Fourth Ward - Houston, TX

The Fourth Ward was one of the first areas African Americans settled in following the Civil War. Since the Fourth Ward neighborhood consisted of recently freed slaves at the time, it was then known as Freedman's Town. The historic Antioch Baptist Church, pastored by Jack Yates, was founded in the area. Yates went on to serve as a community activist and make a huge impact on the Houston area, eventually getting a high school named in his honor for his efforts. The pastor's former home has also been preserved for historical purposes. At one point, the area thrived as businesses and churches were established, and the neighborhood flourished for years. Ultimately it could not keep up with the surrounding areas, however, which led to an eventual decline from the peak period. The BH Rutherford Yates museum honors the history and legacy of Jack Yates and his son and also displays artifacts and artwork from the era in which the city thrived.

Not much fine dining can be found inside the area, but traveling to nearby areas such as Downtown and Montrose does not take more than 15 minutes. Fourth Ward does, however, have many casual eateries with reasonably prices and a great atmosphere.

District 7 Grill, located on Pierce, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and even stays open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after a late night of partying. Share a pizza or a whole moof, the original muffaletta stuffed with ham, salami, and mozzarella, with a group of friends.

Upbeat and hip accurately describes the nightlife in Fourth Ward. The Front Porch Pub opens daily until 2 a.m. and has specials and activities throughout the week, such as steak night and game night. As an alternative to nightclubs, visitors can go to Pinot's Palette, where they can create artwork. This establishment is BYOB and would make the perfect destination for a girl's night out or bachelorette party.

Most residents choose to drive as their primary means of transportation throughout the Fourth Ward neighborhood. However, the close proximity to downtown makes driving or biking a great option as well. Biking lanes and sidewalks appear regularly, making the streets safe for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Those looks for public transportation have a variety of Metro bus routes to choose from, and although hailing a cab proves a difficult process, Uber does service the area, so feel free to schedule a pickup in advance. The streets do offer options for public parking, but some areas do employ parking meters for providing this privilege.

Eleanor Tinsley Park, located in Buffalo Bayou Park, hosts the annual Fourth of July fireworks festival and has a playground for children. Buffalo Bayou Park, which consists of over 100 acres of land, features multiple hike and bike trails with exercise stations along the way. The San Felipe Park has a dog park for your furry friends, so don't hesitate to bring them along for a nice day outdoors. Right off the bayou that runs through the entire park lies the Lee and Joe Jamail Skate Park.

Wiley Park, built in 2001, is a water sprayground featuring spray fountains with features such as a flower, rainbow and raining buckets. The park also has benches and landscaping, making the perfect setting for a family picnic.

While the cost of living in the neighborhood sits 10 percent lower than the city average, renters don't necessarily see that benefit directly. Rental prices for one-bedrooms start at $800 and can cost up to $1,800; the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment comes in around $1,300. Gas prices fall right in line with the typical city prices, and beers usually cost $3, decreasing significantly if you happen to walk in a bar during happy hour.

The River Oaks shopping center serves as the closets area of commerce, but those seeking a mall will want to head for the Galleria and Memorial City Mall. These shopping centers feature high-end fashion, and the boutiques and stores in the Fourth Ward neighborhood provide shoppers with reasonable prices and an intimate shopping experience. This area offers several resale and consignment shops.

My Flaming Heart features one-of-a-kind jewelry and antique gifts. Choose from vintage inspired clothing and vintage cowboy boots. Though some things may be pricey, most items are affordable on any budget. Cottage Thrift shop, another vintage gem, boasts designer clothes at low prices. Patrons flock here for vintage Chanel and other high-end designers at significantly reduced costs.

During the fall, the Nutcracker Market comes to town, and vendors set up shop on Preston. For a fee, you can browse vendors selling goods such as handmade jewelry and clothing to find a unique assortment of gift selections just in time for the holidays.

Local grocery options include Randall's on Louisiana, and HEB and Kroger in the Washington area. Walgreens can be found on Montrose as an alternative to larger stores. Those looking for farm-fresh ingredients can check out the Urban Harvest Farmers Market at City Hall on Wednesdays during the spring and Eastside Farmers Market on Saturdays year-round.