Eastside - Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque started out as a Spanish colonial outpost and farming community. Although settlers founded the community in 1706, it was not incorporated as the City of Albuquerque until 1891. Old Town and Downtown Albuquerque still have some of the historic structures from the 1700s and 1800s.

In Eastside, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has exhibits related to nuclear medicine, atomic energy and the famed Manhattan Project. The Museum of Archaeology & Biblical History has a collection of coins, statues, pottery and other artifacts. Residents tend to visit the Downtown neighborhood to get their art and theater fix. The Cell Theatre, DSG Fine Art and Duke City Repertory Theatre all call Downtown Albuquerque home. The Albuquerque Convention Center, located less than 10 miles from Eastside, hosts annual events, such as Albuquerque Comic Con and the Joy Junction Christmas Feast.

Several restaurants sit on Tramway Boulevard and Montgomery Boulevard, but Eastside has eateries throughout the neighborhood. Chefs use local ingredients and infuse their dishes with the flavors of Mexico and Spain, creating a hybrid style called New Mexican cuisine. If you feel like having something different, stop by one of the area’s French bakeries or Vietnamese cafes.

Papa Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant features entrees and side dishes made with fresh ingredients, many of which come from local vendors. Munch on nachos dipped in Papa Felipe’s signature salsa, try a tortilla made with blue corn and topped with ground beef, or sip one of Papa Felipe’s famous margaritas. Lunch combos cost just $10 and come with your choice of refried beans, Mexican corn, whole beans or Spanish rice. For dinner, fill up on tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or fajitas.

Stop by Range Café for traditional New Mexican dishes or classic American fare. The restaurant has several murals painted by local artists and a bar featuring local wines. Taste enchiladas made with blue corn, spice things up by ordering the green chile cheeseburger, or try new flavors by ordering the green chile stew with chicken and potatoes. The chefs also prepare American classics, such as Tom’s meatloaf, country-fried steak and a tenderloin plate with Parmesan-breaded pork loin.

Because Eastside is mostly residential, it does not have much in the way of nightlife. Locals tend to visit the Downtown neighborhood when they want to grab a cocktail or dance all night. For an upscale bar experience, visit Ibiza Lounge or HQue, both located in Downtown-area hotels. Launchpad Night Club showcases national touring acts in an intimate setting. Past performers include Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse and the Smashing Pumpkins. Anodyne has pool tables, a good beer selection and several types of hard cider.

Nearby music venues include KiMo Theatre and Sunshine Theater, both housed in historical buildings. Downtown Albuquerque also serves as home base for Opera Southwest and the New Mexico Philharmonic.

Many Eastside residents drive their own vehicles to work, but the neighborhood does have bus service provided by the Albuquerque Transit Department. Uber also serves Eastside and surrounding neighborhoods in case your destination is not on the bus line. Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown Albuquerque serves as a hub for Amtrak, New Mexico Rail Runner and Greyhound.

If you have to travel somewhere not served by the transit system, call a cab well in advance of your planned departure time. Taxi drivers tend to stick to the busier streets of Downtown Albuquerque, making it somewhat difficult to hail a cab in Eastside. When driving to your destination, be prepared to look for on-street parking. Eastside does not have any city-owned parking garages or surface lots. Interstate 25 and Interstate 40 run right through Albuquerque, making it easy to drive to other cities in New Mexico or travel to other states.

Eastside has a lower walk score than other Albuquerque neighborhoods. You might be able to run a few errands on foot, but you need to drive or take public transportation to check off every task on your to-do list. Albuquerque also has more than 400 miles of bike paths and trails, making the city fairly safe for cyclists. If you choose to ride your bike, obey all safety laws and keep an eye out for vehicles.

Recreational opportunities abound at Elena Gallegos Park, part of the Albuquerque Open Space system. The park has 640 acres with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, covered picnic areas and miles of trails for hikers, cyclists and equestrians to explore. Bring the kids for a family picnic, or come to the park for a romantic escape with your partner. Feel free to bring your dog, but keep it on a leash no more than 8 feet long. The park does not have an admission fee, but you must pay a vehicle fee of $1 per vehicle on weekdays and $2 per vehicle on Saturdays and Sundays. The city also holds its annual Open Space Summer Series at the park’s amphitheater.

With an average rental rate of $591 per month, Eastside has a cost of living on par with other Albuquerque neighborhoods. The neighborhood gas average sits at 12 percent less than the national average, adults pay just $1 to ride the bus, and the transit system offers a discounted fare of 35 cents for students and senior citizens. Even a beer doesn't set you back all that much. Prices range from $3 for a half-liter bottle of a domestic brew to $5 for an import of the same size.

Shopping enthusiasts have plenty of opportunities to browse boutiques and visit large shopping centers in nearby neighborhoods. Eastside is home to Silver Crossing, a family owned boutique featuring candles, organic soaps, handmade jewelry, and other gifts.

Antique enthusiasts enjoy browsing the 12,000 square feet of space at Gertrude Zachary Antiques in Downtown Albuquerque. The shop has a wide selection of fountains, architectural pieces, and antiques from Italy and France.

Uptown Albuquerque has Coronado Center and ABQ Uptown, shopping centers with a mix of retail shops and restaurants. Anchored by Sears, Kohl's, JCPenney, and Macy's, Coronado Center also serves as home to Pandora and Helzberg Diamonds. For locally made bath items, shop at Urban Fresh Cosmetics. The company grows ingredients for their natural products at an on-site urban farm and features eco-friendly packaging. ABQ Uptown has high-end retailers Michael Kors and Bebe as well as classic favorites J. Crew, GAP and Pottery Barn.

Albertsons has several Eastside locations for shoppers in need of pantry staples or prepared foods. Visit Trader Joe's for your favorite organic foods and all-natural items. For fresh produce from local vendors, stop by Sprouts Farmers Market on Montgomery Boulevard, or head to Downtown Growers Market in Downtown Albuquerque. Both markets have fresh produce and specialty items.