Teralta East - San Diego, CA

Founding members of what is now City Heights originally created the morally upstanding “Golden Rule City" with high standards for the early community. The town was proud of the strict rules for the time, outlawing liquor sales, gambling, dance halls, carrying guns and driving faster than 15 miles per hour. Because of these expectations, there was no need for a jail, no arrests and no hobos filling the street; everyone had a purpose and worked toward the greater good.

While there are no nearby historical societies in the direct vicinity, Balboa Park is less than 10 miles southwest and features 17 museums including the San Diego Natural History Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and San Diego Air and Space Museum. It also has a massive arts scene and many annual events, including the Ethnic Food Fair, where the public can taste food from any country around the world.

Teralta East residents are in luck when in comes to restaurants and the nightlife. There are a multitude of ethnic fast food chains, restaurants and cafes in and around the neighborhood. For the best duck, head to Tom's Chinese BBQ, a little corner restaurant on the south side of town. With a friendly staff, Gallegos Mexican Restaurant has the biggest and tastiest burritos in the area. So be sure to try their California Burrito and carne asada fries. Minh Ky Chinese Restaurant provides the best chow mein in town, and don't forget to order the coconut water, which is served in an actual husk.

When deciding where to spend your after-hours, there are a multitude of options to consider. Teralta East is near the packed neighborhoods of North Park and Hillcrest, in addition to Normal Heights and the College Area. There are a few bars to choose from within walking distance, including Til-Two Club, which features a calendar of live bands, stand-up comedy, karaoke, beer and a unique selection of cocktails. Normal Heights houses the Soda Bar with unique mixed drinks and a variety of live music from local artists.

The most common ways to get around the neighborhood are by walking and bike riding, although most residents use their cars or the bus system to get to work. The bus route runs along the north, south, and west sides of Teralta East. Hailing a cab is not a viable option, while Uber can be hit or miss.

Teralta East has always been walkable and many residents also ride their bikes to and from the local grocery stores as bike lanes run throughout the city. Public parking remains widely available at no cost around town and accessing highways is a breeze as the neighborhood sits east of Interstate 15 and Interstate 805, just a couple miles south of Interstate 8 and north of Highway 94.

Highland and Landis Park, lies just west of Teralta East in the neighborhood of Teralta West. The community space offers a large grassy sports field and a fun playground. The hugely popular Colina Del Sol Park and Recreation Center to the east features many family-friendly seasonal events. Being one of the largest parks in the area, the amenities include a playground, a tot lot, picnic tables, outdoor sports courts, a multi-purpose athletic field, tennis courts, a full -size gymnasium, a Teen Center, a game room, a craft and ceramic room and a swimming pool across the street.

Take a drive southwest to Balboa Park where your furry friends can have their choice of three different off-leash areas: Grape Street Dog Park, Morley Field Dog Park, and Nate's Point Dog Park. The Park also contains many smaller picnic areas as well, some with playgrounds, big trees and tables, such as the local favorite, Playground Balboa Park. This San Diego landmark always hosts seasonal events and festivals; take a look at their website for their monthly calendar.

The cost of living is much lower than the city average; one-bedroom apartments will cost residents around $725 per month. You can expect to pay around $5.50 for a beer as this area has an abundance of bars and other nightlife establishments. Gas, on the other hand, lies approximately 31% above the national average.

There are a few major shopping areas within a reasonable distance of Teralta East. Westfield Mission Valley is only 10 minutes west featuring a massive Nordstrom Rack, a number of high-value chain stores and a movie theatre. Only five minutes from Westfield, Fashion Valley Mall offers more high-end shopping, including department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales. In addition to national retailers, such as JC Penney and Forever 21, the mall also has a sizable movie theater as well as casual outdoor dining. Southwest from the neighborhood, in Downtown San Diego, stands Horton Plaza with plenty of luxury mall stores and a few discount chains.

Residents head to Hillcrest, the Gaslamp or Seaport Village for a high volume of boutiques. The Bow Wow Beauty Shop caters to Fido's needs with a pet boutique and grooming facility as well as a bakery. A signature product, the custom dog kennels give new meaning to the concept, providing your fur-baby with a luxurious compartment for rest and relaxation.

Residents are afforded the luxury of living within walking distance of many independent ethnic grocers, such as Mid East Market, Minh Huong Supermarket and Supermercado Murphy. For larger chain grocery stores, residents depend on the World Foods Market, east on El Cajon Boulevard. Additionally, Albertson's on University Avenue continues to be a viable option, or residents can head to Trader Joes, Ralph's and Whole Foods Market further west in Hillcrest. Farmers markets in Hillcrest, North Park or the College Area are popular as well.