Flagler Heights - Fort Lauderdale, FL

As a neighborhood within Fort Lauderdale, Flagler Heights shares its rich history. Spain originally held power over Fort Lauderdale, which later shifted to England. The United States later took control, and control has not shifted since. The Tequesta Indians, aboriginal natives and pioneers were the first groups to occupy the land over 4,000 years ago. When the Florida land boom occurred in the 1920s, the area became populated with people of all ethnicities.

Check out the Museum of Discovery and Science slightly outside of Flagler Heights in Fort Lauderdale. The interactive exhibits and awesome sculptures provide hours of entertainment. Be sure to swing by and see the adorable otters.

People all over Fort Lauderdale celebrate the arts scene at the Las Olas Art Fair held three times per year. This outdoor art festival showcases magnificent artwork, exceptional paintings, life-size sculptures and hand-crafted jewelry pieces.

The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale houses several restaurants with a variety of cuisines. Eat at chain restaurants such as P.F. Chang's or the Capital Grille, or sample the award-winning Cajun cuisine of a local culinary master at Shuck N Dive. Chef Staz is to blame for the enticing plates of crawfish etouffee, stuffed shrimp, and fried green tomatoes that keep diners glued to their seats.

Let's Talk Turkey provides fresh turkey combinations including sandwiches, turkey dinners, and pot pies. Tuscany Pizza Market serves calzones and tasty pizza pies topped with fresh ingredients. After dinner, get dessert at Fruit Sensations-Gelato Aroma and satisfy your sweet tooth. For an American eatery with an edge, head to The Foxy Brown. Start off with the cherry bombs, which consist of fried stuffed tomatoes. Regulars love the beef a roni dish and succulent hangar steak. Save room for dessert, and sample the banana bread grilled cheese with Nutella and ricotta cheese.

Temple Street Eatery serves up Chinese, Vietnamese and Latin-influenced dishes. Customers rave about the edamame falafel drizzled with a tasty, creamy and spicy sauce. The ramen bowl and wonton tacos also make appetizing choices.

When you feel like heading out for some drinks and entertainment, you won't have any trouble finding a bar or pub in the nearby vicinity. Locals hang out at Laser Wolf, which offers an amazing selection of craft beers at reasonable prices. Slug down a cold brew in the relaxing atmosphere. If you feel like dancing and listening to music, swing by Stache 1920's Drinking Den. In addition to music, the venue also provides entertainment such as burlesque dancers during the Friday night happy hour. If you want to shoot a game of pool, head upstairs to the second floor and challenge a friend to a game of billiards. Original Fat Cat's makes another great choice for enjoying a beer while listening to live music. Tap 42 provides a great atmosphere and a wide variety of beer choices.

Slightly over 70 percent of residents prefer to drive their own vehicles to move about the area. With easy access to U.S. 1 and available, free street parking, commuters reach their destinations with ease. For those who prefer public transportation, jump on the Broward County Transit bus, which has routes throughout the neighborhood. Call ahead for a cab to ensure prompt service, or schedule a ride via Uber. If you plan on biking or walking, stick to the bike trails and paths that run through the area. Some streets have sidewalks, but pedestrians report that streets do not serve as the safest places for cyclists and walkers.

If you live in Flager Heights, Fort Lauderdale, odds are that you love spending time outdoors. With several parks situated throughout the area, residents enjoy outdoor recreation and family fun. Holiday Park houses sports fields perfect for exercising. The play area, including a jungle gym, makes the park kid-friendly. Hit the trail for a refreshing jog or walk. You can even bring the pooch along. Bring the entire family out for a day of free fun. The parks hosts the annual Orchid Show, typically held in January. Come see a variety of marvelous blooms.

Residents frequent Warfield Park, which stretches over 4 acres of land. The kid-friendly playground provides entertainment for hours. Get some exercise at the recreation center and athletic fields. The open areas make great dog-friendly spots to allow the pooch to burn off some energy. Outdoor amenities do not require fees; the recreation center does require fees for specific classes. Sports-centered events take place throughout the year at the recreation center, along with winter and summer camps for kids.

The cost of living in Flagler Heights checks in at 1 percent less than the Fort Lauderdale average. Plan on spending $1,805 per month to rent a one-bedroom residence. If you plan on utilizing public transportation, a one-way fare on the Broward County Transit bus costs $1.75. Opt for public transit when possible, as gas prices average 4 percent higher than the national norm. When heading out for a beer, expect to pay $9 for a cold brew.

A couple miles outside of Flagler Heights sits the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale. This shopping mall showcases a wide selection of stores. Shop at Neiman Marcus and Coach, which serve as higher-end stores, or browse around Macy's and J. Crew for middle-ground prices.

For an unbeatable boutique store, shop at LaLa Couture. Browse around and discover women's clothing, unique accessories and adorable shoes. From cocktail dresses to swimwear, this shop has everything a woman needs to put together the perfect outfit. Be sure to try items on before purchasing, as the boutique has a no-refund, no-exchange policy.

Find the latest fashions made by local independent fashion designers at i4Trends. The production of women's clothing takes place right in the back of the store. Find cute party dresses and tops, along with pants and skirts.

Support local farmers and vendors at area farmers' markets. Marando Farms lies a few miles away from Flagler Heights and sells organic produce, as well as fresh eggs and breads. You can even find pet food and a juice bar. For those who need to do some supermarket shopping, Winn-Dixie lies at the Victoria Park Shoppes shopping center.