North New York - Bronx, NY

In the 1600s and 1700s, the South Bronx was owned by the aristocratic Morris family (who once owned much of New Jersey as well) and was dubbed the "Manor of Morrisania." The neighborhood contains three historic districts. The Mott Haven Historic District contains historic brownstones, the 1850 40th Precinct police station, and St. Jerome's Church, built in 1898. The oldest church in the Bronx, St. Ann's Episcopal Church, was built in 1841.

The Bronx Museum of the Arts on the Grand Concourse calls the South Bronx home and serves as the epicenter of the area's grassroots arts scene that dates back to the 1970s. The South Bronx also features creative graffiti murals and an annual folk music festival.

By virtue of living in the South Bronx, residents have unparalleled access to cuisines from virtually every culture in the world and a burgeoning local nightlife scene. But if you can't find what you seek in the immediate vicinity, a short ride on any of the local subway trains into Manhattan helps you quash any craving for food, drink, dancing, or socializing.

If you feel like staying local, plenty of noteworthy restaurants make their homes in the South Bronx. Take Sam's Soul Food Restaurant and Bar, arguably one of the best soul-food restaurants in the city. Here, you can score barbecued pork ribs, Jamaican jerk chicken, and oxtail stew. Sam's also serves as one of the best nightlife venues in the area, with karaoke and dance parties on weekends and inexpensive drink specials during the week.

When in the mood for classic Italian, just a short drive or bus ride gets you to the Bronx's equivalent of Little Italy, Arthur Avenue. Locals know you can make an incredible DIY sandwich by grabbing a semolina hero loaf at Madonia Brothers Bakery, pork soppressata at Calabria Pork Store (both on Arthur Avenue), and fresh mozzarella and grilled marinated olives at Casa Della Mozzarella (on E 187 Street, just off Arthur Avenue).

Head to Emilia's Restaurant and let Chef Nunzio whip you up his outstanding veal saltimbocca, prepared with milk-fed veal sauteed in white wine, served on a bed of delicately wilted spinach and topped with savory brown sauce and thinly sliced prosciutto.

The New York City Metro Transit Association, or MTA, is responsible for making the South Bronx incredibly easy for car-free families. With several subway trains strategically located in different sections of the area - including the B, D, 2, 4, 5, and 6 trains - and multiple local and express buses servicing the Bronx and going over bridges into Manhattan and Queens, you certainly don't need to be a driver to get around. You can even walk to do your shopping, considering how populated the area is with shops.

That said, with six bridges into Manhattan connecting the borough to the island -- five of which are free -- and access to major roads leading to every part of the city as well as Westchester County, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the South Bronx puts you in the center of everywhere you'd ever want to be when you get behind the wheel. The Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95), Major Deegan Expressway (I-87, aka the New York State Thru-way), and many other arteries of NYC are right in the neighborhood.

Taxis, Uber included, are not always easy to get, so trains and buses are recommended for getting around. The South Bronx Greenway is a wonderful area for recreational biking if you're a passionate cyclist.

As a resident of the South Bronx, you are never too far from your fair share of beautiful NYC parks, along with plenty of playgrounds specifically equipped for youngsters.

St. Mary's Park is at the center of the neighborhood. The largest park in the Bronx, this park stretches from E 149th Street at its north side down to St. Mary's Avenue. This park includes a recreation center with a pool, a running track, picnics areas, baseball diamonds, a handball court, a basketball court, and plenty of grassy knolls for Frisbee and football.

Other notable parks include Franz Siegel Park, Joyce Kilmer Park (which features the Lorelei fountain), and Heritage Field, located on the site of the old Yankee Stadium.

The cost of living in the South Bronx is 13.2 percent less than the NYC average, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in North New York is $1,215. It costs $2.75 for a subway ride into the heart of Manhattan, and a pint at a local bar cost anywhere between $3 and $7, depending on whether you prefer craft brews or watered-down domestic suds. As far as gas prices, they typically trend just over 11 percent above the national average.

Because the Bronx is a major metropolitan area in NYC, never expect to have a hard time finding anything you need. Over by Yankee Stadium and just off the Major Deegan sits the Bronx Terminal Market, a mall loaded with major chains such as Target, Home Depot, BJ's, Burlington Coat Factory, Best Buy, Marshall's, and Bed Bath and Beyond.

Beyond the big retailers, the South Bronx is filled with locally-owned businesses and regional chain stores. You'll find a variety of corner markets, coffee shops, diners, and specialty shops.

Several supermarkets are scattered across the South Bronx, including Fine Fare, Western Beef (the best place for meat), and three Pioneer Supermarkets. There is also the South Bronx Farmers Market for discerning shoppers who want the freshest fare.

For high-end shopping, hop on the 4, 5, or 6 train, and take a short 20-minute ride into Manhattan down Lexington Avenue. Stroll over to Madison and 5th Avenues to find flagship stores of the world's most renowned brands and designers.