Southeast Raleigh - Raleigh, NC

Until Research Triangle Park opened in 1957, Southeast Raleigh remained a sleepy area of farms some distance from downtown. With the population increase resulting from the new jobs in RTP and the construction of the I-440 Beltline, more homes sprang up until the neighborhood became an important bedroom community.

Shaw University, a historically black college in Southeast Raleigh, distinguished itself with many firsts in North Carolina and United States history: the South's first African-American college, the nation's first building erected for the higher education of black women, and the nation's first four-year medical school for African Americans.

Kids and families alike love the North Carolina Museum of Art for the exhibitions, sculpture park and kids programs. Every summer, the NCMA hosts a concert series in the outdoor theater, bringing local and national acts to play.

While the restaurants of downtown Raleigh crowd the scene with hip new eateries, Southeast Raleigh enjoys several reliable favorites that draw people from all over the Triangle. In this part of North Carolina, only one style of pulled pork counts as true barbecue, and Carolina Barbecue and Chicken cooks it up right, complete with a vinegar-based sauce, hush puppies and Brunswick Stew. Don't forget the peach cobbler, if you still have room.

All over the Triangle, folks head to local chain La Cocina for authentic Mexican cuisine. The location in Garner serves Southeast Raleigh with chiles poblano, taquitas and margaritas, plus dishes for the more health-conscious such as grilled shrimp with vegetables.

Get the best breakfast in town at Angie's Restaurant, a diner where the wait staff call everyone "Sweetie" and "Honey" and dish out huge portions. You can get your basic breakfast or lunch, or be more adventurous and try the fried bologna sandwich, a Southern favorite.

For sports fans (and in Raleigh, everyone has a favorite team), Overtime Sports Pub shows games on 15 screens, with all the local brews and bar food you need. One warning, though: this may be Panther country, but Overtime heavily favors the Steelers

The biggest music stars in the world perform at Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Southeast Raleigh. In the past, this venue has hosted everyone from Aerosmith to ZZ Top, not to mention festivals such as HORDE, Lollapalooza and the Charlotte Blues Festival. The Amphitheater has seats under the pavilion as well, as general admission lawn seating, and attracts music fans from every corner of the state.

The layout of Southeast Raleigh means that residents need cars to get almost anywhere. Cycling and walking are fine inside the subdivisions, but the main routes get crowded, especially during rush hour. With no bike lanes, riders must take care.

Several main highways border the neighborhood on the north and west sides, giving access to the Raleigh Beltline and points all over the Research Triangle Park. Buses from Capital Area Transit extend their routes only into the parts of Southeast Raleigh closest to the major highways. Uber and cab companies serve the neighborhood.

Raleigh and Wake County maintain an impressive array of parks for all uses, many of them within Southeast Raleigh. Historic Oak View County Park encompasses a 150-year-old farmstead, putting the agricultural heritage of North Carolina on display. Visitors can view several period buildings, livestock and gardens, and even take a self-guided cell phone tour of the park. Learn about cotton farming in the Cotton Gin House, see exhibits on North Carolina agriculture through the years or stop in the Plank Kitchen for a taste of 19th-century cooking.

Anderson Point Park has hiking trails, a playground and canoeing year round, but the real attraction comes from the rental facilities. Hire out the Cottage, a restored 1900s home, for your event, and treat your guests in style. Put on your own concert or performance in the park's amphitheater, or reserve one of the fields for a company picnic or family reunion.

Aside from the rental of special facilities, all parks are free and open to residents with any leashed pets.

Living in Southeast Raleigh costs roughly 8 percent less than Raleigh itself, largely due to affordable housing costs. Renting a one-bedroom residence costs $730 per month, on average. Taking a bus into downtown Raleigh costs $1.75 one way, and a beer at a local watering hole goes for about $5. Buying a tank of gas in this area costs about 3 percent less than the national average.

Most residents of Southeast Raleigh do their grocery shopping at one of the many Food Lion locations in and around the neighborhood. For general retail shopping, the best bets can be found in Garner, downtown or at Tower Marketplace on the Beltline. Sooner or later, model-building or radio-control buffs find their way to Raleigh Hobby and R/C in Garner. The store stocks RC planes, helicopters, cars, boats and drones, not to mention model kits, model rockets and everything required to build them. Look for Raleigh Hobby inside the Pro-Mow Equipment Sales store. Don't let the name fool you. Thieves Market Mall sells antiques and consignment goods, not stolen merchandise Browse through more than 13,000 square feet of vendors to find jewelry, furniture, toys, lighting fixtures, linens and china. Keep an eye out for the market's parking lot sales, with deeper discounts and prize drawings. Farther afield, Raleigh's Cameron Village Shopping Center gathers dozens of the area's best shops, restaurants and boutiques in one location. Local chain Great Outdoor Provision Co. helps hikers, campers and boaters prepare for their next outdoor expedition. Get your gear for fishing, canoeing or trekking, and take advantage of the experienced staff's knowledge of the area.