Mount Hope - Bronx, NY

Mount Hope grew up around the Grand Concourse, which opened in 1909. When a wave of arson crimes ravaged the community of Mount Hope, as well as many communities across New York City, during the 1970s, a large number of residential structures were damaged or destroyed. The city rehabilitated the buildings and re-purposed them as townhouses and apartment buildings.

Head north to visit the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, east to find the Bronx River Art Center, and south to visit the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Mark your calendars for the annual Technology Carnival in September, a community event featuring free computer classes and exhibitor tents alongside computer games and family activities.

The western edge of the neighborhood along Jerome Avenue and East Tremont Avenue form neighborhood's entertainment hub. Expect to find an eclectic range of cuisines from Latin American and Caribbean to old-fashioned American.

At Liberato Restaurant, the menu specializes in Latin American cuisine, with plenty of specials every day of the week. Try one of the house specials or visit for breakfast to sample the mashed green plantains, cassava, or oatmeal.

For traditional American comfort food, locals recommend Jimbo's Hamburger Palace. Start your day with an egg sandwich, omelette, or bagel, choose a wrap or sandwich at lunchtime, or enjoy one of the deluxe chicken or fish platters in the evening.

Dance the night away at the Spy Central nightclub, enjoy a beer at the Fancy Bar Restaurant or El Divo Lounge. or catch a game at the 27 Sport Bar & Cafe. The Turn On to Love Club features live comedy, and the Praia Lounge hookah bar hosts regular live music events.

Like most New York neighborhoods, Mount Hope is very pedestrian-friendly with excellent public transportation. The 4, B, and D subway lines whisk you toward Midtown and two bus routes run along the Grand Concourse in the same direction. Since the neighborhood is fairly flat with ample bike lanes, many residents choose bicycling to get around. Of course, New York is famous for their cabs, and hailing one is usually easy.

Most residents of Mount Hope don't bother with a car. If you do decide it's a must, be aware that on-street parking in Mount Hope is difficult. Drivers use Webster Avenue to the east, the Cross-Bronx Expressway to the south, and the Major Deegan Expressway and Harlem River Drive to the west to commute throughout the area.

Several small green spaces are located throughout the Mount Hope neighborhood. The Cleopatra Playground, Mount Hope Garden, and Jennie Jerome Playground all cater to younger members of the family with playgrounds and spray showers. Nicknamed Echo Park for the well-defined echo between the two rock masses that dominate it, Richman Park also includes playgrounds, handball courts for exercise enthusiasts, and dog-friendly areas for animal owners.

Renting an apartment in Mount Hope is an economical choice, since the cost of living is 10 percent lower than the average for New York City. Of course, that's still about 50 percent higher than the national average. The average one-bedroom apartment will cost about $1,150. If you head to the local bar or pub, a beer will cost about $10.50, and the price of gasoline is about 11.5 percent above the national average.

Find large and small stores dotted around the entire Mount Hope neighborhood, most of them either chain establishments or family-owned businesses. Try the Valencia Bakery for birthday cakes and sweet treats or the Rehobothe Fish Market for fresh seafood. Cedric Couture stocks boutique women's clothing, while bargains abound at Hot Stuff Discount.

Basic groceries lie within easy reach in the neighborhood at stores such as Associated Supermarket, Key Food, and the Golden Deli Grocery. You can find some international ingredients at the Raj West Indian and American Market, the El Castillo Deli Grocery, and the Naranjal Grocery. Head south to find the closest farmer's market at the Grand Concourse Greenmarket, open every Tuesday throughout the summer.