Crystal Gardens - Phoenix, AZ

While the population boom of Phoenix began in the 1950s, growth in Estrella Villa picked up two decades later. It began as a master-planned community and has grown to contain more than 12,000 residents. What is now called the Desert Sky Mall first opened in 1981, drawing crowds from across the southwest valley. Estrella Villa's fantastic location -- near the Salt River in the foothills of the Sierra Estrella Mountains and in the heart of the Sonoran Desert Valley -- helped the area grow quickly.

Enjoy a hot dog with Mexican flair at La Pasadita Hot Dogs. Order the Sonora hot dog, a local favorite. The kitchen serves the hot dog in homemade bread and tops it with bacon, beans, grilled onions, tomato, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, guacamole, and jalapenos. Add warm nacho cheese and some shredded cheese and it becomes the Sinaloa hot dog. The menu includes breakfast and desserts, and you can wash it all down with sodas made with real sugar and imported from Mexico.

The Star Wok menu features the usual staples and a few twists on those classics. The curry shrimp has a loyal local following, along with the spicy prawns. Keep Star Wok in mind for your next large gathering, as this restaurant also caters.

For pizza, drinks, and fun, swing by Gus's New York Pizza and Bar. Bite into pizza by the slice, all the way up to a 32-inch pie. Choose your toppings from 30 options or try one of their combos. The pizzeria tops the Spanish Harlem pizza with bacon, green peppers, ham, jalapenos, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese. The Fire Burger lives up to its name, with hot sauce, jalapenos, and red onions creating a blazing-hot burger. Weekly events keep the place hopping into the night, with karaoke on Wednesdays, a DJ spinning tunes on Thursday, a Latin dance night on Fridays, and a DJ bringing the beats again on Saturday.

From country to rock, you can hear big-name musical acts at the Ak-Chin Pavilion. The outdoor amphitheater serves as a stop on many national tours for artists such as Alan Jackson, Nickelback, and the Foo Fighters. Sit back and enjoy the music under the stars on the lawn or in one of the 8,000 covered seats.

Many find it easiest to hop in a car to get around Estrella Villa and the surrounding area. Interstate 10 leads downtown, and Loop 101 takes you around the north valley. Buses present another viable option. Routes run along McDowell, Thomas, Indian School, and Camelback roads with a transit center conveniently located at Desert Sky Mall.

You do not see many people commuting by bicycle. Marked bike lanes line a few sections of the roadway. Those looking for exercise or sightseeing on two wheels typically head for the nearby Grand Canal Trail. Discover paved and unpaved sections of this multi-use run, which includes many overpasses and underpasses at major intersections.

Regional and neighborhood parks present a wide array of options in Estrella Villa. Desert West Park and Sports Complex draws large crowds year-round to the lighted softball fields and community center. Beginners and experts alike find thrills at the skateboard plaza. Other popular attractions include lighted handball and racquetball courts, the lagoon for fishing, and the shaded playgrounds.

For more fresh air outdoors, head to El Oso Park. Younger kids enjoy the play structures, while people of all ages explore the 40 acres of parkland. Teams play on the artificial and natural turf soccer fields, baseball fields, and basketball courts. Connecting exercise paths keep you moving, and aim for the archery range to test you skills. The amphitheater and open spaces host special events and present a place for people to gather and socialize.

Just down the road, Starlight Park adds a recreational center to the mix, along with lighted softball fields, tennis courts, and a public pool during the summer months. Desert Star Park features picnic areas with grills, a playground, and lighted basketball and volleyball courts.

Just outside the neighborhood, South Mountain Park covers 16,000 acres and offers a variety of hiking trails, wildlife, and a lookout with stunning views of downtown Phoenix. Estrella Mountain Regional Park also features a mountainous landscape with undisturbed desert areas, hiking trails, wetlands, and picnic areas.

On the southwest corner of the neighborhood, Phoenix International Raceway might not be a park, but it offers hours of outdoor fun in the form of NASCAR races. PIR also offers a camping area, an on-site shopping center, and more.

Many find the Estrella Villa neighborhood appealing for the relatively low cost of living compared to the rest of Phoenix. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Estrella Villa averages $601 a month, less than the city average. Filling up your tank at the pumps is cheaper too, with prices typically five percent lower than the state average.

One-way trips on Valley Metro costs $2.00, with daily passes available for $4.00 if you buy them before you get on the bus. Beer prices typically costs around $3 at local bars in the area.

Most retail activity in Estrella Villa centers around the Desert Sky Mall. Anchor stores include Burlington Coat Factory, Dillard's, and Sears. Smaller shops include popular favorites like Papaya, the Children's Place, Finish Line, Sunglass Hut, and Famous Footwear.

Curacao demonstrates the type of diversity you find in this neighborhood. This department store sells a full line of electronics, furniture, home goods, and clothing. The store also provides services such as home mortgages, money transfers, Internet service, and even a travel agency.

Forget about standing outside in the blazing hot sun just to hunt for bargains at a flea market. The Desert Sky Mall also houses Mercado de los Cielos in a former anchor store. Local merchants set up small shops in the space, giving it the feel of a flea market or swap meet. While you browse the many treasures, make sure you visit the food court inside the market. Some people stop by just to pick up fresh fruit.

Bargain hunters also march to the U.S. Surplus Corporation military surplus store. As the name implies, it stocks fatigues, boots, camping supplies, and military memorabilia. Hunters appreciate the selection of camouflage and survival items in the 10,000-square-foot showroom. All items meet military specifications. The store prides itself on service to the country and to the customer, working with older military veterans to replace lost medals, ribbons, and other honors.

When it comes time to stock the refrigerator, expect a variety of options. Fry's and Food City both have locations in the area. El Super traces its roots to one of the largest grocery store chains in Mexico. It stocks a wide variety of brands that traditional grocery stores typically don't carry. Los Altos Ranch Market competes to draw the Latino customer base. It also makes tortillas fresh daily in-house and serves ready-to-eat food from its taqueria.