Cheektowaga, NY

Dubbed "The Land of the Crabapples," or "Ji-ik-do-wah-gah" by the Seneca tribe, who lived here in the 1700s, Cheektowaga takes its name from the apple-like fruit of the Hawthorn trees that grow freely in the area. Originally a small farming community, Cheektowaga expanded rapidly during World War II and the post-war baby boom, drawing many blue-collar workers from nearby Buffalo. As the number of families grew, the population swelled to over 100,000, and school districts sprung up across the town. One of these was Maryvale. Like neighboring Buffalo, Cheektowaga has a rich history, and many historical buildings in the town, such as the 1853 church, Our Lady Help of Christians Chapel, still stand. The Cheektowaga Historical Association preserves and displays the works of local artists and the many artifacts that have been collected since the town's inception at the Historical Association Museum in town.

Residents in this part of Buffalo don't have far to drive to look for good restaurants. Less than a mile East of Aurora Expressway along route 20A, there are numerous eateries. If you enjoy Mexican food, be sure to check out Arriba Tortilla located at 40 Riley Street. This family-run restaurant stocks more than 90 brands of tequila, which guarantees your whistle will always be wet. So order yourself some burritos or a chicken taco, then kick back and indulge in an icy margarita. Good old American food lovers need to put Brothers Restaurant and Pub on 728 Main Street at the very top of their list. They make all of their food in-house, from scratch, with no exceptions. During warmer months, you may want to sit on the outdoor patio to enjoy their Caribbean-glazed sesame fingers or their Cajun chicken pasta. Save room for desert, as their milk chocolate tuxedo bomb and peanut butter explosion take some room to put away. After dinner you can head over to Holidays Sports Bar and Volleyball to burn off some of those calories. Situated at 935 Harlem Road, this club offers an assortment of beer and liquor - in addition to year-round volleyball games and parties. You can join one of their league teams, play in a pick-up game or throw some darts at this interactive sports bar. They open their doors 7 days a week and 'serve up' some great food as well as a good time.

Another local hot-spot is Macaroon's Nite Club on 576 Dick Road in Cheektowaga. This neon-lit fun-hub jams with live music after dark and packs in the locals seven nights a week. You can indulge in $7 pitchers, well drinks and an assortment of bottled beer for $2.50. Stop by on a Wednesday night, order a $2.50 Molson and impress the crowd on Macaroon's super sound karaoke system.

Most people in this part of Buffalo use their own vehicles, however buses do run regular routes through the area. Taxis are very difficult to find in this part of Buffalo and Uber does not provide service to the area. Most commercial locations provide free public parking for clients. Highway access is facilitated via the close proximity of Transit Road (Route 20) and Aurora Expressway (Route 400). While the neighborhood has not as of yet established any biking lanes, cyclists and pedestrians have no issues with transiting this suburban neighborhood safely.

The Cheektowaga area is blessed with a nice distribution of parks and recreation centers. Free-to-enter Cheektowaga Town Parks stay open year-round from sunrise to dusk and provides a variety of venues for the residents. Your furry friend can accompany you and the family to any park in the area other than John C. Stiglmeier Park and Cheektowaga Town Park. While Cheektowaga Town Park does not allow for dogs, they compensate by providing summertime community exercise programs.

Kids and adults alike head off to the Cheektowaga Recreation Center Arena every Friday and Saturday for skating, while young adults participate in the local softball league. Most of the area's local parks have been geared towards nature walks, picnics and summertime festivities. If you enjoy outdoor events, John C. Stiglmeier Park hosts an annual Crabapple Festival in June and also a Polish Festival in July. Both of these gatherings are open to the public and draw crowds from across the state.

The cost of living in this area of Buffalo is considerably cheaper than within the city proper. One can purchase a Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority day pass, spend the day in the city and return home in the evening for only $5. The average rent of a one bedroom apartment lists at $721 and you can expect to pay between $3 to $4 to hoist back one of your favorite brews at a local pub. You need to be selective as to where you fill up your vehicle since gas prices in this part of New York run nearly 25% above the national average.

Walden Galleria, one of the area's major shopping hubs, is less than 15 minutes (6.5 miles) away from the East Buffalo suburbs. This shopping center houses some of America's largest name-brand outlets and chain stores on the premises; however, one can also find high-end boutiques that cater to those in search of high-quality clothing and accessories.

Anyone who has a taste for eclectic vintage items needs to pop in to Ritzy Rags Consignment for a look around. Located at 4060 Union Road in Cheektowaga, Ritzy Rags specializes in real fur coats and vintage handbags, jewelry, clothing and wedding gowns. This little shop carries something for everyone. If you happen to be in the neighborhood or are looking for a genuine vintage item, make the trip to this hidden gem of a boutique.

When you need flowers for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, go to Elaine's Flower Shop for a wide selection of floral arrangements, including themed gift baskets, which are very reasonably priced. Brides are especially thrilled with the quality of the flowers, the care taken with each detail of the arrangements and bouquets, and the knowledgeable and kind staff.

Most of the residents of East Buffalo and Cheektowaga shop at the PriceRite Store on Walden Avenue for their weekly needs. Organic food lovers and those in search of home-baked goodies, jams, jellies, honey and sausages need to take a drive over to the Clinton Bailey Market located on 1443-1517 Clinton Street in Buffalo. They keep their doors open year-round, seven days a week.