North Sumner-Glenwood - Minneapolis, MN

In 1938, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), one of the largest agency of the New Deal created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, built the Sumner Field Homes as part of an effort to pull the nation out of the Great Depression. Even though the Sumner Field Homes were all demolished in 1998, the development -- along with Glenwood Avenue -- helped name the neighborhood. Starting around 2005, the 145-acre Heritage Park began to take shape, with the construction of more than 900 new homes.

The beautiful Sumner Library, housed in a castlelike, Andrew Carnegie-funded building, is a small refuge for area children who enjoy computer programming and help with their homework. Its passionate staff members act as local historians. Reading materials in numerous languages serve the community.

With just six blocks to downtown, residents of North Sumner-Glenwood have plenty of choices when they want to enjoy an evening out. Locally, Milda's Café has served the neighborhood since 1965. Milda's is famous for pasties, traditional Finnish meat pies filled with a stew of beef, potatoes, and carrots. This signature dish attracts devotees from all over since it can scarcely be found anywhere else in the Twin Cities. Milda's serves classic home-cooked breakfast and lunch plates as well, but those huge, tender pasties put the cafe on the foodie map.

Follow Glenwood Avenue to the edge of downtown to hear top-notch rockabilly music at Lee's Liquor Lounge. A classic corner bar with a landmark neon marquee, Lee's keeps the spirits of Elvis, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams alive through shrines to these artists, a jukebox, and regular live shows and dance events.

Downtown Minneapolis' abundant nightlife and dining scene can be reached in five minutes via Glenwood. The Bryn Mawr neighborhood offers a coffee shop, pizza deli, and Sparks (a sit-down neighborhood restaurant) just five minutes south.

Look east, and the skyline rises in urban glory. Downtown can be reached in a flash -- it's minutes away via bus, bike, or even on foot. Sidewalks run the entire length of Glenwood Avenue. A designated bike lane on Glenwood flows with a regular stream of bicycle traffic coming in from the western suburbs and nearby Minneapolis neighborhoods. Call a cab and it arrives in minutes, and Uber also services the area.

The majority of residents in the area rely on bus transportation, and Metro Transit runs several lines along Glenwood Avenue, connecting residents to downtown or the West End shopping area in St. Louis Park.

Bryn Mawr, five minutes away on Penn Avenue, is the nearest gas station. Highway 55, which runs parallel to Glenwood, leads to Interstate 94.

Wise planning by Minneapolis' founders gave residents Theodore Wirth Park, the largest park in the city. At 759 acres, Wirth has room for four-season outdoor recreation. In summer, hiking, biking, bird watching, swimming, and canoeing opportunities let residents of North Minneapolis escape the city and enter a wild, beautiful place. Two golf courses -- a par-three course and a traditional 18-hole course -- and an archery range become a ski loop in the winter. The largest sledding hill in the metro area delights youngsters who brave its heights.

On Glenwood Avenue, Wirth Lake Beach attracts anglers, swimmers, and paddlers. Area families flock to the huge modern playground on the beach, and a boardwalk dotted with anglers rings the small lake.

The Glenwood section of Wirth Park hosts the annual Juneteenth celebration, an event that commemorates the end of slavery and showcases African American culture. As many as 50,000 people gather for music, food, and festivities each year.

Home buyers can typically purchase in North Sumner-Glenwood at below-market rates. Much of the housing dates to the late 1800s and early 1900s, but redevelopment has created a slew of modern, multi-unit housing. A one-bedroom apartment in North Sumner-Glenwood runs about $650. Gas in Minneapolis runs about six percent below the national average. Lee's, the only bar in the area, charges around $4 for a beer or basic cocktail.

With its bright red storefront, Venture North captures the attention of suburban bike commuters heading into the city along Glenwood Avenue. The full-service bike store and repair shop sells quality coffee, fixes tires, and replaces tired bike parts.

The International Market Square, a converted factory building, houses more than 170 architects, designers, galleries, interior designers, kitchen and bath showrooms, and all manner of purveyors of fine finishes for commercial and residential architecture.

The Minneapolis Farmers Market feeds area residents, inspires choosy restaurant chefs, and draws thousands of people every day to browse the locally grown goodness. Fresh produce, meat, cheese, along with handicrafts and ready-to-eat street food, can be found under the three landmark ironwork shelters with red metal roofs. In the winter, Christmas trees and wreaths keep the market alive -- along with daily appearances by Santa Claus.

The only place to get food aside from the farmer's market is a convenience store on the corner of Penn Avenue and Glenwood. A bigger market in nearby Bryn Mawr provides a small array of grocery staples. The closest full-service grocery store is a Costco in the neighboring suburb of St. Louis Park.