Hillcrest Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City was born out of the Land Run of 1889. At this time, the area that had previously been restricted to Native American settlements was opened to homesteaders. Since then, the city has expanded significantly.

Each year, Oklahoma City Community College hosts Arts Festival Oklahoma, a community event that hosts over 125 visual artists, community performing arts groups, round-the-clock entertainment and a free outdoor concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra. The college provides the focal point for the neighborhood’s arts and theater scene with thriving art, drama, music departments and artsy degree programs.

As a suburban development, Hillcrest doesn’t have a central restaurant hub. However, a diverse selection of family-owned dining establishments and popular chain restaurants line the outskirts of the community. A quick jaunt down I-240 provides plenty of opportunities for delectable eats and a fun night out.

"Southern Living" magazine once advised those who find themselves near Oklahoma City to “steer toward Pioneer Pies.” That is good advice, as this family-owned, country-style eatery in Walnut Square Shopping Center serves up massive cuts – never slices– of 30 varieties of pie. After downing deep-fried catfish or Grammy’s meatloaf served with cornbread, finding room for a sweet treat could pose a challenge. Fruit pies, cream pies, specialty pies and cheesecake all make deciding on dessert the only hard part of your visit.

For those times when nothing but a greasy-spoon breakfast suffices, Perry’s on South May fits the bill. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner 24 hours a day near the Oklahoma City Community College campus, Perry’s dishes out cheap food in a down-home atmosphere. Customers rave about the chicken fried steak, omelettes and French toast. After a long night on the town, Perry’s gives locals a low-key place to hang out and fill up before getting much-needed shuteye.

A twist on the standard burger makes The Garage worth driving an extra mile to the east on the I-240 service road. Not content with supplying humdrum ground beef, the Garage takes it up a notch with your choice of supreme proteins – choose from Angus beef, smoked turkey or bison for $2 extra.

The Hillcrest neighborhood lays no claim to hopping night life, but good times roll on nearby. McFinn’s Pub just south of Interstate 240 on Straka Terrace features karaoke several nights a week, letting you sing your heart out. Don't worry if you have stage fright – having a domestic or imported beer from the great selection here makes the spotlight easier to bear for the faint of heart.

You have to venture a bit farther outside this neighborhood to find live music, but Oklahoma City’s most popular musical venue makes it worthwhile. Located on Eastern, east of I-35, Oklahoma City Limits delivers a rotating line-up of popular bands and not a bad seat in the house.

Though most Hillcrest residents drive to accomplish errands, they do have easy access to Oklahoma City’s EMBARK bus transit system, which provides travel to downtown and other points in the city. Parking a car is usually free in shopping centers. Call ahead if you want a cab, or use your smartphone to summon a ride with Uber or Lyft.

Walking isn't a viable option in Hillcrest if you need to run errands, and neither is biking. The streets don’t have bike lanes, so local cyclists prefer to get exercise on the Oklahoma City Trails network of paved bicycling and skating paths.

Take your pick of parks just a short distance north of Hillcrest. Play a game of baseball on the diamond at Syl Goldman Park on South Independence Avenue. After the game, go for a stroll down one of the walking paths while you watch the kids enjoy the playground.

Woodson Park on South May Avenue houses the Woodson Event Center, which hosts a wide range of activities, and you can reserve the facilities for club meetings, family reunions or weddings for a fee. Free activities at the park include the playground, basketball courts and ball fields. In summer, make a big splash at the free-to-use Woodson Park pool.

For music festivals and outdoor summer movies, residents head downtown. The Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory in downtown Oklahoma City provides the venue for the Sonic Summer Movie Nights series, which features movies suitable for the entire family.

The cost of living in this neighborhood runs slightly below the city average, and renting a one-bedroom residence averages about $495 per month. A one-way bus ride into downtown Oklahoma City costs $1.75. Gas prices seem a bargain in this neck of the woods, with the neighborhood average sitting an impressive 22 percent below the national average. Buying a pint at the local pub costs $2.25 for a domestic brew and $3 for an import.

This suburban neighborhood has no major shopping centers or commercial areas, so locals typically drive about 5 miles to find the best bargains. The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City located on Interstate 40 hosts 92 stores, including Nike, Coach and Disney.

Because there are no high-end stores or specialty boutiques nearby, residents of Hillcrest visit downtown Oklahoma City’s business district to find what they're looking for. Favorites include 200 Park for Her, an upscale women’s clothing and accessories shop, and Tree and Leaf Clothing, where you can learn the basics of screen printing as well as create fabulous custom T-shirts.

Locals love the fresh produce at Green Acres Market in the Walnut Square Shopping Center. Originally just a health food store, Green Acres Market now meets other grocery shopping needs. Loyal patrons enjoy the juice bar and daily house-made chili and soups. Green Acres Market also holds product demonstrations, tasting fairs and educational seminars free of charge.

A few miles north of the neighborhood on South Klein, the year-round Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market is another place to shop. It first opened its doors in 1928 in an auditorium where Hank Williams Sr., Count Bassie and Bob Wills once performed.