Eastwood Hill East - Kansas City, MO

Raytown began as a jumping-off point for settlers who began the westward trek along the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails in the 1820s. Farmers grew crops for people moving west, and eventually wagon makers, blacksmiths and iron workers added their skills to wagon trains.

The Truman Sports Complex, completed in the early 1970s, redefined this neighborhood. Restaurants were frequented by football and baseball fans after games, giving Eastwood Hills East an economic boost.

Raytown Historical Society has the closest museum, about 3 miles south of the neighborhood. See displays and printed information here to learn more about the area's culture, history and growth.

Annual events close to the neighborhood include opening day at Arrowhead Stadium in September, which usually involves a military flyover of jets from Whiteman Air Force Base. Opening Day for the Kansas City Royals in April also marks a huge day near Eastwood Hills East.

Several fast food restaurants ring the neighborhood just west of Interstate 435. The Peachtree Restaurant specializes in gourmet soul food served six days per week a few blocks west of I-435. Baked and fried chicken dominate the buffet. Both types of chicken feature a good blend of spices, juices and breading. Check out the mac and cheese made with several different kinds of cheeses and a special spice mixture. Fried catfish and baked fish appear on the buffet for seafood selections, barbecued beef sausages come with a sweet sauce and smothered pork chops fall right off the bone. Food gets refreshed often because the place remains busy. When you arrive after church, get ready to wait in line because Peachtree serves as a gathering place on Sunday afternoon. The Sunday buffet adds tender beef brisket and baked turkey at the carving station.

Deke's BBQ looks like a little shack, but the meat doesn't skimp on taste. The two-meat sandwich with pulled pork and beef combined with a side of beans marks the specialty of the house. Rib tips come in your food container as a meal itself even though these list as a side on the menu. Deep-fried turkey gives you a choice apart from barbecue, though the barbecue sauce creates the right mix of sweet and spice for every meat.

Niecie's Restaurant represents another local favorite in Raytown. The place opens early each morning to serve people on their way to work to other parts of the city. Try a huge plate of baked ham next to eggs made your way. Go for traditional Italian sausage or lower-fat turkey sausage for breakfast to get your day started on the right foot. Order breakfast at any time of the day, including the Southern favorite chicken and waffles. Fried chicken dinners take over the normal dinner menu, and you can also savor smothered steak dinners on Sunday.

Local nightclub Funky Town KC features a 1970s theme and huge drink specials every night. This popular night spot mixes younger and older crowds for fun all evening long. This cash-only establishment has a food menu, plenty of retro music alongside newer hits and an owner who doubles as the club's DJ. Even if you don't want to dance, just sit, eat and take in the funky atmosphere and hole-in-the-wall weirdness of this dance club.

Most streets have sidewalks, which makes walking a safe choice to get around the neighborhood. Although no streets have dedicated bike lanes, Sni-A-Bar Road, Raytown Road and Blue Ridge Cutoff have enough space for bicyclists to maneuver.

Cars are the most popular form of travel. The neighborhood features easy access to I-435 from Eastwood Trafficway to the west or Raytown Road to the north. Public areas, businesses and churches have plenty of free parking spaces. If you need to schedule a ride, several taxi services and Uber service the area.

Buses from KCATA route 47 stop at Sni-A-Bar Road and Blue Ridge Cutoff. These buses start picking up passengers at 4:34 a.m. and go until 11:26 p.m. on weekdays.

Palmer Park dominates the southwest part of the neighborhood with wooded, meandering trails near I-435. Eastwood Park contains wooded areas, a large field, a few small lakes and a concrete walking path. Bring your leashed pooch for a long walk and get some exercise.

The Kansas City Zoo lies less than 5 miles away from the neighborhood. Spend a day seeing wild animals swim, roam and roar. Annual events at the zoo include the Halloween "Boo at the Zoo" celebration, back to school day in August and superhero weekend to welcome spring time weather. Be sure to wish Nikita, the zoo's huge polar bear, a happy birthday each year around Nov. 14 as he eats a specially made cake for the occasion.

Living costs less in Eastwood Hills East as compared to downtown Kansas City because housing options are less expensive in this area. A one-bedroom apartment goes for an average of $475 per month. Gasoline typically runs 13 percent lower than the national average. A pint of beer sets you back around $2.75 at local bars. A day pass for KCATA buses costs $3 to take you anywhere within the transit system's reach.

The Hickory Hills Shopping Center on the east side represents the closest retail area. The Brywood Centre to the south contains high-value establishments. Brywood also has Price Chopper, the nearest grocery store to Eastwood Hills East. The Raytown Farmers Market, 3 miles south, sells locally grown produce during warmer months.

Blue Parkway Bait & Pet Supplies at 55th and Blue Parkway sells live bait, lures and fishing tackle to aspiring outdoor enthusiasts. Ask the staff for advice on what fish are biting in local lakes, and be sure to check out the store's large bags of pet food. Friendly staff offer to carry heavy purchases out to your vehicle for you.