Divine Redeemer - Colorado Springs, CO

European settlers began moving to the Colorado Springs area in the midst of the 1800s when gold was discovered in the Rocky Mountains. Approximately 100 years later, in 1947, the Archdioceses of Denver purchased a plot of land in the eastern part of Colorado Springs, and they built the Divine Redeemer Church and a Catholic school. The expansion of the city to the east, positioned the church in the middle of the city, and the neighborhood around Divine Redeemer took on its name.

Locals celebrate the area's culture at annual events such as the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival. They learn more about their history and culture at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center or the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.

You'll find restaurants all over this neighborhood, some of them long-established. Since the 1970s, Divine Redeemer residents have been dining at Leon Gessi New York Pizza . This pizzeria specializes in New York-style pizza in a cafeteria-esque decor complete with red-and-white-checked plastic tablecloths and old-school vinyl chairs.

If you like street food, check out La Flor de Jalisco. This taco truck spends most of its days parked near the Divine Redeemer neighborhood, serving filling lunch deal of tacos and soda. If you like spice, try the carnitas, which are rumored to be the best in the city.

For dessert, locals head to BJ's Velvet Freez . Established in 1954, this local institution serves soft-serve ice cream, but you can also come for dinner and order the pork tenderloin sandwich with thick-cut fries.

Locals who want a fun night on the town have a range of old and new options at their disposal. Catering to the crowd who prefers old, established fun, Patty Jewett Bar and Grill sits in the middle of the Patty Jewett public golf course. Named one of the 20 best "19th holes" in the country, this venue has a menu of classic pub fare and country club dinners including dishes such as liver and onions and prime rib.

Divine Redeemer locals looking for something more contemporary head to the Triple Nickel Tavern. This punk rock bar features great deals on drinks and live music, as well as the best jukebox in town. For clubbing, some locals take a field trip 70 miles north to Denver where they dance at clubs such as the Beta Nightclub or the Church.

In the Divine Redeemer neighborhood, free parking spots line the residential streets, and most businesses offer free parking as well. Major thoroughfares such as Uintah Street and Palmer Park Boulevard connect the neighborhood to the rest of the metro area.

Buses link Divine Redeemer to the rest of the metro area. During the week, most routes run hourly, but Saturdays have restricted service, and with no service at all on Sundays.

Bicyclists have access to recreational trails, and many roads in the area have bicycle lanes. Walkers enjoy safety but not convenience, due to the area's car-based design.

Both cab companies and Uber serve the area. Rather than trying to hail a car in the street, call in advance or use the Uber app to book a ride.

Divine Redeemer locals live within walking distance of the Patty Jewett Municipal Golf Course, a fee-based, public golf course. They also live within driving distance of several large parks such as Palmer Park and Memorial Park.

Palmer Park has something for everyone including playgrounds for the kids, off-leash areas for the dogs, hiking trails for exercise enthusiasts, large rocks for climbers and more. Memorial Park also includes a similar list of amenities as well as a skate park, and it has a large lake for riding jet skis, paddling canoes and doing other water-based activities. During the summer, vendors at Memorial Park sell ice cream, Italian ices, brats, corn and fruit with spicy seasoning.

Living in the Divine Redeemer neighborhood costs less than living in other parts of the Colorado Springs metro area. In Colorado Springs, rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages at $739 per month, but renters in Divine Redeemer pay only $592 on average for a similar-size accommodation.

A pint of beer in the area costs between $3 and $4, and many venues offer $1 off domestic drafts during happy hour. Drivers pay 24 percent less than the national average for a gallon of gas, and you can ride the bus anywhere for less than $2. For $4, you can ride the bus all day long.

Shops all over the Divine Redeemer neighborhood focus on providing locals with the supplies they need for their hobbies. At Gearonimo Sports, for example, outdoor enthusiasts find the equipment they need to pursue outdoor hobbies in the Rocky Mountains including camping, hiking, rock climbing and more.

Other shops focus on providing the supplies Divine Redeemer residents need, at a discount. Fashion lovers shop at Repeat Performance or Encore Consignment, two local fashion consignment shops. For books, check out Born Again Used Books, a used bookstore specializing in Christian books and homeschool curriculum.

For groceries, locals have access to a range of large chain grocery stores such as Walmart and Safeway, or they visit small speciality shops such as Sammy’s Organics as well. For fresh local produce, locals head to one of the area's farmers markets. During the summer, you can find farmers markets in Memorial Park or Old Colorado City.