Laurel Greene - Columbus, OH

As part of the greater Hilltop area, the neighborhood in which Laurel Greene resides began as a rural farming area that produced corn, clover seed, hay and livestock. The area once housed the Columbus State Hospital for the Insane and employed 450 people, many of whom lived in the neighborhood. As Hilltop transitioned from a rural to urban area, subdivisions developed, streets replaced roads and businesses sprouted up along Broad Street. Railroads crisscrossed the area, bringing commerce that included a General Motors plant.

The Ohio Craft Museum in Columbus features a restored 1950 hands-on, walk-through house and an endangered and extinct species conservation exhibit. Annual fairs include the WAG Fest featuring everything pet-related and the North Market Food and Ohio Wine Festival.

You can say goodbye to boring food options when you live in Laurel Greene with offerings from authentic Mexican to Chinese, pizza and barbecue. Family-friendly, laid-back Tres Potrillos features Mexican fare with an unusual flair. Not only can you order your favorites such as tacos, burritos and enchiladas, but tantalize your taste buds with a nacho appetizer brimming with grilled shrimp, scallops and crab and topped with fresh, green pico de gallo. For the main course, sink your teeth into soft corn tortillas stuffed with steak, spicy chorizo and plump, juicy pineapple served with herbaceous cilantro, sweet onions and spicy habanero sauce in a perfect representation of Mexican street corner tacos. For vegetarians, Tres Potrillos combines grilled mushrooms, squash, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes, then stuffs everything into a huge burrito served with Mexican rice and a dinner salad.

Wok Wok Kitchen, a local favorite for Chinese food diversifies a typical menu with choice dishes such as the chef's specialty — jumbo shrimp, scallops and crabmeat sauteed with crispy Chinese vegetables in a mild white sauce. Enjoy the traditional dinner prepared for Chinese Royalty when you order the Dragon and Phoenix Delight, shrimp sauteed in white sauce with crispy chunks of chicken in a spicy, tangy sauce. Locals describe the shrimp as huge and the vegetables as fresh and crisp, along with a recommendation to try the crispy shrimp in peanut butter sauce.

If a small family-owned pizza joint sparks your appetite, experience the best pizza in the area at Bari Pizzaria. In addition to the Italian dishes that feature robust, slightly sweet and herbal sauce described by the regular patrons as "spectacular," fare includes breaded mushrooms, fried pickle chips, 16-inch stuffed subs, rib tips, wings and salads. Bari sticks, hand-twisted pizza dough stuffed with mozzarella and provolone, pepperoni or sausage, and served with sauce reign supreme as the most popular menu item.

Grab the kids and head out to J P's Barbecue Ribs located next to the terminal at Bolton Field, a public airport where many residents store their private planes. The full-service restaurant features, in addition to great pork barbecue, a large outdoor patio, a putt-putt golf course, horseshoes, volleyball pit and a large playground. If you cater an event from J P's, your guests not only receive a scrumptious buffet meal in an exciting, stimulating environment, but also plane rides for everyone.

The Evolution Social Lounge extends a friendly welcome as a fun place to hang during the day with a lively spirit at night, making it perfect to enjoy dancing, karaoke and pool with your friends. The dress code is casual, but don't show up in gym shorts, a white T-shirt, pajama bottoms, sunglasses or running attire. Wings and burgers, draft beers and an exceedingly long happy hour make this lounge easy to like.

O'Malley's Lounge, The Galloway Tavern and Frontrow Sports Bar have a faithful following, but the most relaxed hangout with a regular crowd is Sloopy's Pub where you enjoy neighborhood camaraderie, especially during karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.

A 20-minute walk covers the neighborhood, but errands require an automobile. One park-and-ride bus hub connects you to downtown, but you can easily join I-70 and I-270 from Laurel Greene to zip around town. Plentiful taxi service and Uber afford greater transportation options. Laurel Greene receives a bike score of 35 for a flat surface and some dedicated biking lanes.

Dogs, kids and adults alike head for Freedom Park for a day of baseball, football or soccer, a pick-up basketball game, a swing to the sky on the playground or picnicking under the gazebo. A half-mile trail loop provides plenty of room to walk, run, roller skate or jog.

The cost of living in Laurel Greene remains on par with metro Columbus. A one-way bus ticket to downtown runs under $2, with cost-saving 7- and 31-day passes available for regular riders. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment comes in at $573, a beer at the local bar averages $3 and gasoline hovers at 1 percent below the national average.

Kroger and Lowe's Home Center anchor the Georgesville Square shopping area, while a short distance away Macy's, Sears and JCPenney anchor the Eastland Mall, which also features Victoria's Secret and restaurants such as the Tropico Caribbean Grill, Just Wing It and Steak Escape. A small, neat boutique, the Rainbow Shops, carries an extensive selection of contemporary shoe styles in addition to junior, women's, plus-size and children's clothing.

Stock up on delicacies such as fully smoked kielbasa, kabanosy and moldavska, twenty varieties of pierogis and homemade pelmeni at the Euro Delicatessen in Galloway Square. In addition to these "old country" favorites, you'll discover smoked fish such as mackerel, cheeses, kefir, butter and sour cream, cured meat and pickles. The store shines brightly as a mini-grocery, catering to tastebuds in search of authentic European ingredients and recipes.

Two great party venues co-exist in the area, the Sunshine Farm and Bug A Boo the Clown. On premise, Sunshine Farm features hay rides, a petting zoo that includes alpacas, paddle boats, sand volleyball, bonfires and pony rides, or the outfit will come to your location with ponies to ride and rabbits, ducks, sheep and goats to pet. Complete your child's party, corporate event or grand opening with entertainment from a fireman and his daughter, both trained clowns, that includes skits, balloon animal sculptures, comedy, magic and face painting. For extra fun, rent a cotton candy or popcorn machine. On Saturday afternoon, head over to Hilliard Farm Market, the go-to place for locally grown, organic produce, baked goods, honey, jams and cheese.