Cielo Vista South El Paso, TX

The first Cielo Vista South homes were built in the early 1950s. At the time, this neighborhood stood as the most eastern subdivision of downtown El Paso. The community continued to grow, and by the 1960s, it had become one of the most desirable places to live in the area. After the construction of the Cielo Vista shopping mall and several apartment complexes in the 1970s, the neighborhood received even more investment from the city. By the 1980s, Cielo Vista South became the thriving urban neighborhood it is today.

A few miles northwest of the neighborhood sits the Gene Roddenberry Planetarium, created to help educate students of the El Paso Public School System about space and the Universe.

Each Christmas season, the Cielo Vista Church hosts the Spirit of Christmas, a large-scale pageant and event. It includes a musical presentation and full-scale replica of the Ark of the Covenant.

Ceilo Vista South's premier downtown location offers residents access to many quality dining options right inside the neighborhood boundaries. A city known for its southwest cuisine, El Paso has no shortage of Mexican restaurants worth visiting. Right in the neighborhood you'll find several options, including some of the best tamales in the city. Pepe's Tamales serves authentic handmade tamales made with the freshest ingredients. Diners choose from the four traditional styles of red chile pork, green chile chicken, green chile cheese and sweet tamales. Available in individual, half-dozen and full-dozen orders, you can eat for one or take some home to share.

For a meal different than the Mexican restaurants that populate the area, head over to T Coasters, a healthy alternative. With a menu full of fresh salads, sandwiches, soups and smoothies, this restaurant makes you feel good about the meal you just ate.

When in the mood for some gourmet bar food while watching the big game, head to Twin Peaks. With plenty of televisions and dishes like venison chile, green chile meatloaf and pulled pork nachos, this local favorite satisfies both your culinary cravings and desire for entertainment.

For a place to get a drink with friends, Steve O's serves as another popular option. This neighborhood gastropub features rustic modern decor, ample seating and an impressive drink list. Guests can choose from draft beers, microbrew bottles and creative cocktails.

For more lively night life options, make the short trip into downtown El Paso.

The Sun Metro provides public transportation services to residents of Cielo Vista South. Bus stops associated with various routes sit scattered all throughout the neighborhood, making it a popular transportation option. Residents can conveniently travel to downtown, nearby businesses and neighboring communities.

With many restaurants and shopping areas within walking distances, many of the Cielo Vista South residents choose to walk in order to accomplish everyday errands.

Prearrange taxi services in El Paso and surrounding neighborhoods as hailing cabs from the street proves difficult to impossible. Uber also services the area if you need quick transportation ordered up from your computer or smartphone.

With quick access to major roads and highways and ample public parking options, most Cielo Vista South residents still choose driving as their primary mode of transportation.

You won't find too many designated bike lanes in the direct vicinity of the neighborhood, making biking an uncommon primary transportation choice.

Several parks located throughout the neighborhood provide residents with great places to enjoy sunny Saturdays with family. One of the largest options, Eastwood Park, features a great place to picnic, walk or throw a Frisbee. The park also hosts a fenced-in dog park, so bring your pet with you.

Travel just a little bit out of the neighborhood to Ascarate Park, the largest outdoor recreational center in the city. Spanning over 400 acres, visitors can utilize the 18-hole golf course, picnic shelters, children's playgrounds, basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields and tennis courts. A 1.4-mile jogging trail surrounds the lake, allowing visitors to boat or fish. The aquatic center here comes complete with one of the only 50-meter Olympic-size pools in the city and a children's pool with entertaining water features and slides.

Each Labor Day Weekend, Ascarate Park hosts El Paso's largest dance party in the form of the Sun City Music Festival. Three stages highlight rotating musicians, while art vendors line the property.

The cost of living in Cielo Vista South rises 4.4 percent above the city average, but almost 10 percent below the national average. The average monthly rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood sits at $624. The standard fare for a one-way ticket on the Sun Metro is $1.50. When meeting friends out for a drink, Cielo Vista South residents expect to pay around $9 for a beer. Gas prices in El Paso fall 1 percent lower than the national average.

The neighborhood serves as home to the Cielo Vista Mall, one of the best shopping attractions in the area. Residents consider this their one-stop shop for all of their shopping needs. Here, expect brands like Banana Republic, Michael Kors, Forever 21, and H&M. For all your basic retail shopping needs, Cielo Vista Mall has you covered.

If boutique-style establishments fit your bill, stop by Altar'd State. This fashion-forward shop features a great selection of stylish apparel, jewelry and accessories.

Numerous grocers service Cielo Vista South, with options to meet the needs of every shopper. For basic grocery shopping needs, stop by the Walmart Supercenter or Big 8 Foods. The health conscious chooses to shop at the Cielo Vista Natural Market. Here, you'll find a great selection of organic, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free items. No neighborhood in El Paso seems complete without a quality Oriental market, and Oriental Imports calls this area its home. Here, you can shop for the most authentic oriental ingredients.

The only farmers market in El Paso sits on the opposite side of the city. However, the El Paso Downtown Artist and Farmer's Market proves itself worth the visit. Open each Saturday year-round, the market gives visitors the opportunity to browse vendors selling locally grown produce, local artwork, and handmade crafts.