Academy Park/Foothills GC Homes Lakewood, CO

The Academy Park/Foothills GC area grew as the city of Denver grew. Residents eager to live in a rural environment close to the city first began settling in the area during the 1880s, and the area's population continued to grow through the turn of the 21st century.

Although initially established as a suburb, the area attracted a number of industries so that its residents would not have to commute to Denver. The establishment of Academy Park, an area zoned for industry, exemplifies that community goal.

Locals live near the Molly Brown Summer House, a museum celebrating the Unsinkable Molly Brown of Titanic fame. Residents interested in local history can visit the Lakewood Historical Center, home of over 30,000 artifacts, and arts and culture lovers can access the array of galleries in Denver's art district on Santa Fe.

While restaurants and bars do exist throughout the area, most of them can be found on Wadsworth Boulevard. Claiming to be the original crawfish joint of Colorado, the Yabby Hut sells all manner of seafood boiled or fried. Pay market price for your favorite type of shellfish, tell the kitchen how spicy you want it and add some a-la-carte sides such as corn on the cob, coleslaw or fried rice. Visit the Namaste Restaurant for an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet of amazing Indian and Nepalese fare. Locals also like to come in the evening and sample tandoori chicken or lamb curry as they drink Indian ales and relax to the sounds of authentic Himalayan music.

At The 49th, Chef Kellie Illum cooks up Alaskan specialties. Try the Iditarod brat covered with sauteed onions, whole grain mustard and a toasted roll just like you find on the street corners of Anchorage. Alternatively, snack on tundraberry bear bait – a log of cream cheese covered in nuts and blueberry sauce – or salmon spread as you sip a pint from the Alaska Brewing Company.

For evening amusement, head to the Greenfields Pool and Sports Bar. This bar has great deals on beer, a fun atmosphere and plenty to do. On weekdays, challenge the other drinkers to a game of pool or darts, and on weekends, sit back and enjoy the live music. Locals also frequent the nearby Rusty Bucket for the live music and Steelers sports events as well as the numerous daily specials.

RTD buses run through the area with the most routes running along Wadsworth Boulevard to and from Academy Park. Free parking abounds throughout the Academy Park/ Foothills GC area, and drivers have easy access to West Hampden Avenue, which connects to C-470, a ring road linking to I-70 into downtown Denver or out to the ski resorts, and I-25, running to Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

Bicycle trails run through the area, and they link to trails taking riders through the entire metro area. However, many cyclists prefer to hit the recreational trails rather than biking for errands and commutes. The area is safe but not terribly convenient for walkers. If you need a lift, cab companies and Uber drivers serve the area, but you typically have to call a cab, rather than hail one in the street.

A major draw to locals and tourists, Foothills Golf Course features an 18-hole championship course, a 9-hole executive course and a par-3 course. Whether you are an exec trying to impress clients or a new golfer looking for a place to practice, one of these courses offers what you need.

For a small playground and plenty of green space for romping, locals head to a residential park such as Sister City Park or Kendall Park. For a workout, locals hike or mountain bike at one of the area's many natural areas, including Chatfield State Park or Cherry Creek State Park.

Wynetka Ponds Park draws dogs and their owners with its expansive off-leash areas. Dogs especially enjoy taking a dip in one of the park's soothing ponds. Annual events include the South Denver Beer Festival and Fear Fest on Halloween.

Living in the Academy Park/Foothills GC area costs about the same as living in the rest of the metro area. For example, while the average one-bedroom apartment rents for $1,041 in Denver, it rents for $1,023 in this neighborhood.

Taking public transit into Denver costs $3, and students and seniors can ride for only a dollar outside of rush hour. Grabbing a pint at the local pub can set you back $4 to $7 for a microbrew, but happy hour specials or switching to a domestic draft can lower that price to $3.

Drivers save incredibly on gas, as stations in the area charge only 88 percent of the national average for a gallon of gas.

Anchored by Macy's and Dillard's, the Southwest Plaza hosts 150 specialty shops and a range of restaurants. Located near Academy Park, this mall houses high-end jewelers, such as Helzberg Diamonds, and small boutiques, such as Torrid, in addition to chain shops and gift stores. To find an eclectic boutique, however, locals need to leave the Academy Park/Foothills GC area and head to downtown Littleton or Highland. In Littleton, check out Details Boutique. This independently-owned shop offers trendy fashions and accessories with a western flair. Find a new pair of cowboy boots or that must-have necklace. In Highland, visit Rustic Thread where Colorado meets California. At this shop, you can find anything from funky, floppy hats to fake fur stoles to glittery skirts. A range of chain grocery stores serve the area, and shoppers can choose between King Soopers, Sprouts Farmer's Market, Safeway and Whole Foods. On Wednesdays during the summer, locals can buy local organic produce at the Metro Denver Farmers' Market held in Littleton at the Aspen Grove Lifestyle Center, or they can journey into Denver on the weekends.