Hill Haven - Kansas City, MO

Rugged Hidden Valley Park creates most of the space in Hill Haven. These unspoiled oak and hickory hills, amounting to nearly 200 acres, just north of the Missouri River, have been preserved as a park since 1957. Some of the oldest homes date back to 1940, with additions in the early 1950s during the suburban boom after World War II. Newer apartment complexes were added in the 2000s.

Hill Haven proper has no annual events or arts scene. Travel a few miles south into eastern Kansas City for arts, culture and festivals. Hidden Valley Park has occasional events to spruce up the park, create better trails and work on natural conservation through the parks department or the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Nearby local eateries include a rock-n-roll bar with an attached night club and a Mexican restaurant with tons of loyal customers. A few bars dot the landscape to provide nightlife near this industrial part of the city.

The All-Star Grill and Bar marks the closest restaurant to Hill Haven. The owners call the cuisine "dive bar gourmet" with hand-cut steaks and particular attention to details. Burgers dominate the menu with special blends of beef, pork and spices in each patty. Every burger cooks on an open flame until they are well done. Build your own hamburger with fresh ingredients such as slaw, barbecue bacon and mushrooms. The signature sandwich comes with barbecued pulled pork slow-cooked with All-Star's special rub. A huge pork tenderloin sandwich awaits patrons with an appetite. Sing karaoke, listen to live music or play trivia while enjoying your dinner.

El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. Started by Manuel and Lorraine Barrera in 1954, this restaurant serves as a cornerstone of the community near Hill Haven. Fall in love with inexpensive tacos and authentic recipes from Mexico. The cheese-covered enchiladas fill up the entire plate for under $15. The Barrera family's Loyal customers have kept this place open for more than half a century. Judges Pizza Bar and Grill, to the northwest of Hill Haven, has ten appetizers on the menu before getting to the main course of three different sizes of pizzas. Order the Supreme Court, covered with eight toppings, in medium, large or jumbo. Meat lovers fall for the Jury Selection with four types of meat. Artichokes note the most exotic pizza topping on the menu, and each pie comes with house sauce. Try the Philly cheese steak sandwich for a real treat and hearty portions.

One Eyed Jacks bar, about a half-mile to the west of Hill Haven, notes a well-liked dive bar known for its jukebox and billiards. Several popular beers flow from taps to tables nightly. Taco Thursday specials rule food selections every week. Ladies' night features karaoke contests, and occasional local musicians stop by to entertain patrons.

Streets by the apartment complexes have sidewalks for families to walk to the pool or to the entrance of Hidden Valley Park. Bennington Avenue features sidewalks on both sides of the street to get to Parvin Road, the main thoroughfare to the north. Hop in your car to get anywhere else. Parvin Road connects to Interstate 435 for easy access to the rest of the city. Apartments have ample parking for residents and guests.

Bicyclists love the rolling hills for exercise, and traffic tapers off the further you get away from the apartments to the south. Parvin Road has plenty of room for bikers heading west into other neighborhoods.

Several taxis can come to pick you up, and Uber has options for you when a cab company is too busy. KCATA buses stop at Randolph and Parvin at 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 a.m. and return at 5:17 p.m. and 5:47 p.m., Monday through Friday, for workers heading downtown.

Hidden Valley Park dominates Hill Haven. Miles of recreational trails for hikers, off-road cyclists, ATVs and even horses greet visitors of this large nature preserve near the Missouri River. More than 100 acres of unspoiled hardwood forest lie to the south, with playgrounds, ball fields and a concrete walking path in the north closer to apartments. Get ready for long hikes, so bring your bug spray during the summer.

All parks administered by the Kansas City Parks Department include dog-friendly provisions, so bring Fido, Rex or Fluffy as long as they stay on leashes. Occasionally, a Missouri Conservation event happens on the grounds of Hidden Valley to let volunteers help clean up the place.

Living in Hill Haven costs lower than it does in main parts of Kansas City. A one-bedroom apartment averages $604 per month, and nearby duplexes give residents another rental option for more space. Rental spaces make up the bulk of living spaces in this neighborhood.

A day pass on KCATA buses runs you $3, and gas prices usually fare 18 percent lower than the national average. A pint of beer costs between $3 and $4 at either of the local pubs.

Several nearby chain stores give residents a place to shop within a mile or two of Hill Haven. Dollar General has basic necessities. Target and Festival Foods in Winnetonka Lake contain basic shopping needs for everyone. Getting to this shopping center is fairly easy by car or bicycle. Door to Door Organics delivers fresh food fast when you cannot get out to shop on your own. Kansas City has the closest farmer's markets during warm weather from April to October.

A few specialty shops have storefronts near Hill Haven. Just to the north of the neighborhood lies McGuire Lock & Safe, a company that specializes in securing your home, office or vehicle. The store opens six days a week to service keyless entry systems, access control panels and locks of every shape and size. McGuire Lock & Safe offers a mobile service for after-hours emergencies.

Nearly New Shop assists non-profit agencies in Clay County and Platte County by selling items donated to the store. Patrons buy second-hand clothes, jewelry, purses, computers, books and household items. Grant money, gathered from the sales of items at the store, goes to local charities who need help the most. Look for vintage knick-knacks, old vinyl records and brassware to fit your décor.