Hunterwood - Houston, TX

In 1845, Houston became the 28th state in the Union. John Kirby Allen and Augustus Allen, two New York brothers, founded the region in 1836 after they purchased a cheap parcel from Galveston Land Company. The brothers were intrigued by Nacogdoches, a town bordering Mexican Texas and American Louisiana. In Nacogdoches, the Allens heard of a possible revolution against Mexico. They befriended Sam Houston, the former Tennessee governor who would spark a revolt that led to the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.

The city opened its first park in 1899, later named the Sam Houston Park.

Houston holds the honor of possessing the fourth largest Holocaust memorial museum in the United States. Each January, the Holocaust Museum Houston hosts International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

You find multiple choices for fast food centered on Wallisville Road. Stop here for everything from chicken and biscuits to burgers and tacos. To skip the mundane and eat like a local, head to Vietnamese Noodle House. Found on Uvalde Road, this restaurant ranks high with locals for its authentic recipes. Residents don't mind the wait when they order the vermicelli with grilled pork. Tender slices of meat come layered atop a bed of rice noodles garnished with pickled ginger. Seafood lovers have savory options including the signature soups. Order the seafood noodle soup with a cold glass of coconut water. To do burgers the Texas way, check out Wolf's Hamburger on East Sam Houston Parkway North. Hunterwood residents flock to this burger joint for the humongous meals. Try the razorback burger or the famous Texas Longhorn. Stacked with two beef patties, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes, the Longhorn requires a two-handed approach. When night falls, it's time to go to the dugout. Found along Sam Houston Parkway, the Dugout Sports Bar offers a great alternative to traditional bars and night clubs. With no clubs offered in Hunterwood, locals favor the Dugout as a great place to gather and share a brew. Drop in to cheer for the Houston Oilers or watch the latest boxing match.

Interstates 10 and 610 lie close to Hunterwood, along with U.S. Route 90. Most residents use personal vehicles to get around and enjoy simple access to outlying counties using highways exclusive to Texas state. Around Hunterwood, you find ample free parking.

Metropolitan Transit Authority buses and trains serve as good commuting alternatives to driving. Airline travelers can reach Bush Intercontinental Airport 21 miles north.

The city of Houston takes pride in catering to cyclists with the Houston Bikeway Program. Through the program, over 300 miles of bike lanes and paths transect the city. Hunterwood pedestrians have several sidewalks in the neighborhood to make foot travel safer.

For Uber ride-sharing, download the mobile app to arrange a pickup. Multiple taxi and car services are available to Hunterwood locals.

When you crave a getaway, head to Sheldon Lake State Park. Located on Beaumont Highway, Sheldon Lake allows visitors to unwind in a calming atmosphere. Load up your kayak and head out on the water. Bring a pair of binoculars to glimpse a peek at a sage thrasher or crooning owl in the vast bird sanctuary. Hunterwood residents acclaim the locale for its free access and peaceful landscape for the whole family.

Sheldon Lake State Park hosts the annual Birding Walk and Talk event each May. The fascinating gathering invites bird lovers to find migrant and nesting species in the park's diverse habitats.

For an escape to wildlife right in the city, visit Herman Brown Park on Crosby Freeway East. Hunterwood locals take pride in this 750-acre park for more than just recreation. Along with tennis courts and bike paths, Herman Brown Park acts as a watershed for the Buffalo Bayou. On the vibrant grounds, you see live oaks, cypress and black willow trees. Joggers love meandering through the wooded oasis as they listen to the sounds of nature. Pack a picnic lunch and bring your children for a rustic adventure. The park provides playgrounds and perfect opportunities to teach kids about the forest habitat.

A one-bedroom apartment averages $593 in Hunterwood, running a bit less than neighboring areas. A pint of beer costs roughly $3 at a local pub.

A bus or train ride to Houston's city center costs $1.25, and passengers may also purchase a Metro unlimited day pass for $3. Fuel costs hover around 19 percent lower than the national average for Hunterwood drivers.

To feed your shopping bug, follow locals to Kuhl-Linscomb. Found on West Alabama Street, this treasure trove stands apart as an impeccable place for home decor. Peruse the showrooms and view the fine bedding and linens. Find your next set of china or consider a stunning chandelier. Penny-wise shoppers go wild at The Women's Home Cottage Thrift Shop on Westheimer Road. When your closet needs a jolt, spend a day at this gem. The shop provides job training for residents of the women's home, so your patronage goes toward a phenomenal cause. Find a second-hand Jimmy Choo handbag or a Tahari jacket at The Cottage Shop. For groceries, locals head to Uvalde Road. Here you find bargain choices at Food Town and Family Dollar. With no farmers market in the Hunterwood neighborhood, residents drive to the Houston Heights region for Canino Produce. This Houston staple has provided farm fresh goods to the community since 1958.