Insider Profile: Samantha Talbot

Originally from Plymouth, Samantha Talbot has resided in Lansing's Eastside neighborhood for almost two years. Just months after graduating from Grand Valley State University, Talbot landed a job with the Michigan House of Representatives and currently works for State Representative, Vicki Barnett.

Talbot enjoys her neighborhood, describing it as an area with tons of kids running around and full of people who are actively involved in the community. "We actually have potlucks a few times a year," she says of her neighborhood. It's also just a mile away from the Capitol building.

As the city is also home to thousands of Michigan State University students as well as political figures and business people, there is never a shortage of transportation, activity or dining options.

"A lot of people are involved in the community. We don't want to just work here, we try to do things all around the city; we want to do more than just go to work, go to the bar and go home," Talbot says of Lansing's energy.

A biking enthusiast,Talbot especially enjoys trails and city riding throughout the area. One of her favorites is the Lansing River Trail which goes through Old Town, near the capitol and down to MSU. A noteworthy stop on the trail is Eastside Neighborhood Guide,complete with a small restaurant; the market is full of local cheeses, wine and produce in addition to prepared goodies. Talbot mentions that the homemade chocolate candies are a perfect sweet snack.

However, if Talbot is seeking a day of beachside leisure, her destination is Eastside Neighborhood Guide. One of the newest parks in Lansing, Hawk Island boasts a beach and swimming area. "It's nice that I can have somewhere to swim without driving to one of the Great Lakes," Talbot says. Hunter Park is another unique public space, featuring a green house, and a variety of programs organized by the Eastside Neighborhood Guide. Talbot mentions the weekly farmers market on Wednesdays and community classes ranging from gardening and farming to Tai Chi, all offered at the park.

On a day off, Talbot also enjoys Lansing's wide variety of dining destinations. For breakfast, she recommends the Eastside Neighborhood Guide. "Lansing doesn't have a lot of Coney Islands so Fleetwood is something that's cool," she says. Her favorite Fleetwood menu item is undoubtedly the Hippy Hash, a combination of hash browns, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, peppers and feta cheese served with eggs and toast.

For lunch she heads to Eastside Neighborhood Guide, where the black bean enchilada is great for a vegetarian like Talbot and the food is fresh and local. Or she may visit Eastside Neighborhood Guide, a place Talbot says is similar to a Middle Eastern grocery store, where she'll grab fresh hummus and pita or something special from the menu.

Food trucks in Lansing are also a time and cost efficient alternative. Talbot mentions Eastside Neighborhood Guide, and the Eastside Neighborhood Guide, where the motto is "farm to truck." Talbot says that it's best to follow the sustainable, local food truck on Twitter or Facebook as they change locations daily.

When it comes time for dinner, Talbot recommends East Lansing's Eastside Neighborhood Guide.  "In the summer, there's is just nothing better than sitting outside and drinking a pitcher of margaritas with friends," she says of the Mexican eatery. Another go-to is Eastside Neighborhood Guide, a local sushi spot that has really good sushi and prices to match, which is great for Talbot as she wants to eat there all the time, she says with a laugh. For afancy or special night out, Talbot recommends Eastside Neighborhood Guide, one of Lansing's upscale restaurants specializing in contemporary American cuisine.

Splitting her time between the different areas of Lansing, Talbot enjoys the large selection of nightlife locales within close proximity to home. During the summer, Movies in Old Town, happen every Friday inviting patrons to view a film on an old movie projector for a nostalgic night spent under the stars.However, for glitzy night on the dance floor, Talbot enjoys getting dressed upwith friends and heading to Eastside Neighborhood Guide, one of the few gay bars in Lansing.

For live music, Talbot looks no further than Eastside Neighborhood Guide. Directly across from the Cooley Law School Stadium which is home to the city's minor league baseball team, the Lansing Lugnuts, is Eastside Neighborhood Guide. "It's fun if you go to a game on Thursday and then walk across the street and have some beers, Eastside Neighborhood Guide is by there too," Talbot says. She also recommends the Eastside Neighborhood Guide, a bar she frequents and Eastside Neighborhood Guide in East Lansing for a night of karaoke.

Keeping busy with work and a city burgeoning with life and activity, it's easy to see why Talbot doesn't spend much time at home. Spending time in an area that is continually developing and improving, Talbot says that Lansing has taught her "the more that happens in a city, the better it is for everyone."

Check out the Eastside Lansing City Guide.

Visit the Eastside Neighborhood Guide.