Hurstbourne Acres - Louisville, KY

Hurstbourne Acres was incorporated as a city in 1963, but did not truly experience heavy residential development until the 1970s and 1980s. As housing options increased, so did infrastructure supporting restaurants and shopping amenities. Locals calling Hurstbourne Acres home find the same balance of residential and commercial development in modern Hurstbourne.

No museums or arts scene can be found in Hurstbourne Acres. Locals must travel to downtown Louisville or the outskirts of Jefferson County to experience museums, such as the Speed Art Museum, The Frazier History Museum and Thomas Edison House. Directly southeast of the neighborhood sits the Jeffersontown Historical Museum, which features snapshots of the history and culture of this city in south Jefferson County.

Many festivals occur throughout the city. Locals flock to the Kentucky Derby Festival at the end of April and the Forecastle Festival at Riverfront Park every July.

A majority of the restaurants that sit within Hurstbourne Acres can be found along Taylorsville Road and Hurstbourne Parkway. Most of these restaurants remain chain-operated and range from causal to moderately upscale. Fast-food options, though plentiful in other areas of Louisville, remain fairly uncommon in this neighborhood. Some favorite standby restaurants for locals include Buca Di Beppo, the Melting Pot, and O'Charleys. Many of the locally-owned dining establishments here serve ethnic food.

Home Run Burger, a local favorite, sits within the TaylorHurst Shopping Center. Home Run has been selling some of Louisville's best burgers since 2008. Choose between a single or double burger, with or without cheese, and then create a burger masterpiece with over 26 topping choices. Sides include Cajun fries and onion rings. This classic burger joint also sells perfectly creamy milkshakes.

Lovers of Indian cuisine dine at Shalimar Restaurant in Hunnington Place. Popular Northern Indian dishes served at Shalimar include specialty tandoori dishes, vegetarian thali and shrimp curry. Service is known for being incredibly friendly and personal. Regulars eating at Shalimar rave about almost every dish on the menu.

Across from Shalimar Restaurant lies El Torazo, a great Mexican establishment with a comfortable outdoor patio. Those coming for lunch should consider purchasing one of the lunch combinations for a large and reasonably priced meal. El Torazo occasionally hosts live music and provides drink specials, such as two-for-one margaritas.

Locals head to popular restaurants and bars for an evening drink in Hurstbourne Acres at such places as the Melting Pot, Applebee's and Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill. Most of these bars, and others around the area, serve drink specials and bar appetizers. For high-end clubs and music venues, most residents find it worthwhile to drive downtown. 4th Street Live contains a number of exciting bars and nightclubs, such as Howl at the Moon and Goose Island Beer Bridge.

Close to 90 percent of Hurstbourne Acres residents drive or commute to work, a percentage considerable lower than most communities in Jefferson County. Those commuting by personal vehicle into downtown Louisville must take Hurstbourne Parkway to Interstate 64. Parking can be found along residential streets.

Alternative transportation options remain very popular in this neighborhood. Locals relying on bus transportation through the Transit Authority of River City can catch service along Taylorsville Road and South Hurstbourne Parkway. Buses run between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with limited hours on weekends. Those looking to utilize taxi service or Uber find that both operate in the area, but must be called ahead of time to schedule service.

Some residents find that they can walk to nearby amenities, including restaurants and shopping, but most find a personal vehicle more reliable and convenient. Bike lanes lie along Taylorsville Road and Hurstbourne Parkway.

No parks sit within Hurstbourne Acres, but many can be found within a few miles of the community. To the north, Des Pres Park provides locals with a great place to play softball, basketball, tennis and volleyball. Families enjoy a large on-site playground and picnic shelters. Klondike Park lies southwest of Hurstbourne Acres, and contains a number of athletic fields and walking trails. Both of these park facilities can be accessed for free and welcome dogs on a leash.

Louisville's parks host great activities for residents all year long. Downtown's Riverfront Park hosts Waterfront Wednesdays, a festival celebrating live music with a happy hour atmosphere. This event occurs the last Wednesday of the month from April through September.

The cost of living in Hurstbourne Acres sits 6 percent higher than Louisville's city average, but 4 percent lower than the national average. Housing costs average much higher in this neighborhood than elsewhere around the city and state. Renters can expect to pay $705 for a one-bedroom apartment. Costs for other expenses such as utilities, transportation, groceries, goods and services in Hurstbourne Acres mirror the rest of the Louisville metropolitan area. The Transit Authority of River City charges bus riders $1.50 for one-way fare and $50 for a monthly pass. Gas prices here sit at 10 percent less than the national average. Locals appreciate the abundance of restaurants and bars within their community, and find prices at these establishments similar to other areas in the county. Bar patrons enjoying a pint of local beer should expect to pay between $4 and $5.

Hurstbourne Acres residents find many shopping opportunities in and around their neighborhood. The Hunnington Place Shopping Center contains an Office Depot, Shoe Carnival, and a number of shops specializing in music, bridal wear, and woodworking. Retailers can also be found scattered all along Hurstbourne Parkway, including Pier 1, Plato's Closet, and Game Stop. Upscale boutiques and name-brand fashion labels can be found at the Oxmoor Mall, north of Hurstbourne Acres along Shelbyville Road. Stores here include Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Lucky Brand.

Grate Balls Afire, a family operated store with a fun name, sells gas and vented fireplaces, wood stoves, and hearth accessories. This highly-rated shop has a knowledgeable staff that assists customers in finding the perfect accompaniment to any home. Whether the shopper has an existing but inoperable fireplace at home or wants to start from scratch, Grate Ball Afire has a product for every situation.

Kinney Dancewear, also situated in Hunnington Place next to Grate Balls Afire, houses a great assortment of dance shoes and apparel. Kinney prides itself on providing over three generations of families their child's first ballet slippers. The staff consists entirely of former dancers who provide expert advice in finding the perfect pair of tap shoes, tights or hair accessories.

Kroger, situated on Hurstbourne Parkway, has become one of the more popular grocery shopping destinations for Hurstbourne Acres locals. Other nearby grocery options for residents include a Wal-Mart Supercenter and Patel Brothers. The Jeffersontown Farmers Market lies southeast of Hurstbourne Acres at the intersection of Taylorsville Road and Watterson Trail. This market remains open most Saturdays mornings year-round, and features local produce, meats and goods.