Lake Merritt, Oakland: The Morcom Rose Garden has been a cherished part of the Lake Merritt community for over 80 years. The treasured roses have been carefully tended to by generations of head gardeners, who, alongside volunteers, prune, weed, and conduct grounds upkeep.
Logan Square, Chicago: Logan Square features a variety of architectural styles. Some of the first residents designed their homes by piecing together elements they admired from other homes in the area. You'll spot houses that were made from a bedstone, a special kind of limestone from Indiana, while others sport floral patterns that were popular at the beginning of the 20th century. (📸:
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"Thoughtful, kind people building a community. Best place I've lived, the most at home I have ever felt." -Chatham, Chicago resident
Rockridge, Oakland: This eye-catching neighborhood at the foot of the Oakland Hills is a true family community. You'll often find groups of children playing in front of restored bungalows on the leafy side streets.
Hyde Park, Austin: Known to locals as Austin's first true suburb, Hyde Park features a variety of architectural styles, from original Victorians built in the 1890s to quaint cottages and bungalows built in the early-to-mid 1900s.
"Welcome to my office." Alphonzo Jackson, fondly known to locals as Coach Al, has been running Lake Merritt for 43 years and counting. "I felt I was in pretty decent shape until I tried to run Lake Merritt and found out I really wasn't....[My first run] wasn't really a run, it was more of a shuffle." Since that first shuffle, Coach Al has carried the Olympic torch, trained countless athletes, had a film produced about his work, and was inducted into the Black Marathoners Hall of Fame. But he always brings his success back to Lake Merritt. "Running around that lake has taken me around the world," he says.
The University of Texas, Austin: The University of Texas at Austin has some of the oldest living trees in the entire city. The three Battle Oaks were around when the school first opened in the 1880s — one likely predates the Civil War. Today, the oaks can be found at the corner of Whitis and 24th.
"Awesome neighborhood. I've been here 13 years and I've seen it change dramatically." -SJ, Parkside, San Francisco resident
Downtown, Austin: It's no wonder why the Downtown population has doubled since 2000 - this neighborhood is lively (to say the least) at all hours. During the day, you'll find locals sitting outside enjoying a beer or lunch on Rainey Street. At night, folks head to Sixth Street — fondly known as "Dirty Sixth" to residents — for cocktails.
Old Oakland, California: The Old Oakland Farmers Market happens every Friday along 9th Street at Broadway, rain or shine. People drive in from all the way across the Bay to stock up on produce for the week from dozens of local vendors.
