Lawndale-Wayside - Houston, TX

A diverse collection of neighborhoods and architectural styles testify to Lawndale/Wayside's history. Winding streets, plenty of trees, and historic homes characterize the Idylwood and East Lawndale neighborhoods. The neighborhood's 108-year-old golf course, featuring wooded green space along Brays Bayou, continues to be a favorite location and source of pride for residents.

As part of East End, Lawndale/Wayside's history is intertwined with the district's. In 1836, Harrisburg, just east of the neighborhood, served as the seat of government for the Republic of Texas. With its rich history and historic neighborhoods, residents choose East End mainly for the architecture; the vintage homes -- often less expensive than those on Houston's west side -- are being lovingly restored to their former glory.

The Tex-Mex staples and Gulf Coast seafood that make Houston famous dominate the restaurant scene. But you really don't want to miss local fave El Greco. The menu's mix of Mediterranean and American staples mean even the most finicky eaters will find something they like. Those with more international tastes can choose from a number of dishes such as gyros, tzatziki, stuffed eggplant, and baklava.

Diners interested in a complete Houston/Gulf Coast experience can't stay away from Connie's Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar. The menu includes seafood, Tex-Mex and Chinese. Don't shy away from the awkward-sounding combination. You can't go wrong at this simple, clean Houston standard.

Options for take-out in Lawndale-Wayside abound. Every resident has a favorite taco truck or taqueria. Try a few yourself and join the debate. Restaurants are mainly found along major thoroughfares like Lawndale and Wayside, and especially along Telephone Road.

An affordable sports bar or two cluster around the highway, but for a much wider selection of nightlife opportunities you're better off heading just a few minutes closer to town. There are plenty of funky bar and lounge offerings in the Eastwood and Eado neighborhoods right next door. Try Bohemeo's--a coffee shop/bar hybrid that offers cheap food, poetry readings, open mics, and live music of all sorts.

Houston residents like their cars, and Lawndale/Wayside certainly caters to this preference. Depending on which part of the neighborhood you depart from, downtown Houston is not more than a 15-minute drive away. Residents have very easy access to Interstate 45, which borders Lawndale/Wayside on the south. A number of taxi companies and Uber serve the area as well as several bus routes.

The neighborhood's location makes it desirable for those wanting to live close to downtown but maintain a slower pace of life. Like much of Houston, this neighborhood is not designed for pedestrians. A few bicycle-friendly areas outside of Lawndale/Wayside's parks and quieter residential pockets exist.

Lawndale/Wayside offers a real mix of parks and outdoor spaces. Like much of Houston, bayous define the topography. Brays Bayou meanders through the area on its way to Buffalo Bayou. The municipal Gus Wortham Golf Course features bridges and natural waterways and hugs the bayou. Beautiful trees and wide-open spaces make the course accessible for golfers of any level. There's also a full driving range for warming up and pro shop lessons available: the fees for all of this are reasonable.

The recently-renovated Spurlock Park sits in the beautiful Idylwood neighborhood. Children love the swings, hills, and majestic oaks. It is wheelchair-accessible.

Brays Bayou bisects the 104-acre Mason Park, founded in the 1920s. This free facility features baseball and soccer fields, a swimming pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a 1.4-mile hike-and-bike trail, as well as another golf course. The true heart of the park is the Mason Community Center, which offers a range of sports and other activities as well as a weight room, a club, and a stage for community events. The surrounding wetlands provide a beautiful natural backdrop. Leashed pets are allowed, and your dog will love the wide open spaces here.

Mason Park offers a number of regular events. Health-minded individuals can attend the family health expo for free every November, as well as annual wildflower and tree-planting events.

After moving to you Lawndale/Wayside apartment, be sure to check out the Villa de Matel Convent, home to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The chapel sits amid beautiful wooded grounds and includes gorgeous stained glass windows and marble columns. The Sisters host annual choral music concerts and spiritual retreats.

For a one-bedroom apartment in Lawndale/Wayside, rents average around $612 a month. The average income sits below the rest of Houston. The range of inexpensive, high-quality restaurants, shopping, and entertainment choices mean residents enjoy a high quality of life. The cost of a beer can be as low as $3, and a 15-minute bus ride to downtown costs $1.25. Gas prices sit 25% below the national average.

Plenty of drugstores and small grocers are scattered about major streets like Wayside and South 75th, and clusters of strip malls sit along the freeway. Panaderias, music stores, and authentic costume boutiques abound, making it easy to pick up a pan dulce on Saturday morning.

If you're looking to do some home repairs, stop in at Martini Hardware. This local business has been around since 1945 and offers everything you need to do-it-yourself. Oscar's Jewelry is another spot typical of the kind of non-chain businesses you'll find in the area: small, locally-owned, reliable, and affordable.

The ever-reliable Fiesta grocery store offers a range of produce, meats, and international foods. Gulfgate Shopping Center and the Texas-based HEB grocery store are nearby. The neighborhood lacks farmers markets, but several can be found closer into town.