Harbor Town - Memphis, TN

In the 1960s, Memphis officials diverted Wolf River so it flowed into the Mississippi River, north of the peninsula called Mud Island. That diversion made the area safe to occupy, and in 1982, the city opened Mud Island to the public.

Developers attempted to create a "walkable" utopian community in the area, and they built homes, apartment buildings, museums and shops within close proximity to each other. To ensure locals had access to downtown, city officials linked the two areas by bridge and ferry services, and families eager for an alternative to suburbia flocked to settle in the area.

The area houses the Mississippi River Museum, a celebration of the river with an emphasis on its relationship with the steamboat, and the Mud Island Amphitheater, a popular outdoor concert venue. Locals in search of culture also frequent the Brooks Museum of Art and festivals such as the River Arts Fest.

Restaurants make their homes primarily in the southern part of Greenbelt Park-Lagoon, or locals hop over the river to enjoy eateries in the uptown or downtown area of Memphis.

Locals start their days at Cafe Eclectic. Located in the heart of Mud Island, this coffee shop bakes its own goodies from scratch on site, and it serves Southern breakfast classics such as grits with jalapeños and white cheddar or sweet potato hash with bacon and eggs.

For lunch or dinner, check out the Movie and Pizza Company. Loved by locals, this eatery serves up pizzas with fantastic names such as Veggie Heaven, Buffalo Chicken Salad and Kentucky Brown on your choice of crust including an amazing garlic-brushed brushetta crust. The space features rustic architecture, big screen TVs and a friendly vibe. When you finish dining, browse through the shop's extensive DVD collection and find a video to take home with you.

For nightlife, locals enjoy restaurants serving American bistro fare and bars serving craft beers or cheap pitchers of domestic brew. In exchange for a cover charge, some bars even let patrons bring their own bottles while the bar provides the ice and glasses.

A Memphis establishment for over 40 years, Paulette's Restaurant draws diners who love standard gourmet fare such as crab cakes, ginger-crusted salmon or roasted vegetable and goat cheese crepes. Diners craving a more casual vibe head to the bar where they sip martinis or order snacks such as beef sliders, truffle fries or fried green tomatoes. Locals also enjoy hearing music at clubs such as the C C Blues Club. This venue hosts live music with an emphasis on blues, and security guards patrolling its parking lot give it a safe vibe.

Designed to be walkable, Greenbelt Park-Lagoon hosts shops and homes within walking distance of each other, and it also has many walking paths and bicycle trails.

Drivers can park for free through most of the neighborhood, and they can reach downtown Memphis easily via Island Drive, the A. W. Willis Bridge and Front Street or Willis Avenue.

Cabs and Uber cars operate in the area, but rather than hailing them in the street, call ahead for a ride. By walking a mile from the center of the area to Front North Parkway, residents can catch the bus into the city. It runs every 12 minutes, Mondays through Saturdays, and the journey into downtown takes 13 minutes.

Mississippi Greenbelt Park gives the area its name. At this park, which attracts people from all over the city, locals find a safe vibe, great opportunities for people watching and flat paths for running. Although perfect for playing Frisbee or a game of football, this park doesn't have any playground equipment. For entertainment, it houses the Mud Island Amphitheater, which has several free concerts on its stage every year.

In nearby Midtown, Overton Park houses everything Greenbelt Park-Lagoon families need. Located next to the zoo, this park has playgrounds, running paths and an off-leash dog area. It also hosts over 50 free concerts every year at the Levitt Shell bandstand.

Greenbelt Park-Lagoon and the rest of Mud Island carries a higher cost of living than citizens find in Memphis on average. In Memphis, renters pay an average of $616 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, but they face higher rates in this area.

Reaching downtown via public transit costs less than $3, and seniors and students ride for a mere 85 cents. Beers in the area carry price tags ranging from $4 to $6, but during happy hour, drinkers pay as little as $3 for a pint. Gas costs 15 percent less than the national average in Greenbelt Park-Lagoon.

Greenbelt Park-Lagoon residents have access to all of the shops of Mud Island and Uptown. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the area's shops include a range of boutiques and gift shops such as The Ivory Closet and the Red Fish Gallery.

At The Ivory Closet, even shoppers clueless about fashion can find stylish outfits. The shop's owners happily answer the most naive questions and have great advice about what to wear. The nearby Red Fish Gallery also sells women's boutique fashions as well as Buck Thomas artwork, gifts and accessories.

To access large chain grocery stores, Greenbelt Park-Lagoon residents need to drive to other parts of the city to shop at places such as Kroger. Instead of chains, small grocery stores such as Roxie's Grocery and Miss Cordelia's serve the immediate area.

Roxie's combines a basic corner shop with a burger joint. Shoppers can fill their bags with cereal and eggs and buy a fantastic burger as well. The shop doesn't have tables for people to dine on-site. Miss Cordelia's carries a small selection of carefully chosen groceries with an emphasis on local products. For fresh local produce and seafood, you need to cross the river and visit the downtown Memphis Farmer's Market.