Sable Ridge - Aurora, CO

Situated in one of the fastest-growing cities in Colorado history, Sable Ridge makes its home in Aurora, a city originally notable for being a thriving development platform in the late 1970s. The neighborhood grew into existence in the early 1980s, after a boom in diverse population demanded more space for families moving from larger suburbs.

Centered between East Alameda Avenue and South Chambers Road, the Aurora History Museum collects information on Sable Ridge and neighboring towns. Full-color pamphlets line the walls of every exhibit, detailing the history of each unique artifact. Expect the annual Festival of Wreaths in December, where you can learn to make a wreath and admire others.

Encouraging of local artisans, the Bicentennial Art Center strives to get families involved in the arts scene. The center offers year-round pottery classes, separated into those for young children and adults, as well as casting calls for theater performances.

Dining in Sable Ridge brings together cultural cuisine favorites that tantalize your palette with unique spices and eccentric ingredients. Los Gordos Taqueria above East Mississippi Avenue, one of the local dining hubs, delivers authentic Mexican dishes from a lengthy menu that includes the signature Big Burrito. This burrito features your choice of chicken, beef or pork, rolled into an extra-large homemade tortilla with piled-high veggies, refried beans and salsa.

Leave light and wholesome cuisine to Sweet Tomatoes, a health-conscious, alternative buffet where homemade breads, made-from-scratch soups and fresh salads reign supreme. Desserts consist of either ice cream, chocolate chip cookies or vegan brownies. A favorite of vegetarians, this restaurant also offers a newsletter sign-up sheet, allowing returning customers to snag coupons and great deals by email.

Nestled alongside East Iliff Avenue, Athenian Restaurant serves up genuine Greek meals from generations-old recipes. Providing the perfect blend of casual atmosphere and upscale fare, this restaurant strives to educate on the delectable uniqueness of Grecian cuisine. Some of their most renowned dishes include homemade tzatziki dipping sauce with fresh veggies and pitas, roast beef gyros, dolmades and baklava with custard. Greek god and goddess statues watch over diners while knowledgeable staff go out of their way to ensure a positive dining experience.

South Chambers Road provides an invitation to unwind with handcrafted brews from America’s Bar & Grill. Food-wise, the bar prides itself on traditional cheeseburgers, fried mushrooms, jalapeno poppers and vegetables with ranch dressing. It also features a selection of saucy wings, some so hot that you have to sign a waiver before sampling. Beer-wise, the skilled bartenders sling craft beers from rotating taps. Twenty-three televisions grace the interior and patio walls, turned to sports or local news. Nightlife throughout the area is equally as relaxed and comfortable.

Immersed in greenery, some parts of Sable Ridge feature the perfect walking trails for active adults, but most resident commuters prefer to rely on cars to carry them to surrounding cities. Free public parking is available in many areas.

Typical traffic patterns find free-flowing conditions along South Sable Boulevard, East Jewell Avenue and the collaboration of suburban streets sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. However, Interstate 225, South Chambers Road and the intersection of East Mississippi Avenue harsh the mellow of drivers during weekday rush hours.

In the suburban areas, locals expect to share the rural streets with bicyclists and pedestrians alike, but the major highways should be avoided, as clear-cut biking or walking trails are non-existent along these arteries. Stick to smaller streets, such as East Idaho Drive and East Carolina Drive, with residential housing when traveling through the neighborhood on foot or bicycle. Some roads do feature bike lanes.

Catch the bus on South Sable Boulevard into other cities, or use Uber to get a cab from 2TM Taxi Service or Taxi to DIA. A couple limousine services, such as American Way Limousine Service and 2TM Limo Service, act like cab companies with transport to Sable Ridge, only with greater luxury.

While the city architecture snuggles alongside Interstate 225, the sprawling landscape of Sable Ridge provides the perfect backdrop for some of the area’s premier parks. The Paintball Park delivers an upfront introduction about safety and procedure before the knowledgeable staff lets you go on the grassy knolls of an outdoor course. Suit up, hide behind trees and attempt to eliminate your opponents with colored paintball splatters.

Designed for families, the free Village Green Park provides an abundant landscape of walking trails and open space for families and their pups to picnic, exercise and play. Maintained daily, the clean bathrooms, beautiful scenery and sporadic water fountains make this park a local go-to recreation spot. Though the park features an outdoor pool for swimmers, it does not host annual activities or events.

On average, the Sable Ridge cost of living hovers around 10 percent less than Aurora. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment lies at about $804 per month. However, depending on amenities, those rates could soar to $915 or plummet as low as $670.

Hopping on a bus for your commute sets you back $6.75 for a day pass, or $79 for 31 consecutive days of anytime riding. Drivers pay almost 2 percent less than the national average for gas, and a pint of beer at the local bar rests between $6 and $7.

Overflowing with shopping experiences, Sable Ridge combines the familiarity of major chain stores with the quaint comfort of locally owned and operated boutiques and small shops. Some of the more well-known places for shopping consist of AutoZone, Goodwill, Sam’s Club and Staples, spread between East Mississippi Avenue and East Exposition Avenue.

A few of the local boutique favorites include Myxed Up Creations, a vapor and smoke shop offering the latest trends in e-cigs, smoking equipment and vapor flavors. The Tattoo Shop, another favorite along South Chamber’s Road, caters to an edgier crowd with passions for body artwork and friendly chatter. Nick’s Garden Center & Farm Market provides the freshest produce in Sable Ridge, home-grown in the attached nursery. Meet your other grocery needs at Kroger and Kingston Market, or pick up dinner essentials at one of the five 7-Eleven stores in the neighborhood. The nearby Aurora's Farmers Market boasts seasonal produce throughout the year.