North Denver - Denver, CO

Conveniently located near a number of freeways, the North Denver area experienced most of its growth during the second half of the 20th century. During that time, the developing freeway system made the area more attractive for commuters, and the area's farms, many established during the 1850s, were abandoned in favor of new housing developments.

Elitch Gardens, an amusement park and botanical garden, was located in this neighborhood from 1890 to 1994. Its move to downtown Denver in 1994 helped increase the area's population by creating room for more new homes. In 2011, the city developed the Tennyson Street Arts District, drawing even more people to the area.

In addition to the Friday night art walks on Tennyson, locals enjoy relative proximity to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Art Museum, and they also enjoy annual festivals, such as the Colorado Chocolate Festival and the Denver County Fair.

A journey through the restaurants of the North Denver area can feel like a tour of the world. Offering a taste of the south, El Trompito Taqueria sells tasty tacos and burritos, and you can garnish them to your heart's content at the salsa bar.

For milder fare, check out Yorkshire Fish and Chips. Serving fried fish and homemade potato fries since 1971, this establishment expresses a commitment to the environment which they maintain by serving sustainable Icelandic cod. If fish doesn't move you, try the shrimp, scallops, oysters or clam strips.

Food trucks also abound in the area, and although these restaurants on wheels sometimes move to new destinations, they can be frequently spotted in these northwest Denver neighborhoods. In particular, locals rave about the ribs at Sweet Mama's BBQ, but for a real treat, they visit Basic Kneads Pizza. Amazingly, the purveyors of this truck cook gourmet wood-fired pizzas right in the truck and serve you slices out of the window.

For nightlife, locals enjoy a range of activities. For a western-themed night on the town, check out the Grizzly Rose. This bar features line dancing, live country music and a mechanical bull. For a sports and wings night, head to the Ugly Dog Sports Cafe. This classic bar has big screen TVs, filling fare and great drink deals. You can even buy beer-filled cocktails, such as an "ugly dog" which features vodka, rum, gin and peach schnapps topped with beer, or the "hair of the dog," which has a Bacardi and amaretto shot dropped into a beer.

Residents of the North Denver area enjoy free parking throughout their neighborhoods as well as around the area's businesses, and they can easily access downtown Denver by driving into the city on Interstate-25. If you want to explore the mountains, you have easy access to I-76, which cuts around much of the city and links to I-70 west on the outskirts of Wheatridge.

Locals preferring to take public transit access RTD route 6. This bus runs every 30 minutes and travels north and south on Pecos Boulevard, taking locals from the North Denver area to downtown Denver in less than 40 minutes, on average.

Safe for walking and biking, the area has a number of bike paths and recreational trails, but if you attempt to challenge yourself to living without a motorized vehicle, you may need to augment feet and pedals with cabs or Uber cars. Both of these services can be called to the area or hailed on the street in downtown.

E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park draws families for its multiple recreational opportunities. Let the little ones romp on the playground equipment, play a game of soccer on the green spaces or take a jog around the lake. Alternatively, you can hit the skateboard park, rent a paddle boat for a ride around the lake or listen to music at the park's annual concert series.

If you have fur babies, check out the Westminster Dog Park. Featuring a large off-leash area, this park boasts great facilities, a polite crowd of dog owners and a spot for pups to swim. It also has great hiking trails, but cacti abound in the areas alongside the trails, so you may want to keep your pooch on the path.

Renting in the North Denver area costs less than renting in other parts of the metro area. While the average Denver renter pays $1,041 for a one-bedroom apartment, renters in this area pay an average of $623 for a similar-sized accommodation.

Other costs are comparable to the rest of the urban area. For example, taking the bus into the city costs just over $2, with express fares costing $3. If you opt to drive, gas stations price their gas about 11 percent lower than the national average.

Drinking can also be affordable, and locals buy pitchers of domestic beer for only $5 on weekdays. On the weekends or outside of happy hour, expect to pay between $4 and $6 for a pint of beer, with prices rising to $7 if you opt to have a shot thrown in.

Shops in the area appeal to locals with a wide range of hobbies. Artists, woodworkers and jewelry designers frequent Naja Tool & Supply. More than just a tool store, this shop has knowledgeable owners who are always ready to answer a question or give advice on your project.

Gamers head to Time Well Spent Games, where they can buy a range of board games, including best sellers such as Ticket to Ride and Lost Cities. Hunters and gun advocates shop at the Lock and Load Armory. At this shop, you can buy a range of weapons and accessories or learn about getting your conceal-and-carry permit.

Fashionable locals leave the neighborhood and drive to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver or to the Highland neighborhood to check out the boutiques there. At Inspyre Boutique, browse the latest fashions without worrying about your budget – the owners of this shop promise to price everything at under $100.

Jewelius sells clothing, accessories and gifts, and its compelling inventory even attracts shoppers from out of state. When choosing inventory, the owners embrace their love of travel, the classics and semiprecious jewels.

For groceries, locals frequent a range of chain grocery stores, including King Soopers, but small ethnic markets, such as Lao Market selling Thai and Lao food, exist as well. When you crave fresh local produce, hit the Westminster Solaire Shops Farmers Market.