Lewisville/Flower Mound - Lewisville, TX

Settled in the mid-1800s, the areas of Lewisville and Flower Mound remained small but prosperous communities throughout the following decades. The communities did not see major population growth until the creation of Lewisville Lake and the building of nearby DFW Airport, which transformed the area into a major suburb of Dallas/Fort Worth. Despite a lack of museums in the Lewisville and Flower Mound areas, the location of these neighborhoods grants residents easy access to the numerous museums in both Dallas and Fort Worth, including the Dallas Museum of Art and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The arts scene tends to be small but vibrant, supported by proximity of Denton – a major arts hub. Live theater, art classes and craft sales all regularly feature in the area. Special events held throughout the year include the Sounds of Lewisville concert series, and Independence Day Fest and Children's Parade.

Lewisville and Flower Mound feature many different types of cuisines at restaurants throughout the area, from basic burgers and country fare to Asian, Mediterranean, and much more. Restaurants tend to be located around major shopping areas spread throughout these neighborhoods. The nightlife tends to be a bit quiet as compared to other neighborhoods in the area, with the few available offerings being primarily bars. Blue Ocean Sushi & Asian Grill, a local favorite, offers specialty items such as the Dallas Roll with lightly fried tempura shrimp and fresh avocado topped with unagi. Twelve Stones Restaurant caters to foodies with trendy, new American-style cuisine. Fare includes slow-braised pork belly topped with hot-and-sour pickled Thai chili for an out-of-the-ordinary flavor experience. For a Texas classic, try Anamia's Tex-Mex, where you can pick up tacos made with tender brisket or savory, spicy beef enchiladas. You'll find a variety of local bars for a low-key night out. To watch the latest game, locals head to Hat Tricks Bar and Grill in Lewisville or Z Grill and Tap in Flower Mound. When you want to dance the night away, head to neighboring Denton or to Downtown Dallas, where you'll find the area's trendiest hotspots.

To see everything the neighborhoods of Lewisville and Flower Mound have to offer, you need a car. However, public transportation options do exist, including a bus system and access to the DART rail system, accessible by way of Lewisville, which can take travelers all the way down into Dallas. You may not be able to hail a cab, but you can call a taxi company when you require service, or find a ride through the Uber ride service. Find public parking for free outside area businesses, but no public lots or garages service the area. Major interstates, highways and tollways run through the areas of Lewisville and Flower Mound, which makes for easy access. Though you can get around most smaller neighborhoods by foot, the sprawl of Lewisville and Flower Mound means residents are not be able to get everywhere without a car. A lack of bike lanes can also present problems for cyclists, who do not find all streets in the neighborhood safe for riding.

Plenty of parks and playgrounds dot the landscape in the area, many of them bolstered by the presence of nearby Lake Lewisville, with Lake Park, Railroad Park and Twin Coves Park among the most visited. Patrons love the variety of available activities, from hiking, cycling and skating to fishing along the shore. Overnight camping at Twin Coves Park ranks as the perfect way to spend an evening for those who truly love the outdoors. Most parks can be visited for free, though some – including Twin Coves Park – require the purchase of a pass. Those with kids enjoy the age-appropriate playgrounds, while those with four-legged family members can enjoy the use of a large, fenced-in dog park. You and the kids in your family can enjoy the many special events held at the parks year-round, including the Valentine's Night Out camping event for kids and an annual Fourth of July celebration by Lake Lewisville, complete with fireworks. The numerous hiking and cycling trails in the area make for easy exercise options as well.

The Lewisville area comes in at about the average cost of living for the United States, while Flower Mound tends to be above the average cost of living for both the country and the local area. Expect to pay about ten bucks to get to Dallas via the DART rail, though monthly and weekly passes can be purchased. For a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay in the area of $700-800 in the Lewisville area and $900-1000 for the Flower Mound area. As for an evening out, you can grab a pint of your favorite domestic draft for about $3-4. Drivers rejoice – gas prices tend to be significantly lower than the national average, at about 12 percent.

Shopping abounds throughout the area, generally in strip malls and downtown centers. However, Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville also provides plenty of shopping opportunities to locals. Some upscale shopping can be found at stores in the Flower Mound area, though neighboring Highland Park and Dallas provide more opportunities for purchasing high-end items. A number of smaller boutiques with eclectic offerings can be found. For hot designer items at incredible prices head to Encore Encore, a consignment boutique specializing in women's clothing, shoes, and accessories. Heaven Sent Children's Boutique has whimsical and fun children's fashion from some of the biggest designers in kids' clothing. Grocery stores in the area include Whole Foods, Sprouts, Aldi, Tom Thumb, and Kroger's, among others. Indian and Asian specialty grocers also serve the area. For farm fresh produce and handcrafted items, shoppers can head to neighboring Grapevine for the Grapevine Farmers Market.