Fleetwood-Concourse Village - Bronx, NY

Until the early 20th century, most of the Bronx consisted of vast farms and parklands. The opening of the first subway station initiated a housing boom of residents fleeing the tenements of Manhattan. By the 1930s, the neighborhood expanded so much that another subway line and station were added. Today, the village stands as an architecturally diverse meeting spot of arts and culture.

In celebration of the area's devotion to preserving the ethnic culture, The Bronx Museum of Arts houses a diverse collection of pieces by artists from Africa, Asia and South America, with new exhibits opening on a regular basis. The Hostos Centre for Arts and Culture hosts an art gallery and multiculturally themed events in its 900-seat theater. A celebration of performing arts, the center stands as a venue for theater, dance and music.

A collection of restaurants in the Hub and a few neighborhood quick-serve spots and diners serving Latin, African, and Chinese food make up the dining landscape of the neighborhood. Forgo pizzas and sandwich lunches for a taste of Hungry Bird, serving up traditional Indian dishes of vegetable samosas, garlic naan and vindaloo in a small, minimalist atmosphere. Try the Hungry Bird special, a combination of chicken samosas and chicken tikki masala to experience a sampling of the best dishes.

Tiny's Pizza and Pasta encompasses all things New York Italian with its cozy dining space and thick slices of pizza. The personal pizza with a sesame seed crust brings with it a cult following around the neighborhood.

Packed between the courthouse and Yankee Stadium, the Sheridan Market houses the neighborhood's best bet for a takeout breakfast and lunch. Healthy salads, smoothies, paninis and burgers compete with pastries and cakes for diner's loyalty. Lines form around lunch so try to visit early for a late breakfast or early lunch.

Papaye Diner serves cafeteria-style Ghanian food, a popular flavor within the Bronx. Dishes such as emotuo and peanut soup, and fried yam and fish are served within the simple yet clean dining room. Try the joloff rice, a popular West African dish containing rice, spices and tomatoes with a distinct flavor that has patrons coming back for more.

If you're looking for a night out, a train to midtown brings you into the heart of some of the nation's best clubs, bars and lounges. For a closer night of fun, the streets near Yankee Stadium are lined with sports bars, restaurants and lounges. The Dugout serves up tall boy PBR's for bargain basement prices right across the street from the stadium. The massive space entertains hundreds of revelers pre-gaming before heading to the stadium as well as groups going out for a night on the town. A pool table, dance floor and weekend entertainment keep the crowds coming in throughout the year.

Manhattan is only a short train ride away, with the B & D trains traveling beneath the Grand Concourse and each station easily accessible by foot. Metro-North's Melrose Station gets passengers to Midtown's Grand Central Terminal in roughly 20 minutes and bus stops throughout the neighborhood drop residents off locally and to the surrounding boroughs.

The Major Deegan Expressway and Interstates 278, 95 and 895 provide an easily accessible route for motorists. Congested parking in the Yankee Stadium area can be expected, but most of the residential neighborhood remains easily navigable. You'll find it easier to call ahead for a cab than to hail one on the street, or book an Uber pickup from your smartphone.

The borough participates in the Complete Streets program, a pedestrian safety initiative adding bike lanes, paths and greenways to the neighborhood in an effort to accommodate bikers and pedestrians. Shorter crosswalks and wider sidewalks encourage pedestrians to utilize the spaces for foot traffic or cycling.

You can find a surprising amount of greenery in this urban oasis, with parks, greenways and gardens abounding throughout the neighborhood. Joyce Kilmer Park features a sprawling playground for the kids and plenty of open grass for picnicking.

Franz Sigel Park supplies basketball courts, baseball fields and playgrounds along with tree-lined walking paths and benches for relaxing. A dog park with a fenced-in area allows dogs to run free sans leash in a backdrop filled with lush shade trees.

Just north of the neighborhood, Claremont Park and Crotona Park provide residents with a place to escape the urban landscape with Olympic-sized swimming pools, scenic running and biking trails, and over 20 tennis courts.

The Bronx Culture Trolley makes a cultural loop through the lower Grand Concourse, providing visitors and residents a free ride through the area's hottest cultural attractions, restaurants and entertainment venues. Every first Wednesday of the month, riders are treated to free poetry readings, art exhibits and live performances while getting a first-hand experience of the area's rich culture.

Living in Concourse Village costs considerably less than nearby midtown Manhattan, with a one-bedroom apartment running $1,108 a month. A beer at the local watering hole costs $7. A one-way ticket to the city's center costs $4 on the subway, while gas prices run 15 percent higher than the national average.

Hailed as the Times Square of the Bronx, The Hub lies only a few blocks away from Concourse Village. National chains and independent shops line the streets of this area that brings over 200,000 pedestrians passing through daily. Within the village, you'll find a smattering of shops and boutiques and a movie theater to entertain. Part of the Bronx Culture Trolley Night, the Artisan's Boutique features arts and crafts created by Bronx artisans. The marketplace exists to encourage entrepreneurial activities by local craftsmen and gives patrons an opportunity to support the local arts scene.

Thriftland USA houses a used goods store on steroids. Racks and shelves filled with clothing, books, toys make up the landscape of this warehouse-sized space. A boombox tape player or 1980s prom dress may come in handy one day, so pick one up from Thriftland.

Grocery options in the neighborhood include Foodtown, and Food Bazaar Supermarket. Grand Concourse Greenmarket hosts a seasonal farmers market, providing families with locally grown produce, fresh baked goods and friendly faces every Tuesday.