West Albright/Bonfield - Omaha, NE

Omaha's expansion exploded in the 1880s with the growth of the nation's railroads. Thousands of immigrants moved to the area in search of jobs, settling in greater South and South Central Omaha.

The neighborhood's arts and culture scenes reflect a mix of these global influences. From the yearly Greek Festival of Hellenic food and music to the classical opera and ballet performances of Heartland Conservatory of Dance, residents never run out of chances to experience the world around them at a local level.

West Albright/Bonfield support entire streets of authentic foreign cuisine along with Midwest meat-and-potatoes restaurants. Most drinking and dining options line 72nd and Grover Streets.

At the west end of the neighborhood, the FarmHouse Cafe serves up breakfast classics so big you need a doggie bag. Try old favorites such as the potato scrambles, cinnamon rolls, and orange beers. Dine before 9 a.m. for "early bird" menu specials, or order your morning treats to go at the in-house bakery. Call ahead for reservations on weekends as this place fills up quickly.

Below Highway-275, Latino Legacy cooks up traditional Latin American dishes such as pupusas and horchata. If the menu overwhelms, order the lomo Saltado and fried plantains.

At Anthony's Steakhouse, residents gather for meals and entertainment. Try the whiskey rib-eye meal and choose your own sides, and then stick around for live jazz and blues music by regional bands. Be sure to ask for extra garlic bread as soon as you meet your server.

The nearby clubs and dance floors of Downtown Omaha may tempt you beyond neighborhood borders, but for a quiet beer in a popular haunt, stick around West Albright/Bonfield. Join the regulars at Poop Deck Bar, or swing by Cruiser's Bar & Grill for $2 pints during happy hour.

Like most spacious Midwest cities, Omaha was built for vehicle transportation. While pedestrians and cyclists may feel comfortable within the sidewalks of their immediate neighborhood, driving a car or catching public transport makes the most sense around West Albright/ Bonfield.

The Omaha Metro bus system services the area along five routes: 32 follows Grover Street between Bergan Mercy Hospital and the Downtown Transit Center, while Express 93, 94, and 96 connect passengers with Bellevue, Millard, and suburbs farther west on weekdays. Buses run about every 30 minutes.

Thanks to Interstate 80, which swoops through the area, you can drive to the city center in 12 minutes. To escape weekend traffic, call the nearby Yellow Cab taxi company or use one of Omaha's ride sharing services. Both Uber and its regional counterpart, Lyft, operate around the city, allowing you to use a mobile app to locate nearby drivers.

Retail centers generally provide free lot parking, while you'll have to use metered street side parking in commercial areas on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Churchich Park has a large green space for relaxing or having a picnic. It also has ball fields, horseshoe pits, walking paths, a playground, and tennis courts. Nearby Karen Park features a public swimming pool and access to the South Omaha Trail, popular with cyclists. This two-mile trail connects with the Keystone Trail and eventually to the West Papio Trail.

Hitchcock Park, located just south of West Albright/Bonfield, has an outdoor swimming pool, a popular summer destination. This park also offers picnic areas, fishing, a playground, and ball fields.

The cost of living in West Albright/Bonfield runs nearly equal to the average cost of living in Omaha. Though higher neighborhood vacancy rates drop the rental price a few dollars below city average, expect to pay about $589 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in West Albright/Bonfield.

A one-way Metro bus ticket costs $1.75. Fill up your car and pay 11 percent less than the national average. Pints run $3 to $5 and most dinners start at $15 a plate.

Residents must travel to the borders of Bonfield/West Albright or further afield into South and South Central Omaha to meet their shopping needs. The few shops closer to home include family-run general stores and corner markets. Canfield's Sporting Goods caters to outdoor adventurers with a large selection of outdoor equipment and army surplus items.

On the opposite side of the neighborhood, customers rave about Ground Zero Comics' everyday 50 percent off specials on back-stock comics. Other sales items include graphic novels, games, and toys. The store holds tournaments and comic-themed events as well as helps local hobbyists expand their collections with personal assistance for purchases.

Residents fill their pantries at chain supermarkets such as Akin's and Bag'n Save in South and South Central Omaha. Siedlik Bakery is famous for its homemade Danishes, strudels, and Czech kolashes.

The Omaha Farmer's Market takes place each weekend on nearby Center Street. It runs from late spring through early autumn, with a Holiday Market in December. Besides the expected fruit and vegetable produce, find homemade condiments, crafts, flowers, and dairy products.