Conway - Orlando, FL

Conway developed as a popular suburban alternative to downtown Orlando before suburbs were even en vogue. This is because Conway Road, another north-south highway running through the area, was one of the only paved highways in the entire county in the early 1900s, and it provided a direct route from Conway to downtown Orlando.

After World War II, when the suburban craze picked up everywhere, Conway's popularity increased even more; much of the neighborhood's housing stock was constructed during this time period.

Over the years, Conway has maintained its historic charm and staved off overdevelopment and cookie-cutter housing.

While no museums exist within the boundaries of Conway, residents have only a short drive to get to downtown attractions such as the Orange County Regional History Center, dedicated to educating locals on Central Florida's roots. Residents also gather downtown every February for the annual Downtown Food and Wine Fest.

Dozens of restaurants line Semoran Boulevard, a major north-south thoroughfare in Conway. Diverse in nature, the dining options along this road range from Italian and Mexican to steaks and burgers.

When you crave authentic Chinese food and don't want to wait long to have it served, head to Cheng's Chinese Restaurant . Known for fast service and sizzling entrées such as the General Tso's chicken, Cheng's provides a casual atmosphere to sit down and enjoy a tasty meal. On those occasions when you prefer to eat at home or you find yourself on the go, take advantage of Cheng's carryout and delivery options. Other menu items favored by locals include the chicken stir-fry and the beef lo mein.

Pio Pio Latin Cuisine serves a unique combination of Colombian, Peruvian and Puerto Rican dishes. Early risers love to stop in for a steak and eggs breakfast platter that is prepared with an authentic Latin twist; regulars who come for dinner recommend trying the corn pie with steak off the Colombian menu or the Peruvian seafood chaufa rice. Weekly specials include sangria happy hours and discounted dinner entrées.

For Central Florida's best seafood dishes in a casual, family friendly atmosphere, head to High Tide Harry's , a local eatery that prides itself on serving heaping portions at low prices. If you love shrimp, you won't want to miss the garlic shrimp, which the chefs marinate in garlic butter and then broil to perfection. Diners who love pasta favor the "pick your pasta" special, which allows them to choose between clams, mussels, shrimp and crab meat to have served on a bed of linguine with zesty white sauce.

With downtown Orlando being less than 10 minutes away, Conway residents don't have to drive far for an abundance of nightlife that includes casual bars, lively dance clubs and live music venues. Those who prefer to stay closer to home head up Conway Road to Piper's Bar and Grill , a neighborhood tavern with an upbeat ambiance, great drink specials, plenty of food and sports being played on massive TVs.

Low traffic volume and a flat landscape make the residential streets in Conway safe for walking and biking during the daytime. These streets do not, however, feature sidewalks or bike lanes. Therefore, most residents drive to their destinations. Conway has plenty of free parking and sits in close proximity to I-4 and downtown Orlando, which makes commuting by car a relatively low-stress endeavor.

If you don't want to drive, you can get around by taxi or by using Uber, the popular ride-share service. Call in advance for a cab, because you can't hail one in Conway.

Lynx, Orlando's public bus service, features a stop on Conway Road.

Barber Park serves the neighborhood for outdoor recreation, featuring walking and jogging trails, a roller hockey rink, playgrounds, a popular dog park and plenty of green space. Although it doesn't have exercise facilities, its vast expanses and running trails give patrons plenty of room to work up a sweat and burn calories. Free parking and admission make Barber Park an affordable and fun place to spend a sunny afternoon. The park doesn't host annual events, but many civic groups, hobby clubs and youth sports organizations use it as a fun location for banquets and parties.

The cost of living in Conway runs slightly lower than the average cost of living for the Orlando metro area, with residents paying an average of $760 per month in rent for a one-bedroom apartment.

Other costs remain low in Conway as well. A beer in a local bar typically costs around $3, and gas prices usually hover 2 percent lower than the national average. You can take a Lynx bus to downtown Orlando for $2.

Conway residents drive 5 miles west to the Mall at Millenia for large shopping excursions. This upscale mall houses department stores that include Neiman Marcus and Macy's, as well as high-end stores such as Armani Exchange and Brooks Brothers.

The area also contains many unique boutiques and specialty stores. Apple Core Antiques and Gifts, a locally owned establishment, carries an assortment of antique furniture, lamps and gifts, and also staffs experts who can repair and restore your old furniture.

Colonial Florist serves as the neighborhood's go-to spot not only for flowers but also for a broad array of gift baskets, plants and assorted romantic gifts.

For grocery shopping, you can choose between Publix, Winn-Dixie and Walmart. Sedano's Supermarket also operates in the neighborhood and specializes in Latin groceries, as well as extremely low prices on essentials such as toilet paper and toothpaste. Clemons Produce, a farmers market, carries local and organic produce alongside Amish products such as meats and cheeses.