Maryvale - Cheektowaga, NY

Dubbed “The Land of the Crabapples," or “Ji-ik-do-wah-gah” by the Seneca tribe, who lived here in the 1700s, Cheektowaga takes its name from the apple-like fruit of the Hawthorn trees that grow freely in the area. Originally a small farming community, Cheektowaga expanded rapidly during World War II and the post-war baby boom, drawing many Polish-American, blue-collar workers from nearby Buffalo. As the number of families grew, the population swelled to over 100,000, and school districts sprung up across the town. One of these was Maryvale.

Like neighboring Buffalo, Cheektowaga has a rich history, and many historical buildings in the town, such as the 1853 church, Our Lady Help of Christians Chapel, still stand. The Cheektowaga Historical Association preserves and displays the works of local artists and the many artifacts that have been collected since the town’s inception at the Historical Association Museum in town.

Cheektowaga provides a number of options for eating out, including fast-food and chain restaurants and a number of small, ethnic cafes. The town's large Polish-American population has spawned some excellent Polish cuisine, but locals enjoy Asian and good old-fashioned American fare, too.

For some of the best Japanese food in the Buffalo area, try the Teton Kitchen. Small in size with a sparsely decorated interior, this owner-operated cafe nonetheless provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere along with fresh sushi, tempura, grilled meats and vegetarian cuisine. Try the wonderful pad thai, a vegetarian dish made with flat noodles and a spicy sauce, or if you like seafood, go for the tom kar soup, a spicy concoction made with coconut broth, scallops and squid. Wash it down with some Thai bubble tea or one of the single-serve wine and beer selections available from the bar.

If you love Polish food, try the Polish Villa, a small family restaurant that serves pierogis, kielbasa and old-fashioned potato pancakes that taste like they were made at home. Locals rave about the restaurant's large portions, low prices and authentic cuisine, especially the sweet and sour cabbage and the mixed sausage plates. The restaurant doesn't serve wine or beer, but if you crave a simple, hearty meal, this place fits the bill.

When you want a good American meal, head to Mr. Bill's Restaurant & Bar, where the charming decor, friendly staff and stick-to-your-ribs food make every meal a treat. The menu here runs the gamut, from broiled fish and baked chicken entrées to pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Try the grilled chicken rivera sandwich for lunch, or stop in for dinner to sample the out-of-this-world batter-dipped fish fry. On the way out, have a drink at the bar, which features an amazing array of craft cocktails and more than a dozen bourbons, including a 90-proof, 10-year-old Eagle Rare.

Cheektowaga has little to offer in the way of nightlife, so if you yearn for an exciting night out, head to the Chippewa District in Buffalo, the city's premier location for fine dining, music, dancing and fun. Start early with dinner at the Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant, an award-winning bistro with a wine list recognized in Wine Spectator magazine for 10 consecutive years. Next, stop in at some of the lively nightclubs that line the streets. Take your time to enjoy yourself; most places here are open until 4 a.m.

Conveniently located along the N.Y. State Thruway, Cheektowaga provides easy access to the city of Buffalo via Interstate 190, so most locals employed in the city drive to work. The neighborhood has a low walk score of 32, which means you will need to do most of your shopping, banking and other errands by car. Most businesses provide ample free parking, or you usually can find a non-metered spot on the street. You can't hail a cab on the street in Cheektowaga, but you can call one to pick you up.

Niagara Frontier Transit Authority provides two local bus routes and transportation to Buffalo, or you can take a bus to the AMTRAK station in nearby Depew and travel to Buffalo by train. Buffalo and Cheektowaga added a bike lane to Broadway in 2014, which gives commuters a safe bike route between Cheektowaga and Buffalo. However, most of the streets in town still lack bike lanes, so cyclists should stick mostly to off-road trails.

Travel by air to the Buffalo region by way of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, located in northern Cheektowaga. From there, you can take a shuttle, taxi or limousine into Buffalo, across the border to Canada or to other areas nearby. Uber doesn’t offer service in Buffalo.

Naturally scenic Cheektowaga features over 500 acres of open space, parks and walking trails as well as a thriving youth athletic program for kids. More than a dozen community parks with playgrounds and volleyball courts dot the city, as well as a number of dedicated dog parks. The town also houses the New York State Reinstein Nature Preserve, 292 acres of ponds, forests and wetlands where visitors enjoy hiking in the warmer months and cross-country skiing in winter.

Stiglmeier Park lies closest to Maryvale, and features some of the best walking trails and wildlife encounters in all of western New York. During summer, the Maryvale Pool provides a great place to cool off or simply lounge in the sunshine, and the Orchard Playground is a great place to take the kids for the afternoon. All parks in the community allow leashed dogs, and you get to park for free.

After its long, cold winters, Cheektowaga makes the most of the summer months, and residents enjoy a number of celebrations and neighborhood fairs. The annual Crabapple Festival features a full weekend of fun for the whole family, including amusement-park style rides, food booths, beer and wine, plus a soccer tournament and Little Miss beauty pageant for the kids. In June, the biggest event of the year, the Polish Festival, features weekend-long revelry, including native costumes, dancing, music and of course authentic polish sausage, beer and wine.

The cost of living in Cheektowaga runs a bit higher than neighboring East Buffalo, but considerably lower than the nearby communities of Lancaster and Amherst and most of the United States. Rent averages $595 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, but newer developments can cost a bit more. Gas runs 37 percent above the national average, and a beer at a local tavern costs $3 to $4. NFTA charges $2 per trip for bus fare or $5 for a full-day pass with unlimited rides.

Shopping in Cheektowaga trends towards big-box and discount stores, such as Target, K-Mart and Home Depot. Marshall's provides bargain fashions for the whole family, and Cabela’s on Walden Avenue features sporting goods and a large selection of fishing, hunting and camping gear.

For trendy fashions and home décor, head to the Walden Galleria Mall, where more than 200 stores sell everything from designer fashions to electronics and home goods. Shop Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale and Banana Republic for men’s and women’s fashions, and Coach and Laux Sporting Goods for high-end accessories. Best Buy features great deals on all kinds of electronics, and Lululemon Athletica appeals to the young and the young-at-heart. Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Sears round out your shopping experience with fashions for the whole family and great finds for your home and car.

If you want trendy or unique items, try Elmwood Village in Buffalo. Check out Urban Leisure and Luxury for trendy, high end brands, such as Ben Sherman, Desigual, Dex, English Laundry and Penguin. Turnstyle Designs features more high-end fashions, as well as custom, one-of-a-kind jewelry and aromatherapy designed just for you.

For groceries, try Wegmans, where most locals shop for produce, meat, dairy and everyday items for the home. Or check out the Clinton Bailey Farmers Market in Buffalo, where you'll find locally sourced fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs and organic items, plus food booths and espresso drinks. Best of all, you can stop in any day of the week from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.