Miramonte - Tucson, AZ

This charming area began to come alive during the 1940s, when St. Mark's Presbyterian Church on East 3rd Avenue and the Benedictine Monastery along North Country Club were built. During the next 10 years, residential home-building efforts peaked in the community. Over time, the western half of Miramonte grew rife with single-family homes, while the eastern half became categorized with multifamily residences, such as condominiums and rental duplexes and triplexes.

Although Miramonte does not house any museums, the artsy locals congregate at Unscrewed Theater, an improv comedy house that hosts both family-friendly and uncensored shows.

Mark your calendar for the annual Southern Arizona Blues & Heritage Festival, held at nearby Gene C. Reid Park. Bring your lawn chairs and a big blanket to enjoy the live music at this family friendly event, which also features offerings from local artisans and food vendors.

Miramonte houses a small assortment of ethnic, independently owned restaurants in addition to a few regional and national chain eateries. Enjoy the variety of Feast, an eclectic bistro with menus that change each month. Revisit your favorite menu item with a special request during the summer months, with popular requests popping up again on the regular season menu. Wine connoisseurs appreciate Feast's wide assortment of drinks, and seasonal wine tasting events entice your taste buds.

Enjoy a memorable casual-dining experience at Fronimo's Greek Cafe on East Speedway Boulevard. Mediterranean decor and a friendly, knowledgeable wait staff provide you with the relaxing environment you need to take a quick, filling lunch break or a leisurely dinner. Order the appetizer sampler, which includes an all-encompassing taste of what this eatery is best known for, including tabbouleh, hummus, tzatziki and Spanakopita. Try the gyro special for an authentic Greek dining experience, or savor the most tender lamb shank you've ever tasted, along with warm pita bread and an extra side of tziki sauce.

Guilin Chinese also lies along the East Speedway Boulevard restaurant hub. This humble family-owned establishment provides the largest selection of ethnic vegetarian dishes in the neighborhood. Order the vegetarian duck for the a surprising take on the traditional Chinese classic. Precede the entree with a big, piping-hot bowl of the owner's top-secret-recipe hot and sour soup to enjoy a richer, thicker version of this Asian staple.

When you want to go out and about at night, drink with the locals at the ultra laid-back Bashful Bandit on East Speedway Boulevard. Nightly drink specials, a diverse jukebox selection and plenty of pool tables make this dive bar a cheap, easy-to-access watering hole.

Enjoy a more upscale experience at Sidecar in neighboring Broadmoor-Broadway Village. This spot's minimalist decor, butcher-block bar and assortment of specialty cocktails, including the Kentucky — a house version of the classic Manhattan cocktail with more prominent citrus notes — make this a must-stop lounge.

The inner workings of the Miramonte neighborhood are comprised of continuously updated streets that allow easy walking, biking and driving throughout the area. The main traffic hub, 3rd Street, is a lively bicycle boulevard that restricts vehicle traffic to local residents to ensure the optimal safety of cyclists using the street.

Driving into Miramonte is a breeze thanks to the neighborhood's convenient access to the downtown area, Speedway Boulevard and Broadway Boulevard. Once in town, expect ample free parking at most businesses and along the area's residential streets.

Several cab companies, including 520 Express Taxi Cabs and the Black and White Cab Company, are just a phone call away, and Uber is also an option.

Miramonte Park, a small, desert-style tract at the corner of North Ritchey Boulevard and East 3rd Street, provides a free place to bring your children and leashed dogs for a walk. This beautifully landscaped area also has picnic tables with built-in chess boards. The neighborhood's annual Halloween party is held here, featuring a pumpkin raffle, a costume parade and refreshments for the whole family.

For a more exercise-centric park, head over to Himmel Park on North Tucson Boulevard in the Sam Hughes neighborhood. Here you'll find tennis courts, a swimming pool, basketball courts and a soccer field to hone your skills and challenge worthy opponents of your chosen game.

Living in Miramonte provides you with a below-average cost of living. The older yet well-maintained one-bedroom rentals run about $525 per month, while gas costs about 6 percent less than the national average. Taking the SunLink streetcar to the center of town sets you back approximately $1.50, and grabbing a pint at your favorite neighborhood bar costs about $5.

East Speedway Boulevard stands as Miramonte's shopping hub. However, you'll have to venture to the midtown Tucson area to find high-end stores, due to this area's limited assortment of specialty shops.

Check out Yikes Toys for unique novelty gifts, such as skull cookie cutters, giant pencils, sports memorabilia and retro art. This store also houses one of the largest selections of toys and by-the-piece candy in the city — and hosts several art events throughout the year.

Farther down, in the Sam Hughes neighborhood lies Morning Star Traders, Inc, a hip Native American jewelry boutique that also sells ornately decorated Spanish-colonial furniture.

Whole Foods on East Speedway Boulevard has a large customer base from the Miramonte neighborhood. A little ways down the boulevard, Sprouts Farmer's Market sells fresh produce and has a large bulk section allowing you stock up on frozen and dry-storage staples during one shopping trip.