North Jackson - Jackson, MS

Originally Choctaw Nation territory, the U.S. acquired the area in 1820. The population grew drastically with the addition of a railroad in the 1840s, allowing Jackson to connect with nearby cities. Jackson became an important center of manufacturing for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. After the Union's victory, almost the entire town burned down and a period of reconstruction followed. In the 1930s, the town experienced significant growth due to the discovery of natural oil, and the population boomed.

Most Jacksonians visit downtown to get their fill of arts and culture, but the neighborhood has a prospering arts scene of its own. Check out the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, and view memorabilia and exhibits documenting the lives of Jewish settlers. The neighborhood participates in the city-wide Blues Crawl as pubs and restaurants feature local blues musicians at their establishments.

Several restaurant options greet visitors to the neighborhood. Serving mainly Southern fare, the nightlife hub spans Interstate 55 and provides many establishments for patrons. The Feathered Cow, situated on Frontage Road, serves up a solid array of pub-style food. Locals love the burgers. Try the Holy Cow burger, a special take on the traditional cheeseburger. Finish your meal with the creamy homemade banana pudding.

Head to the Broad Street Baking Co. and Cafe for its famous King cake. Although many prefer to order the Mardi Gras staple in February, the cafe serves them year round. This small restaurant has an excellent rotating daily specials menu with soups, salads, and sandwiches. Residents try to get there as early as possible to get the specials before they sell out.

Venture to Char restaurant for the fried green tomatoes. Char makes this southern delicacy with a new take on the traditional favorite. Stuffed with goat cheese, this appetizer pleases even the pickiest of eaters. The cooked-to-perfection steaks pair well with any of the wines from the extensive list.

Be sure to visit BRAVO for a lively Italian meal or after-dinner drink. Order from the extensive wine list, or, better yet, try a specialty cocktail or two. Locals love the consistently great service and the ample gluten-free menu options.

Residents rely heavily on their cars to get them where they need to go. Interstate 55 runs directly through the neighborhood and connects drivers with downtown Jackson. Businesses provide free parking to patrons, so you won't need to pay for parking in this neighborhood.

The city's bus line, JATRAN, has several stops located in the area. The half-hour or hourly stop times do not extend late into the evening or on Sundays, so plan accordingly when scheduling your route. Those looking for a greener way to travel can take a bike route, which many cyclists use instead of bike lanes. Cyclists should avoid high-traffic areas since many do not have bike lanes available. You'll enjoy strolling through the historic districts, but make sure to stay off the main roads. You'll want to call ahead for taxi or Uber services as drivers don't troll the streets in search of customers.

Many of the area's parks have been razed for housing and commercial needs, so North Jackson does not hold much green space. However, the neighborhood contains a couple family-friendly parks that allow dogs and do not require an entrance fee. Visit Parkham Bridges for its tennis courts or Tougaloo park for a peaceful picnic lunch.

Those looking for outdoor exercise enjoy Jackson Academy Raider Park. Adjacent to a school, patrons can take advantage of the park on the weekends and outside of school hours. Joggers like to run the tracks, and athletes appreciate the baseball diamond and soccer field. Each spring, the park has a celebration dedicated to baseball. Patrons partake in games and activities such as the pedestal joust and chalk art contest.

Lower than the city's average, the cost of living draws families and singles to the area. You can find the standard one-bedroom rental unit for the average price of $617. A trip to the downtown business district costs you $1.50 for a one-way ticket. Gas runs a wallet-friendly 15 percent cheaper than the national average. You can grab a pint at one of the trendy neighborhood watering holes for around $5 and enjoy significantly cheaper prices during happy hour.

Centered around Highland Village Shopping Center, the area's high-value stores provide customers with both the basic essentials and one-of-a-kind finds. Swing by A Daisy a Day for artfully arranged flowers and gift baskets. The store also sells home decor, and locals love the option to purchase a matching vase with their flowers.

Bibliophiles on a budget love the Book Rack. This shop sells used paperbacks for a great price and has an excellent selection of sci-fi and mysteries lining the shelves. Locals know to call ahead if they're in pursuit of a particular book; a friendly sales associate can hold it for you if the store has it in stock.

Though locals go to available chains such as Whole Foods or Target for essentials, you can travel off the beaten trail and check out Oriental Supermarket. This authentic Asian store sells hard-to-find items such as black bean paste and frozen scallion pancakes. Grab a bite to eat when you're finished shopping at the attached restaurant. For fresh fruits and veggies, travel out of the neighborhood to the nearby Jackson Roadmap Farmers Market. In addition to produce, you'll find a bevy of pastries and fresh baked bread.