Trumbull Village - Albuquerque, NM

In 2006, Albuquerque City Council approved nearly $9 million in additional funding for the Trumbull Village neighborhood designed to help the area recover from a period of disinvestment. Revitalization efforts in the late 90s and early 2000s were augmented by an effective community cleanup operation and a useful neighborhood watch program.

Since the city's initial investment, investors have become progressively more interested in the Trumbull Village area. Early 2015 brought news of $27.5 million dollars' worth of new housing developments in the area: The groundbreaking ceremony for a complex known as Cuatro took place in later January 2015.

As well as showcasing a variety of local, national and international art, Harwood Art Center — a 1925 neo-classical-revival-style building on 7th Street — offers artistic educational opportunities for area youth as well as the local adult population. Escuela del Sol Montessori school, also on 7th Street, offers an alternative educational style to area children.

The diverse eatery selection in Trumbull Park makes mealtime extra fun. Indian, Italian, American and Chinese restaurants lie along Route 66 and provide area residents with an interesting selection of cuisines.

The menu at Viva Mexico on Wyoming Blvd Northeast features Spanish staple dishes alongside innovative variations on Mexican foods. Give the shrimp ceviche or shrimp cocktail a go for starters, then move on to a main dish such as beef empanadas or chicken with rice and beans. Don't leave without trying the authentic guacamole.

Try Panaderia Parralense, also located on Louisiana Boulevard, for a selection of cakes and other bakery items. Known for its spectacular wedding cakes, this established local business makes it simple to order in advance of your big day. Reasonable prices and great service make this restaurant and bakery a neighborhood gem.

In the evenings, most Trumbull Village residents stay in their locale to relax at one of the neighborhood eateries. Local night spots include Caravan East on Central Avenue Northwest, which regularly plays host to local and regional bands. Enjoy a diverse selection of drinks and friendly service at this charming local dive bar.

Most residents in Trumbull Village own cars and use their vehicles to complete errands in the area. However, you can also walk to stores on the periphery of the neighborhood. A selection of local shops offer everything from staple foods to Western wear.

Public parking opportunities are scarce; however, most residents have access to designated parking spaces, garages or driveways. Local businesses often have parking lots for patrons, while short-term visitors frequently park on residential streets. Long-term visitors to the area often park their vehicles in the parking lot on Amherst Drive Southeast about 3 miles away from Trumbull Village.

Route 66 runs clear across the north end of Trumbull Village, and highway access is very easy. If you merge onto the highway and travel west, you'll find yourself in Albuquerque city center in a matter of minutes. If you prefer, you can call one of the local cab companies for a ride or choose UberX for a low-cost ride-sharing solution.

As well as vehicles, many residents in Trumbull Village also own bikes. A bike trail runs through Phil Chacon Park and on toward the south side of the neighborhood. Bike-friendly roads include Southern Avenue Southeast, Utah Street Southeast, Susan Avenue, Moon Street, Louisiana Boulevard Southeast and Wyoming Boulevard Southeast. Trumbull Village residents also have access to the Albuquerque bus system.

Several parks, both large and small, lie in and around Trumbull Village. Trumbull Park on Pennsylvania Street in the middle of the neighborhood offers a 1-acre play space complete with a playground. For a dedicated morning run routine, residents often head down to Flag Athletic Field on Gibson Boulevard just south of Trumbull Village.

For a more comprehensive park experience, visit 27-acre Phil Chacon Park on Southern Avenue Southeast. A bike trail travels through the park and on toward Louisiana Boulevard Southeast, making it perfect for exercise. Tree-lined pathways and public art sculptures make this park a pleasant place to hang out in any season. Play ball on the basketball court, or relax under one of the two shaded areas in Phil Chacon Park. The park also offers a playground for the little ones.

Dogs have to be kept on the leash in Trumbull Village parks and can only be exercised in permitted areas. For a more doggy centric playtime, try one of Albuquerque's numerous dog parks. Roosevelt Park on Spruce Street and Tom Bolack Urban Forest Park on Dakota Street Northeast both offer canine customers a selection of amenities.

Overall, living in Trumbull Village costs about 11 percent less than the Albuquerque average. A one-bedroom residence will cost you about $520 per month, while gas prices are equal to Albuquerque — about 4 percent less than the national average.

Getting into the city center by bus costs $1 for a one-way ticket, or 35 cents if you're a senior or a student and qualify for reduced rates. Children under 9 ride the bus system for free. A $30 unlimited monthly pass can save you money if you plan to use public transport to commute into central Albuquerque each day. To save even more money, consider buying a 3-month pass for $75.

Beer in a Trumbull Village bar or restaurant costs about $3.25 for a domestic draft ale, or $4.25 per imported bottle. Local craft beers vary in price depending on the brewery and the batch size; however, they are frequently among the tastiest beverages available.

Many of the stores in Trumbull Park sit along Route 66 at the north end of the neighborhood. Over 10 grocery stores lie within a mile of the neighborhood, making it easy to find milk, bread and other essentials at almost any time of day.

Specialty grocery stores in and around Trumbull Village include G&H Oriental Market on Pennsylvania Street Northeast. Bombay Spice , an Indian grocery store on Central Avenue Southeast, sells a wonderful array of fresh spices, Indian drinks and other Indian essentials. Visit Talin Market World Food Fare on Louisiana Boulevard for curry fare and Puerto Rican ingredients.

Most high-end boutiques live in central Albuquerque, but a few interesting stores sit in the Trumbull Village area —” particularly on the north end of the neighborhood. Hillson's Western Wear on Route 66 stocks an eclectic and fascinating range of clothing for men and women as well as accessories. Pop into the long-established store for boots, hats and other Western-inspired products.

Several pawn shops in Trumbull Village provide area residents with an interesting selection of merchandise. Hock It to Me on Louisiana Boulevard Southeast and Classic Jewelry and Loan on Route 66 are worth exploring if you enjoy bargain shopping and treasure hunting.