East Lyn-Lake - Minneapolis, MN

East Lyn-Lake has been considered both an extension of uptown and a section of the nearby Lyndale neighborhood. Though the Lyn-Lake Commercial District was established in 1999, the characterization as a distinct neighborhood did not occur until circa 2011 when local residents began disassociating from uptown which they identified as becoming more mainstream.

The Lyn-Lake neighborhood retained and developed the alternative, funky vibe that had previously characterized uptown. Ethnic restaurants, LGBTQ establishments and niche retail shops continue to pop up around the intersection of Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street. The thriving arts scene is headed by the multidisciplinary, multicultural non-profit Intermedia Arts, whose mission is to inspire social change through the arts. Intermedia Arts actively works to support and engage local artists through classes, workshops, multidisciplinary events and outreach programs and grants awarded on an ongoing basis.

Even without heading uptown or hopping a short bus ride downtown, you'll never get through the list of high-quality food options available here. By the way, vegetarians and vegans are celebrated in this modern neighborhood, so get ready to spend your money on local and often organic fare. The restaurants are clustered most thickly along Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street, but you can't go far before running into something new.

Got a taste for sushi? Check out the Japanese sushi bar Fuji Ya for a classic Lyn-Lake experience. Call ahead to reserve a private zashiki room (free of charge), and enjoy the traditional experience of eating on the floor. Go on Wednesdays to catch Matthew's famous tonkotsu ramen. If you skip reservations, sit at the bar to avoid the wait for a table, and watch as the chefs prepare your food with mouth-watering precision.

If you prefer a good hidden gem, look past the sometimes-closed shades and nondescript walls and give Saigon a try. With low prices ($6-7 entrées) and generous portions, you can't spend less for homemade, traditional Chinese/Vietnamese fare. Try one of the stir fries or the seafood soup, or stick with the chicken noodle when you're feeling less adventurous.

Go Mediterranean at It's Greek to Me, one of the oldest restaurants around. Expand your food comfort zone with a sampler platter, but remember to add the flaming cheese saganaki to your order Forget about breaking the bank with these very affordable prices, enjoy the outdoor patio in the summer and remember --if sandwiches are your thing--you just found the best gyro in town. Just want a good pizza? You can't do better than Dulono's Pizza. The locals rave about the perfectly balanced pies, speedy delivery and fun dine-in atmosphere: Dulono's regularly hosts local and regional live music events including folk, bluegrass, rock, and blues.

In the end, resist the temptation to spend all your time eating. Check out Bryant-Lake Bowl for a bowling experience like no other, including organic, local bar food, live theater and storytelling events, and a 70's style bowling alley in a candlelit atmosphere. Bring your date on Monday for a weekly Date Night special. Next, see a play from one of Jungle Theater's 150 seats or catch a comedy show from the artist-led, non-profit Huge Improv Theater. Try it on a Sunday and pay what you want to see and support these hilarious local performers. Or spring for Friday nights with the highly recommended The Bearded Men troupe - after all, full price tickets are just $7.

If you really want to dance late at a club you should take a cab downtown, but make sure to first avail yourself of some fantastic Lyn-Lake bars. Liquor Lyles is a neighborhood favorite, especially if you like the dim lighting, pool table, jukebox and cheap vinyl seats that characterize a beloved dive bar. Want something with a little more class? The Nightingale has you covered with warm ambiance, a full menu, charming decor and well-made, affordable cocktails.

With each transportation option better than the last, you can choose to leave your car behind in this ultimately walkable neighborhood. Besides, as one of the best biking cities in the country, the streets and parks of Minneapolis are filled with bikers eve in the dead of winter. Lyn-Lake is no exception to the rule, in fact, the distance from downtown traffic makes this an especially popular biking area. If you don't own a bike, you can always rent one Both of the Twin Cities have Nice Ride bike stations located all over the metro. Just unlock a green bike, ride it to your heart's content, and return to the nearest station when you're done.

