Bayview Mobile, AL

Teralta was the original town name when founding members created “The Golden Rule City," a morally upstanding community with high standards. The town was proud of its clean reputation banning liquor sales, gambling and dance halls, and laws prohibited carrying guns and driving faster than 15 miles an hour. The confident leaders built no jail, made no arrests and had no hobos lingering around the neighborhood.

The J.A. Cooley Museum, the nearest museum to Teralta West, features 15 cars dating from 1886 to 1933 and 25 different categories of antiques. Balboa Park is also less than 10 miles southwest and features 17 museums including the San Diego Natural History Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and San Diego Air and Space Museum. Balboat Park also has a tremendous arts scene and many annual events, including the Ethnic Food Fair, where the public can taste food from every country around the world.

You can find a wide variety of fast food chains, restaurants, and cafes along El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue. Asmara Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant serves up traditional Eritrean cuisine, plus a variety of vegetarian choices in a casual atmosphere.

For the best duck in town, try Tom's Chinese BBQ on the south side of town. If you're hankering for some Mexican food, check-out Tako Factory, a local favorite. Patrons rave about the asada burritos, the handmade tacos, and the great service. Minh Ky Chinese Restaurant cooks up terrific chow mein, and make sure you try the coconut water that's served in an actual coconut.

In Teralta West, locals have plenty of nightlife choices. The unpretentious dive, Black Cat Bar, features a unique array of cocktails, beer, pool tables and a jukebox. Another hangout, Til-Two Club provides a calendar of live bands, stand-up comedy, karaoke, beer and a one-of-a-kind selection of cocktails. You can find the Soda Bar just west of Interstate 15, also with a wide variety of mixed drinks and live music from local artists.

The most common ways to get around Teralta West are by walking, bicycling, bus and by car. Many residents walk or ride their bikes on the many bike lanes throughout the city to get around town. They also utilize the bus lines, which run along the north, south, and west sides of Teralta West, or a vehicle to get to their place of work. Public parking remains abundant and free, and accessing highways remains simple as the neighborhood sits east of Interstate 15 and Interstate 805, just a couple miles south of Interstate 8, and north of highway 94.

Teralta Park, on the west side of the neighborhood, features a large sports field, two half basketball courts, big beautiful trees and picnic tables. Just south of Teralta West sits Highland and Landis Park offering visitors a large grassy field and a fun playground.

Residents can also find the popular kid-friendly and exercise-centric park, Colina Del Sol Park and Recreation Center to the east. Along with many family-friendly seasonal events, this rec center features a playground, a tot lot, picnic tables, outdoor sports courts, a multi-purpose athletic field, tennis courts, a full-sized gymnasium, a teen center with after-school homework help, a meeting room, a game room, a craft and ceramic room, and a full-sized kitchen and swimming pool across the street.

When your four-legged furry friends need some exercise, head Southwest to Balboa Park where you have your choice of three different off-leash areas: Grape Street Dog Park, Morley Field Dog Park, and Nate's Point Dog Park. Balboa Park also houses many smaller, landscaped parks, some being kid-friendly with playgrounds, big trees, and picnic tables. Playground Balboa Park is a local favorite for an afternoon picnic and afterwards, many locals and tourists enjoy walking over to the Children's Organic Ethnobotany Garden at the World Beat Cultural Center. Balboa Park's many organizations frequently host events and festivals; keep an eye on their daily calendar for more information.

The cost of living in Teralta West remains much lower than San Diego's average cost of living. You can expect to pay a rental rate of around $1,100.00 per month for a one-bedroom apartment here. Because the neighborhood is surrounded by restaurants, pubs, and bars, there are always specials occurring all over town. Residents typically pay around $5 or $6 for a pint of beer in a local pub. Gas, on the other hand, stands at about 16 percent above the national average.

Residents of Teralta West have a few major shopping areas within a 10-minute drive. Nearby on University Avenue, locals find Noelia's Party Boutique, offering a large selection of festive items to make any party complete. Find a huge variety of unique piñatas hanging wall to wall along with all your favorite traditional candy fillers. The shop also specializes in flower assortments, so be sure to pick up something for that special someone when you visit.

Karma Boutique, a small artistic shop, sells specialty gifts including lotions, candles, vases, jewelry, picture frames, and housewares, in addition to one-of-a-kind paintings, photography, and jewelry by local and regional artists.

Locals find many specialty grocers on El Cajon Boulevard, such as North Park Produce, which sells hand-chosen food products from around the world, features fresh produce and meat, and boasts a hookah department. For large chain grocery stores, residents shop at Albertsons, east on University Avenue, or Trader Joe's, Ralphs and Whole Foods Market a littler further east in Hillcrest. You can also visit the farmers markets in Hillcrest, North Park or the College Area.