Hazelwood - Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne was established in the late 18th century as a trading post at the confluence of three major rivers. The original historic fort has been preserved and visitors can take tours of the grounds. The fort serves as the venue for many re-enactments and educational programs. You can also view a large collection of artifacts from the city's history at the Allen County History Center.

Residents of Hazelwood enjoy access to the museums and festivals of Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art houses an extensive selection of American art and features rotating exhibitions. Events such as art auctions and the Dia de los Muertos festival take place annually at the museum. The Three Rivers festival attracts a crowd for its concerts and carnival rides. Visitors can also indulge in funnel cakes and cotton candy from Junk Food Alley and view entries in the juried art show.

Residents of Hazelwood enjoy access to many different restaurants, most of which lie along Anthony Boulevard and State Boulevard. Old Crown Coffee Roasters serves up a little bit of everything, but it is best known for the coffee. The restaurant serves several original roasts, such as the 9th Degree of Darkness, one of the favorite blends. Be sure to try it from the Clover, a high-tech machine that makes strong single cups of coffee. People also enjoy craft beers and food items like wraps and sandwiches. This trendy establishment is a popular spot for college students to grab a drink after class or have a cup of coffee while studying. Many Hazelwood residents consider Oley's Pizza to serve the best slice of pizza in Fort Wayne. People come in to have the double-crust pizza, in which pizzas have two crusts with a thick layer of melted cheese between them. The menu includes a selection of specialty pizzas like the Californian, topped with spinach dip and tomatoes. Cheap pitchers of beer make the perfect pairing for your pizza selections. Locals stop by Acme Bar to have a drink and watch the game. The bar serves an extensive selection of beers with drink specials that change daily. Food options include comfort dishes such as the beef brisket sandwich smothered in sauce and served with a pile of hot fries. The fare extends beyond the typical bar food, however, with a wide selection of pastas and pizzas as well. Hazelwood lacks establishments that offer nightlife options, so residents usually head to downtown Fort Wayne for a night out on the town. The downtown area contains many bars and clubs, such as Flashback on the Landing. As you pull up to this 1980s-themed club, you'll hear Madonna and Whitney Houston anthems blaring and you'll see flashing lights shining onto the street. On weekends, people crowd the dance floor, which has multiple tiers for dancing. A huge bar with nightly specials keeps this establishment busy all weekend long.

Getting around Fort Wayne requires a car, which means plenty of free parking at local businesses. While people can bike through the quiet streets of Hazelwood, the lack of bike lanes on nearly every road makes biking difficult as a reliable mode of transportation. Similarly, many roads outside Hazelwood have no sidewalks, and the distance between homes and businesses prohibits many people from walking. Only one bus route runs through the neighborhood, but people can call a taxi company for a cab ride, and Uber services the area as well. Residents find it easy to leave town due to the proximity of State Road 930, which connects with Interstate 69.

Lions Park is the main park that residents of Hazelwood use for recreational opportunities. The 14-acre park makes for an oasis of natural open space amid the tightly packed rows of houses. Visitors enjoy playing sports on the tennis court, basketball courts and baseball diamonds. The playground and climbing wall provide a place for children to play. Covered picnic areas and ample shade from the trees make the park popular for parties and gatherings.

Access to many restaurants and shopping opportunities at a very low cost remains a strong draw for residents in the area. Hazelwood residents enjoy a cost of living 5 percent lower than the Fort Wayne average and nearly 20 percent lower than the nationwide average. Gas prices remain 8 percent lower than the national average, and the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom residence runs about $500. Expect to pay about $5 for a pint of beer at a local bar. Getting from Hazelwood to downtown Fort Wayne on the public bus Citilink costs $1.50.

Although Hazelwood is entirely residential, shopping opportunities lie a short distance away. Glenbrook Square Mall, anchored by Macy's and Sears, forms the center of the shopping hub in northern Fort Wayne. A number of high-value retailers such as Target and Walmart serve the area.

A custom-made flower bouquet from Cottage Flowers makes a great gift for any occasion. The store also carries gourmet food baskets and a selection of potted plants. For a unique birthday surprise, the store creates tiny bouquets that make perfect cake toppers.

The expert staff of Summit City Bicycles and Fitness guides customers through buying the perfect bike. Inside the store you'll find a huge selection of bikes in addition to gear like shoes and helmets. The store also performs maintenance and tune-ups on bicycles. Locals prefer Summit City over larger chain retailers for the quality inventory and personalized service.

Locals mostly shop for groceries at Kroger, which has multiple locations in the area. A farmers market takes place on Saturday mornings during the summer in the Allen County Library parking lot on State Boulevard.