South San Pedro - Albuquerque, NM

In 1926, Route 66 first carved its way through Albuquerque and South San Pedro. When the Dust Bowl hit large parts of the country in the 1930’s and people began escaping west, traffic surged along Route 66 and the population of the neighborhood began to grow. Since then, South San Pedro has been growing in population and popularity due to the influx of travelers along "America’s Mother Road," and the flavor of the neighborhood has marinated in the wayfaring culture of the highway.

Musical Theatre Southwest’s community theatre presents Broadway-style musicals at the Hiland Theatre just west of South San Pedro and on the road throughout the nation. This group also uses local talent.

The nearby National Atomic Museum also provides some insight into New Mexico’s technological history. This museum features a collection of cold war weapons and a science camp for kids available during both summer and winter school holidays.

The available fare in South San Pedro reflects the diversity of the neighborhood. Numerous Vietnamese and Mexican eateries line the streets, so spicy surprises such as pho and enchiladas sit close at hand. Options for after-dark entertainment include bowling for family fun, and the table games and slots beckon at the casino.

When you want some of the best pho in the city and don’t mind topping out your taste buds’ temperature gauge, Saigon Far East has a dish for you. The unassuming structure and red door greet diners before they're seated by the smiling owner, who goes to great lengths to accommodate vegetarian customers. Get a pho #10 bowl with added lime and jalapeño for a taste of two of the cultures so well-represented in the neighborhood.

For a bite of Mexico, Cervantes Restaurant and Lounge features a family-style dining room where diners can sit down and authentic Mexican delicacies, and a bar and lounge also provide spaces for singles and couples to drink and listen to live music. The velvet wallpaper might call to mind your grandmother’s house, but it might also call to mind her cooking if she happened to be a master of carne adovada — a dish locals feel is done right when the shredded pork slow-simmers in red chile sauce for hours.

Cielito Lindo also features Mexican food with a focus on the sea. A colossal goblet of shrimp ceviche — Mexican sea food soup — costs around $9 at this eatery smack in the center of the neighborhood.

As far as nightlife, look no further than the Downs Racetrack and Casino. As the only casino in Albuquerque, it plays host to entertainment options not available elsewhere. You can bet on horses racing on the track outside or use simulcast betting to pick ponies across the nation. The modern casino features slots and table games, and after a few hands, try heading into the casino’s Crown Room to retreat into a glass of one of the establishment's many varieties of Scotch.

South San Pedro’s fast and frequent bus service along Central Avenue remains one of the many reasons residents choose to reside here. For $2, one can hop on the bus and connect to anywhere in the city. Albuquerque caters to drivers, and free parking and fast freeway access adds to the area’s ease of egress. If you prefer a chauffeur, Uber drivers can be found throughout the city. Cyclists get anywhere on the extensive trail system, but be prepared for extra pedaling if you head east, uphill toward the mountains. South San Pedro’s size makes it walkable, but smart locals remain aware of their surroundings after dark.

Plenty of recreation options reside in the area, and Los Altos Park a mile east includes space for dogs to dash and a skate park for teens to slide. It also features clean, grassy fields where adult softball leagues let loose in the evening and contains climbing gyms for toddlers. Free to use, Los Altos and a half-dozen other parks in the area provide an affordable way to spend a day with your family. Albuquerque’s bicycle trail system features over 400 miles of award-winning and well-maintained surfaces. The New Mexico State Fair draws visitors and dollars to the neighborhood each year, and it features everything you’d expect, including rodeos and rides.

South San Pedro's below-average rent stands at around $560. Residents use Albuquerque's public transit system to get anywhere in the city for $2. A beer costs around $5, and a meal less than $10 - also slightly below-average in Albuquerque. If you'd like wine and dinner for two at The Crown Room, expect to pay around $90 including gratuity. Fuel in the area costs around 9 percent less than the national average.

Shopping opportunities around South San Pedro include rare rocks and gems at Southwest Minerals, intriguing and original household decorations at Vintage Market and Design and everything else you need for a great price at the Expo New Mexico Flea Market. Shops exist throughout the area, but concentrate along Central and San Pedro Avenues.

Still considered one of the better rock shops in the state, Southwest Minerals features a wide array of minerals and gemstones. Many of the specimens carried here are becoming harder to find, but the supply here doesn't seem to dwindle.

For second-hand items from jewelry to electronics, take a peek at the Expo New Mexico Flea Market. Folks come from all over town to check out the selection each weekend, and locals suggest arriving early before the week’s great grabs are gone.

An Albuquerque original, Vintage Market and Design carries a wide selection of home décor and craft supplies from all over the world. Chalk paint claims the title of the boutique’s specialty, imparting clean pastel colors to pieces needing a refurbish.

For groceries, residents stop in Ta Lin World Food Fare for hard-to-find ingredients from the Orient or El Mezquite for Mexican groceries and other staples. Traditional grocery stores in the area include a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Sprouts Farmer’s Market. During summer, the Uptown Growers' market also sells farm-to-table produce.