West Buechel - Louisville, KY

Native American tribes traveled through the area en route to the Ohio River in the north and a large settlement to the west, where the international airport now stands. As Louisville became an established city in the 1700s and 1800s, West Buechel remained on the outskirts of the metro area. As a small, largely commercial neighborhood, West Buechel does not provide much in the way of culture. Each year, residents get together at the city's Fall Festival celebration. Nearby cultural centers, including the Farmington Historic Home and the Louisville Dinner Theater, provide locals with entertainment.

Most neighborhood restaurants sit along Bardstown Road. Chain restaurants, including Taco Bell and Papa Murphy's, make up the majority of dining options in West Buechel, if you're looking for a more substantial meal, a number of eateries exist in nearby Buechel. Locals love the friendly neighborhood feeling at Angio's Italian Restaurant, a compact eatery that sells pizza and classic Italian fare. Build your own pizza from the large list of toppings, or choose one of the restaurant's specialty pies. At China 1, enjoy a bowl of wonton soup while you choose between the Hunan chicken or the bourbon chicken. The cooks serve the food precisely to order and at top speed. Order takeout or sit in the small but cozy dining area. When you're in the mood for a traditional Southern meal, the chicken and waffles at Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro will hit the spot. The menu overflows with classic dishes, including fried green tomatoes, caramel cake and collard greens. Come prepared for relatively long wait times, but don't worry — diners agree that the food is worth the wait. West Buechel has little to no nightlife, so a night out requires residents to drive to nearby neighborhoods. To the north, join the locals at Bambi Bar to watch football and enjoy cheap beers. If you prefer craft beer, check out the River City Drafthouse in Highlands-Deer Park, which specializes in American brands. Order one of the bar's enormous, freshly baked pretzels and wash it down with a Great Lakes High Striker or a Ciderboys Grand Mimosa. For live music, you'll need to drive further afield into downtown Louisville.

West Buechel's small size lends itself well to walking, biking and driving. Residents live within minutes of major stores and often walk for short errands. Biking can be dangerous, due to the neighborhood's lack of bike lanes and the high-traffic commercial centers. If you opt to drive, you can take advantage of the plentiful free street parking in West Buechel. Highway 150 runs along the eastern edge of the neighborhood, bringing you to Interstate 264 in a matter of minutes. TARC bus lines 17, 21 and 23 run through West Buechel, providing convenient transportation to neighborhoods to the north and downtown Louisville. Cabs cab be difficult to hail from the street, so you should call in advance. Uber also provides a convenient ride service in the neighborhood.

West Buechel does not contain any parks within its boundaries. A short distance to the southwest, however, residents can use the free Petersburg Park. During the summer, bring your kids to the park to use the playground and the sprayground. Work on your backhand at the tennis courts or join a pickup game on the basketball courts. When you need a large open space for exercise, make the short drive to Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve, which features two miles of trails for walking and running. Local birdwatchers often visit the park to spot different species. Dog owners often bring their pets to the park — remember to keep your dog leashed. Keep an eye on the park's schedule of events, which include the Story Walk and youth yoga classes.

One of West Buechel's main draws is its affordable cost of living, which sits lower than the Louisville city average. Neighborhood residents enjoy the low housing prices in particular, expect an average monthly rate of $592 for a one-bedroom apartment. At one of the nearby bars, you'll pay about $4 for a beer. A TARC bus ticket to downtown Louisville costs $1.75, with reduced rates available for seniors and students. At the gas station, locals pay about 9 percent less than the national average.

A number of national chains make their home in West Buechel. Local shoppers pick up food and essentials at stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens and Burlington Coat Factory. Stores line the shopping centers on Bashford Manor Lane, highway 31E and Hikes Lane. For high-end shopping and specialty stores, you'll need to venture farther out. To the north of West Buechel, Awards Plaques Trophies Etc. carries everything you need to celebrate an accomplishment. Order custom corporate awards, design a trophy for your school or choose from a variety of predesigned items. Then, restock your medicine cabinet at JC's Novelties and Beauty supplies, a small store on Hikes Lane. From essential oils to unique gifts, the small store is made for browsing. When you want to experiment with international cooking, head straight for Golden Key International Grocery to find imported oils and spices. If you prefer someone else to handle the baking, visit Jasmin Bakery European Bread for freshly baked bread, desserts and sandwiches. A few miles north, stop by the Bardstown Road Farmers Market, where you can sip a hot cup of coffee while you shop for homegrown vegetables and baked goods.