North Easterns - Albuquerque, NM

The history of the area links closely with the retail development that has occurred since the 1970’s. The first shopping centers were strip malls, but the area now contains a large array of big box stores and retail giants. The area’s position astride busy Menaul Boulevard and its commercial corridor attracts many thousands of shoppers per day. To nourish your artistic side, check out the art and events the The Gallery ABQ. This artist-owned space stands home to booths from fine local artists and craftspeople, and the revolving selection of styles make this a great choice for one-of-a-kind art. Stop by and see one of the featured craftsperson’s demonstrations — they range from bead work to painting.

Residents snag quick sandwiches at Relish or French pastries at Le Chantilly, and Ned’s marks the spot for live music and drinks. A haven for concept sandwiches, Relish has won local awards as one of the best lunch stops in the city. The Albuquerque turkey remains the preferred local variation on the turkey sandwich and bulges with green chile and melted Havarti cheese. Sandwiches here run around $10. Known for fine French pastries, Le Chantilly showcases éclairs and napoleons. Have one after enjoying a healthy lunch like hearts of palm and artichoke, or grab croissants to go — at less than $2 each, these flaky treats make an awesome snack. Head over to Regal Winrock Stadium 16 for the latest IMAX and 3D movies, and then stop at nearby Dave and Buster's for games galore.

Albuquerque residents usually drive, and North Easterns’ proximity to the Interstate and position near the intersections of Menaul and Eubank means residents can hop on an avenue with a relaxed speed limit going in any direction. Ample free parking also graces the area. The city’s comprehensive and growing public transit system gets riders anywhere in the area for $2 per one-way ticket, including to the Downtown Transit Center. From here, ride the rails on the modern Rail Runner Express — a light rail system between the city of Belen in the south and Santa Fe in the north. Uber service abounds, and the neighborhoods tree-lined streets make them easily walkable. If you like to keep it green, Albuquerque’s over 400 miles of award-winning bicycle and pedestrian paths get riders just about anywhere with just a little leg-power, and all city buses have bike racks if you come up short.

Area recreational opportunities include the grassy fields at a dozen free and public area parks, but nearby Los Altos Park makes a particularly appealing option with its acres of playable space and modern skate park. It also features an enclosed dog area where your furry friend can make new friends while romping in the open air. The 400 miles of extensive, award-winning cycling and pedestrian paths give you plenty of space to stretch your legs and up your fitness level. If you’re ready to feel the burn, point your bike east toward the strenuous uphill stretch and the Sandia Mountains, or point yourself west for 6 miles of downhill cruising to the shady trails along the Rio Grande. The area's parks provide amazing views of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, which takes place each October and features over 500 balloons from around the world in the largest gathering of its kind. Residents of North Eastern love this event nearly as much as their view of the Rio Grande Valley.

Average rental rates in the area are around $600 — about average for the city although options do exist for more upscale accommodations. A beer at one of the North Easterns' area pubs costs around $5 and sandwiches and other simple meals can usually be had for under $10 — also average for the city. If you and a friend want an entrée and a couple beers at Ned’s, expect to pay around $45. The average price of a gallon of gas runs about 9 percent lower than the national average, contributing to the North Eastern’s driveability.

Shopping in the area includes the unique Hanayagi Japanese Garden Shop and the New Mexico Scuba Center. Hanayagi Japanese Garden provides architectural features and other items for home and garden decorating projects. This stunning shop resembles stepping into Okinawa, and the owner of this locally owned gardener's favorite is happy to instruct guests in the finer points of feng shui. The New Mexico Scuba center may be an oddity in the middle of the desert, but this full-service establishment offers travel packages to complement its collection of underwater equipment. It also features first aid and CPR instruction in addition to its scuba classes. Neighborhood residents enjoy Walmart and Trader Joe’s for their food and household needs, and Keller’s Farm Stores serves as one of Albuquerque’s favorite specialty meat markets. Ethnic grocery options in the area include Talin Market for high-quality ingredients from around the world and El Mezquite for Mexican staples. Locals love the long-lasting produce sold at the Farmer's Market. A simple shop with a simple name, residents find farm-to-table produce here for kitchen concoctions of any complexity.