Academy Ridge East - Albuquerque, NM

Just 40 years ago, Academy Ridge East was the undeveloped lower foothills of the Sandia Mountains and Albuquerque was a large town clinging to the Rio Grande in the distance. Since then, the neighborhood and population has grown.

Many of those residents work on Kirtland Air Force Base or one of the many technology companies that surround it. Just outside the base sits the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History - an inspiring way to learn about a field closely associated with New Mexico. A massive B-52 bomber greets visitors to this sobering collection of Cold War weapons, and kids can learn about an array of technologies during summer break at the museum's Science is Everywhere Kids Camp.

La Quiche Parisienne Bistro caters to those on the go, and specializes in artisan bread and buttery croissants. Owned and operated by native Parisians, this French breakfast and lunch spot serves sophisticated fare at a down-to-earth price. A quick call to this establishment and a 15-minute wait lie between you and a treat like the assiette parisienne, an astounding platter of the bistro’s house-made pate and other meats served with salad and baguette for $16.

The fine dining continues at Savoy, one of Albuquerque’s most popular lounge and dinner venues which features an extensive wine list and weekly live music. Served with a blue corn and onion polenta, the braised lamb shank communicates a southwest style. Expect to pay more than $100 for dinner and wine for two, or simply stop by for a drink and wood-fired pizza for around $20.

The Barley Room provides a rowdy evening of fun, featuring an array of local and craft brews and an extensive bar menu. It also has live music many nights a week and patrons can grab a beer for around $6, with all the menu items coming in under $12.

Just south of the Academy Ridge East, United Artists High Ridge plays first-run pictures on eight screens, or head downtown to Century Rio 24 for a more modern movie-going experience in stadium-seated theatres with 3D capability.

Residents of Academy Ridge East usually drive, and light traffic and proximity to Tramway Boulevard’s relaxed speed limit allows for quick interstate access - making owning a vehicle sensible and convenient. Free parking abounds in this intimate and walkable area with very little crime. Although roving taxis remain rare, services exist to schedule pickups and Uber service is ubiquitous in town. Albuquerque’s extensive bus system can get you anywhere in town for $2. Cyclists can spin their wheels on Albuquerque’s award-winning pedestrian and bicycle trails which include dedicated lanes on city streets and are easily joined from the neighborhood.

Recreational opportunities are in no short supply, and residents hop on bikes and cruise west towards the river or grab the skis and catch the Sandia Peak Tramway. Bundle up and ascend 5,000 feet to the top of Sandia Peak Ski Area for a day of winter fun at around $45 for a lift ticket. Albuquerque’s expanding bicycle and pedestrian path system now counts 400 miles of trails in its network, and nearby parks include the massive and dog-friendly Arroyo del Oso Park and Golf Course with 27 holes and ball fields of all kinds. Kids delight in diving into the pool, and climbing gyms for toddlers exist here and at other area parks – all free.

Residents get a spectacular look at the city’s celebrated International Balloon Fiesta, which can be seen especially well from Academy Ridge East and its perch along the lip of the Rio Grande Valley.

The average rental rate for a one-bedroom residence in the area hovers around $730 – higher than average for the city – but the quiet presence of the mountains and nearby open spaces of the Albuquerque Academy and Oso del Arroyo Park contribute to a peacefulness that induces residents to pay a little extra. The apartments in the area are also undeniably more well-maintained and managed than average.

A glass of beer will cost around $6 – only slightly more than many parts of the city, and meal prices are competitive as well. If you’re taking someone special to dinner at Savoy, plan on spending $120 including gratuity.

Drivers appreciate light traffic in car-friendly Albuquerque, and the average price of gas is roughly 9 percent below the national average. Albuquerque’s convenient and extensive public transit system costs just $2 for a one-way ticket to anywhere in town.

Area shopping is concentrated in and around the Mountain Run Shopping Center, home to around two dozen shops and located near the western edge of the neighborhood. The shopping in the area includes beautiful imported baskets at Baskets of Africa featuring fair trade, sustainable wage baskets brought in from all over the continent. Rare and hard-to-find books remain easy to locate and competitively priced at Page 1 Books, an Albuquerque staple of the printed page where the staff greets you upon entry and loves to show off the rare book collection. Of note to smoking enthusiasts is Stag Tobacconist, with an assortment of fine cigars and tobacco as well as specialty items like imported shaving supplies.

Residents consider themselves lucky to have Keller’s Farm Store so close at hand, where the high-end selection of meats and other eastern European specialties remains unrivaled in the area. Call early to reserve your Thanksgiving turkey or be prepared to beg – they regularly sell out of big birds.

The aptly-named Farmer’s Market is about three miles south of Academy Ridge East and has incredibly fresh produce that can be on your table within a day of being in the dirt – and unlike many growers’ markets is open year-round.