Northwestside - Lansing, MI

Early European settlers were tricked into moving to the Lansing area by a pair of brothers who misled investors. New England farmers relocated to Lansing expecting to find a thriving city with a well-established infrastructure. What they found instead was completely virgin land in the middle of a major floodplain. It wasn't until 1848, when the state legislature decided to move the capital from Detroit to Lansing, that the city began to experience significant growth. Leaders reasoned that Lansing would be much easier to defend due to its location in the middle of the state, away from national borders.

Today, residents from around the state come to the city to visit the Michigan Historical Museum, the Lansing Art Gallery — which features many local artists — and the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. The Capital City Film Festival and the East Lansing Art Festival represent just two annual cultural events held each year.

While residents live just a short drive from a long list of restaurants and entertainment options in the heart of downtown Lansing, locals don't have to venture far from their doorstep to grab dinner and a drink.

DeLuca's has been in business since 1960 and continues to be a favorite spot for pizza and Italian food. Two brother in-laws originally opened this location to provide factory workers with a neighborhood bar to visit after shifts. It didn't take long before the pizza became the main selling point and people from all over the city started visiting to share a pie with friends. Today, this family friendly and casual restaurant enjoys a reputation for the best pizza in town. Start any meal with an order of soft and buttery garlic sticks before moving onto one of the specialty pizzas. The bruschetta pizza, which features a thin crust topped with olive oil, tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella and Romano cheese, ranks as a local favorite.

Residents also live within blocks of the King of the Grill. This casual eatery serves up slow-cooked, Texas-style barbecue plates. Each cut of meat is perfectly seasoned and cooked for hours to create a tender and flavorful dish. First-time visitors should start with the famous ribs, and load up with sides of macaroni and cheese and coleslaw for a true taste of locally prepared comfort food.

To grab a drink without having to venture too far from home, locals can stop by the Airport Tavern. This neighborhood bar serves typical pub fare and features drink specials throughout the week for affordable draft beers and cocktails. Wash down a some spicy jalapeño poppers with a tall glass of Labatt Blue and unwind with friends after the work week.

For more upscale dining options and entertainment venues, head to south to East Michigan Avenue. This major road runs through the heart of downtown and dead ends at the state capitol building. Choose from a variety of sports bars, sophisticated steak houses and wine bars for a night out on the town. Sports fans can catch a game at the Cooley Law School Stadium, home field of the minor-league baseball team, the Lansing Lugnuts. Dance to top 40 hits at the Harem Urban Lounge, or get tickets to nationally touring shows that make stops at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

Drivers head east on Grand River Avenue to hop on Expressway 496 or travel west to the intersection of interstates 96 and 69 for easy access to all points north and south. Because the Northwestside neighborhood sits on the outer edge of Lansing, driving provides the easiest way to get around. Plenty of free parking in residential and commercial areas make it even more driver-friendly.

The Grand Rapids public transportation system does service the area. Bus stops line Grand River, Avenue allowing residents to commute downtown for work or pleasure. Hailing a cab on this main drag may take a few minutes, but can be done. Uber also services the area.

Pedestrians enjoy strolling and biking the quiet neighborhood sections of the Northwestside, but commuting by bike or on foot may prove more difficult. The major streets don't provide bike lanes, and heavy traffic can make it less than desirable for pedestrians to travel significant distances across the neighborhood.

Residents also live within blocks of the Capital Region International Airport, making it convenient to catch a flight to national and international destinations.

The Grand Woods Park sits along the southern border of the Grand River and provides Northwestside residents with plenty of open spaces and trials for hiking and walking the dog. This park also hosts one of the area's largest and most popular disc golf courses. A short drive east brings families to Tecumseh Park, which has a large playground and picnic shelters. Nature lovers make frequent trips to the Capital City Bird Sanctuary. Visitors wander the park free of charge, but might want to schedule a their visit around a guided tour in order to get the most out of the experience.

To celebrate major holiday events hosted by the city, visit the Adado Riverfront Park, which serves as the site of Fourth of July firework displays and other annual community gatherings.

Living in the Northwestside neighborhood costs significantly less than other sections of Lansing. Residents can rent a one-bedroom home for just $500 a month. The standard fare for a one-way ride on a public bus costs $1.25, although the transit authority provides plenty of discounts. Drivers also save a full 20 percent at the pump compared to national price averages for a gallon of gas.

Shoppers looking to visit some of their favorite national retail chains head east to the Eastwood Town Center Mall. This complex hosts stores such as Forever 21, Sam's Club, Gap and many other familiar names. To check out some of the city's best boutique and specialty stores, head downtown.

Because East Lansing houses Michigan State University, the area hosts many great book stores that cater to local students, intellectuals and other voracious readers. The Curious Book Shop carries a selection of new releases and rare first editions for serious collectors. Peruse the stock of antique books and purchased signed copies of works by local Michigan authors.

The Absolute Gallery, located in the Old Town District, also provides a great destination for unique gifts and collectibles. This shop carries sculptures, paintings, jewelry, cards, prints and a whole list of other handmade products that have been created by local artists. Prices vary, so anyone can afford to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Shoppers and collectors visit often to find new items constantly being added to the stock.

Northwestside residents visit the local Meijer grocery store fill up the pantry and purchase other essential household goods. Several area farmers markets also provide options for fresh produce throughout the year. The Lansing City Market features indoor and outdoor vendors so shoppers can visit during the winter months without having to worry about fighting the cold weather.