Parkview Tonawanda, NY

The region north of Buffalo bore witness to many of the pivotal events in early American history. The Erie, Seneca and Neutral Indian tribes resided there and named many of its landmarks: Tonawanda means "swift waters," referring to the Niagara River and the creeks that feed into it. It saw battles during the War of 1812, when the British burned the town down in combat with French soldiers and served as an outpost of the Underground Railroad in the Antebellum and Civil War era.

In 1828, Benjamin Long, his wife and their five daughters settled the area where the Ellicott Creek meets the Tonawanda Creek. Their large house stands today as a museum, displaying personal and regional history, with a particular focus on the Erie Canal, which transformed the region.

With the University of Buffalo next door, residents of the Parkside neighborhood need never be bored; most campus art exhibits, concerts, speakers and sporting events are public.

Seven saltwater aquariums decorate the dining room at The Grapevine, and watching the slow-moving fish makes the short wait for food relaxing for adults and entertaining for children. This popular casual American restaurant does have a full seafood menu, with haddock, crab cakes and Maine lobster at very reasonable prices, but in a nod to the owner's heritage, Italian dishes also make up a significant portion of the menu. The attractive plates of eggplant parmesan, manicotti and spaghetti deserve the hype they've inspired.

Black Forest Adler serves authentic German food in a pretty spot overlooking Ellicott Creek Park. The menu goes beyond sausage and strudel to get to the rustic heart of German food. Wonderfully stinky Limburger cheese comes with fresh onions, paprika and parsley. The rich Swabian goulash, made of chunks of pork soaked in mushroom gravy, might require looser pants by the end of the meal, as will the Schwartzwald torte, a chocolate cake soaked in kirschwasser brandy and topped with whipped cream and cherries. Naturally, the long beer list focuses on German and Belgian ales.

The cheerful atmosphere at Average Joe's attracts students from the nearby UB campus as well as residents and professionals from the surrounding area. Drink specials, trivia events and live music keep the energy high, but in the summertime the patio has a low-key, relaxed vibe. Joe's serves a full menu of standard bar fare, including burgers, pizzas and sandwiches.

Seoul Garden, an authentic Korean restaurant on the main drag of Niagara Falls Boulevard, serves fresh traditional dishes such as bibimbap (vegetables and rice with toppings), bulgoki (marinated short ribs), beef soup and spicy pickled vegetables. Every guest receives complimentary barley tea and servings are large and very affordable. The menu also includes a section of Chinese dishes for those unfamiliar with the Korean menu.

Traffic and metered street-side parking are easy in this outer suburban region of Buffalo, and reliable public transportation makes it possible to live without a car. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority runs a line directly to downtown along Niagara Boulevard, and other bus lines connect the neighborhood to other parts of the city. Standard fares are $2, and it's $75 for a monthly pass.

Pedestrians and cyclists can also get around this compact neighborhood fairly easily. Sidewalks connect most residential blocks. Trails run along the two creeks, and a designated bike lane on Sweet Home Road serves the significant UB campus commuting population.

Taxis, car shares and Uber provide the car-free with four-wheeled transportation when needed.

Plenty of green space gives residents of this area a little breathing room. The Ellicott Creek runs through the neighborhood, and it's wide enough for canoes and kayakers. Fishermen are frequently seen along the creek as well. As the largest piece of green space in the area, Nature View Park encompasses more than 1,200 acres of forests, fields and creeks. This Land Conservancy project has become a refuge for birds and other wildlife, and hiking trails wind throughout the park to give visitors the chance to spot them.

The historic infrastructure at Ellicott Creek Park complements the natural beauty of this large city green, built in 1926 by Works Progress Administration crews. Ellicott Creek runs on one side of the green space and Tonawanda Creek on the other side, creating an island park between that has been designated for off-leash dogs, although others may walk here too. Nearby Brighton Park has an 18-hole public golf course, plus sports fields, batting cages and a pool.

In the winter, Buffalo's famous snowfalls provide downhill skiing opportunities in the suburbs and cross-country skiing in several of the parks and nature reserves. Downtown Buffalo's Rotary Rink is outdoor and free to the ice-skating public, and those who prefer wheels can ice-bike on the Erie Canal. Annual events in Buffalo include music, art and food festivals; sports games and tournaments; walks and runs; and many other cultural and local celebrations.

As part of the Rust Belt, Buffalo and its surrounding cities have endured numerous economic blows in the post-industrial era. However, Parkview has withstood this downturn with rates for a one-bedroom running around $700 a month.

Gas prices exceed the national average by 20 percent while the price of a beer runs $3 to 5 here.

Most of the area's retail clusters sit along the north-south arterial route, Niagara Boulevard. Here, restaurants, chain retail and services can be found, along with a few unique local shops.

Fowler's Chocolates, a Buffalo-area favorite since 1910, has a location here, selling hand-dipped chocolates and other fancy confections. Paul's Jewelry Designs has a wide selection of fine jewelry, including artisan-made designs. A family-run business since 1939, Menne Nursery and Garden Artistry goes a step beyond selling mulch and bedding plants. Menne's World of Christmas has dazzled generations of New Yorkers with spectacular seasonal displays that area families take special trips to admire.

Follow the creek west to the Niagara River for a historic business district with old-fashioned main street charm. Here, the Partners in Art Gallery doubles — make that quadruples — as an art supply shop, frame shop and studio space for multimedia classes and workshops. Cats Like Us, a funky little clothing shop, sells rockabilly fashions, including men's bowling and western shirts, women's pinup-style lingerie and '40s and '50s dresses, and retro gifts and accessories.

Tops, Trader Joe's, and big-box stores give residents plenty of options for groceries. The Honey Tree, just north of the two creeks, sells natural foods and organic produce. In the growing season, the North Tonawanda Farmer's Market brings fresh farm goods into town.