighborhood. When you do take your car on errands, you'll receive free parking from most area businesses.

Deerfield Park on Princeton Boulevard caters to your older children with its on-site skate park, basketball court and tennis court. This small neighborhood park also houses a softball field and picnic pavilion. Take your younger children to Centennial Park on Rockledge Road. Hosting a spacious children’s play area, this free community park also houses a skate park and a disc golf course. Hosting a butterfly garden, multiple flower and foliage gardens and the annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, South Park on Massachusetts Street provides your whole family with year-round relaxation opportunities. This park also has a kid’s play area, and all Deerfield area parks allow on-leash dogs.

Overall, residing in Deerfield provides you with an average cost of living as compared with the rest of the area. Although you’ll pay approximately $802 a month in rent for a one-bedroom apartment, you’ll offset the cost of the rent with low transportation and entertainment costs.

For example, most of the local bars charge between $5 and $6 for a pint of beer, while a bus ride to the center of town costs just $1. Best of all, gas prices in this area usually fall about 5 percent below the national average.

Nearby Massachusetts Street houses a vast assortment of retail shops, including Gap, Target and the locally owned Weaver's department store. Featuring low- to high-end clothing, shoes, accessories and home decor pieces, this store provides a multitude of gift options at all possible price points. Head down the street to Wild Man Vintage when you want something a little more unique. This well-maintained thrift store showcases clothing, records and odds and ends from nearly every decade of the 20th century. Expect to find pantry and refrigerator staples easily at Hy-vee or Dillons on West 6th Avenue. If you're more into organic, locally sourced foods, check out the Merc Co-Op Market and Deli on nearby Iowa Street. Providing a wide variety of member-only discounts, this co-op allows you to purchase fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood items in one convenient location. If you'd rather just hit up a weekly farmers market, check out the nearby downtown Lawrence Farmers Market early on Saturday mornings to find the freshest local produce, honey and wild game.