Springs Ranch - Colorado Springs, CO

In the late 1800s, Colorado Springs became a gold miners’ town due to the discovery of gold at nearby Pikes Peak Mountain. In the mid 1900s, the U.S. Military began operations in the area and established an army base and two air force bases. The Springs Ranch neighborhood bloomed on the east side of the city in the 1990s and 2000s, with most of the homes being built during that time.

Visit the Peterson Air and Space Museum on the south side of the neighborhood, and soak up some of the area's culture. To enjoy art, head into downtown Colorado Springs and take in the works of famous artists at the Fine Arts Center. A number of annual events take place throughout Colorado Springs, including the Colorado Balloon Classic, a four-day hot air balloon festival held in August.

This area has a number of chain and local restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines, including Greek, German, Vietnamese, Thai and Mexican. Most of the establishments cluster along the main thoroughfare, North Powers Boulevard, which lies on the west side of the neighborhood.

Try the pad se ew at Arharn Thai. This flavorful entree includes wide rice noodles, black soy sauce, onions, broccoli, egg and your choice of chicken, beef, pork, tofu or veggies. Served up to any degree of spiciness you like, this noodle dish consistently receives rave reviews.

When you're in the mood for German, head over to Schnitzel Fritz, where it’s the schnitzel and spatzle that keep you coming back. This place has 10 different varieties of schnitzel platters on the menu, but locals are especially fond of the jalapenoschnitzel. This dish consists of tenderized breaded pork baked to perfection and served with jalapeno slices marinated in a creamy cold sauce. Choose your side – sauerkraut, red cabbage or the highly recommended spatzle – and be sure to purchase meats or sweets from the little German market on your way out.

For a yummy Vietnamese dish that some rank as the best pho in town, make your way to Pho and Grill for the pho bo thai, beef noodle soup with medium-rare eye round. The chef serves the pho in traditional fashion – alongside a beautiful display of lime, fresh basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, mint and jalapenos. Diners love the perfectly blended and balanced broth.

As far as nightlife goes, a few nearby options exist. Martini lovers can head to the Wobbly Olive for the best martinis and cocktails in town. Bartenders make all of the cocktails with freshly squeezed juices, and the bar food menu includes top-notch Moroccan meatballs.

To watch a game on the tube or just play a game of pool or darts, area residents drop into On the Boulevard. With a full bar menu, great prices and karaoke on Saturdays, this self-described “spirited eatery” has something for everyone.

On the weekends, locals looking to dance make their way to Latin Quarters and dance the salsa or merengue or just listen to the DJ spinning Latin tunes. On Friday evenings, this club offers Latin dance lessons.

Springs Ranch residents drive to most destinations and appreciate the free parking around town and within downtown Colorado Springs. Walkers and bikers enjoy exercising on nearby trails, such as the Rock Island trail, since few dedicated bike lanes exist.

Catch a ride with Uber or Yellow Cab in this neighborhood. To ensure taxi service, call ahead. Colorado Springs' public bus system, Mountain Metro, serves Springs Ranch and can take you most anywhere in Colorado Springs. Drivers who need to hop on the interstate can be on I-25, located 10 miles away, in less than 25 minutes.

When the time comes for a little outdoor fun, make your way to one of two parks located at the heart of the neighborhood – Springs Ranch Park or Remington Park. Both parks feature picnic areas, playgrounds, basketball courts and sports fields. Remington Park also provides a walking trail. Operated by the city, the parks stay open year-round and are free of charge. Bring your dogs to these parks, but make sure they stay leashed.

No annual events take place at the neighborhood’s parks, but making the 8-mile trip to the city’s Memorial Park in June for the annual Springs Spree is well worth your time. This event draws in folks from all over with carnival rides, live entertainment and vendors of food, arts and crafts.

This neighborhood features two golf courses – Springs Ranch and Cherokee Ridge on the west side. While Springs Ranch remains a private, membership-only club, Cherokee Ridge opens to the public and has affordable daily rates. The neighborhood also houses an IMAX theater and a large movie theater that shows 15 films.

The cost of living in Springs Ranch runs about 6 percent less than in Colorado Springs, and a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,139 per month. Getting around town remains affordable with gas prices running 21 percent lower than the national average and a one-way ticket on the Metro Mountain public bus system costing only $1.75. A domestic beer at the local pub averages from $4 to $5.

Locals shop at the chain stores located primarily along North Powers Boulevard. The First and Main Town Center on North Powers includes Best Buy, Pier 1, Lowe's and T.J. Maxx. For grocery shopping, go to either Whole Foods or Safeway, both of which lie within the neighborhood. Smaller favorite specialty shops nearby include Revolution Jewelry Works and Enchanted Realms Games and Gifts.

At Revolution, you can mingle with other shoppers and watch the jewelry designer in action as unique pieces are created. The handmade rings and necklaces are both eclectic and affordable. At Enchanted Realms, locals find friendly staff and fair prices on all types of games, but the real treat is the number of events hosted by this store. Six days a week, Enchanted Realms lets you play video and board games for a chance to win prizes. Most events are free, but some require a small entry free.