Village Seven - Colorado Springs, CO

As Colorado Springs burgeoned to life with the addition of military installations and several educational institutions during the 1950s and 1960s, construction of new residences pushed east towards the prairie. The largest growth in Village Seven occurred from 1970 to 1989, then very slowly continued. This stable neighborhood provides good housing availability for newcomers.

Colorado Springs features a variety of museums, from the National Museum of WWII Aviation to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and the May Museum, where scary tropical insects reside for your enjoyment.

Many artists hone their craft in this beautiful scenic area, so art fairs and festivals flood in the streets during the summer months. Memorial Park in the heart of the city hosts the annual balloon festival, and America the Beautiful Park pays homage to the United States every Fourth of July..

The Village Seven neighborhood contains a number of well-received Thai, Japanese and Chinese restaurants, including Jade Dragon and Thai Arharn. For something a bit different, try the Little Nepal Restaurant & Bar on Flintridge Drive, just a skip away from Village Seven. This clean and casual restaurant features foods from Nepal, India and Tibet with exceptional choices such as exotic spiced curries, creamy shrimp marsala and fiery vindaloos. Vegetarians enjoy a menu that includes spinach cooked with homemade cheese and cream, or tandoori eggplant with herbs, onion, tomato & butter. Best of all, bring the kids along and let them enjoy a vegetarian or chicken meal with rice, fresh fruit, a dessert, and milk or soda. Before you leave, visit the gift shop and enjoy the beauty of handmade jewelry and clothing as well as original artwork.

Before you head off for a weekend of skiing, eat an early breakfast at Wade's Cafe on North Academy. Wolf down homemade pancakes crafted with specially milled flour, or order up a he-man breakfast of huevos rancheros or an everything omelet. Wade's atmosphere is homey and friendly, and the outdoor patio opens all-year round when weather permits.

Centrally located in Village Seven at the corner of South Carefree and North Murray Boulevard, On The Boulevard creates an atmosphere of fun and good cheer. Although technically a bar, the local gathering place is kid-friendly until about 8 p.m., when the place livens up considerably. Join the pool table for casual play or a tournament, and sing and swing during karaoke on Saturday night. Scrumptious food and reasonable prices make On the Boulevard a very popular place to hang.

Enjoy a night of laughter at Loonee's Comedy Corner on North Academy, where attendance ensures a visit "cheaper than therapy". Comedians such as Steve McGrew and Dustin Diamond -- Screech Powers from "Saved by the Bell" -- liven up the night. Food abounds, highlighted by the Miss Piggy (hot ham and Swiss), the Tonya Harding Club or the Heckler.

Bus routes are firmly established in this neighborhood, with connections to the transit system that transports residents to the far reaches of the city when travel by bus is not feasible. A complementary paratransit serves those unable to use the fixed-stop bus system. Convenient taxi service and Uber serve the community, but public parking does not exist in this area, other than in shopping or business areas. Highway access figures prominently in the neighborhood with the major thoroughfare, N. Academy Boulevard, running diagonally through its center and Austin Bluffs running straight east-to-west to join I-25.

This car-dependent neighborhood scores a rating of 39 for walking, but ranks 6th in Colorado Springs as the most walkable neighborhood. The streets feature bike lanes and appropriately marked speed and warning signs to alert drivers to bikers. Hundreds of bike trails reside in close-by Palmer Park.

You don't have to head for the high country to hike or scale the hills to see the views from biking and walking trails when you live in Village Seven. The neighborhood boasts 10 parks that include amenities such as swimming pools, baseball diamonds, football and soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, picnic pavilions, walking and bicycle paths, and playgrounds. Most have ADA-friendly parking lots and sidewalks for easy maneuverability. As long as leash laws are observed, the parks are pet-friendly.

Four areas in the regional Palmer Park, located in the Village Seven area, contain dog parks, including Yucca Flats. The 737-acre wildlife preserve sits on a mesa and provide excellent views of the city, in addition to biking, hiking and walking trails for all ages.

Located within the neighborhood confines lies 54 acres called High Chaparral Open Space, a wildlife preserve and recreation area that buffers the plains from the eastward expansion of Colorado Springs. Stand on the highest point in the city for significant views of Spanish Peak, the Black Forest and an uninterrupted view of Colorado Springs.

Regarding housing, the cost of living is much lower than the city average, but equal in terms of other amenities. Daily bus fares cost less than $2, an unlimited all-day pass runs about $4 and a 31-day pass lets you ride for a cost between $60 and $70. The median price for a one-bedroom apartment is $632. Draft beers average $3, while specialty beers and microbrews run from $5 to $7. Gas prices in the area come in a bit under 1 percent below the national average.

For neighborhood shopping, hop over to the Marketplace at Austin Bluffs Plaza anchored by King Soopers, with 24-hour Fitness, Ace Hardware, and Office Depot as junior anchors.

For boutique clothes and accessories at affordable prices, check out the Halo Boutique on Tejon. Fresh inventory and friendly service define this boutique.

An Affair of the Heart Wedding Shop features discontinued sample wedding dresses in a large range of sizes. Dress selections for mother of the bride and groom and invitations round out this bride-friendly boutique.

The area is served with numerous grocery stores such as King Soopers, Albertson's, Safeway, Costco, Whole Foods and Sprouts Farmers Market. Take a short trip to the north where Palmer Lake Farmers Market offers local and regional organic produce from July through October.