Lambka Park - El Paso, TX

Seated astride a well-traveled route to the Mexican border, Lambka Park has seen Native Americans and then Europeans create paths and roads over the centuries. Semi-trucks stuffed with commercial goods now travel Interstate 10 just to the west of the area, but the neighborhood’s quiet living persists, and the serenity of nearby country clubs and massive Franklin Mountains State Park to the east continue to draw well-to-do Texans, many with manufacturing interests across the border visible to the south.

The El Paso Museum of History downtown documents the evolution of the area, from seldom-traveled scrubland to major conduit for commerce, in the last 200 years. The Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta takes place each September in Tom Mays Park north of the area and celebrates the unique plant and animal life of the high desert. This free event also hosts a chili cook-off and climbing tutorials for the kids.

Busy North Mesa Street hosts the majority of area dining and entertainment, and Leo’s Mexican Food Restaurant has been one of its dynamic destinations for decades. Carryout for commuters and cocktails with live music for partiers are among its contributions to Lambka Park's active evening scene. A different special each day of the week allows guests to savor different flavors for around $8 each, including carnitas on Thursdays and chile verde con carne on Tuesdays.

Locals love to dive into the fresh creations at Sushi Zen, and its no-frills, substance-over-style approach has earned it a reputation among locals as unpretentious yet satisfying. Prized among students, the UTEP roll crunches and kicks with spice, and the lunch specials cost $11; they include an array of Asian staples like chicken teriyaki and shrimp tempura.

The smell of gyros and other Mediterranean fare hits your nose as you step into Zino’s Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine. Decorated in the blue and white of the Greek national flag, this outpost of old-world cooking flaunts the Balkan pedigree of its chef and owner with legendary osso buco and luscious baklava – one of many desserts made daily.

Simple and affordable, Aceitunas Beer Garden’s live music accompanies the beautiful view from its patio, and inexpensive and unpretentious edibles like fish tacos and chicken wings come out quickly. The laid-back atmosphere remains perfect for chatting with friends, without worrying what’s going on around you, and the flavor of music varies from weekend to weekend.

Two movie theatres cling to the area, Cinemark West in the north and Cinemark Movie Bistro El Paso in the Sunland Park Mall to the south.

Residents of Lambka Park usually drive down North Mesa Street for quick access to downtown, and Interstate 10’s freeway speed limits make getting into the city and beyond even faster. Side streets stay safe and walkable, with light through traffic. North Mesa Street has limited shopping within walking distance, but plan on driving out of the area for a richer selection of retail. Free parking proliferates and is easy to find in this area removed from the constraints of the city. If you prefer a chauffeur, Uber drivers abound in the area, in addition to more traditional car services that should be scheduled rather than relied on to be in the area.

Some city streets in and around Lambka Park have safe and dedicated bike lanes, but the area’s relative remoteness means there isn’t a designated bike route to the center of the city. Strap your bike to the rack on the number 14 bus, and watch the hills give way to downtown El Paso while you relax with the view; all buses are equipped to carry bicycles.

Named after a World War II veteran, Irwin J. Lambka Park fittingly occupies the center of the area and features softball and baseball games for area youth and adult leagues. A number of other free city parks also dot the area, and those within walking distance include Resler Canyon, a favorite for joggers, dog-walkers and mountain bikers who like exercising among desert hills with native flora.

Just 2 miles away, Franklin Mountains State Park’s array of activities includes mountain sports and overnight camping and costs $5 a day for adults. The largest urban park in the nation, roughly 35 square miles of mountain contours overlook the Chihuahuan Desert and Rio Grande Valley in this well-maintained state park.

Ascarate Park trembles each year during the massive Sun City Music Festival, featuring over 30 international acts of electronic dance music pulsing on all frequencies, for two days in sunny El Paso.

Expect to pay around $648 for a one-bedroom residence in Lambka Park – slightly above average for El Paso and partially explained by the view of the Chihuahuan Desert and proximity to high-quality recreation and high-speed transportation.

The cost of living rests only a minor degree above average, with a beer costing about $6 and a meal averaging $10. Gasoline in the neighborhood rests 9 percent below the national average, and a ticket anywhere in town on the Sun Metro system will leave you only $1.50 lighter, making transportation an exception to the area trend of slightly above-average costs.

North Mesa Street’s stream of travelers has helped populate its retail presence, and shoppers from near and far drop into local gem Jewel Gallery. It’s owned by a UTEP graduate and certified gemologist and stays a local favorite for vintage and modern jewelry. It also carries one of the largest selections of estate and heirloom jewelry in the city.

If you need to impress a dinner guest, Coronado Prime Meats has some of the choicest cuts on the west side of town. Its huge flank steaks and convenient packages of ground beef go perfectly with the selection of rubs and accoutrements, including fantastically fresh green salsa.

For dessert, scoop up some fine cupcakes or a custom-made baked creation from the Cake Boutique. The owner takes her craft very seriously and delivers nothing less than exquisitely carved and colored cakes with very few limits. If you don’t think anyone would travel across the country taking repeated courses and seminars just to learn how to build better cupcakes, you would be wrong. Sugary characters like penguins stand atop Sandra’s splendid cakes, and kid-flooring images of superhero-emblazoned treats sell by the dozen.

Albertsons sits in the western half of the area and Walmart lies just a bit further up North Mesa Street. Lowe’s to the east and Sprouts Farmers Market a mile south also offer produce and household essentials. Year-round on Saturdays, the Downtown Artist and Farmers Market gives residents a chance to shop and stroll among local crafts and farm-fresh produce.