North Beaumont - Beaumont, TX

In the 1800s, Beaumont was an east Texas town known for its lumber, rice mills and active river port. In 1901, the Lucas Gusher on Spindle Hill exploded, shooting oil 200 feet in the air for nine days. The explosion uncovered the area’s abundant natural resource that lay underground, and over 40,000 people flocked to the town to sightsee and capitalize on the newly found black gold. The population tripled over three months, leading to a building boom. Beaumont continues to expand today, with residents attracted to North Beaumont for its suburban lifestyle.

Beaumont provides a rich museum culture for a small town. Residents visit John Jay French Museum in North Beaumont for a look back on life in the pioneer days. Tour the restored home complete with original household utensils.

Residents take part in Beaumont’s annual festivities such as the South Texas State Fair and Mardi Gras.

With close proximity to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, North Beaumont residents enjoy some of the best seafood and Cajun-inspired cuisine around. However, the area also consists of plenty of restaurants that cater to all types of cravings, from Asian to Italian. When hungry, take a drive down Dowlen Road for a wide range of dining selections. From familiar chain eateries to upscale sushi spots, you can likely find the perfect spot to eat.

Pho Four Seasons, a local favorite for Vietnamese cuisine, sits on Dowlen Road near Ridge Lane. The fresh pho makes a perfect light meal. Add a side of the shrimp spring rolls to satisfy a big appetite. And though it may be an unexpected favorite item on the menu, give the homemade lemonade a try for a refreshing treat.

Head to Crown Pizza on Phelan Boulevard for creative specialty pizzas. The cozy dining room provides limited seating, but you can dine al fresco on the outdoor patio or take your pizza to go. Though the prices run a little higher than the typical chain pizza restaurant, patrons don’t mind paying a little extra for the gourmet fare. Try the BLT with bacon marmalade, arugula and goat cheese, or the Mr. Voodoo with house-made Louisiana etoufee sauce and crawfish tails.

Adjacent to Crown Pizza sits Willy Burger, a favorite local dining spot. Not just your average old-fashioned burger joint, the menu features specialty burgers for the adventurous foodie as well as perfectly greasy classics. Go for the Hee Haw burger with fried green tomatoes, bacon, pimento cheese and red pepper jelly. Then, finish off your meal with an airy, sweet funnel cake.

A popular place among locals, the West Bar & Grill draws a crowd every weekend. The relaxed bar provides pool tables, big screens, ping pong tables, and darts, but cheap drinks and good conversation serve as the prime entertainment.

Head east about two miles down Phelan Avenue to the Logon Café for a craft beer and live music. Bring your growler to fill up on your favorite specialty beer. Wednesday night hosts entertaining open mic sessions.

With close proximity to major highways and thoroughfares, North Beaumont residents find it easy to travel to various parts of the Beaumont-Port Arthur area. From the North Beaumont neighborhood, a trip downtown takes about 12 minutes by personal car, which is the locals’ preferred mode of transportation. Though the streets throughout the residential portions of North Beaumont prove to be bike and pedestrian-friendly, most bike rides and walks serve as leisurely activities rather than traveling to and from work or running errands. The Beaumont Transit System makes few stops in the North Beaumont area, so traveling by public transit does not provide the quickest method. To get to downtown Beaumont, one must take a personal car or call American Quality Cabs for a ride. Uber does not service the area.

Southeast Texas provides many exciting outdoor opportunities with its dense forests and shallow wetlands. North Beaumont residents enjoy spending time at nearby parks and trails. Rogers Park on Gladys Avenue and Dowlen Road attracts many families with its large playground and splash pad for kids. Sports fields and a jogging trail bring out the exercise enthusiasts, while plenty of shade trees provide the perfect spot to relax with a book from the nearby public library. For more competitive fun, head to Klein Park and join in on a disc golf game, or take your pup for a run on the 2-mile loop at the Gulf Terrace Hike & Bike Trail.

Though these parks don’t typically host annual events, residents enjoy a short drive into downtown Beaumont for annual festivities such as Dogtoberfest.

North Beaumont residents enjoy affordable housing with plenty of casual dining and entertainment spots nearby. Similar to central Beaumont, North Beaumont's cost of living runs about four percent lower than the average cost of living in Texas. A one-bedroom apartment runs $683 per month. Locals pay about $2.50 for a domestic beer, so a night out on the town proves easy on the wallet. Gas prices sit about 10 percent lower than the national average, or pay $1.50 per ride on the city metro bus.

North Beaumont residents enjoy easy access to nearby Parkdale Mall as well as a number of familiar chain stores up and down busier Dowlen Road and Phelan Avenue. Parkdale Mall features typical shopping mall occupants like Forever 21 and Sunglass Hut, anchored by Macy's and Dillard's.

For specialty shopping, residents visit some of Beaumont's local shops. On the Run at the corner of Phelan and Dowlen provides quality service and has a good selection for runners and joggers. Whether you're a serious marathon participant or leisurely jogger, On the Run suits you up with the best gear. Let the knowledgeable staff evaluate your stride, and leave with the perfect shoes for your next run.

Locals head to For Heaven's Sake on Calder Avenue near Phelan Avenue to choose a china pattern or select unique wedding and baby gifts. Just down the road at Ellis Decor & Garden, residents shop for home decor and craft supplies, from vases and throw pillows to ribbons and potted plants. Fans of fresh style get their jewelry fix at Kendra Scott, where the Austin-mom-turned-designer sells her fun and colorful creations and lets customers design their own at the Color Bar.

Residents have a wide range of grocery shopping options throughout the neighborhood, with large chain stores as their primary place to shop. Kroger, H-E-B, and Walmart keep well-stocked shelves of everyday goods and produce at affordable prices. To shop local organic produce, residents head to the Beaumont Farmers Market on Dowlen Road, south of Phelan Avenue. The seasonal market runs from spring to fall.