Belmar - Lakewood, CO

Lakewood began as a district oriented toward summer estates for wealthy Denver residents starting in the late 19th century. The town was platted in 1889 by the former president of Colorado Central Railroad, W. Loveland, who had selected Lakewood as his retirement destination. 1893 brought the first electric tramway to Lakewood, connecting the area with Denver and Golden. In 1941, the establishment of the Remington Arms factory created a boom-time for the suburb. The factory is now the site of the Denver Federal Center.

Directly adjacent to South Alameda across Wadsworth Blvd., the Lakewood Heritage Center showcases the history of Lakewood, with a focus on the many social and economic changes that occurred during the 20th century. The center contains 10 historic structures, 30,000 artifacts and an outdoor amphitheater. Heritage Days is an annual event for elementary students to experience what school life was like during the 1920s.

South Alameda has some exciting options when it comes to ethnic foods like Indian and Vietnamese. Several chain restaurants can be found in the area as well. Most restaurants are located in the Belmar area in the northwest quadrant of the neighborhood.

Tandoor clay oven specialties tempt restaurant-goers to sample Little India, a family owned business focused on the divine cuisine of Northern India. Little India offers a very authentic dining experience, with immersive art and music complimenting the exotic taste profiles of various Indian specialties such as Tandoori Chicken. Try the succulent Seekh Kabob, consisting of minced lamb, blended with onion, garlic, ginger and fresh spices cooked over mesquite charcoals and enhanced with mint-cilantro and tamarind chutneys. Classic dishes including Alu Mutter are also available.

For fans of Southeast Asian cuisine, look no further than Pho Saigon Basil, a Vietnamese noodle house and grill specializing in the ever-popular street food, Pho. All dishes are made from scratch using fresh ingredients and time-tested recipes. For an authentic Saigon experience, try the rare steak, tendon and tripe pho garnished with bean sprouts, cilantro and chillies. For dessert, try a boba smoothie, also known as bubble tea. There are over twenty varieties to choose from, including green tea, papaya, and lychee.

For night time fun, enjoy a wine tasting at Mile High Wine & Spirits or some classic American bowling fun at Lucky Strike Belmar.

Much of South Alameda is quite walkable, with groceries, shopping and parks within a relatively short distance. Bicyclists have access to bike lanes and designated thruways, making the area very accessible on two wheels. RTD buses take Lakeshore residents to Denver and other hubs within the Denver metro. Hailing a cab remains difficult, but several local companies provide taxi service via telephone, and Uber ride shares are available in the area. Public parking can be found accessibly and free of cost. Easy routes to major highways provide convenient routes for commuting to Denver.

South Alameda contains three parks and lies directly adjacent to Kountze Lake and Belmar Park to the east. Leashed dogs are permitted. Kids will love Ray Ross and Belmar Parks.

Belmar Square Urban Park casts a warm natural feeling to the central area of Lakewood, providing beautifully designed covered areas, green spaces, and trees. The park presents a great opportunity to relax after shopping at the nearby Belmar Mall. Ray Ross Park offers refreshing fun for kids at the spray park, a play area with interactive water features perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Basketball and baseball fields are available as well.

The small Bonfils Stanton Park snakes along Weir Gulch, connecting it with Belmar Park, a 127-acre natural parkland in the heart of Lakewood. Belmar offers great picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching and more. Kountze lake is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. A remembrance celebration is held each year at Belmar park as a tribute to all of Colorado's fallen firefighters. A prominent memorial to these heroes can be found on the east side of the park, with more than 100 names of fallen firefighters engraved into pillars of Colorado rose granite.

South Alameda has a somewhat higher cost of living than the national average but stands on par with the city average. A one-trip ticket to downtown Denver from Lakewood costs $2.25. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence stands at $1,094.77. The typical price of a beer at a local pub stands around $3-5, less for PBR can or similar quality. Gas prices float at approximately 3 percent lower than the national average.

Major shopping areas can be found concentrated at Belmar Mall and along Wadsworth Boulevard and consist mainly of clothing stores and specialty shops.

Homebrewers love Barley Haven, a home brew supply store offering every necessary component, from hops to yeast and equipment. New brewers can purchase beer and wine kits, which include a full setup and detailed instructions, or attend free brewing demonstrations. Customers are encouraged to contact Barley Haven's staff for customer support and troubleshooting.

If you love games, magic, puzzles and gags, make a trip to the Colorado Mills shopping area. Located between Target and the food courts, this great shop carries classic games, such as backgammon, Scrabble and Candy Land, and newer ones, including Game of Thrones and Star Wars X-Wing. There's something for everyone at this great shop.

Residents shop at either the Whole Foods Market near Belmar Mall or the King Soopers for their grocery needs.