La Mesa - Albuquerque, NM

Flanked by Kirtland Air Force Base to the south and Central Avenue to the north, La Mesa's character has been shaped both by the culture of America’s "Mother Road" and the growing nearby military presence that began with World War II and the atomic age.

Explore the perils of the Cold War and New Mexico’s unique contribution to its weaponry at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, located just east of the neighborhood. Kids can learn from the mistakes of the paranoid past and explore disciplines like forensics and robotics at the museum’s summer camp.

Dining and shopping opportunities in La Mesa reflect the character of the people. Available eateries and nightlife include a taste of Mexico at Viva Mexico, steak and wine at the Town House or a few rounds of pool and Pabst at Sunset Grill.

Viva Mexico provides absolutely authentic ethnic cuisine, and the ceviche's quality is matched only by the kindness of the staff and freshness of ingredients. Drop in for lunch, and prepare to experience a colossal and fresh seafood cocktail and menudo that locals describe as the best in town. Select one of the house specialties, and wash it down with a delicious Mexican sugarcane-sweetened soda.

Known for its prime rib and excellent calamari, the Town House's kind Greek owner and his wife take a lot of pride in the restaurant and sit on-site to converse with the guests. Entrees range from $13 to $25 in this old-school steakhouse.

When locals want to relax, shoot pool and have a beer, they often go to The Sunset Grille and Bar. The bar often hosts pool tournaments and local bands, and although the selection of beer falls short of extensive, affordable prices and a full bar makes up for the lack.

Movies sit just a quick drive away at Century 16 Downtown Albuquerque, a 15-minute ride west via car or the Route 66 line. Stick around after the film, and check out some of the bars downtown.

Seated on Route 66, La Mesa enjoys convenient and prompt access to the city’s public transit system. Expect a bus every 20 minutes along the route, and $2 gets you a one-way ticket to just about anywhere in town. Take the route west to downtown and stay for the entertainment opportunities, or connect to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express and slide up to Santa Fe for around $10 on this modern light rail.

Drivers delight in immediate access to Interstates 40 and 25, which cross northeast of downtown. You won’t find many roving taxis in the neighborhood, but you can always call to schedule a ride. Furthermore, Uber's ride-share service does operate on a large scale throughout the city.

Webbed with over 400 miles of well-maintained trails, Albuquerque's extremely bike-friendly layout keeps willing commuters in shape. The neighborhood’s position on the lip of the Rio Grande Valley means cyclists can cruise downhill for miles into the city center or pedal east and uphill toward the Sandia Mountains for a more challenging ride.

There are a number of smaller parks in the area, but Los Altos Park, with its acres of grass and its dog park, draws residents from all around. Adult softball leagues play under the halogen lights on summer evenings, and the skate park is always full of kids. The park is also equipped with a golf course and a swimming pool.

Albuquerque’s other free recreational opportunities include the massive well-maintained and expanding pedestrian and bicycle trail system, which has garnered praise from urban planners.

Annual events here include the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is visible throughout the city and draws massive crowds. Locals also enjoy the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival, which runs concurrent to the Balloon Fiesta and features over 200 artists and craftspeople displaying the fruits of their labor at the state fairgrounds.

At $450, the average price of rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits well below the city average, partially due to its proximity to high-traffic Central Avenue and relatively high unemployment. A beer costs around $5 in local taverns, a bit below average for the city, and a meal is similarly inexpensive coming in under $8. Residents here find driving to be relatively inexpensive, with gas prices sitting approximately 9 percent lower than the national average.

The unbeatable selection of candies and chocolates at Buffett’s Candies impress confection-seekers, and this sugary staple has seasonal-shaped treats and curiosities with local character like green chile popcorn and its most famous creation: piñon candy.

Sichler Farms understands New Mexico’s love affair with chile. This roadside stand is as easy to find as following your nose to the smell of the spicy roasting vegetable. Don’t forget to grab a bag of ground red chile for holiday heat. It also sells local pinto beans by the 10-pound bag, in addition to chile ristras, hanging bundles of chile that decorate many New Mexico porches.

To equip yourself for indoor excitement, grab some movies and music at Hastings Books and Music. An expansive selection of new and used DVDs, CDs and books remain available for purchase, or you can rent Hollywood’s recent offerings. Locals also enjoy checking out the toys, accessories and memorabilia pieces found at Hastings.

Ta Lin Market has all the Asian edibles needed, and El Mezquite caters to those seeking traditional Mexican table and household items. More traditional area grocery stores include Walmart Supercenter and Sprouts Farmer’s Market. Sichler Farms doubles as an interesting farmers market and features fresh New Mexico produce like apples and gourds, but it is famous for the green chile that pungently roasts in a flame-throwing contraption by the side of the road each fall.