Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights - Aurora, CO

After the founding of Denver in the 1850s, Colfax Avenue became the major thoroughfare into the city from the east. The area closest to downtown housed mansions for the affluent, while the part of the street running into Aurora contained farms, orchards and hotels. When the development of Interstate 70 took tourism from the road, the area fell into decline until the turn of the 21st century. Denver committed to revitalizing the Colfax corridor, and the area began to draw up-and-coming bistros and specialty shopping, along with new residents.

The arts scene in Aurora consists of the Aurora Fox Theater and the Aurora History Museum. Locals also drive to Denver to access museums and annual events like Fear Fest, the Denver Greek Festival and the Denver Chalk Art Festival.

Many restaurants in Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights reside in the strip malls located in the commercial developments near almost every major intersection. Locals also know to look along Colfax Avenue, where a slew of cheap to mid-priced restaurants serve everything from wings to pho.

For wings, treat yourself to a relatively upscale experience at Cedar Creek Pub. Located slightly off the beaten path near the Fitzsimmons Medical Campus, Cedar Creek Pub features a long list of Colorado microbrews on tap in addition to as well as a great food menu full of pub favorites, like bangers and mash and fish and chips alongside American bistro fare, including tuna and pear salad and elk burgers.

For pho, check out Pho 888. Locals rave about the Vietnamese soup at this establishment, claiming the broth consistently tastes great. The chefs add the perfect amount of basil, bean sprouts, lime and jalapenos to each bowl. For something meaty and filling, try the rare steak pho.

Kirk's Soul Kitchen serves up soul classics like mac 'n cheese, fried chicken, ribs and peach cobbler. Also located near Fitzsimmons, the eatery has floor-to-ceiling windows, stylish cafe furniture and a bright and inviting interior. Most importantly, the food tastes like it's straight from the South, and fills you up like you've just been home to visit mom.

Locals in the mood to dance head to Kasbah in the evenings. The only club in Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights, this venue features DJs and live music. It draws a relatively young crowd that loves to dance to hip-hop. If you prefer another type of music, head to one of the other clubs in the metro area. Charlie's Denver plays country western, and the Beta Nightclub is home of all types of electronica.

City planners had motorized vehicles in mind when they developed Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights. Because of that, the area contains free parking spots all around. Drivers have multiple convenient ways to access downtown Denver. Roads such as Colfax Avenue as well as Interstate 225 to I-70 allow residents to get to downtown Denver. For a longer, more scenic route, drivers take Alameda Avenue into downtown.

Every 10 minutes, RTD buses pick up riders on Colfax Avenue and takes them downtown. This trip usually takes just under an hour. Cabs and Uber cars serve the area. Although elusive, they can sometimes be hailed along Colfax Avenue or in downtown. For speedier service, book one in advance over the phone or use an app. Walkers and cyclists find the area to be safe, but not convenient for commuting on foot or by bike.

To access one of the best parks in the suburb of Aurora, Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights locals drive 7 miles to Great Plains Park. This huge park contains playgrounds for kids and a free splash park — perfect for cooling off in the summer. For adults seeking exercise, the park has ball parks and paths connecting to other areas of town. The park welcomes dogs on their leashes. Locals who want Fido to play in an off-leash area head to Cherry Creek Park, a state park with a daily admission fee, or the free Stapleton and Lowry Dog Parks.

Annually, Hops for Habitat takes place at the Plain's Conservation Center in Aurora. This event raises money for this natural area by selling locals pints of Colorado-brewed craft beer.

If you want affordability, check out Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights. Rent in this neighborhood has a considerably lower average than the rest of the metro area. While Denver renters pay $1,060 on average for a one-bedroom apartment, Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights residents pay only about $790 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Area pubs price pints of beer starting at $2 for domestics and as low as $3 for craft beers. A bus ride into the city costs between $2 and $3, with seniors and students paying as little as $1. Area gas stations price their gas about 7 percent lower than the national average.

Shops in Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights sit all over the neighborhood, with stores like the Safari Thrift Store focused on providing value for your dollar. For a dedicated afternoon of shopping, locals head to Town Center at Aurora, an enclosed shopping mall with more than 100 stores and an emphasis on corporate-owned chains.

Speciality shops in the area include The Big Tomato. This hydroponics shop attracts people who want the biggest, juiciest tomatoes. Staying with the garden theme, Flower Flour also does business in the Jewell Heights-Hoffman Heights area. The arrangers at this shop create beautiful pairings with delicate tulips, hearty pines and more — and they also bake cupcakes, cookies and other treats. This shop delivers as well, if you want to send someone flowers or something sweet.

With a nod to Denver's elevation in its name, 5280 Audio Visual gives locals a chance to get away from the big-box electronics stores and have a local buying experience. Whether you want a screening room or a set of outdoor speakers over the pool, the experts at this shop can help you set up your entire audio-visual system.