Northwest Raleigh - Raleigh, NC

Northwest Raleigh was originally forest and farmland. The Iroquoian, Siouan and Algonquian tribes were the original inhabitants before English settlers began to move in and develop trade. This section of Raleigh remained mainly agrarian until major changes in the 1970s.

As the city began to expand and the Research Triangle Park brought in thousands of highly skilled workers from around the country, this relatively rural and untouched area gave way to new housing. Luckily, developers took special care to provide plenty of parks and trails to accommodate the new residents, including many man-made lakes and reservoirs created especially to protect wildlife.

This area houses the North Carolina Museum of Art, which includes expansive grounds with outdoor sculptures, and an amphitheater that hosts performers and movie nights. Some of the biggest traveling exhibits in the world make a stop at this high-caliber museum.

Northwest Raleigh plays host to great neighborhood bars and restaurants. Locals gather throughout the week at the popular Lynnwood Grill, which serves up some of the best pizza in town. Diners can always build their own pizza, but it would be a shame to pass up on some of the specialty pizzas that have helped put this restaurant on the map. The Thespian comes topped with marinara sauce, plenty of garlic, spinach, portobellos, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella and feta. Visit on weekends for live music or to watch the big game.

Margaux's sits just a few miles to the east on Creedmoor Road and features sophisticated dishes with a southern influence. If deciding between the escargot or the eggplant ravioli proves too difficult, opt for the three-course, price-fixed menu and sample a little bit of everything. The menu constantly changes to reflect seasonal ingredients, so diners never get bored with the same old dishes. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation before all the tables fill up.

Spend the evening at the Raleigh Grande Theater watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster, or head over to the Edwards Mill Bar and Grill to enjoy a beer on the outdoor patio. Looking to do some dancing or catch a great show? A 20-minute drive south on Glennwood places drivers right in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Kings Barcade, The Pour House, Lincoln Theater and the Red Hat Amphitheater all host regular shows by local musicians and international stars. To hit the dance floor and listen to the area's best DJs, visit Neptune's or Legends.

Northwest Raleigh consists of mostly residential areas, making it difficult to hail a cab. However, residents can take advantage of the extensive bus system that provides regular service to the area, or use Uber to catch a ride. A one-way bus ride costs just $2. Drivers enjoy plenty of free parking lots and easy access to Highway 70, which heads into downtown and Interstate 540.

Although the bust streets don't have bike lanes, both pedestrians and bikers can easily use the extensive sidewalk system to get around the neighborhood and connect to various parks.

One of the best aspects about living in Northwest Raleigh remains being able to enjoy access to plenty of parks. Lake Lynn provides the perfect pedestrian trail for walking the dog, going for a jog or doing some bird watching. Those who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, canoeing and just about any other outdoor activity can visit the William B. Umstead State Park. This park covers a large part of the city, and the northern entrance sits just off Highway 70 in Northwest Raleigh. Visitors can use the park for free, although campers have to pay a small fee for their site.

Families can spend the afternoon at the Green Road Community Center playing on the jungle gyms, or using the basketball and tennis courts and softball field. Stop by on weekends or evenings for a pick-up game of soccer or ultimate Frisbee.

For competitive runners, Umstead hosts many trail races throughout the year including a 100-mile ultra-marathon.

The cost of housing in Northwest Raleigh trends slightly above that of other parts of the city. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in this popular neighborhood costs an average of $780 per month. Gas prices run on par with national averages, and residents pay $4 for a pint of beer.

Northwest Raleigh sits just north of the Crabtree Valley Mall, which houses both high-end stores and popular retail chains. Shoppers can add to their wardrobe at JCrew, Banana Republic and the Gap. Bobbi Brown features exclusive beauty products, and the Coach store has a large selection of high-quality handbags and accessories to complement any outfit.

For cutting-edge women's clothing trends from up-and-coming designers, visit the Fedora Boutique. Many of their signature pieces have been directly inspired by celebrity fashion, so shoppers can re-create the looks of their favorite stars. Choose from among well-tailored pants, blouses and jackets that afford a bit of a twist.

Gigi's Boutique caters to an more mature women looking for something stylish and figure flattering. Most of their designs incorporate flowing fabrics with a cinched waist that helps to create an hourglass figure. While they specialize in dresses, shoppers can also complete their outfit with shoes, jewelry and other accessories.

Residents or Northwest Raleigh have their choice of popular chain grocery stores. Kroger, Harris Teeter and Food Lion all have locations in the neighborhood. In addition, the North Carolina State Farmers' Market awaits just a 20-minute drive away. This large market opens every day, year-round, and features dozens of vendors selling local produce, meat and artisan wares.