Cielo Vista East El Paso, TX

The construction of Fort Bliss in 1849 began an influx of military personnel into the area, and subsequent hostilities along the border only increased the local demand for soldiers. World War II and the Cold War saw the addition of more soldiers, and post-war trade expanded the area’s economic output and the footprint of the city. Steps north of Cielo Vista, the passenger concourses at El Paso International Airport were built in 1971, making it a major transportation hub employing thousands, and residential development in the area boomed to accommodate airport workers and their families. The Fort Bliss Museum to the northwest of Cielo Vista East chronicles the history of the fort and its storied 1st Armored Division, and a nearby replica of the original Fort Bliss gives insight into the ways of the past.

Just steps south of Cielo Vista East, Cielo Vista Mall and busy Viscount Boulevard hosts much of the area's dining and nightlife. The Lunch Box serves Mexican specialties like huevos rancheros in the morning and menudo for lunch. Expect a packed house during lunchtime, as locals devour the fiery salsa. Grab a popsicle out of this family-owned eatery’s quaint freezer case on your way out to cool off in the summer sun.

To the north, Montana Avenue also bristles with bars and restaurants, including Clasico Kitchen Bar, an upscale Mexican grill with an array of funky drinks and menu items. Fresh-cut fruit and secret sauce top off the house special: piña miche-chamoy, a huge frozen mug filled with a mysterious concoction of booze and fruit juice, with chile powder around the rim. Steak tacos and other menu items keep stomachs full, and the patio resonates with sounds of the city.

Hospitality and home style Italian cooking are both served at Trattoria Bella Sera, featuring recipes brought by the owner from the old country. Dinner rolls come out right when you’re seated, followed by unbelievably fresh fish dishes like Cioppino and staples like veal parmigiano. Don’t be fooled by the nondescript building, the Venetian cuisine is exquisite and followed by picture-perfect desserts.

Among Cielo Vista’s opportunities for entertainment, Cinemark Cielo Vista Mall 14 plays the best – and worst – out of Hollywood, and features 3D theatres with stadium seating.

Cielo Vista East enjoys immensely convenient transportation, with high-capacity avenues to the north and south, and interstate access via Interstate 10 also minutes away. Locals enjoy the intimacy of the area that allows a stroll from end to end, but also recommend staying alert after dark. Traffic can be busy along Montana Avenue and Viscount Boulevard, but parking remains plentiful and free throughout the area. Uber drivers and other cab services are quickly called upon, but don’t expect to find them roaming. Sun Metro allows residents fast and cheap access throughout the city for $1.50 a ticket, and half a dozen of its routes travel through the Cielo Vista East area, including an express line perfect for cross-town commuting. Residents strap bikes on city buses and access a network of paths and dedicated bike lanes in and around El Paso.

Ringed with free city parks, Cielo Vista East’s recreational opportunities include Eastwood Park and its baseball fields and grassy expanse specifically for dogs. Marty Robbins Park also has acres of grass and climbing structures for the kids, and Franklin Mountain State Park’s massive presence inside the city hosts outdoor activities from camping to mountain biking for $5 a day. The Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site sits 10 miles east of the city, features miles of high desert recreation including rock climbing, and hosts the annual Hueco Rock Rodeo, featuring adventure films and challenges at this famous spot for climbing.

Drawn by the ease-of-access to downtown and relative peace afforded by acres of golf course in its northern half, residents of Cielo Vista East pay an average of $555 in rent for a one-bedroom residence – just above the city-wide average. At around $4 for a beer and $6 for a meal – average for El Paso – the cost of living in Cielo Vista averages around that of the city, diminished by gasoline that sits around 9 percent below than the national average. The Sun Metro bus line and the Eastside Terminal just south of the neighborhood provides residents with quick and inexpensive access throughout town for $1.50, one way.

Cielo Vista Mall hosts dozens of national retailers such as Abercrombie and Express, and local shops congregate along Montana Avenue. Just east of the mall, Cielo Vista Natural Market supplies the area with organic and locally-sourced produce and grass-fed meat. The deli slices cold cuts while you watch, and the worldly, friendly vibe pairs appropriately with the socially-conscious selection of fair trade coffee. Stop in for lunch and grab a sandwich or salad.

A few blocks north on Montana Avenue, Twisted Performance sells a comprehensive selection of auto electronics to soup up your stock sedan, from stereo systems to neon tint. Race culture is obvious at this shop where customers drop by to talk technical specs and daydream about their next upgrade. Darken your tint or increase your subwoofer’s Richter reading with a custom installation.

Locals fill their homes with furniture from Daw’s Home Furnishings – an El Paso company for over 60 years. A massive showroom specializing in American brands and attentive staff greet shoppers to this family-run outlet for big names in home interiors and theatres.

An unusually large ethnic grocery store, Wan Jia Le stocks a broad array of Asian edibles. Outstanding blue crabs are available in-season, along with all the seasonings you’ll need to create your own versions of authentic Chinese and Southeast Asian favorites. A host of traditional groceries stores also sit nearby, including Walmart and Sam’s Club in Cielo Vista Mall, and Albertson’s a few blocks to the east. Every Saturday, the Downtown Artist and Farmer’s Market sells farm-fresh produce and creations from local craftspeople.