Wakefield - Bronx, NY

Wakefield was once mainly forested and later became farmland. With the expansion of railroad transportation and the New York and Harlem Railroad around 1840, the area experienced moderate development before the borough was annexed to the city of New York. Prior to this merger, Wakefield and the Bronx were part of Westchester County. Wakefield was the name of the Virginia plantation where George Washington was born, and neighboring Mount Vernon holds the name of the plantation where he lived and died.

Museums and an art scene won't be found in Wakefield, but head to St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site Museum in Mount Vernon, which has a rich history and an emphasis on the Revolutionary War. The Bronx houses the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Gardens, the Bronx Museum of Art and Yankee Stadium, making exploring outside of Wakefield well worth it.

Annual events in the Wakefield area include parades, festivals and fairs. With the rest of the Bronx and the other four boroughs just a subway ride away, you'll never experience a shortage of activities.

Most restaurants can be found along the main commercial strip of White Plains Road, a bustling stretch of Caribbean restaurants, pizza places and Chinese food under the elevated subway tracks.

For vegan and other health foods, be sure to stop into HIM Ital Health Market on White Plains. In the back, an all-vegan hot food bar has food to carry out, and the front serves as a market that sells herbs, packaged vegetarian and vegan foods, and soaps and other dry goods.

Down the block, Ali's Roti Shop serves a wide variety of the namesake West Indian flatbreads, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, goat and veggie.

The family-owned Carifesta Restaurant serves up authentic Guyanese and Chinese-style food that has been passed down through generations. The spices used in the food come from Guyana and make the base of the curries. If you don't like spicy food, Carifesta customizes your meal according to your taste preference. Popular favorites include the goat curry, jerk chicken, beef lo mein, and chicken fried rice.

Be sure to stop by Lollipops Gelato on Baychester Avenue for a large and unique selection of the frozen treat. Specialty island flavors include rum and Redbull, sour sop, and oats and porridge. The less adventurous try the refreshing lemon raspberry.

Head to a nearby neighborhood for nightlife. On the other side of Bronx River Parkway, Rambling House sits on Katonah Avenue in Woodlawn. The Rambling House has come to be known as one of New York's premier bars and restaurants and has become a favorite for entertainment. Thursday through Saturday brings live music, while trivia, karaoke, DJs and sports (including Gaelic games) round out the week. Patrons flock from far and wide to experience the energetic atmosphere, friendly and fun bar staff, and traditional, authentic Irish cuisine. Karma Lounge, also in Woodlawn, has been designed for the grown-ups. Eat, drink or dance in a sleek environment and enjoy the weekly entertainment. Monday nights have karaoke, ladies night happens on Thursdays, Friday hosts the after work soirée, and come for comedy night on Sundays. The staff stays true to the bar's namesake and believes in treating others as they would want to be treated. Customer service tops Karma's list of priorities.

Public transportation provides the residents of Wakefield the most common way to get around. The Bx8, Bx16, Bx31 and BxM11 buses run here, and the 2 and 5 subway trains also go to Wakefield. Local service through the Bronx can be slow, and the trip to Midtown takes about an hour. To the west, the Metro-North Harlem Line runs along the Bronx River Parkway. The Woodlawn and Wakefield stops are at 233rd and 241st Streets, about 25 minutes from Grand Central Terminal.

Taxis can be caught, but not as easily as some areas of the city, and an Uber ride into Midtown Manhattan runs about $50.

Walkers and bikers find it easy to navigate Wakefield, but they lock bikes when not in use and use caution, especially at night.

The Wakefield playground provides basketball courts, a playground and restrooms to the neighborhood.

Seton Falls Park, a woodland, wetland and bird sanctuary, derives its name from the prominent waterfalls built in the park by the Seton family in the 19th century. Today, the park serves as a peaceful oasis in the high-traffic area of Edenwald. Take a stroll through the park's forest or bring the kids to play on one of the many playgrounds.

Both parks are free, and provide free parking, but no annual events are held in either park.

The cost of living in Wakefield sits 6.3 percent less than the New York average. Renters occupy most of the residential real estate, with a one-bedroom apartment renting for around $1,140 per month.

Taking the subway is the best way to get into the city, and it costs $2.50 one way. Most of the residents here don't own a car, and with the price of gas in New York sitting 11.5 percent higher than the national average, public transportation provides an economical alternative.

Neighborhood shops and restaurants typically keep costs low, and a beer at a local bar costs about $3.

Shopping can be found mostly on White Plains Road, but it does not offer much variety. Aside from chain retail shops, many discount and bargain stores can be found in the neighborhood.

Head a little south on White Plains Road to Edenwald, and check out Moodies Records. Providing the Bronx with hard-to-find vinyl that can't be bought at most shops, the store has a large selection of hip hop, reggae, gospel, dance hall, R&B, country and western records and CDs. It doesn't stop at music though, as they also sell instruments, instrument accessories and an assortment of retro clothing and accessories. As a musical haven, all of the staff members not only love music, but also provide knowledgeable and friendly customer service.

Also on White Plains in Edenwald, sits Michael's Florists. Prompt and friendly service backs a commitment to providing the finest floral arrangements and gifts. The employees go the extra mile to make your floral gift perfect and have a dedication to making your experience a pleasant one. Let Michael's Florist be your first choice for flowers in Wakefield.

Take a trip about five miles north to Yonkers, and you'll find the Cross Country Shopping Center, an outdoor retail shopping mall with more than 50 stores and dining spots and a movie theater. Or head south in the Bronx to Baychester Avenue to the Mall at Bay Plaza. This enclosed fashion center has a full range of range of shopping options and experiences for urban shoppers and those from nearby suburban Westchester County. Retailers include department stores Macy’s and J.C. Penney, as well as more than 100 stores and restaurants, a food court, and a health club.

Deli N Grocery With A Difference and Gnn Bright Grocer provide groceries to the residents of Wakefield, and the White Plains Farmers Market operates Wednesdays in Wakefield, from May to November, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The market sells farm-fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies, fish, fresh meat and poultry, breads, baked goods, jams and jellies, pickles, homemade salami, smoked duck breast, pâte, and much more.