East Little York Houston, TX

The East Little York neighborhood, also known as Homestead, sits on the North side of Houston’s 610 Loop. This area has become increasingly gentrified due to the rush of families and professionals who moved to Houston for work opportunities downtown.

Residents and tourists visit the National United States Armed Forces Museum on Wallisville Road to view United States Military gear from wars past. Park for free in the large lot next to the military trucks. Admission costs $10 for adults and children over 12 years old.

You won’t find any art galleries within East Little York, but you can visit Gallery M Squared near downtown to get your fix. This intimate art collective sits in the old Heights Theater, and occasionally serves as a classical music venue. Spend hours getting lost in the artwork that hangs from floor to the ceiling.

Mexican, barbecue and soul food reign supreme in East Little York. Head over to Triple J's Smokehouse for full-course dinners with your choice of rib, beef or sausage meats. Sneak in bites of fried okra while you tear into a baked potato with butter, sour cream and chives. Bring your work buddies for happy hour to load up on margaritas at cheap prices, but try to avoid the dinner rush – the wait tends to run long during the evenings.

Gather the family for a night out at El Jalapeño Mexican Cafe, an authentic Mexican restaurant on Eastex Fairway. Start off with chips and warm salsa followed by fish tacos or green chicken enchiladas. Order cold margaritas for the adults and horchatas for the kids while you admire the South American decor adorning the walls. Don't worry about arriving early for happy hour here; El Jalapeno serves cheap drinks well into the evening.

D&L's Cajun Kitchen on Homestead Road brings soul food to the people of East Little York who rave about the fried shrimp and the crawfish. The traditional cornbread dressing also stands as a local favorite. Don't forget to order a 7Up cake for dessert, and wash it all down with some old-school Kool-Aid.

Locals typically drive into downtown Houston for its wide selection of dive bars and dance clubs. Closer to home, the Forty-Four Club brings a New Orleans vibe to the dance floor, with great DJs, a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and a little bit of Zydeco to top it all off. This club attracts patrons of all ages for fun music and strong drinks.

Locals use cars to run errands or commute to work, but the METRO bus line provides trips once an hour to downtown Houston. Bike or walk this neighborhood, but note that there are few bike lanes. Don’t expect to hail a cab in East Little York; however, taxis are available near the airport and transit stations downtown, and Uber operates in the greater Houston area. If you're driving, you can park at any of the 7,000 public metered parking spaces in Houston for as little as 30 minutes or up to 10 hours. Fees vary by location. East Little York sits alongside Highway 69, which leads into downtown.

Parents with young children go to Tidwell Park for the expansive playground complete with slides and jungle gyms – this park caters to children with disabilities, making it easily enjoyable by all. Work out in the private gym, or sign up for free events at the Tidwell Park community center.

Hikers, runners and sportsmen can take weekend breaks at Spotts Park located near downtown Houston. Start an intramural league and play tennis or basketball with your friends after work, and drink in the marvelous view of the Houston skyline. Bike with your puppy alongside on one of the several trails on a regular basis, and join others once a year to kick off Houston’s Walk for Mental Awareness.

The cost of living in East Little York runs much less than living in the city. A one-bedroom residence here costs roughly $540. Expect to pay as little as $2 for domestic beers and $5 for imports. Gas prices run about 10 percent lower than the national average.

Although East Little York does not house any major shopping areas, you can head downtown to the Galleria, a massive shopping mall with a wide variety of stores. If visiting during the holidays, be sure to take the little ones to the indoor ice rink. Shop at Sephora, Forever 21, and Victoria's Secret, and stop at the food court for a Greek, Asian, American, or Chinese lunch before diving into Macy's for some last-minute purchases. Just make sure to avoid rush-hour traffic; parking tends to get crowded at this time.

Boutique lovers can stop by Hello-Lucky on the weekends for the latest in fashionable art, clothing and jewelry. Dig through adorable T-shirts for yourself and find fun knickknacks for the kids. Rejuvenate your wardrobe and living room and support local artists in one fell swoop. The owner assists Fair Trade artists around the world, helping to support their communities.

Say hello to the friendly staff at Jubilee as you shop for ornamental home accessories or clothing. With a style that lands somewhere between traditional femininity and old-time rusticity, this shop has a flair for all things girlie. Choose from scented soaps and candles and jewelry and scarves for your friends, or head upstairs to peruse the wide assortment of kitschy kitchenware.

Residents shop for groceries at Mi Tienda because of the affordable meat and produce options. Try the in-house bakery for freshly baked Mexican breads, or enjoy the grilled roasted-chicken sandwiches and down an agua fresca to quench your thirst before heading out the door.

Purchase local produce at the Last Organic Outpost in downtown Houston. Tour the urban farm before shopping for your fresh fruits and veggies, and let your children play on the small playground while you talk to the shop owner about the upcoming crops.