Highbridge - Bronx, NY

Named for it's pedestrian crossing into Manhattan, High Bridge's great architectural marvel stands as a local landmark for miles around, and is also the oldest standing bridge in New York City. Serving as a vital crossing between the Bronx and Manhattan, it provided a welcome escape from the concrete and throngs of crowds in the city for city dwellers of the 19th century. The mid-20th century brought with it increased poverty and crime, rendering the neighborhood a wasteland of abandoned industrial buildings. The dawn of a new century brought revitalization to the area, with millions of dollars spent on rebuilding and investing into the local economy. The High Bridge branch of the New York Public Library has been an important part of the neighborhood for more than a century, serving as a cultural community space. Programs, classes and events held in the center educate and empower residents on the area's lively history and promising future.

Known as a predominately residential area, dining options in High Bridge tend to be take-out or counter-service spots, though with some nicer table service restaurant destinations exist. Ethnic flavors dominate, with Latin, African and Asian food choices abounding. Eye Adom African and American Restaurant serves up traditional Ghanian dishes with many vegetarian options available. Try the red-red, a popular dish from Ghana made with black-eyed peas and served with fried plantains. Famous Anthony's Pizzeria serves jumbo slices of the New York classic at ridiculously good prices. These are the kind of slices that take up two paper plates and leave you walking out feeling like you ate a four-course meal. Sam's Soul Food Restaurant and Bar serves simple but scrumptious Southern cooking. Turkey wings or baked Virginia ham with macaroni and cheese, collard greens or potato salad served in heaping portions leave diners satisfied and full. The restaurant also hosts a full bar and lounge that hosts live jazz music, DJs and a hopping weekend crowd. Nightlife can be as rowdy or low key as you choose, with lounges, pubs and clubs all a short train or taxi ride away. Stay in the neighborhood and try Buddha Restaurant and Lounge, a swanky hookah bar featuring a generous happy hour and daily specials. Weekends bring a DJ for dancing and good times.

Metro-north railroad serves the area with rail service from the Harlem Line into Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs, and passenger buses stop throughout the neighborhood. Taxis can be found with relative ease, or an Uber ride can be booked from your smartphone. With Interstate 87, Interstate 95 and the Bronx River Parkway crossing through the neighborhood, accessing areas in and beyond Highbridge remains a simple feat. Ample sidewalk space and residential neighborhoods make the area walkable, and curb-side and standard bike lanes make cycling a popular mode of travel. Adopting a Complete Streets program, the borough dedicates itself to making pedestrian travel a safe option for travel throughout the borough.

Highbridge Park, located across the bridge in Washington Heights, hosts cliffs and large rock outcroppings for runners and cyclists to enjoy while journeying along the waterside greenways. Basketball courts, baseball fields and six different playgrounds round out the park's selection of recreational activities available to residents. The park houses one of the city's largest public pools, seen packed with neighborhood kids on hot summer days, with food trucks lining up alongside the park serving ice cream, hot dogs or hot pretzels to hungry park revelers. Leashed dogs are welcome at the park, and there's an array of paths and trails to check out. Every spring, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance holds the Uptown Arts Stroll, featuring musical performances, food from area restaurants and a showcase of local fine-art pieces. It's month-long celebration includes art exhibitions, open studios and performances by local artists in collaboration with community leaders and local businesses.

Living in the neighborhood comes with a considerably lower price than nearby Manhattan, with the average one-bedroom rental costing around $1,325 per month. A train ride into the New York city's center costs $4 for a one-way ticket, and a beer at the local pub typically costs $8. Gas prices run 12 percent higher than the national average.

Nearby Fordham Road hosts one of the busiest shopping districts in the city, housing chain stores and independent shops. Good 'N Natural features a specialty store carrying a wide array of organic and GMO-free products, catering to the health-conscious consumer. Natural products for everything from hair to laundry find homes within the packed shelves of this tiny shop. The landmark Casa Grande carries an impressive selection of cigars in a charming lounge. Patrons can watch as hand-rolled cigars are made on-premises, and the staff has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things cigar. The shop also carries a selection of cheeses and other gourmet food items available for purchase. Grocery stores include Aquino Grocery, Compare Supermarket and Associated Supermarket. Taqwa Community Farm started in 1993, created by a few community members starting a garden. Decades later, the farm hosts an organic market supplying residents with thousands of pounds of fresh produce every year. Chickens and honeybees also produce eggs and eggs in this successful model of neighborhood people putting their heads together.