Deutschtown - Pittsburgh, PA

The area originated as part of a 3,000-acre land tract created by the state to encourage settlement north of the Ohio River. As part of the plan, what we now know as East Allegheny was set aside as farm land. The early immigrants, mostly German in ethnicity, named the neighborhood Deutschtown and developed a residential and commercial district during the 1900s. In 1984, the Deutschtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Self-guided walking tours help you learn more about this historic neighborhood. In East Allegheny, residents can walk to a number of noteworthy museums. Right on East Ohio Street, the Photo Antiquities Museum celebrates the history of photography. The famous Andy Warhol Museum and Children's Museum of Pittsburgh sit nearby. Take part in annual neighborhood events such as the Christmas Light Up gathering or the Deutschtown Music Festival, a free series of concerts in multiple genres.

East Allegheny's varied mix of restaurants fill up customers without breaking the bank. You'll find most of these eateries East Ohio Street. The comfortable Bistro To Go specializes in New American cuisine, and residents go there for a quick brunch, lunch or dinner. The standard menu includes weekly specials, and as the name implies, you can get your food to go or eat at the dining room or outdoor tables. Locals love the brunch buffet, where you can have an omelette made to your liking at the omelette bar.

China Taste stands out as the neighborhood spot for satisfying that Chinese food craving. While nothing fancy in terms of decor, the clean interior and attentive staff keep the focus on food. Combo meals add value to your order, such as the Hunan shrimp combo which comes with fried rice, soup and enormous pieces of shrimp in a spicy sauce.

Legends of the North Shore earns top marks for its Italian fare. The BYOB policy permits you to drink your preferred wine while you eat, with a small corkage fee. Chef Dan makes diners feel right at home as he cooks each order from an entertaining open kitchen. Order the margherita bruschetta or antipasto for appetizers, and try the mussels bianca over linguini as an entrée. With friendly service and big portions of classic Italian cuisine, it comes as no surprise that Pittsburgh Magazine awarded Legends of the North Shore the best restaurant award of 2012.

While you can easily walk or drive into Downtown Pittsburgh for nighttime entertainment, you really have everything you need right in East Allegheny. Choose from over 50 microbrew and craft beers while munching on free popcorn at The Park House. Get there on Wednesdays for live bluegrass music and Yuengling specials. The James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy instead plays the smooth tones of jazz music for its live performances. Soak up the retro atmosphere as you drink from the cocktails and grab a bite to eat.

You can get around in East Allegheny by car, public transportation or simply using your legs. Interstate 279, referred to locally as Parkway North, runs through the heart of the neighborhood. Perhaps the most important local road, East Ohio Street functions as the neighborhood's main street. Residents can park on the streets for free throughout most of the residential area, and the extremely walkable neighborhood lets you easily complete errands on foot. Cyclists also ride around the neighborhood, though there are no bike lanes directly in East Allegheny.

Yellow Taxi and Uber reliably provide driving services to residents. To travel around the city, board the buses of the Port Authority of Allegheny County. The Allegheny station of the Pittsburgh Light Rail lies just a short distance west of the neighborhood, and locals use it to connect to Downtown Pittsburgh.

Outdoor parks and trails either near or within East Allegheny give residents the chance to catch some fresh air. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail runs along the Allegheny River just south of the neighborhood, and residents use it to stroll or jog through scenic views; bring your leashed dog along for the trip. Walk over to the adjacent neighborhood of Troy Hill for the attractions at Cowley-Goettmann Park, featuring baseball fields, basketball courts and a large children's playground. A spray park opens up during the spring and summer, as an array of giant water canons cool off playful children.

Dating back to 1867 as the oldest park in the city, the Allegheny Commons Parks sits at the western border of East Allegheny. The park as a whole consists of three parts, the Allegheny Commons West Park, North Park and East Park. You can't find a more beautiful place on the North Side to relax and hold a picnic on the lush green. Additional park features include a small lake, playgrounds, dog park, and trails. Located in the park, the National Aviary bird zoo is the country's largest aviary. Visit the zoo to observe over 600 birds and 200 species.

Allegheny Commons Park hosts a few of East Allegheny's most important annual festivals. The German Parade & Auto Display begins at Allegheny Commons East Park, showcasing antique German autos before concluding with a traditional German buffet. The largest children's fall festival in the city takes place during East Allegheny's annual Pumpkinfest. Held at the East Park, thousands attend to participate in hay rides, games, pumpkin decorating and more.

The cost of living in East Allegheny sits comfortably below national and state averages, and about 3 percent below Pittsburgh as a whole. You can find a one-bedroom apartment in East Allegheny for a rent as low as $463 per month.

Residents pay a fare of $2.50 to take the buses into Downtown Pittsburgh, while the nearby light rail station can be used free of charge. As compared to the national average, gas prices in East Allegheny cost 10 percent more. The local bars and pubs in the area charge about $5 for a beer.

In contrast to many of the neighborhoods on the North Side, East Allegheny has its own blossoming shopping district on East Ohio Street, so residents can step outside and quickly tend to their shopping needs in the immediate area. New stores open up all the time to add to East Ohio Street's action.

Allegheny Antiques helps you furnish your home with affordable, vintage decorations and furniture. In keeping with the historic flavor of the neighborhood, the independent store sells Victorian lampshades, antique linens, beds, couches and rare collectibles. An organized inventory means you don't have to waste any time rummaging through stacks of items to find what you want.

Beautify yourself at Annette Beauty Supply, one of the top stores of its type in the neighborhood. The employees greet and treat each customer with care, advising them about the latest beauty and hair care products. Not just for females, men can shop there for razors and beard and mustache products.

When you need to get your groceries, you can stop by the local Giant Eagle on Cedar Avenue. Every Friday from May through November, the East Allegheny Farmers Market in Allegheny Commons Park sells fresh farm foods from dozens of vendors, and fills up with hundreds of eager shoppers.