Wellshire - Denver, CO

As commuters settled in the area in the 1950s and '60s, the Wellshire neighborhood blossomed. It continued to grow until the 1980s, when the temporary closure of Slavens Elementary School changed the dynamic of the area. With the school closed, fewer families moved to Wellshire, and the streets that once overflowed with children became quiet.

When the school reopened in the mid-1990s, the neighborhood's demographic again shifted, and by 2006, couples in their 30s with children living at home comprised nearly a third of the neighborhood's inhabitants. During the 2010s, the school provided a huge part of the neighborhood's identity, and many of its residents worked tirelessly on its behalf.

Nearby Denver University creates the backbone of Wellshire's arts scene with art shows, plays and concerts taking place at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts. Locals also enjoy Denver's museums and annual events such as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

In Wellshire, most of the restaurants sit along Colorado Boulevard, but you can also find some places to snack on University Avenue. Whether you crave American classics, Mexican, or Middle Eastern food, you can find it near this neighborhood.

For Middle Eastern food, check out the Marrakech Grill. Order a falafel sandwich for a light lunch, or try one of the lamb dishes for a filling dinner. This grill serves large portions, giving diners a true sense of value.

The Pioneer Bar serves Tex-Mex food such as carne asada and super nachos as well as margaritas. The walls of this venue feature memorabilia from nearby Denver University, and the low prices draw nearby college students.

Wellshire locals in search of a night on the town have a range of sports bars, taverns and hookah bars available to them. A dive bar, Retreat Grill and Sports Tavern draws in people who want to watch football, but it also has pool tables and dartboards for your amusement. The wood-paneled walls, old Budweiser art and black leather bar chairs, as well as "saved seats" for regulars add to this bar's appeal.

If you'd rather dance than hit the hookah pipe or watch the big game, head to the clubs in Denver. At Tracks, the Church or Beta Nightclub, you can dance the night away to tunes ranging from pop to country to rap to electronica.

Wellshire car owners enjoy access to free parking spots throughout the residential and commercial areas of the neighborhood, and its location adjacent to Interstate 25 provides easy access to downtown Denver.

From Colorado Station, light rail trains run every 30 minutes to downtown, and the journey takes 50 minutes altogether. Alternatively, buses run from the area to downtown and other locations as well.

Bicyclists can access downtown via Cherry Creek and Colorado Front Range Trails, and at a speed of 10 mph, you can reach downtown in roughly 45 minutes on your bicycle. Pedestrians enjoy safety along the streets of Wellshire as well as on the recreational trails.

Cabs and Uber drivers serve the area, but riders typically cannot hail these cars in the street. Plan on calling in advance instead.

Observatory Park draws locals for its quiet grassy areas, shady trees and playground equipment for the kids. It also hosts an observatory, where locals can gaze at the stars through powerful telescopes or take classes with experts.

Wellshire also has clubs and businesses offering workout opportunities to locals. For a fee, you can play a round of golf at the public Wellshire Golf Course, or you can join the Eskimo Ski & Board Club. Through that club, you can access rides to ski resorts, lift tickets, lessons and more. Annual events in the area include Old South Pearl’s Brewgrass Festival.

In Wellshire, the average cost of living only slightly exceeds the average cost for the metro area. In Denver, renters pay an average of $1,061 for a one-bedroom apartment, but in Wellshire, rent for a similar-sized unit costs $1,076.

Taking the train into downtown Denver costs $3 at rush hour, but seniors and students can buy discounted tickets, and all riders can save by buying multiple-ride passes or riding during off-peak hours.

At Wellshire pubs, locals pay between $3 and $4 for a pint of beer, and area gas stations charge 13 percent less for a gallon of gas than the national average.

Although shops exist throughout the neighborhood, Wellshire locals mainly frequent the shops along Colorado Boulevard. In addition to the many clothing boutiques along Colorado Boulevard, a number of small specialty shops such as Timbuk Toys. Here, visitors can browse shelves of aesthetically charming and developmentally encouraging toys.

For groceries, locals can choose from a long list of chains including King Soopers, Whole Foods and Safeway. During the summer, Denver hosts a range of farmers' markets, but the market on Old Pearl Street takes place in the most convenient location for Wellshire residents.