Barths - Wheat Ridge, CO

During the Colorado Gold Rush, the main road leading from Denver to the mountains ran through Wheat Ridge, home of the Barths neighborhood. Between the 1850s and the mid-1900s, entrepreneurs planted shops along the commercial routes running through the area and because of the area's proximity to Denver, a number of families settled there.

After decades of relying on the county for its services, the citizens of the area finally decided to incorporate and in 1969, the town of Wheat Ridge emerged. It claimed the moniker of carnation town due to its beautiful flowers, and that spirit manifests itself today in the suburb's progressive policies toward urban gardening.

To see the history of the area, check out the Baugh House, a hand-hewn log home from 1860 encased in a 1904 farmhouse. For arts, Barths residents access Denver's art scene, including the Denver Art Museum and a range of small galleries.

Barths residents savor a wide variety of dining options in and around the neighborhood. Fran's Cafe has a vintage ambiance, sporting a small-town feel bolstered by old-timey radio shows playing in the background. More than an affectation, Fran's is truly a family diner where the staff knows the locals, what they order, and what they're up to for the day. You can order breakfast specials coated in gravy, salsa, or other toppings, and for the budget conscious, Fran's has a few dishes costing less than $3 in the morning.

Fanelli's Amici's, on Wadsworth Boulevard, is the go-to place for locals that crave thick pizza pies and red-sauce eats at a reasonable price. For exceptionally good Chinese, locals head to New Canton Restaurant, where they can sample a little taste of everything from the well-stocked and well-maintained buffet. Pick up a few of the favored egg rolls for a quick lunch break.

Locals sample a vast array of Colorado microbrews at the Colorado Plus Brewpub. On-site brewers craft their own IPAs, seasonal brews, and even cinnamon-flavored beers, but they also pour drafts from 30 breweries around the state, including the Boulder Beer Company, City Star Brewing, and the Grimm Brothers Brewhouse. For an extra treat, stop by during one of the venue's five-course beer dinners, where craft brews complement gourmet fare.

In the evening, the Club Corner Bar gives locals a place to dance as well as a pool room and an outside patio with misters to keep you cool. Neon dominates the decor, and an upbeat crowd always fills the space. Alternatively, Barths locals drive to clubs in other parts of Denver.

From Barths, drivers reach downtown Denver through a number of major thoroughfares, including Berkeley Avenue, Tejon Street, and 15th Street. When seeking fresh powder, Barths' locals drive just a little north to reach Interstate 70, and from there, major ski resorts, such as Vail, can be easily accessed. Cab companies serve the area but rather than hailing them in the street, most riders call them to their locations. Uber is an option as well.

RTD buses run from Barths to downtown Denver every 30 minutes, and trips take about 40 minutes. Most of the streets linking Barths and downtown have bike lanes, allowing cyclists to ride relatively safely, and a number of recreational paths run through the metro area as well. Although safe for walkers, the streets of Barths do not provide enough convenience to make the neighborhood truly walkable.

After a massive revitalization in 2012, Berkeley Park emerged as one of the top parks in the Barths area. The huge park has a playground for kids and an off-leash area for dogs, as well as paths for bicycling and running, a lake with paddle boats available for rent, and ready access to the nearby rec center for indoor fun.

The annual Carnation Festival draws thousands of locals and visitors to the area. The festival includes a parade, performances by the Zoppe Italian Circus, and more. Other annual events in the area include Fear Fest and the Denver Chalk Art Festival.

Barths locals enjoy a more affordable cost of living than residents of the Denver metro area in general. While renters pay an average of $780 for a one-bedroom apartment in Barths, renters throughout the metro area pay an average of $1,061 for similar accommodations.

Barths' gas stations charge 11 percent less than the national average for a gallon of gas, and bars also offer savings by pricing pints of beer between $3 and $4 in the neighborhood. If you want to reach Denver, a bus ticket costs only $3, with cheaper fares being available with multiride passes.

Shops sit scattered through the Barths area, including a number of fun and upscale boutiques. Selling the latest fashions at a discount, the Avenue Consignment Boutique buys up the most fashionable slightly-used threads from urban fashionistas, and artfully displays them with accessories and other clothing pieces to help shoppers create the perfect look.

Not all of the boutiques focus on fashion. At Posey Girl, a floral shop, the flower arrangers constantly push the boundaries of creativity and rather than limiting themselves to flowers, they integrate a range of organic materials into their displays, such as plants and pine cones.

Embracing the expanding bicycle culture in the Denver area, the Bicycle Broker sells single-speed cruisers as well as workout-centric bikes and speciality wheels, such as tandem cycles. Get your bike fixed up, buy a new one, or explore the shop's fun antique bikes.

ModMood sells vintage furniture from the ever-popular midcentury modern period. Check out this shop if you want your home to look like a "Mad Men" set.

For groceries, locals have access to King Soopers, Safeway, and Sprouts Farmers Market. In the summer, find local produce at the Wheat Ridge Farmer's Market on Wadsworth.