Walnut Creek - Raleigh, NC

Walnut Creek borders on of the edge of one of the city's most historic neighborhoods that was first established right after the Civil War. Soldiers and their families settled just to the east of the state legislative buildings to begin the process of rebuilding the south. Residents still occupy shotgun and Triple-A style houses that originated from this time period.

Today, Raleigh plays host to an ever-growing artistic community. The North Carolina Museum for Contemporary Art, the North Carolina Museum of Art and dozens of independent galleries provide inspiration for artists and art lovers.

Artsplosure and SparkCon are just two annual festivals that focus on encouraging arts and creativity in the area. Visitors can participate in sidewalk chalk competitions, sample cuisine from popular food trucks and purchase original works of art. SparkCon's fashion show, held right on the Fayetteville Street Plaza, also draws thousands of spectators.

A handful of fast food restaurants like Subway and Bojangles sit on the street corners in Walnut Creek, providing residents with a convenient place to grab lunch, but for a real dining experience, locals take a short drive west into Downtown Raleigh.

The Remedy Diner sits right on the Edge of Moore Square, just a block east of the prime bus system hub, and serves up a variety of healthy and hearty dishes. While this restaurant specializes in vegan dishes made fresh from scratch on a daily basis, it also has options for meat lovers. Everything on the menu features fresh, local and organic ingredients. The Eastern Carolina BBQ sandwich served with kettle chips should not be missed — it comes with shredded BBQ in classic eastern North Carolinian vinegar-based sauce with homemade coleslaw on a Kaiser roll.

Just a few blocks down the street, Buku features an extensive menu and specializes in bringing a little taste of global street food right to downtown Raleigh. Order from a long list of small plates to enjoy as many unique flavors and dishes from all over the world in one meal. Start with a bowl of crisp edamame covered in coarse seal salt followed by Jamaican lamb patties topped with mango-ginger salsa and Chinese steamed buns made with pork. Be sure to grab a seat on the patio on a nice evening to enjoy some people-watching.

Head to the Trophy Brewing Company or the Crank Arm Brewing Company to sample specialty beers brewed on site. Share a flight with friends to sample all they have to offer, and be on the lookout for new releases that come out about once a month.

Residents also enjoy access to a thriving nightlife that caters to a whole host of different interests. Artspace, which houses dozens of artists in residence, opens its door every month to visitors who can meet the artists, ask questions and purchase unique pieces. The Red Hat Amphitheater and Walnut Creek Amphitheater both play host to some of the biggest musical acts in the country. In addition, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts serves as the headquarters for both the North Carolina Ballet and the North Carolina Symphony.

Residents can easily hail a cab in downtown Raleigh, although it becomes more difficult to flag down a car the further passengers get into the outskirts of Walnut Creek. Uber does service the area.

Traveling by bus is both convenient and economical. A short ride downtown won't cost a dime on some routes. However, a typical one-way ride costs $1.25, and passengers can purchase a one day pass for $2.50 and travel as much as they like.

Drivers enjoy easy access to downtown areas and the state's main thoroughfare: I-40. Just a short drive east sits the intersection of I-440, which loops around the entire city, and I-64, which takes travellers to Rocky Mount and I-95.

The Worthdale Park, located right in Walnut Creek, features over 36 acres of open spaces and amenities for residents to enjoy. Play a game of tennis or basketball on the available courts, enjoy a picnic in one of the shelters or run around the playground with the kids. This neighborhood park also features a community center with indoor courts and regularly scheduled classes that cover a variety of topics. Bring along the dog and enjoy all the outdoor areas free of charge.

For those looking for a great place to exercise, the local greenway system stretches for miles and connects to trails all over the city. Bikers and joggers can build their endurance and enjoy the peace of natural settings.

The cost of housing in Walnut Creek trends well below average prices for the rest of the city. Renting a one-bedroom apartment costs just $570 per month. Passengers pay just $1.25 for bus fare downtown and drivers can expect gas prices that run on par with national averages. Most bars serve pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for around $2 or locally brewed drafts for $5.

Shoppers can also head east into downtown Raleigh and visit a variety of specialty store and boutiques. Moon and Lola has a location right off Wilmington Street just a couple of blocks from Moore Square. This shop sells a variety of reasonably priced women's jewelry but is best known for monogrammed pieces. It also features pendants, earrings, and other items that incorporate the outline of North Carolina. Visit this bright and welcoming store to pick up a gift for that special someone.

Stitch, Holly Aiken's boutique, sits just a few doors down and sells handmade purses, bags, wallets, and other accessories. A giant Golden Retriever greats customers as they enter and the designer herself can often me found behind the counter working on new designs. Her extremely popular bags feature modern and classy designs, perfectly suited for everyday use.

Shoppers looking to stock up on household goods at a local Target or buy a new pair of Gap jeans have to travel northeast to the Crabtree Valley Mall area. In addition to high-end shops, this large retail destination also houses popular chains such as American Eagle and Aeropostale. Although drivers will have to travel to the other side of town, this premier shopping district has just about anything residents could want or need.

A Food Lion grocery store sits at the eastern edge of the neighborhood and provides residents with a convenient place to stock up on groceries. Locals can also visit the N.C. State Farmers Market, which opens every day throughout the year. Hundreds of vendors sell fresh, local produce at affordable prices.