Grandview Heights - Albuquerque, NM

Closely connected to the history of Route 66 — just blocks south of the neighborhood — Grandview Heights has been heavily influenced by the wayfaring culture of America’s Mother Road. In the first half of the 20th century, weapons development brought people and ideas to this neighborhood north of Kirtland Air Force Base, and the second half and the installation of Sandia National Laboratories further populated the area. Learn about those weapons and other technologies at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and history, or head downtown to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History to learn about the unusual geologic profile of the Rio Grande Valley. Expo New Mexico west of the neighborhood not only hosts the New Mexico State Fair but also seasonal art galleries featuring works by local artists.

Held in high esteem, La Salita's style of New Mexican fare pays off for those who don't mind waiting a few minutes to get seated at this 50-year-old east side eatery. Fried to perfection, chile relleños remain a favorite but if you want something lighter, order the naked relleño, a turkey-stuffed alternative that the chefs do not prepare by frying.

Savor some Asian edibles at Huong Thao Vietnamese Cuisine. Locals call it one of the best spots for pho and banh mi in the city, and the New Mexico spring rolls incorporate green chili for a spicy Southwest variation on this southeast Asian specialty.

Locals head to Gino's for Italian favorites such as pizza, heroes, pasta and calzones. Gino's prides itself on serving authentic family recipes and has won several awards, including Best Pizza Albuquerque. A local celebrity of sorts, the restaurant has also been featured on three seasons of the AMC series "Breaking Bad." Try one of the Extreme Pizzas, featuring toppings such as beef brisket, shrimp scampi, pulled pork or spicy buffalo chicken. With additional menu options such as baked ziti, lasagna, coconut shrimp, fresh salads, hot and cold sandwiches, and a children's menu, diners of all kinds will have no trouble finding something at Gino's. Weekly specials and easy online delivery ordering make it a favorite for locals.

Pool and darts draw pub-gamers at Dragon Horn Tavern, a small friendly bar lacking food and pretense. Energized by jukebox music and action on the dance floor, a diverse lineup of talkative regulars keep customers entertained at the bar. Another local bar with jams on tap nearby,The Cooperage, which sits only a few minutes west, hosts live local bands playing everything from rock to jazz.

Uncongested streets and a practical grid make driving perhaps the most convenient way to quickly travel in Albuquerque. Widespread free parking and two interstates in the city also ease vehicle traffic. Taxis should be scheduled, as they aren’t often seen roaming the area, but Uber provides service throughout town. It's easy to use the city public transit system to get anywhere in town. Although the small area remains walkable, going much farther afield requires a bus or car ride. Better yet, hop on your bike — cyclists enjoy wide-ranging paths that network the city for recreation and commuting convenience and link with dedicated lanes on dozens of streets across town.

A dozen emerald area parks encrust Grandview Heights, and the crown of those jewels sits at Los Altos. Tennis courts and lit softball fields ring 32 acres that include grills and an indoor pool, and its swarming skate park throngs with shouting and laughing kids. This and other area parks are free and host teams and leagues of every sort throughout the seasons and into the night with modern flood-lighting. Hard to overstate, the scope of Albuquerque’s bicycle trail system includes over 400 miles of surfaced and maintained trails reaching all corners of the city and into the outlying areas.

Residents head west to Expo New Mexico and the New Mexico State Fair each September for rodeos and rides. Excellent people watching abounds at this event that started in the 1930s and draws people from all over the state to its livestock shows and themed areas featuring food and entertainment from different ethnicities.

Stick around for October and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, featuring upwards of 500 high-flying hot-air balloons from around the globe.

The cost of living runs around 6 percent lower than the average rate for Albuquerque, making it one of the cheaper neighborhoods, although it's not the cheapest. Average area rent for a one-bedroom accommodation sits around $600. A domestic brew can be snagged in area taverns for around $4.50, and a meal averages $8. Drivers delight in gas prices around 9 percent lower than the national average, and the city’s public transportation system gets you anywhere in town for $2.

Concentrated along busy Lomas and Juan Tabo Boulevards, area shopping includes concept confectionery Chocolate Cartel. Staffers have pushed pounds of chocolate into New Mexico and the rest of the country over the last 15 years, and this brother-owned sweets syndicate has the market cornered regarding yummy treats.

The Amish Connection supplies a steady supply of fine Amish furniture thanks to its network of over 150 collaborating craftspeople. The store has sold high-grade solid wood masterpieces for over 20 years. The store holds clearance sales here sometimes, so it's not uncommon to find high-end items at a significant discount.

If collections of comics and products of cartoon subculture call out to you, look no further than Lobo Anime and Comics. This little shop has a vast array of both new and old comics alongside action figures and anime trinkets. Walk a short distance to the west to find this neighborhood gem.

Grab groceries at Albertsons along Juan Tabo Boulevard, and or head to Smith's a couple miles to the south. Nearby Costco Wholesale draws residents from all over the city, and crowded Keller's Farm Stores to the northwest sells quality meats not easily found elsewhere. Ethnic options, including oriental markets, exist to the southeast. Albuquerque Original Farmers Market, two miles southeast of Grandview Heights, remains a year-round resource for local produce.