Mesa Del Oso/Promenade - Albuquerque, NM

Part of Albuquerque’s foothills, much of the development in Mesa Del Oso/Promenade came as recently as the 1980s. Many of the area’s residents maintain employment in science and technology jobs at Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories on the south side of the city. Residents curious about these institutions' effect on New Mexico history learn more at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, also home to atomic-age weapons and other cold war relics.

Albuquerque’s history as one of the oldest cities in the southwest is chronicled in the museums of Albuquerque’s Old Town — a short drive southwest. See modern and native art at the Albuquerque Museum and an explanation of the area’s geological history at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History. Kids get in on the learning during the museum’s youth science program which offers amusing programs like Space Detectives.

This relatively affluent area of Albuquerque proliferates with popular dining and drinking options.

Savoy satisfies sophisticated diners with upscale edibles like roasted pork belly and seared ahi tuna, and often features live music in the lounge. Try the ‘tomahawk ribeye’ served with roasted poblano potato soufflé for $42, or sample the four-course prix fixe menu during a holiday event for around $65 per person with wine — the herb-roasted prime rib proves a popular option here.

Blake’s Lotaburger serves sizzling hamburgers savored for fresh ingredients and quality beef. Locals swear by the Lotaburger combo, available for about $6 with a drink. Try the seasoned fries for a crispy and salty snack.

Albuquerqueans love The Barley Room for the welcoming atmosphere and friendly bartenders, and $1 Taco Tuesday attracts hungry patrons from all over the area. Residents stop in and sit in front of an array of HD TV’s before sipping local and craft brewers’ creations at about $6 a pint. Those not too shy stop in each Wednesday for karaoke night and bands blast on the weekends.

Residents of Mesa Del Oso/Promenade catch feature films a few miles south at United Artists High Ridge 8, let the kids take a few laps on Hinkle Family Fun’s go-kart racetrack next door or get a great matinee movie value at Cinemark Movies 8 west of the neighborhood — tickets run as low as $2.

Albuquerque enjoys relatively light traffic thanks its well-planned grid and the convenient existence of two Interstates that cross in the city center. Ample free parking awaits in Mesa Del Oso/Promenade, and nearby Tramway Boulevard’s relaxed speed limit allows for quick access to both freeways. Taxis don't rove to areas other than downtown and the airport, but Uber and other car services remain available to schedule a ride. Residents often walk or jog along area streets, and crime rates sit low. Albuquerque's convenient and inexpensive public transit system gets riders anywhere in town for just $2. The city’s 400 miles of bicycle trails stay well-maintained and adequate enough in scope to provide Mesa Del Oso/Promenade residents with an additional option for traveling to both work and play. The trail systems connect with safe, dedicated bike lanes on dozens of city streets, and Albuquerque continues to improve the system.

Mesa Del Oso/Promenade's area unique recreation opportunities include taking the Sandia Peak Tramway to the top of Sandia Crest and Sandia Peak Ski Area and hitting the slopes in the winter. The mountain affords other opportunities for fitness, with hiking and mountain bike trails and some spectacular nature-watching. Among the dozens of free area parks, El Oso Grande Park’s closely-cropped grass fields and basketball courts accommodate dogs and people alike and provide one of the best spots to watch the sun set.

Each July 4th, residents gather in Balloon Fiesta Park in the city's North Valley to watch fireworks and listen to music. The bands start playing early at this free event, and the evening culminates in an explosive fireworks display. Road cyclists fly along nearby Tramway Boulevard and Albuquerque’s web of bicycle and pedestrian paths have won awards and praise. Perfectly situated for bike riders, Mesa Del Oso/Promenade sits atop Albuquerque, topographically speaking. Point yourself toward almost anywhere in town, and the gentle slope of the Rio Grande Valley does the majority of the work — city buses all have bike racks if you lose the mood for a workout on the way home to Mesa Del Oso/Promenade.

Rental rates in the area for one-bedroom accommodations lie around $691 - above-average for the city, but the quality of local schools and infrastructure reflect that. Mesa Del Oso/Promenade also enjoys close access to condos and townhouses common in Albuquerque's foothills. A pint of beer averages around $6.50 in the area. Lunch starts at $12 - above-average for the city - and dinner for two at Savoy costs upwards of $120 with wine. Fuel in the area typically costs around 9 percent less than the average national price. Using public transportation sets you back around $2 for multiple destinations around town.

Mesa Del Oso/Promenade’s array of shopping largely populates the area along Montgomery Boulevard to the south, including fresh-baked goodness from Great Harvest Bread Company. Shops all over town sell this company's rolls and loaves, and the couple-owned establishment publishes a baking schedule, so residents get fresh, hot bread. Try a slice at the counter such as whole-wheat, or leap at the flying monkey bread — a holiday special with cinnamon and brown sugar baked in pull-apart sections.

Sandia Cycles has been a stop for riders hitting Albuquerque’s extensive mountain bike paths and web of urban trails since 1976. Its full shop fixes flats, and the experienced employees’ credentials display proudly in photos of downhill adventures on the walls.

Albuquerque's famous dusk and dawn lighting attracts photographers, and frames suitable for the resulting snaps lie within easy reach at Framing Concepts Gallery. This shop and fellowship of over a dozen frame designers also features a gallery of work from local landscape artists and original gifts like ceramic and stoneware.

Every year, Weems Artfest draws hundreds of exhibitors to Expo New Mexico's exhibition grounds. It has become recognized as a premier showcase of Native American and other local art.

Albertson’s and Smith’s reside nearby for more traditional groceries and household necessities. Bicycle-bound shoppers can cruise a few blocks south to Farmer’s Market — this simply named year-round market serves as favorite stop of residents for its local produce.