Country Club Mesa, AZ

The Country Club area saw permanent settlements arrived by the late 1870s. The area remained largely agricultural until a building boom began after World War II. In the following decades, people and businesses migrated west to call the area home.

The area contains several museums. The Mesa Historical Museum on Main Street houses multiple displays of historical artifacts. One of the more popular exhibits shows the history of spring training baseball in the area.

A busy cultural scene centers around the Mesa Arts Center. This facility includes space for art displays and classes, along with concerts and other performances. Stop by for free outdoor concerts each Thursday during the spring months.

Forget about the desert surroundings and imagine the bayou at Pier dé Orleans. Since 1971, this locally owned restaurant serves food with a Cajun flair. Created by Louisiana native, the menu contains bayou favorites such as gumbo and jambalaya. The authentic crawfish chowder draws fans from around the valley. Start off with oysters on a half shell, fresh from Louisiana, or Cajun popcorn. This features deep-fried crawfish tails rolled in cornmeal. The menu also includes steaks and chicken dishes for those who shy away from seafood. Save some room for dessert, and sample the beignets or pecan cream cheese pie.

Those searching for good food at a good price may want to check out Maya New York Pizza Bar and Grill. This hotspot presents the pizzas and pastas one would expect, with much more on the menu. For a twist on the traditional greens, try the Shepherds salad. This dish tops a bowl of lettuce with diced tomatoes, onion, cucumber, Italian parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil with feta cheese. Toasted sub favorites include a chicken bacon melt and a Buffalo chicken, smothered with a house blend of hot sauce. Expand your tastes even further with one of the Mediterranean options. The Köfta mixes ground beef and lamb with onion, parsley and other spices, with salad, hummus and pita bread on the side.

For a simple taste of the southwest, stop by Old El Paso Tamales. Made fresh daily, experience the chicken, pork, corn, beef, or green chile tamales made according to a family recipe with an El Paso flavor. The restaurant also serves burritos, and provides catering services for parties and group meetings.

The active nightlife scene centers around Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe, around the Arizona State University campus.

Most Country Club residents travel by car. Loop 101 and Loop 202 provide highway access to the Phoenix area. Those who prefer to avoid traffic hassles can ride Valley Metro buses. Routes run along University Drive and Mesa Drive.

Bicycle lanes line Main and Center streets, along with portions of other main roads, making streets safe for riders. The Sun Circle Trail runs along the Consolidated Canal. This route primarily serves recreational cyclists but could serve some commuters and pedestrians with equal ease.

Plenty gather for fresh air and fun at Evergreen Park. Bring friends along to play on the lighted basketball and concrete volleyball courts. A small ball field accommodates youth and women's games while horseshoe pits provide less strenuous competition. A playground and picnic areas also draw families. The free park does not host annual events, but it does allow for reservations for local activities.

Those seeking a place to enjoy the outdoors with a pet head to Quail Run or Countryside parks. Both house enclosed areas for timid and active pets, benches, and drinking fountains. Lights keep people and pets active past dark at the Quail Run dog park.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the area averages $597 per month. This comes in 23 percent lower than average for the Phoenix metro area, and the overall cost of living is also lower here than in the city. Gas prices fall 10 percent lower than the national average and are on par with the average price per gallon in the Phoenix area.

Public transit rides on Valley Metro buses costs $2 for a one-way trip and $4 for single day passes bought in advance. Those purchasing passes on the bus pay a $2 surcharge.

When it comes to entertainment, movie tickets commonly cost $9.75 for adults and a beer will set you back roughly $4.

Malls, big box stores, boutiques and even thrift stores sit in and around the Country Club area. The open-air Tempe Marketplace serves as the main shopping mall for the area with more big box shopping along Rio Salado Parkway. Nearby grocery stores include Fry's, Bashas', Safeway, and Sprouts Farmers Market chain stores. Those seeking a true farmers-market experience can try either the Gilbert Farmers Market on Saturday mornings or the Tempe Farmers Market, which sells locally raised fruit, produce and other foods seven days a week.

Find boutique shopping right around the corner at Edge Boutique. Started by an 18-year-old college student in 2010, the store expanded to a second location in 2014. The shop primarily features women's clothing ranging from classy to edgy. For growing families, check out the special selection of mother and daughter matching combos. Take a look around at the many shoes and accessories to match those new outfits. The store gives back to the community, donating 10 percent of all sales to the Kids Alive mission.

Those searching for deals find a variety of treasures at Bargain Central Warehouse. This locally owned store stocks items ranging from furniture and appliances to toys and electronics. The items often come from store overstocks, liquidation sales, damaged packaging or customer returns. Browse through the aisles to check out the tools and chairs available. The downtown Mesa store provides free parking for customers.

Rock n' roll lives on at Shirts and Things. Owned and operated by the same family since 1989, this shop sells items for rockers of all ages. Look at the many band, concert and novelty t-shirts available in sizes big and small. It even includes a selection of shirts, bibs and beanies for little rockers. Fill out that new wardrobe with Doc Martens boots, purses and patches for jackets and even neckties. Of course, the store still stocks vintage and modern band and movie posters.

The neighborhood contains thrift shops by Goodwill. Save the Family Foundation of Arizona also operates a thrift store in the area, benefiting local families and veterans.