Northwest Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City is the largest city and the capital of Oklahoma. The city's origins began in 1889 when thousands flocked to the area to settle on land newly opened up by the federal government. Oklahoma City has been a major player in both the stockyards and oil industry. In the 1990s, the city underwent a civic transformation as part of the Metropolitan Area Projects initiative, and a new library, civic center and convention center were built downtown.

The city provides a home to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, which hosts world-class exhibits. This museum also showcases local artists, promotes educational programs and cultivates beautiful botanical displays. The Civic Center Music Hall regularly hosts dance, music and theater events for residents. The annual Festival of Arts commences every spring in downtown Oklahoma City with a variety of visual, culinary and performance-art events and activities.

A number of great restaurants are located in the northwest Oklahoma City area, and many of them lie in Edmond near U.S. Route 77. The Cow Calf-Hay features a simple menu of great burgers and sides. If you have the stomach for it, order the Six Shooter special and try to score a free meal. This monster burger consists of six 1/2-pound burger patties and 12 slices of cheese on a bun. It comes with a full order of onion rings or curly fries, a soft drink, and a slice of cake. Eat at it all in 45 minutes and you don't pay a dime.

There's nothing really humble about the pizza at Humble Pie. Offering both Chicago- and New York-style pies, this neighborhood eatery gets creative with its menu. Get lost in a Bermuda Triangle pizza with pineapple, feta cheese, and jalapenos, or worship the Greek Goddess and its flavorful olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts.

For a taste of Thai, Lemongrass does not disappoint. Spicy papaya salads and deep-fried cod with chili sauce makes mouths water, and dishes of roast duck curry and classic pad Thai keep locals coming back for more.

If you're in the mood for a cold drink and lively conversation, check out Wolftrap on South Broadway. This local favorite features two wide screen televisions, pool tables, and gaming machines. According to regulars, the atmosphere is friendly and energetic, and the bartenders are some of the friendliest folks in town.

Most residents of outer-northwest Oklahoma City rely on cars for transportation, although they can also use the Embark public transportation system, which runs many bus routes throughout the area. Free public parking can be found in residential neighborhoods. Uber services the OKC area, and cabs provide another transportation alternative, though you probably won't be able to hail one.

Residents travel east to Tulsa on Interstate 44 and use Interstate 35 to travel north to Wichita or south to Dallas. You can walk or bike to run some errands in the outer-northwest area, although traveling between housing developments on busier streets requires caution. Designated bike lanes remain rare on Oklahoma City streets if they can be found at all.

Outer-northwest Oklahoma City has many free-to-use public parks. Martin Park Nature Center provides the opportunity for hiking and nature walks and spans 144 acres of woods and grass. Kids love the Pollinators' Playground here as well as learning about nature and animal habitats. Just a bit farther south, Bluff Creek Park lies on the north shore of Lake Hefner. This park features a 2-mile path for jogging and walking and a 3-mile dirt track for mountain biking and trail running.

Dog owners bring their pets to Edmond Dog Park, which features two enclosures to keep big and small dogs separate and provides water spigots for thirsty mutts. Enjoy great events and activities run by the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department here. Nature hikes, garden walks, arts-and-crafts workshops and scavenger hunts are just a few of the activities you can participate in throughout the year.

Fuel prices in outer-northwest Oklahoma City fall about 12 percent below the national average, and a one-bedroom apartment rents for about $622 per month. The cost of living falls in line with the city as a whole and sits just above the national average. A bottle of domestic beer at a local watering hole costs $3, while a bottled import sets you back about $4. A trip downtown on an Embark bus costs $1.75 for adults and just 75 cents for seniors, disabled passengers and children ages 7 and older. Kids 6 and under ride for free.

Big box retailers and chain stores are located in the vicinity of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike and Pennsylvania Avenue. These stores include Target, Home Depot and Gordmans department store. For smaller, independently owned businesses, locals head to unique stores such as Therapy Paint and Sip Boutique. In addition to women's fashion and accessories, this trendy shop offers "retail therapy," which combines painting classes, wine sipping and shopping. Treat yourself to a personal shopping experience like no other with a stop in at Blue Seven. Featuring unique offerings for women, men and children, this boutique reserves a basket behind the counter with your name on it so you don't have to carry your chosen loot throughout the store. This is a great place to find retro dresses, independent-label jeans, bow ties, socks, jewelry, barware and gag gifts. Cigar aficionados appreciate the knowledgeable staff at R and K cigars when in search of the best stogie in town.

Walmart and Aldi carry affordable, everyday groceries, but alternative markets include Akins Natural Foods, which features a variety of vitamins and supplements, and Natural Grocers, which presents a nice selection of organic foods. Sprouts Farmers Market also features a good choice of organic, vegan and gluten-free products.

To purchase fresh local produce and handmade goods, folks head to the OSU-OKC Farmers Market. Held every Saturday year-round at the Horticulture Pavilion on the campus of Oklahoma State University, this market features over 30 local growers and artisans.