Southeast - Denver, CO

In 1886, abolitionists created the town of South Denver in an attempt to keep Denver's "liquor element" from spreading to the south. In addition to banning liquor, the town also forbid gambling, dogfights, gunfights, lewd dress, and vulgar language. Residents were not allowed to ride horses recklessly or dance on Sundays.

Locals also prevented a stock yard from being set up in the area, and they worked to establish the communities around the University of Denver as a prohibition suburb. Eventually, the area was annexed by Denver, and it shed its puritanical goals.

Southwest Denver locals have access to Denver's art scene, including major museums such as the Denver Museum of Art and small art spots such as the Museum of Outdoor Arts. Local events include the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and the All-Judaic & Israeli Art and Jewelry Festival.

Coffee shops, eateries and gourmet restaurants exist throughout the area, but you can find an abundance of spots to snack along Hampden Avenue, Colorado Boulevard and Evans Avenue. Whether you crave predictable favorites or something new, you can find what you want in this neighborhood.

For something lighter, try Yaffa's Savory. This Mediterranean restaurant serves homemade classics such as hummus, warm pita and baba ganoush. More than a restaurant, this shop also sells specialty foods to consume off site, and it hosts cooking classes and special events as well.

For nightlife, a string of taverns and sports bars pull in locals in the mood for fun. A particular local favorite, The Dirty Duck runs specials on drinks and has music and pool tables for your amusement. Many locals make regular visits to this dive bar, and the attentive staff will make sure your drinks stay full. If you want hardcore dancing, drive (or take the light rail) to Denver, and dance at clubs such as Tracks, the Church, and Beta Nightclub.

In Southeast Denver, drivers enjoy access to free parking spots, and they live right next to Interstate 25 entrances, making it easy to access downtown Denver quickly. However, you can also hop on the light rail train at Yale Station. Running every 15 minutes, these trains reach downtown in 36 minutes.

Cab companies and Uber drivers serve the area. However, plan to call for a ride in advance rather than standing in the street waiting to hail an elusive empty cab.

The Cherry Creek and Colorado Front Range Trails connect the area with downtown Denver, and riders should expect increases in elevation equal to 282 feet. Riders who can tackle the hilly terrain at a speed of 10 miles per hour can reach downtown Denver in around 50 minutes. Walkers can enjoy the area safely but cannot truly enjoy all of the area's amenities without a vehicle or at least a bicycle.

At the James A. Bible Park, a Southeast Denver neighborhood park, 2- and 3-mile paths run through the park, providing cyclists, joggers and walkers with workout opportunities. The paths through the park also connect the trails linking Southeast Denver with the rest of the metro area. If you prefer organized sports, James A. Bible Park also has ball fields and tennis courts. For kids and the young at heart, the park boasts playground equipment and paddle boats for rent.

Bicyclists also take the Colorado Front Range Trail to nearby Cherry Creek State Park. This 14-mile journey offers great views of the Cheery Creek reservoir and the mountains in the distance. Alternatively, locals drive to this park to access its many amenities, including a swim beach and an off-leash dog area. You must pay a small admission fee to gain entrance or buy an annual state parks pass. The yacht club holds annual events at this state park for boating enthusiasts and fans.

Living in Southeast Denver bears a cost resemblance to living in other parts of the metro area. Southeast locals pay roughly $1,061 on average for a one-bedroom apartment, the same as the average rent for similar sized accommodation in the metro area.

Taking the light rail to downtown costs $3, with cheaper fares available for multiple-ride passes or for senior and student tickets. A pint of beer in a southeast Denver pub costs between $4 and $5, and at area gas stations, a gallon of gas costs 6 percent less than the national average.

All manner of retailers do business around the Southeast Denver area, but you can find an abundance of cute shops and boutiques on Colorado Boulevard, which runs north and south through the area. Kids and their parents love Timbuk Toys. Don't expect to find loud, plastic, easily-broken toys in this shop. Rather, Timbuk stocks a range of wooden, handmade, educational and upscale toys to promote creativity.

For groceries, Southeast cooks have their choice of giant chains where you can find everything from corn-syrup-laden cereals to organic produce and gluten-free cookies. Easy-to-reach chains include King Soopers, Whole Foods and Safeway. If you need some falafel mix, halal meat or pita bread, check out the Middle Eastern Market, one of the small speciality shops in the area.

For a fun farmers' market experience, locals frequent the Old South Pearl Street Farmers' Market. In addition to booths full of locally grown produce, this market also hosts food trucks. Local favorites include a wood-fire pizza truck and a pie truck.