If biking the city streets sounds a little intimidating to you, Minneapolis's extensive public transportation system has you covered. Find a bus stop and wait 10 minutes to catch a bus to the nearby Lake Calhoun, any of the surrounding neighborhoods, uptown or downtown. When you need to go a little further-- Saint Paul, for example, or a nearby suburb - simply get yourself downtown to the light rail, hop on and enjoy the comfy ride. Pay $1.75 to ride as many buses/rails as you need to for 2 1/2 hours. And don't forget to invest in a refillable GoTo card so you'll never have to scramble for change, Just scan your card as you board.

For your night time needs, register with Uber to skip the hassle of waiting for a taxi to hail. It is a classier ride with the added convenience of ordering/paying from your phone or computer. Once you're downtown, regular taxis are safe, common and easy to hail.

If you need your car for work or just insist on keeping it, you have access to street parking, but it gets pretty packed in the Lyn-Lake area and immediate surroundings. Once downtown, there are public parking garages and more metered parking, so just be ready to pay a few bucks and walk a few blocks. When you need to take it on the highway, ramps to 35W are right next door, while access to I94 is never more than a few streets away.

Sometimes called the City of Parks, Minneapolis neighborhoods are not complete without its share of green spaces. In the Lyn-Lake neighborhood, bring your picnic to Bryant Square Park, just a block south of Lake Street on Bryant Avenue. Cool off in the wading pool or settle in for a night of live music, outdoor movies, and karaoke at the Bryant Square Park POPS (Public Outdoor Performing Space) - an amphitheater built in 2008. Enjoy the free summer concert series, and come back in the winter to warm up on the ice skating rink.

For more exercise, go three blocks south on Lyndale and find Painters Park. Play tennis, softball, and soccer, let the kids enjoy the playground, and top it off with some cold treats from the Minneapolis original Sonny's Ice Cream just across the street. \

The overall cost of living in East Lyn-Lake is 12 percent lower than the city's average. The overflow of local restaurants and businesses do a good job of keeping each other's prices down, especially when you seek out weekday specials Pay $3-4 for a beer at the local bars (excluding happy hour prices).

But as one of Minneapolis's most desirable neighborhoods among young people and artists, East Lyn-Lake is proportionately expensive in terms of housing. At $1000, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about one hundred dollars more than the city's median of $900.

You can get to city center for just $1.75 via public transportation, or invest in unlimited rides on bus and train for just $59 per month. Average gas prices are on an equal plane with the national average.

Whether you are looking for clothes, home goods, artwork or even bike repair, Lyn-Lake has a local shop for everyone right around the corner.

If you don't know where to begin, remember, you can't go wrong just following Lake Street. Start at Eye of Horus Metaphysical if you're into incense, meditation, alternative spirituality and the paranormal - or just perusing interesting books. You can even visit their website beforehand to schedule an in-store tarot reading or Reiki session. A few stores down, Corner Store Vintage carries mostly '70s style clothing and accessories, with remnants from a few other decades thrown in for good measure. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere as the friendly attendants leave you alone to browse. A block over, find Kisa Boutique. Given the owners' family ties, most of the clothing is imported from Istanbul, Turkey. The addition of Minnesotan-based jewelry, ceramics, and art foster a warm atmosphere with something for every woman at reasonable prices. And don't forget to get your bike fixed up and city-ready by the patient, knowledgeable locals at Alternative Bike & Board on Lyndale. Buy a new bike from them and get free service for life.

Of course, this list is far from comprehensive, so get ready to do a little exploring and personally discover your favorite new stores Nearby grocery stores include Cub Foods (a few blocks from Metaphysical) and Lunds Marketplace, just a little ways down Lake Street. The Farmer's Market Annex on Lyndale also runs a popular farmers market from May-October. If for some reason that doesn't do it for you, the famous Minneapolis Farmer's Market on Nicollet Mall guarantees to fulfill all your foodie desires.