Northeast South Bend - South Bend, IN

The easy access to Lake Michigan on St. Joseph River brought traders to the South Bend area in the 18th century, establishing the first industry in what was to become northern Indiana. The mid-1830s saw the removal of Native Americans from their lands after skirmishes with white settlers.

Companies started to come to South Bend in the mid-1800s, digging canals to connect factories to the St. Joseph River. Generators were powered by these canals, bringing electricity to most of South Bend and the neighboring communities. This attracted more companies, including well-known names such as Studebaker and Bendix. The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, adding to the attraction of the area.

Along with the Studebaker Museum's exhibits of early transportation, the South Bend Museum of Art and the Snite Museum of Art offer residents a chance to see classic paintings and sculptures.

Rocco's Original Pizza has been providing flavorful pies to starving students and northeast neighborhood locals for more than 60 years. This family business specialty is Rocco's Combo, available in three sizes and topped with homemade sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers. Along with spaghetti, Rocco's other pasta dishes include gnocchi, stuffed tortellini and baked lasagna. A sausage sub or footlong hoagy makes a great lunch.

For authentic Salvadoran food, head to the west side of the neighborhood and try the pupusas at Girasol. The thick tortillas are stuffed with meat and cheese. It takes three to make a filling meal, so try an assortment of ingredients. Make sure to pile on the cortido and tomato garnish for the full effect. This small building looks more like a hut than a restaurant, so ask a local how to get there if you get lost.

Located right in the heart of the northeast neighborhood, Pitt's BBQ provides slow-cooked brisket, ribs, chicken and pulled pork. A sampler platter includes rib tips, pork and ribs, along with a couple of sides. Popular with students and local residents, Pitt's provides large servings at reasonable prices.

The clientele at the Linebacker Lounge consists mostly of college students looking for inexpensive drinks, live music and an active dance floor. The entrance line goes out the door on the most popular evenings, so be prepared for a crowd. Not a place for conversation, the Linebacker Lounge provides a loud and rowdy atmosphere where college students can forget about studies and let their hair down.

As the perfect gathering spot on the Notre Dame campus where parents and students meet to share a drink, Rohr's provides food, beer and cocktails in a comfortable atmosphere. Rohr's sits inside the Morris Inn, a popular place to stay for campus visitors. Rohr's provides a wide selection of craft beers and a special cocktail called "The Dexter," named after a Notre Dame benefactor's horse.

Public bus service runs through the entire South Bend metro area. Local residents cannot hail a cab from the street, but a call to one of South Bend's taxi companies makes scheduling a pickup easy. Uber offers service in South Bend, but Lyft does not.

Most people drive personal vehicles to get around South Bend. The northeast neighborhood sits just east of U.S. 31, which connects to Interstate 90 in the north and U.S. 20 in the south. The neighborhood is a safe place to walk, but the large distance between businesses makes walking inefficient. There are a number of bike routes in the area, including one that connects with a long path that follows the St. Joseph River.

Coquillard Park provides a gathering place for community residents to watch children play or arrange a game of basketball. A covered pavilion has picnic table seating for up to 60 people, and a splash pad brings the kids out of the woodwork to cool down during the summer. This park also hosts the summer lunch program where area children receive low-cost meals.

Seitz Park sits on the shore of the St. Joseph River, giving local residents a good spot to relax and watch the activity on the water. The park has an amphitheater that plays host to a series of summer concerts each year. Free to the public, the concerts feature regional and local acts.

The East Race Waterway takes advantage of a man-made canal to offer white-water rafting in the heart of South Bend. The five-minute run through moderate rapids is a great way to cool off during the summer. A fish ladder allows locals to watch Chinook salmon and steelhead trout swim up river. The city charges a fee to ride the white water.

South Bend's affordable home prices and attractive amenities place it high on the list of best places to live. The city's cost of living index is 19 percent lower than the national average, mainly due to the low price of homes. Rental prices are skewed because of the large number of college students living in apartments. Expect to pay an average of $877 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

It costs just $1 to take a bus downtown from the northeast neighborhood. Cold draft beer runs about $4 in a local bar, and gas prices typically trend approximately 7 percent lower than the national average.

Located in the northeast neighborhood, Inspire Me has the latest fashion trends from designers such as Free People, Juicy Couture, BB Dakota, and others. Located in a historic home, the store welcomes shoppers into a warm atmosphere where selections are divided by room. Perfect for a night in South Bend or trip to Chicago, the styling options at Inspire Me speak to the modern woman looking to make a fashion statement.

University Park Mall provides a wide selection of national retailers and specialty shops. Along with clothing outlets such as Ann Taylor, American Eagle, Forever 21 and Jos. A. Bank, the mall includes Spencer's Gifts, The South Bend Chocolate Company, Zale's Diamonds and a number of other smaller shops. A large food court provides sustenance for a whole-day shopping experience.

For fresh produce all year round, locals head to the South Bend Farmers Market in the downtown area. The indoor location stays open three days a week for the entire year, then adds Friday to the schedule when summer comes. With a 90-year history, the market provides a popular stop for residents looking for healthy meal ingredients. Other grocery options include super chains Walmart, Martin's and Kroger.