Hurst/Euless/Bedford - Bedford, TX

The areas of Hurst, Euless and Bedford began as largely rural in nature with settlement beginning in the 18th century. Proximity to the quickly growing cities of Dallas and Fort Worth served to speed up their growth. However, it was the arrival of industry that served to bring this three-city area its first major boom, a factor that contributed to its present prominence.

The HEB area's proximity to Fort Worth allows plenty of opportunities to visit art museums such as the Kimbell and the Modern Art Museum as well as spots such as the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Writers' and artists' workshops, exhibits, galleries and other cultural opportunities make up the arts scene in the area. Meanwhile, everyone can enjoy events such as the annual Bedford Blues & BBQ festival.

Restaurants in the HEB area run the gamut from small, casual eateries to upscale establishments, with a wide variety of cuisine ranging from Thai to Tex-Mex, German and more. The nightlife tends to stay on the casual side, with plenty of cozy bars where patrons can sit back and relax with a beer, watch the big game on TV, or enjoy a game of pool.

Diners find great restaurants scattered throughout the area, with a particularly large concentration in the Hurst area. Bacon's Bistro & Café presents diners with traditional diner eats that complement a casual, artsy and eclectic atmosphere. For breakfast, try Bessie's biscuits, which come topped with eggs, cheese and the diner's choice of bacon, sausage or ham. For a spicy twist, diners can add jalapeño cheddar links on the side.

When you want to sample some authentic German eats, you can find plenty of delicious fare at Everything German. The tender Wienerschnitzel, available in both pork and veal, comes with a side of bratkartoffein, a dish of pan-fried potatoes. Those with a sweet tooth should remember to pick up some apfelstrudel for dessert, and if you love German music, stop in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for live music.

Saviano's Italian Kitchen stands out as one of the best Italian restaurants in the area. This family-owned spot's roots go back to Long Island and, before that, to the small village in Italy from which the restaurant received its name. Foodies love the flavorful lobster ravioli, which comes topped with a crab Alfredo sauce. For a non-traditional dish inspired by the area, diners love the Cajun pasta, which blends shrimp, Italian sausage and blackened chicken in a Cajun cream sauce with plenty of veggies.

Once dinner hour has ended and locals find themselves ready to head out for some fun, they often make their way into the Euless area. Plenty of area joints feature live music from great local and regional acts, including spots such as Bronco's Sports Bar and Grill. However, proximity to Fort Worth and Arlington means many locals head out of the area to see big name acts at more traditional music venues.

For family fun, or even for a nostalgia-filled evening with friends, locals love spots such as Putt-Putt Entertainment Center where they can enjoy great arcade games and mini-golf. Great bars such as The Den in Euless, which features karaoke nights, and Ron's Corner Tavern in Bedford make it easy to enjoy an evening out.

Those in the HEB area primarily travel by car, though some other options do present themselves to locals. As a part of Tarrant County, HEB residents have access to The T, Fort Worth's bus system, which also grants them connectivity to the Trinity Railway Express and DART rail systems. These services allow for easy access to several communities within Dallas. Those in need of a ride also have the option of calling for a taxi or arranging a ride through Uber.

You can find some inexpensive public parking, though most parking options present themselves around area businesses. The outer HEB area sits alongside several major roadways for easy access to the major cities within the Metroplex. The rural nature of the outer HEB area means that there tends to be low walkability and a lack of bike lanes, and that pedestrians and cyclists must both use caution while traveling within the area.

Several parks serve the communities of Hurst, Euless and Bedford, including Chisholm Park, Hurst Community Park, Boys Ranch Park & Activity Center and McCormick Park. Patrons can enjoy amenities ranging from grills and picnic pavilions to lighted sports fields, greenhouses and much more. Children love the numerous playgrounds available at the parks.

Meanwhile, those with furry friends can provide them with off-leash play at the Villages of Bear Creek dog park in Euless. Numerous hiking and cycling trails as well as sports fields make for great exercise opportunities. Residents get out to celebrate with their neighbors at the Stars & Stripes Independence Day celebration at Hurst Community Park and other events.

The cost of living in the outer HEB area tends to stay just slightly above the average for other Texas neighborhoods. However, the cost stays on the lower side for suburbs of Dallas and below the national average. Travel via The T costs $1.75 for local use and $5 for regional use. Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the area has a median cost of around $727. Expect to pay around $4 for a domestic draft beer at a local bar. Gas prices in the area tend to stay at about the same price as in other Dallas neighborhoods, at around 12 percent below the national average.

The HEB area houses North East Mall, an upscale shopping center with top retailers including Banana Republic, Nordstrom and Sephora. Plenty of intriguing specialty stores and boutiques also serve the HEB area; to find these spots, shoppers can browse the mall as well as the many outdoor shopping centers in the area.

Head to Connies in Hurst to buy everything from incredible women's clothing items to gifts and home decor. Fashionable jewelry items produced by local artists make for unique accessory purchases, while seasonal items can be found throughout the year. At That's Haute, buyers can find upscale home decor items including bedding, furniture and much more. The shop also features great one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

Satisfy your basic shopping needs at grocers such as Tom Thumb, Albertsons and Kroger, in addition to a number of smaller local shops. Those in search of farm-fresh produce and other locally sourced items can pick up everything they need at the Bedford Farmers' Market.

Hurst/Euless/Bedford Independent School District, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Bob Eden Park, McCormick Park, Chisholm Park, Boys Ranch Activity Center, NRH2O Family Water Park, North East Mall