Forest View - Lansing, MI

The first European explorer to this region was Hugh Heward. His team landed here in 1790. In 1836, two brothers from New York plotted this town and began to sell it off as commercial and residential real estate. The neighborhood received a further boost when Lansing became the capital of Michigan.

For good museums, you have to drive to downtown Lansing. The Michigan Historical Museum on W Kalamazoo street gives a glimpse into the past history of this region. For car lovers, R.E. Olds Transportation Museum on Museum Dr provides hours of entertainment. Katalyst Gallery on Turner Street features the works of local artists.

Common Ground festival that takes place on N Cedar street every year has good rock and country music concerts during the summer months. The Michigan Rock and Brew festival also has good rock concerts and local beer.

Forest View and its neighborhoods have abundant dining choices that serve different cuisines. A must-visit place in the Forest View neighborhood is Naing Myanmar Family Restaurant. This Burmese restaurant serves authentic Burmese dishes such as tom yum soup, papaya salad, coconut chicken noodle soup and maggi goreng soup. Each of these dishes has a unique flavor to it, delighting the senses with new taste experiences. Cheap prices and welcoming owners make this place popular among locals, so it tends to be crowded during both lunch and dinner times. If you plan to dine here, make sure you prepare yourself for a long wait.

Fleetwood Diner, a hip little diner on S Cedar street, opens it's doors all through the day and night. This popular diner serves the famous Hippie Hash – homemade hash browns topped with grilled tomato, broccoli, onion, capsicum and feta cheese. The restaurant uses farm fresh ingredients, and this reflects in the taste of its dishes. Other than hash browns, the diner proffers burgers, milkshakes, and omelets that can be had for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Soup Spoon Cafe on E Michigan Avenue has six soups made in the traditional slow-cooking way. This fusion restaurant mixes up different cuisines to come up with unique pairings such as naan (Indian bread) with vegetable stir-fry or French bread with Greek tenderloin linguine. When you want a dinner for under $10, come here. Great food and friendly staff add to the experience of dining here.

Those looking for an exciting evening out drive to downtown Lansing. In business since 1933 and the recipient of Lansing's first liquor license, Stober's on E Michigan Avenue features a well-stocked bar that serves everything from beer and wine to mixed drinks. Great bartenders come up with innovative cocktails when you ask for something different. Its pirate mural interiors add to the charm of clubbing here. This place has a jukebox and a shuffle board too.

Forest view remains well-connected by bus routes that connect residents to downtown Lansing and other suburbs. Many people prefer to take their cars due to its proximity to I-96 and I-496, making travel to Ann Arbor and Detroit relatively quick. Parking can be hard to find the closer you get to the university, so plan ahead. Spots are free in most places within the general neighborhood.

Sidewalks and slower-moving traffic throughout the neighborhood make biking and walking a good option for short trips and exercise.

Hawk Island County Park on Cavanaugh Road has a nice running/walking track that winds around a beautiful lake. The park also has a playground for children and is a good place for a day spent fishing. Dogs on leashes are welcome in the park. Don't forget your wallet, as residents pay $3 to enjoy the park. Non-residents pay $5 for park admission.

With good public amenities, low crime rates, and a low cost of living, it is hard to find a neighborhood quite like Forest View in the area. Forest View sits at 18.3 percent lower than the national average cost of living.

This low cost reflects across all amenities with a single bedroom apartment renting for an average of $642 a month. A pint of beer costs an average of $4 at the local pubs. Gas prices also sit at 8 percent lower than the average national price, and a trip to downtown Lansing will cost you $1.25 on the bus.

Cedar Street has the closest shopping complex, the Cedar Street Shopping Center. This center has only a few shops that sell clothes and some restaurants to dine. For a larger selection of apparel and restaurants, head to Eastwood Towne Center on Preyde Boulevard. It features many brand name stores in clothing, shoes, books and specialty stores, including American Eagle, DSW and Pier 1 Imports. Many restaurants and coffee shops add to the convenience of shopping here.

To shop in a local store, go to Valueland World Mission on South Cedar Street. This thrift store has a wide selection of products everyday because of its fast turnover rate, and its rates are also one of the lowest in this neighborhood. The book section is arranged by genre, making it easy to find just the right book.

For a wide selection of men's clothing, go to Kositchek's on N Washington Square. This store has a long history that is backed by excellent customer service. The collection of men's clothing makes it a favorite shopping spot of locals.

Handy's Food Market on Willow street or American International Bulk Food on Pennsylvania avenue proffer a variety of groceries from meats to canned goods. For fresh produce during the summer months, you'll find the Lansing City Market or Allen Street Farmer's Market can keep you covered.