Highlands/Perkins - Baton Rouge, LA

Home to the culturally diverse, Highlands/Perkins evolved from 17th-century hunting grounds to an 18th-century French colony to its present 21st-century state as a modern, upscale community located just minutes south of LSU. Peaking during the 1950s and 60s due to the area's petrochemical industry boom, it realized another cultural rebirth in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina lured record numbers of New Orleanians into its borders.

Learn about the South Baton Rouge area with a visit to the nearby Rural Life Museum on Essen Lane. Providing a heart-wrenching historical account of American African slave and early American settler life, this museum also hosts yearly Civil War Enactments.

Check out the local arts scene at the Baton Rouge Gallery on Dalrymple Drive. This gem showcases the works of the most talented artists in the region. Check out the facility's free First Wednesdays, a monthly celebration of new collections.

The almost overwhelming variety of independently owned restaurants in Highlands/Perkins draws people from all other parts of the city, which makes meeting new people while out dining just as interesting as trying out new eats.

Some of the locals establishments stand out from all of the others for their sheer longevity. George's, a local institution that is situated under an overpass on Perkins Road, serves burgers, salads, sandwiches and seafood plates. Go for lunch to enjoy a more family-friendly atmosphere, or stop in after work for a cozy dive bar and comfort food experience.

From the sunshine shrimp salad to the chicken fried steak to the tomato basil soup served with a great grilled cheese sandwich, Chelsea's Cafe on Perkins Road always delivers top quality food. The casual bar and grill's loyal following also enjoys the restaurant's outdoor patio, local live music entertainment and house-made focaccia bread.

Chimes Restaurant on Highland Road's location next to the Varsity Theatre makes it one of the most highly frequented places in the neighborhood. When you're going to see a national act at the Varsity, arrive really early at Chimes to get a seat at the long, wood-studded bar or in the casual dining room that features a wall mural of gladiators in battle. Known equally for its beer selection as for its top-shelf martinis, Chimes also pleases your palate with grits and grillades, boudin balls, and the charbroiled catfish platter.

Linger at the Chimes for a nightcap, or skip the night's Varsity Theatre show this time and experience a memorable night at the Spanish Moon, also on Highland Road. Although this dive hosts scheduled local and national acts, on non-live entertainment nights, the fun never stops with karaoke and '80s themed parties.

The Highlands/Perkins neighborhood's abundance of dedicated bike lanes on streets such as Kenilworth Parkway and Brightside Drive make getting to and from LSU a breeze. When you're not heading to the university, you'll most likely take your car to run errands and to explore the area by way of Interstates 10 or 12 or the main thoroughfares of Highland and Perkins Roads. Expect to find free and ample public parking at most of the area's retail establishments.

When you don't want to take your car, hop on the bus at one of the several stops along Perkins Road. Use the Uber app or call a cab company when you really need a ride, as you won't find a lot of cabs on the street to hail down or safe walking paths along the neighborhood's busy commercial streets.

BREC Perkins Road Community Park indulges Highlands/Perkins residents with an urban oasis that houses numerous nonstop fun and exercise opportunities. The park's rock climbing wall, skate park and BMX bike track keeps the neighborhood kids off of the streets, while the hiking/biking trails give nature lovers something to rejoice over.

The free community park also houses a contemporary children's playground, a gazebo near the lake, a beach volleyball court and a paved walking track. Although the park doesn't generally host any events outside of local school sporting events, expect friendly, impromptu softball tournaments and basketball games to break out during the warmer months of the year.

Highlands/Perkins $715 average monthly rental rate for a one-bedroom unit is about equal to the rest of the communities dispersed throughout the South Baton Rouge area. The neighborhood's high number of LSU student and faculty population keeps beer prices low, with pints usually going for $5 or less at the local pubs.

Like the rest of this region, the neighborhood also enjoys a steady, low gas price, with each gallon costing roughly 23 percent less than what the national average. Getting around town without a car also comes cheap, with a one-way ticket on the Capital Area Transit System putting you back about $1.75.

Follow the rest of the neighborhood residents to nearby supermarkets to purchase many of your weekly essentials. Trader Joe's on Perkins Road, Albertson's on College Drive, Winn-Dixie along Burbank Drive and Walmart Neighborhood Market on Lee Drive all represent the closest grocery stores to the area.

The Red Stick Farmers Market sells hard-to-find specialty items. Shop on Thursdays and Saturdays to pick up local farmers' fruit and vegetable selections. Feel free to peruse the plants, baked goods and other available edible treats.

Spoil yourself at the Perkins Rowe shopping mall on Perkins Road. Check out the free seasonal outdoor concerts, or browse the latest trends from stores such as Urban Outfitters, Frock Candy, Anthropologie and BCBG.

Perkins Road also hosts an inspiring hodgepodge of locally owned shops that help you reinforce your home decor. Shop The Royal Standard when you need an upscale gift at an affordable price. This store tops the list for the best all-occasion gift store in the community. The Royal Standard features holiday-specific knickknacks, clothing for every member of the family, accessories to match any outfit, candles and picture frames.

Nadeau Furniture With A Soul provides you with conversation-piece quality furniture featuring premium price tags. Employees help you select an investment piece that anchors your home's interior or exterior decor. The place houses a small array of eclectic, mostly wooden, furnishings accented with bold designs.