Northshore - Houston, TX

In 1837, the first ship landed in Houston. Twelve residents lived here until a boom hit, and four months later, over 1,500 people had arrived. In 1870, Houston became a port of entry, and many freed slaves opened businesses or found work. The 1900s gave way to a boom for investors as a hurricane hit in Galveston, and the discovery of oil in Beaumont transformed a new industry. By 1912, Houston had 25 buildings that were six stories in height. A total of 400,000 residents called Houston home by the 1940s. Twenty years later saw Houston preparing to build a new international airport. At about this time, North Shore began growing, and developers seized the opportunity, constructing the best-known subdivision of Woodforest.

Proctor Museum of Natural Science makes its home on the east side of Northshore, close to Cloverleaf. Also n the same vicinity, Anjail’s Forte Art Gallery opens its doors to art enthusiasts.

Northshore residents can enjoy a number of different cuisines, such as seafood, Tex-Mex, Traditional American, Mexican, steakhouses, sandwich shops, and some serve gluten-free options. Some restaurants in the area include Texas Seafood Restaurant, Pappasito's Cantina, Saltgrass Steak House, Jacinto City Cafe, Pappadeaux's Seafood Kitchen and Linda's Seafood. Most restaurants sit off the East Freeway on either side.

Locals talk about Pappas Meat Co., saying service comes from polite and friendly employees who stay knowledgeable about the menu. Try the Fried Green Tomatoes with remoulade sauce. Follow it with double-cut pork chops, baby back ribs or a porterhouse steak. Patrons claim that the meat always comes to the plate tender and juicy, served best with a side of mac and cheese. For dessert, try milk-chocolate layer cake or sweet-potato-pecan cake, both rich and creamy options.

A cheap and delicious sandwich shop in the Northshore area, Hobo's Sandwich Shop provides customers with a sandwich, chips and a drink for less than $7. The bread comes out homemade and always fresh, and the portion sizes leave you full. Patrons say that the service comes fast and friendly, and could possibly be the best unknown sandwich shop in Houston. Sandwiches to try include the signature Hobo or a ham, turkey and cheddar on a sourdough bun. This establishment also has a sandwich of the month, so try the ham and Swiss if given the chance.

Getting around Northshore remains easy and can be done by car, bicycle, on foot or taking public transit. The Metro bus system runs all over Houston, and line 137 services the Northshore area.

There are plenty of taxi services available, and you can call up Uber services for travels around Houston and surrounding areas.

Free public parking can be found at the flea market parking lot on Maxey Road. East Houston Medical Group on John Ralston Road has a sufficient parking lot that has pay meters for public use, and both Quality Inn and Fairfield Inn by Marriott allow parking when lots are not full.

Highways and freeways can be easily accessed, as Interstate 610 Runs north and south through the west side of Northshore, and Interstate 10/East Freeway runs through Northshore, east to west.

The neighborhood remains great for walking as a leisure activity or for exercise, as it consists of several subdivisions in a close-knit area. Residents have the opportunity to walk or bike around their own subdivision or visit others. Parks await also within walking distance of most subdivisions. Use caution when biking around the area as some areas have bike lanes but most do not. Follow traffic and road rules to ensure safety.

The neighborhood only has a few parks: Skrabanek Field, Northshore Rotary Park, Jim and JoAnn Foneno Family Park and Herman Brown Park. All parks provide a family-friendly green space, and usually welcome dogs as long as they remain on-leash. The parks typically post signs to advise residents entering the facilities.

Herman Brown Park, the largest of the area parks, has multi-purpose fields, tennis courts, a softball area, walking trails, restrooms, a playground and a picnic pavilion, making it an ideal space for families and exercise-minded individuals.

The Northshore Rotary Club hosts an annual fundraiser auction for all residents and visitors to attend. Local businesses and individuals donate goods and services to the chosen cause.

Living in Northshore cost 8 percent less than Houston with the average rental cost for a one-bedroom unit at around $640 per month. Gas prices equal the national average.

The out-of-pocket expense residents pay for riding the transit system costs $1.50 one-way, and a domestic beer at a local pub costs you $3.50 or $4.50 for an imported beer.

When shopping on a budget, Northshore provides residents with options such as Family Thrift Center and the A-1 Flea Market, with a variety of vendors. Department stores, such as Sam's Club, Palais Royal and The Burlington Coat Factory, make retail shopping trips easy. Most shopping areas and centers sit on either side of Interstate 10, and can be reached by car, bicycle or walking. Fay's Boutique markets women's apparel, and Rosa's Bridal Boutique has everything necessary for that special day. Northshore has enough grocery stores and supermarkets to find everything on the list. Kroger's, Jack's Grocery 18, and Sellers Brothers Food Market provide just some of the few grocery retailers in the area. However, no farmer's markets service the neighborhood, and residents usually visit other areas around Houston to access this service.