The Chicago, Illinois neighborhood of West Garfield Park features a hard-to-beat location just five miles west of the Loop. Mass transit and Interstate 290, the Eisenhower Expressway, make commuting easy. As this historic community undergoes a renaissance, residential offerings include townhouses and condos for rent.

A major drawing card on the neighborhood's east side for more than 100 years, Garfield Park Conservatory provides an oasis of calm for residents. Walking through its acres of indoor and outdoor gardens and green space soothes the senses, and locals sit in Horticulture Hall to relax. The Garfield Park Lagoon and the Garfield Park Public Swimming Pool are also popular destinations.

When you yearn for food, follow the locals to Original Maxwell Street for Polish sausage, Chicago-style hot dogs, and fries, or head to Jerk Taco Man and try the jerk chicken tacos, jerk fries, and nachos. Quench your BBQ craving at Mary's Bar-B-Que. For shopping, head to Madison Street. This strip is filled with boutiques, specialty grocery stores, chain stores like Foot Locker, and locally-owned shops.