Town 'N' Country - Tampa, FL

The area around Town 'n' Country was settled in 1956 as a dairy farm and remained largely rural for the next decade. During the 1960s and 1970s, suburbanization crept in and housing developments for commuting families were built.

Primarily a bedroom suburb, Town 'n' Country is not a major cultural center, and it lacks museums and art. Residents must leave the neighborhood to take advantage of Tampa's museums and art scene.

Although home to a fair number of chains and fast food joints, Town 'n' Country also supplies a good number of unique restaurants spread around town, from ethnic eateries to high class seafood establishments. With thriving Cuban and Asian communities living in Town 'n' Country, spicy flavors can be found all around.

Check out Loli's Mexican Cravings, just east of Highway 589, for authentic tortas, tacos and sopes. Located in a pink house, this small local gem remains the perfect spot to pick up tamales (only offered on Fridays and Saturdays, so plan ahead) or fresh fish tacos.

For authentic food from another part of the world, visit One Family Korean Restaurant on West Hillsborough Avenue. A small family-run restaurant in a mini Korea-town district, One Family has cozy booths, call-buttons to summon the wait staff, and a large TV up front for karaoke or showing Korean TV. Come in for lunch and get the bento-style Bulgogi box or pop in later in the evening for some karaoke and enjoy a traditional Dolsot Bibimbap with a selection of flavorful sides. Wash the spice away with a Hite Korean beer or a plum wine/soju drink.

Looking for something a little more Floridian? Head over to Hogan's Beach, located beach side on Courtney Campbell Causeway. With a lovely water view, a veritable Hulk Hogan memorabilia museum inside, live music and fresh local seafood, Hogan's Beach provides all the elements for a memorable meal. Try the Captain Mike's Seafood Gumbo, made with seafood fresh from the gulf or the Hogan burger complete with fried egg, roasted tomatoes, arugula and bacon.

For late night entertainment, locals generally head to the water. With elegant bars like the Aqua, located in the Westin, with a wide wine selection and signature Aqua Martini, locals can relax and watch the waves in style. Or to catch the game, visit Charann's Tavern located at the intersection of Hillsborough Avenue and Memorial Hwy. A dark and cozy bar with tons of nibbles (try the cajun boiled peanuts) as well as entrees, Charann's won't leave you hungry.

Residents of Town 'n' Country generally rely on cars to get to work and run errands. Easy access to regional highways makes commuting to downtown or getting to the airport a breeze, and parking near businesses rarely poses a problem. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) system does provide public transportation options, including the HARTFlex — an on-demand, curbside van-based service at a reasonably low cost. Uber also operates in Town 'n' Country, making it an option for getting around the metro area with ease.

Some of the major roads in the Town 'n' Country area have dedicated bike lanes, but in many areas the roads are fairly narrow and might be difficult to navigate on a bicycle. The same holds true for residential roads; some have sidewalks, but some don't, and the streets tend to be on the narrow side making safe walking/bicycling a bit tricky.

Town 'n' Country residents love to get outside, and the neighborhood is well-suited to this lifestyle. For a beach experience not crowded with tourists, check out the Ben T Davis Beach off W Courtney Campbell Causeway. More of a walking beach than a choice swimming spot, Ben T Davis provides stunning sunset views for only the price of parking (a reasonable $1.50 for 3 hours).

For a different style of natural experience, locals head over to the Upper Tampa Bay Park for a $2 day fee. With nature trails, playgrounds and boating on the creek or in the bay, this park is great for exploring undisturbed Florida wilderness.

Looking for a place to exercise and socialize your furry friend? Head over to Logan Gate Dog Park on Monterey Blvd. With two fenced in areas (one for small breeds and one for large), this park is essentially a large grassy field with dog-centric amenities. It doesn't have any annual festivals, yet.

The overall cost of living in Town 'n' Country runs about 2 percent less than the rest of the Tampa area, with housing costing 10 percent less. Expect to pay $869 on average for a one-bedroom apartment.

The price of a cup of coffee in a coffeehouse in the Town 'n' Country area runs about $3.71, and a domestic beer in a local pub costs around $3.75. The neighborhood gas average sits at 1 percent less than the national average.

Although the major shopping hubs of Town 'n' Country seem to be dominated by large chains, such as Target and Home Depot, small locally owned and operated shops do exist around town.

J'adore Designer Boutique features handbags from national designers, such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Take advantage of regular specials that give you discounts on bags when you buy clothes. Check out one of the multiple trendy second-hand stores in the area, including Reruns 4 Little Ones. Catering to stylish new moms, Reruns prides itself on having an impressive array of consignment clothing, gear, and accessories for babies and kids.

Large regional and national brands, such as Publix, Aldi's and Walmart Neighborhood Market, dominate the grocery scene in Town 'n' Country. However, several local and ethnic options exist. For example, check out the Italian Specialty Store Cacciatore Bros. on Hanley Road. Locals love the store for its specialty meats, imported Italian pasta and fresh deli selections, and Cacciatore Bros. has been a Tampa landmark for generations. Hangook Mart on West Hillsborough Avenue also sells international flavors, including homemade kimchi, spices, Asian sauces, and an eclectic variety for fresh veggies and frozen meats.

Purchase fresh, locally sourced foods at the farmers market held on Sundays November through May at the Sweetwater Organic Farm on West Comanche Avenue. Bring your kids or dog to shop for organic fruits and veggies, enjoy the live music, or bring a picnic lunch and tour the farm itself.