Glendale-Heatherdowns - Toledo, OH

Toledo was fist visited by European traders and trappers in 1615. They set up small outposts to sell fur and other goods, but the area didn't experience any significant growth until after the War of 1812. Over the next couple decades, the Ohio legislature approved major construction projects to build the Erie Canal and connect the area to Lake Erie. This major waterway allowed goods to be more easily transported in and out of the city and gave rise to a whole new set of industries. Today the city is known for playing a huge role in the health, automobile and glass sectors, earning it the nickname "Glass City."

The Toledo Museum of Art sits in a Greek revival style building and houses works from the world's greatest artists, making it a destination worthy of international acclaim. The Glass City Wine Festival and Walleye Run represent two annual events.

Residents can head to Glendale Avenue or Detroit Avenue for a variety of restaurant and bar options. Doc Watson's stands out as one of the more popular eateries. This casual diner serves up classic American food plus a long list of beers and speciality drinks. It provides an ideal place to watch NFL games and listen to live music on the weekends. For a hearty meal and a taste of the chef's special, diners order the Greek delight gourmet burger that comes topped with olives, feta cheese, banana peppers and cucumber sauce. This family friendly establishment also features a kid's menu.

Just down the street at Tasty Thai, diners can enjoy authentic and affordable Thai cuisine in a welcoming dining room. This local gem sits in a strip mall and has an unassuming appearance, but its tasty food has turned visitors into loyal customers and turned this modest shop into a prime destination for a great meal. The tom yam hed soup features mushrooms and cherry tomatoes in a hot sour broth that has been flavored with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. This dish manages to meld a lot of different flavors into one meal that has become famous in the neighborhood.

Meet up with friends at Shawn's Irish Tavern on Heatherdowns Boulevard for craft beer and the perfect pub fare to satisfy late-night cravings. Buy a bucket of domestic beer for about $11 when your cash flow is low, and let the cooks build you a Shawn's burger with your custom pick of mouth-watering ingredients. Take advantage of frequent beverage and food specials, such as poutine, a deliciously messy plate of French fries slathered in gravy and cheese curds.

Locals can also spend the evening watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster or catching a show at the Stranahan Theater, which hosts Broadway shows, bands and all sorts of nationally renowned performers.

The Glendale-Heatherdowns neighborhood was designed to be driver-friendly. Residents enjoy easy access to Airport Highway, which travels directly to the Toledo Express Airport. The Ohio Turnpike also sits in the southern section of the neighborhood and travels the full width of the state. Plenty of parking decks accommodate drivers visiting the hospital or attending the nearby university, making it easy to find a spot any time of day.

The city does provide bus service, but the neighborhood only hosts a handful of bus stops and one regular route. Passengers may have to walk quite a few blocks to get to the nearest stop. Hailing a cab can be fairly easy and Uber provides another affordable option for finding a ride.

Pedestrians may also find it hard to get around the neighborhood. While campus areas provide plenty of sidewalks, other major streets don't feature bike lanes. Those looking to bike or walk for recreational purposes can visit the Swan Creek Metro Park to stay physically fit.

The Swan Creek Preserve Metro Park serves as the main outdoor recreation area for local residents. This large park features miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. The river provides plenty of great scenery and attracts many different species of animals. Additional attractions include: a playground, a swinging bridge and both indoor- and outdoor picnic shelters. Families can use the park for free and bring along the dog for a day outdoors.

The cost of living in Glendale-Heatherdowns runs slightly below that of the rest of the city. Residents can rent a one-bedroom residence for $532 per month. A ride on the local bus system costs $1.00 per ride although the city offers plenty of discounts to frequent riders. Gas prices trend 5 percent below national averages and a bottle of domestic beer costs $3 at the local pub.

Residents enjoy convenient access to many major retail chains. From Walmart and Lowe's Home Improvement to Dollar General and Pier 1 Imports, locals have their choice of shopping options. The city also hosts a variety of specialty stores and boutiques that provide a more unique shopping experience and give shoppers a better feel for the personality of the neighborhood.

At the Culture Clash Record Shop, visitors can sip on coffee while browsing through aisles of obscure and rare records. Listening stations throughout the store allow shoppers to sample an album before buying. It also carries a selection of turntables, needles and cleaners to keep any record player in mint condition. This shop provides a great place to spend the afternoon and discover some hidden, musical treasures.

Patrons visit the Swank Martini Company to stock up on great gifts for the wine and martini lover in their life. This unique shop specializes in drink glassware, bartending tools and drink accessories that will add some flare to any party. Visit to get new drink recipe ideas and purchase fun and unique, drink-themed gift items.

Residents also have a wide range of choices when it comes to picking up groceries and other household essentials. Meijer, Walmart and Kroger all have locations nearby. The Toledo Farmer's Market also opens on Saturday mornings starting in May and runs through October.