Falcon Hills - El Paso, TX

Early Spanish settlement in El Paso was met with raids from Apache tribes, creating an unstable area that was slow to develop. In 1848, following the Mexican-American War, American settlers began to call El Paso home, and the Compromise of 1850 declared the city as part of Texas. As railway construction reached El Paso, the population boomed, but the city retained its rich interweaving of Spanish and American cultures. The biggest building boom in Falcon Hills occurred in the 1980s.

Residents visit the El Paso Museum of History in the downtown area to see artifacts and experience a historical journey along the path of the area's development. The downtown El Paso Art Museum houses permanent and visiting exhibits, and it offers courses in ceramics, water color and acrylic painting.

In the fall, El Paso presents its citizens with a series of free concerts during the annual Chopin Music Festival.

Restaurateurs, barkeeps and nightclub managers didn't get the memo about setting up businesses in Falcon Hills, but the outside corners of the neighborhood feature a few choice eateries.

If you crave modern American fare and you like an upbeat, trendy vibe, check out Ripe Eatery. Cool down in the hot desert sun with a frozen mango wine-a-rita in a mason jar, and dig into a plate of pistachio pesto pasta with grilled shrimp. For a meatless option, try the garden veggie sandwich with grilled asparagus, zucchini and portobello on a ciabatta bun. If you need to motivate the family to go for Sunday brunch, just mention the blueberry-ricotta pancakes. Locals happily make the 15-minute drive south to the the Hoppy Monk for gourmet drinks and eats up to 2 a.m. You can start with a mahi mahi ceviche and move on to a ribeye sandwich with provolone and basil aioli. The wall of beer on tap includes 70 varieties, and on Monday Pint Days, beer goes for $3.50.

A 10-minute drive south takes locals to Buffalo Wild Wings for beer, BBQ wings, and big-screen TVs that stream football, baseball, hockey, and UFC.

Falcon Hills sits too far from the city and supports too few businesses to make it walkable. You need a car to get around. Local retailers provide free parking, and street parking is available on the quiet neighborhood streets. Residents enjoy easy access to I-10 for commutes south to El Paso or road trips west to Tucson.

Bus routes run along the district's perimeter roads. Don't expect a downtown level of service – you may have to wait an hour or more between buses.

You won't find any cabs to hail in this neighborhood, but you can phone in for a taxi, or you can use your smartphone to arrange a ride with Uber.

Roads within the neighborhood are quiet and safe for cyclists, and dedicated bike lanes run along the northern and southern edges of the neighborhood.

Falcon Hills residents enjoy a location that puts them in close proximity to small and large city parks for picnics, playtime and a variety of leisure activities. You can play indoor soccer or work out in the fitness room at Don Haskins Recreation Center, or for $40 each, you can sign the kids up for basketball programs. Take the little ones to one of the sheltered playgrounds where they can climb, slide, swing and burn off energy without the sun pounding down on them, and if you have a small group, head over to the public baseball fields at Franklin High School for a game of scrub.

If you want to tire out Fido, drive 5 minutes north to Westside Dog Park. Your Chihuahua can rule in the enclosed small-dog pen, and your Great Dane can socialize with the big boys in the large-dog pen.

Watch the El Paso Parks and Recreation events calendar for scheduling and parks involved in the Music Under the Stars summer concert series.

Suburban tranquility comes at a premium, and the cost of living in Falcon Hills comes in higher than the El Paso average, but everyday costs are more than reasonable. A one-way ticket to the city center on a Sun Metro bus costs $1.50, and a cool, refreshing pint of beer at the pub costs about $4.50. If you happen to be in the market for a housing rental, expect an average one-bedroom rate of about $688 per month. Residents of Falcon Hills enjoy savings at the pumps – gas prices come in about 11 percent below the national average.

Falcon Hills may not be a shopper's paradise, but it does support a few local businesses. Discount Pool Supplies helps you keep your cool by giving knowledgeable advice and providing the parts you need to keep your filter running and your pool maintained. Make a dent in your gift shopping with Himalayan bath salts, all-natural soaps and eco-friendly candles from Bon Bon's Creations.

Brimming with retail options, Coronado Shopping Center sits just 10 minutes to the southeast. Find dance wear, performance outfits and accessories for cheerleaders, gymnasts and ballerinas at Minuet Couture. Dress your tiny dancer in a frilly tutu and your prima donna in pointe shoes from this specialty boutique. Treat yourself to designer fashion at Tres Mariposas where you can find Tory Burch bags and shoes and women's wear from Escada and Rag & Bone.

Located in the district's northwest corner, Walgreens meets the grocery needs of Falcon Hills residents. The Walmart Neighborhood Market to the north provides another option. For fresh fruits and veggies, residents can drive southeast and get to Sprouts Farmers Market within 10 minutes.