Talbot Park Norfolk, VA

According to legend, Union troops invaded a mansion in Talbot Park during the Civil War. Intending to burn down the dwelling, the soldiers had a change of heart when they noticed an American seal on the home's fireplace. The area, once inhabited by plantation owner Thomas Talbot in the late 18th century, now hosts numerous subdivisions filled with a high resident population of military members stationed at nearby Naval Station Norfolk.

Although Talbot Park does not house any museums, the neighborhood lends convenient access to the Chrysler Museum of Modern Art, a renowned Norfolk tourist attraction on One Memorial Place. This cultural gem hosts Picasso and Dali collections, outdoor sculptures and an extensive glass collection showcasing more than 2,000 pieces.

Each spring, the Norfolk Greek Festival at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Granby Street in Talbot Park makes you feel like you just stepped into a 19th century Greek village.

Granby Street, the central restaurant hub of the neighborhood, houses many noteworthy, independently owned restaurants and bars.

When you need a quick bite, try Taste Unlimited. This cozy neighborhood shop serves a wide variety of specialty sandwiches, chopped salads and wraps. Savor a local favorite, the Tidewater sandwich, which is made with chicken salad, ham, Swiss cheese and house dressing on classic French bread. You can also create your own signature sandwich with your choice of meat, cheese, dressings and freshly baked bread.

Mi Hogar Mexican Restaurant satisfies your need for reasonably priced, authentic Mexican cuisine. This casual, festively decorated restaurant serves the usual south-of-the-border staples. When you want a little something different, treat yourself to a potato-stuffed burrito and spinach enchilada platter that converts even the most die-hard meat eaters into Mexican vegetarian food connoisseurs.

Take your friends to Crackers, an upscale neighborhood tapas restaurant. Order the cinnamon-seared scallops for a surprising flavor combination, or have the pork and ginger potstickers to enjoy the unforgettable union of these two contrasting yet complementary ingredients. End the dinner with s'mores that you make yourself at your table.

Head down the street to MJ's Tavern after dinner to have a quiet night cap at the bar. Alternately, go out to a concert at Norva on Monticello Avenue, the area's intimate live music venue that hosts local artists and national acts.

Talbot Park's convenient access to U.S. Routes 58 and 460 make getting to and from your everyday destinations almost effortless. While driving is the primary way to get around the neighborhood, hailing a cab isn't an easy feat, and Uber's ride-share service is not an option here. However, when you don't want to drive, you can walk or bike down Newport Avenue, the most walker- and cyclist-friendly street in the area that connects you to most of the other streets in the neighborhood. Although the avenue does not having hiking/biking lanes, the street is wide enough to walk or bike safely.

When you want to venture off of the main drag, hop on the Hampton Roads Transit bus on Monticello to get you to your destination without much hassle. If you do take your car, expect to find free parking at most of the area businesses.

Lafayette Park on Granby Street, located next to the Virginia Zoo, houses more than 30 acres of lush, green terrain. The mildly exercise-centric park hosts tennis courts, basketball courts and a baseball field. A haven for kids within the neighborhood, LP also houses a spacious playground area and picnic shelters, which allow families to bond over a day of play around the park. This community park does not host annual events or festivals, yet it does provides a fenced-in, off-leash dog park so your pooch can run free with other neighborhood dogs.

Talbot Park residents usually experience an cost of living equal to the Hampton Roads average, with one-bedroom rentals averaging about $692 per month. Expect to pay about $6 for a beer at a local pub, and you'll pay $1.75 for a bus ride into the center of town. Gas prices in this area cost approximately 7 percent less than the national average.

Find all of your national brand favorites under one roof at MacArthur Center on Monticello Avenue. Featuring Nordstrom, Dilliards and Michael Kors, this shopping center also houses an ice rink and hosts a yearly winter carnival.

When looking for unique clothing and gifts, venture out of Talbot Park into neighboring Ghent where you find a small assortment of boutiques and thrift stores. Shop for unusual jewelry, home decor, purses, hats, baby items and more at Texture on Baldwin Avenue. This store features the work of more than 200 artists from around the world and also stocks an interesting variety of vintage bracelets and pendants.

For consigned items in a boutique atmosphere, shoppers head to Double Take. Dubbed the Saks Fifth Avenue of the consignment world, Double Take draws in clients for its stylish, well-curated inventory of outfits, but the shop also carries upcycled furnishings and other fun finds.

National chain grocery stores, including Walmart and the Fresh Market, are available in the nearby Ghent and Wards Corner neighborhoods. The local chain grocery store, Harris Teeter on Granby, provides you with a large wine selection and all of the meat, seafood and pantry staples you need to get through your work week.

Save your produce and specialty item shopping for Saturday mornings down in East Beach. Here, the Farmer's Fare on Hammock Lane sells fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, freshly baked goods and handmade cheeses, sauces and dressings.