Fairmont Bronx, NY

Once part of the Morris family estate, Claremont Village now stands over an area that was once an estate and farmland that grew into a community. A wave of arson crimes in the 1970s damaged or destroyed many of the residential and industrial buildings, leaving the neighborhood a wasteland. Efforts to rebuild and revitalize the neighborhood over the last several decades have garnered residents better access to affordable housing and employment opportunities. The South Bronx Culture Trail serves to preserve the neighborhood's heritage by paying homage to landmarks in the community and educating visitors and residents of the area's rich cultural history. The tour captures key moments such as the birthplace of hip-hop and the construction of the city's oldest record store in an attempt to highlight the area's contribution to the arts.

A collection of tightly packed shops and restaurants on Tremont Avenue serves the neighborhood with counter-service ethnic flavors and small restaurants and cafes. Pass up a traditional fast food lunch in favor of La Lechonera Criolla, a restaurant serving traditional Latin American fare in heaping portions. Try the pernil, a perfectly roasted pork shoulder or the mofongo, a fried plantain-based dish. Generous sides of rice and beans round out this hefty meal. Back Home 2 serves succulent Caribbean fare in a tiny hole-in-the-wall joint. Dishing up Jamaican classics such as beef patties, jerk chicken and curry goat, the tiny dining room remains packed throughout the week. Cosmo's Restaurant on Tremont Avenue houses a cozy diner serving breakfast and lunch to the masses. Fluffy pancakes, French toast and bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches are among some of this diner's specialties. Not known for its nightlife, the neighborhood remains relatively quiet and residential. Walk a few blocks to The Bronx Brewery, serving the borough's only locally-produced beer. Take a tour of the brewery, or just hang out while enjoying one of several brews on tap.

Two subway stations in the distant corners of the neighborhood sit no more than a 10 minute walk away from any point in the neighborhood. The 2 and 5 trains are accessible from either station. The D train provides an express trip downtown to Manhattan from the 167th Street Station. The Bruckner Expressway and Interstates 278, 95 and 895 provide an easily accessible route either in or out of the city. Parking tends to be congested, but some stores and restaurants provide free parking lots. Hailing a taxi isn't difficult, and booking an Uber from your smartphone remains as simple as a few swipes. With the adoption of the Complete Streets program, pedestrian safety has increased with added bike lanes, paths and greenways around the neighborhood. Wider sidewalks and shorter crosswalks accommodate residents wishing to walk the area and bike paths encourage cyclists to utilize the green spaces to get around town.

Residents of the neighborhood get to enjoy Claremont Park, a 38-acre space featuring hilly stretches of lawns, playgrounds and an outdoor public pool. Two playgrounds, baseball fields and basketball courts provide a place for the kids to romp while picnics are enjoyed on the grass. Crotona Park hosts a 127-acre greenspace with its own Olympic-sized swimming pool, 3-acre lake and nature center. An impressive 20 tennis courts, 11 playgrounds and 5 baseball diamonds keep families busy within this sprawling urban oasis. Known for its variety of tree species, the offers amazing beauty for naturalists to appreciate. Claremont Day, held at Claremont Park, brings the community together for bulb planting and flowerbed restoration in the park. Bicycle safety courses, library card enrollment and health screenings for residents are offered alongside complimentary healthy snacks for participants.

The price tag of living in the neighborhood runs considerably lower than nearby midtown Manhattan's high costs. Renting a one bedroom residence costs $1,150 a month and a beer at the local pub costs $7. Getting into the city's center costs $4 one-way, while gas prices tend to be 15 percent higher than the national average.

Find small shops clustered together on Tremont Avenue and the nearby New Horizons Shopping Mall, hosting TJ Maxx, Radioshack and Subway. Frank's Sport Shop's packed interior provides everything you need from batting gloves to soccer balls. Jerseys, baseball bats and work gear round out the selection in this store overflowing with all things sports. Cross Bronx Pet Shop serves the public with a wide selection of pet products and accessories. Live animals such as puppies, kittens and reptiles have children tugging at parent's sleeves, while groomers leave pooches looking and smelling fresh. Casa Amadeo claims the title of the oldest record store in New York City, making the destination an area landmark. Ditch those soulless MP3s for a few hours to search through shelves of obscure vinyl featuring a vast array of Latin American music. Ask the knowledgeable staff if you need help; their musical memory is genius. Grocery options include CCAM Deli Grocery, Ivoire African Market, and Pathmark. Harvest Home Mt. Eden Avenue Market, a farmers market held at Claremont Park every Thursday from late May through the middle of November, hosts locally grown fresh produce and a variety of crafts made by local artisans.