Ewing and Carroll Trenton, NJ

The Ewing and Carroll neighborhood grew up in the late 1800s in Trenton, and the architectural consistency of that time can still be seen today on the streets lined with Italianate and Second Empire buildings. During a time when business magnates and workers alike lived near their places of employment, the area combined industrial factories, working-class housing and a few mansions. The neighborhood began to decline in the 1960s.

Just to the west of the Ewing and Carroll neighborhood sits the William Trent House, a lovingly restored 1719 mansion with an impressive history. Also, just outside Ewing and Carroll's borders is the Sun National Bank Center, home to WWE events, circuses, ice shows and major concerts from top-name entertainers.

While few restaurants line the streets of the Ewing and Carroll neighborhood, local workers can find a handful of spots for workday lunches scattered around the area. Crossing to the other side of US Route 1 opens the door to a few more options.

Trenton Social brings a hipster vibe to this industrial area with a giant tree in the middle of the dining room, and local artists' work featured on the walls. This place attracts a diverse mix of folks ranging from students to socialites to street people; all here to enjoy the blackened salmon, mac and cheese balls, and sushi. Each night of the week features a different kind of entertainment, ranging from indie film screenings to local bands to open mic spoken word nights. The bar also has a terrific beer selection on tap.

Check out Guaterico Deli for Guatemalan specialties filled with flavor. Pick up an English menu near the cash register to understand what you're eating, and then feast on chicharron pupusas stuffed with pork crackling or chorizo tacos. Pizza-Grill at the Trenton Transit Center helps hungry commuters at all hours of the day with a wide selection of sandwiches, cheesesteaks, salads and pizza made fresh 24/7.

Just across Highway 1, Joe's Mill Hill Saloon fills up with local workers for happy hour thanks to the relaxing dive bar atmosphere, created when an old-school Atlantic City bar was moved here. Enjoy a great beer selection and live jazz on the weekends. Downstairs in the tiny basement, Millhill Basement manages to combine true craft beers and hard-edged punk rock for true fans.

The Trenton Transit Center sits right in the middle of the Ewing and Carroll neighborhood, making this area a hub for public transportation. Locals have easy access by rail and bus to New York's Penn Station, Newark Liberty International Airport, Princeton, Ewing Township, Philadelphia, and all over Trenton. While you're not likely to find many cabs roaming the streets of the neighborhood, you can pick one up at the Transit Center, or use your phone to summon a cab or a ride with Uber.

Ewing and Carroll residents who choose to drive have US Route 1 running right along the west side of the neighborhood, ready to whisk them off to any destination from Maine to Key West. Interstates 195 and 295 connect Trenton to the rest of New Jersey and Delaware, while Interstate 95 also runs the length of the Atlantic seaboard. While you can find street parking, many locals prefer to arrange for private parking to keep their cars safe.

While Ewing and Carroll doesn't have any designated bike lanes, most of the local roads are bicycle-friendly, and the small neighborhood makes it possible to walk to local restaurants and shops, though few locals choose to do so after dark.

Few neighborhood parks break up the urban grit of the Ewing and Carroll neighborhood, but just to the southeast, Columbus Park brings local Little Leaguers to play their games and practice at the batting cages. The park also features a t-ball field for aspiring Little League players, as well as playgrounds and shade trees.

Nearby Hetzel Field includes not only baseball diamonds but also a pool, spray pool and poolhouse, as well as picnic facilities. Take a stroll through the wooded section of the park and pause as you cross the Assunpink Creek to enjoy a breath of wilderness in the midst of the city.

The cost of living in Ewing and Carroll equals that of the rest of Trenton. When you're going to drive around town, expect to pay about 4 percent over the national average for a gallon of gasoline. Getting around town by bus costs you $1.50, and a train into New York runs $15.50 each way.

When you want to stop for a beer at a local pub, it'll set you back about $5. Your one-bedroom apartment should run you about $625 per month.

You won't find significant high-end shopping options in the Ewing and Carroll neighborhood, and even in neighboring communities, pickings tend to be slim.

Cococo Home, northeast of Ewing and Carroll, sells custom-made sofas and other furniture, as well as other pieces that look custom-made. Stop by the showroom to pick out exactly the right sofa and fabric for your new home.

Buy4Less Tuxedo stands ready to help you when you have a wedding or formal event to attend. Drop by for a fitting or order what you want online and have it delivered direct to your door.

Many local residents do their grocery shopping at Food Bazaar on South Clinton Avenue, where you'll find a wide selection of Indian and Latin ingredients. Most other neighborhood grocery stores tend to be small bodegas and delis selling small selections of food. The nearest farmer's market takes place up in Lawrenceville.