Temple, TX

Born a railroad town in 1882, Temple even received its name from a Santa Fe Railroad official, Bernard Moore Temple. The Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum teaches about the city’s roots, with the entire upstairs dedicated to the railroad. Population here expanded greatly in the early 2000s, with many relocating from the larger Texas cities and bringing new businesses with them.

A wide range of artistic venues exist in Temple and the arts scene constantly expands. The Azalee Marshell Cultural Activity Center houses five art galleries, each displaying a new exhibit every six weeks. Annual events held by the city here include sporting events, such as the Hot 2 Trot 5k race. The Temple Model Train show provides fun for all ages with a number of exhibits and activities.

Locals choose from a variety of restaurants for their dining experience. These establishments spread throughout the center of Temple and many can be found along South 31st St, a main road in the neighborhood. Fine dining options abound in this neighborhood along with Tex-Mex and barbecue establishments.

Megg’s Café and Hamilton Bread Company remains a local favorite for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Dining here doesn't necessarily make for a quick meal, but provides a perfect venue for a relaxing meal spent catching up with friends. If you don't have time for a sit-down meal, Megg’s sells freshly baked pastries and breads to take home. This restaurant features a freshly modern feeling and a unique menu. Breakfast proves to be the specialty here, with eggs benedict and brown-batter pecan pancakes stars of the menu.

When you find yourself hungry for a Southern classic, stop in at Pit Stop BBQ. The owner here takes great pride in the establishment, offering free samples of dishes to ensure patrons enjoy their selections. The Asian Cajun sauce created here serves as a perfect complement to the meat dishes, especially the brisket. Jambalaya and potato salad served on the side provide a great addition to your meal.

La Riv Italian Bistro provides an upscale dining experience, boasting an impressive wine list the staff happily guides you through. The Osso Boco remains a top dish here, while the bread pudding brings a great close to your meal.

Residents of Temple enjoy quite a few bars and pools halls to spice up their nights. Future Cue’s, a large pool hall, creates a fun atmosphere with plenty of drinks to go around. O’Brien’s Irish Pub, a popular bar in the area, serves nightly specials and hosts live music on the weekends.

Traveling by car remains the most popular method for getting around in Temple. Interstate 35 runs through the city, providing the main venue for navigating throughout the neighborhood or to an outside city. Residents can choose to walk to their destination, and if they live close to South 31st St, every shop they need can be visited on foot. Cyclists in the area remain a minority with few bicycle lanes on the streets, though traveling by bicycle has been gaining popularity. For traveling long distances without a car, patrons utilize the Amtrack station located in downtown Temple and take the train to such cities as Waco or Austin while saving money. The HOP bus system provides easily affordable public transportation with stations throughout the city in its most popular areas. Hailing a cab proves difficult, but you can arrange a pickup by phone or online. However, Uber doesn't service this area. The majority of businesses in the area provide free parking for visitors.

A variety of parks in the area allows residents to connect with nature and enjoy a variety of activities. Many annual events open for participation, including a Mardi Gras dance and supper and Battle of the Bands Food Truck showdown at the Santa Fe Depot Gardens. All parks allow pets and children as well feature free entry. Ferguson Park, one of the largest in the area, hosts playgrounds, sports fields, picnic pavilions and a splash pad. For those looking to get fit, Echo Village Park contains a long hiking or biking trail.

Even with the neighborhood's atmosphere, living here proves to be highly affordable, with cost of living sitting 7.9 percent below the Texas average and 17.2 percent below the national average. Apartment complexes throughout the city feature average rents for one bedrooms around $643. Fueling up your car still saves money, with fuel prices averaging about 6.43 percent below the national rate. Getting to the city center by bus takes no more than $5 from your wallet, and ordering a beer in a bar adds about $3 to your bill.

Stores can be found all over the city, with many shopping centers located just off of the interstate. Many big-box retailers provide cost-effective products for consumers and many other local boutiques also proffer high-value items.

For the fashion-forward individual, Charming Charlie brings a little piece of fashion heaven to Temple. Shoppers here browse a plethora of costume jewelry and other accessories in every imaginable color and style. Sectioned off by color, this shop makes it simple to make coordinating selections, with many pieces priced reasonably.

Shopping at Paperdoodles creates a memorable experience thanks to the friendly, knowledgeable staff and eclectic selection of items. This shop's variety of gifting and stationary accessories goes unrivaled anywhere in Temple. Visit its website and place your order online for a perfect gift shipped anywhere in the country.

Grocery stores in the area consist mainly of chain retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target as well as the Texas chain H.E.B. The area's Kroger generates plenty of savings for its patrons, and a Natural Grocers provides an option for the health conscious. Scott and White Hospital hosts a farmers market in the summer to provide locals an opportunity to select home-grown produce.