Center Pointe - Aurora, CO

As a rural expansion to the Denver area, homesteading and farming as a necessity gave Aurora its beginnings. The city was originally named after Donald Fletcher, the real estate developer who set his sights on the territory east of Denver, but it took Aurora for its name in 1907. The opening of an army hospital in 1918 helped with the growth of the area and began a lasting military connection that is visible today in Buckley Air Force Base. The CentrePointe neighborhood grew with other districts during the housing boom of the 1970s and 1980s.

The nearby Aurora History Museum houses artifacts that depict the emergence of the city. The museum's Story Line program gives a voice to history with narratives about specific historic sites such as DeLaney Farm. The city celebrates Independence Day with music, food and fireworks on the Municipal Center lawn next to the museum.

CentrePointe has fast food covered. Local eateries cluster together at the neighborhood's corners. For a taste of China close to home, locals stop in at East Café on Mississippi. The décor doesn't wow, but the good food, generous portions and reasonable prices do. This place gets packed on weekends, so if you want to indulge in a big bowl of hot-and-sour soup and crispy crab wontons without having to wait, make a reservation.

If you're looking for margaritas, molcajete and mariachi music, find them at Armadillo. Start your meal with the spicy goodness of house salsa, fill up on the chicken, shrimp, and black beans in the Pollo Del Mar, and finish with the pastry puffs and honey drizzle in the sopapilla basket. Check out the Sunday brunch for a spread of breakfast burritos and American standards such as pancakes and bacon.

At the neighborhood's eastern edge, Bender's Brat Haus serves up German fare anchored by house-made bratwurst sausage. Enjoy single or double brats in a freshly baked Kaiser bun loaded with sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard, or try the signature Krautburger, a mix of ground beef, cabbage and onions baked inside a sweet roll. Be sure to take some fresh brats home for your next family cookout. Locals head to Sheabeen Irish Pub, just five minutes to the south, when they want to kick back with a Guinness. This Celtic tavern holds karaoke Sundays, shows Broncos and Rockies games and rocks with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy $2.75 domestic drafts during daily happy hours, and prepare for a party on St. Paddy's Day.

Five minutes to the north, the Kasbah club delivers pounding beats for nights on the dance floor, giving an insight into the active and eclectic nightlife of the region.

You can take care of some errands on foot in this neighborhood, but realistically, you need a vehicle for getting around. Parking isn't an issue – local businesses supply ample free parking. If you want to take in a Broncos game, you can hop on I-225 in minutes, connect to I-70 and arrive at Sports Authority Field in less than half an hour.

Buses run along the perimeter roads of the neighborhood for north-south and east-west travel to downtown and other communities. You won't see any cabs cruising and waiting to be hailed – just phone in your taxi request. If you prefer to select your ride, tap your app and book your choice with Uber.

CentrePointe takes a bike-friendly stance. A trail runs the length of the neighborhood alongside West Tollgate Creek and continues into the adjoining communities, and a series of trails with spurs that connect to the district's perimeter loop through CentrePointe Park. Cyclists enjoy easy access to bike-friendly roads and dedicated lanes for commutes, training and pleasure rides.

Two city parks sit within the neighborhood's boundaries. Centrally located, Toll Gate Park provides 7.7 acres of green space including a playground area for kids and a connection to the Toll Creek Trail greenbelt for walkers, joggers and cyclists. The park is free for recreational use. At the 24.5-acre CentrePointe Park, you can enjoy an outdoor meal at the picnic shelter, turn the kids loose on the playground equipment or tire out your leashed dog with a jog on the trails.

For a little basketball activity, locals go to Rocky Ridge Park just south of the neighborhood. You can reserve the picnic area for special events, keep the kids happy on the playground and shoot some hoops on the full and half outdoor courts.

If golf is your game, you can get to the Aurora Hills public golf course in just 10 minutes to take on the rolling greens and water hazards for $38 in greens fees. On summer evenings, residents make the five-minute drive to Bicentennial Park to enjoy the festive atmosphere, food vendors and musical presentations of the summer concerts series.

The cost of living in CentrePointe is only marginally higher than the Aurora average, and daily expenses are reasonably priced. You can ride the bus to the city center for $2.25 and order a beer at the pub for about $4. You even get a break when you fill up at the gas station because, in this neighborhood, gas prices come in about 8 percent lower than the national average.

If you're looking for an apartment, you can expect to pay an average rental rate of about $877 per month.

City Center Marketplace houses all of this neighborhood's commercial activity. You can redecorate with paint from Sherwin-Williams, find bargains at Family Dollar store or sculpt your abs at 24 Hour Fitness.

For serious shopping, Town Center mall sits just five minutes away to the west. Anchored by the department store giants JCPenney, Sears, and Macy's, this mall holds more than 150 shops and restaurants. Pick up cat treats and dog chews at Pet City or shop for special occasion jewelry at Helzberg Diamonds. If boutique shopping drives you, make the 25-minute drive to Cherry Creek North. Score discounts on exclusive designer clothing and accessories at Kouture Consignment. Newly consigned items come in daily, and you might be lucky enough to find a quilted Chanel bag or a pair of sky-high Louboutin pumps. Jonathan Adler invites you to get groovy and enjoy the irreverent luxury of bright, modern décor. Give your living room a pop of color with a leather Moroccan pouf in bright pink, or create a pillowscape with a cluster of beaded, sequined or needlepoint toss cushions. Locals do their grocery shopping at King Soopers to the south, and they make the 15-minute drive west to Sprouts Farmers Market for fresh fruits and veggies.