Glenwood Grove-North Iris - Boulder, CO

In the 1850s, gold miners settled near the entrance of Boulder Canyon, and when traces of gold disappeared, they provided supplies to miners journeying to the Rocky Mountains.

In 1870, just 343 people called Boulder home, but after the founding of the University of Colorado in 1876, the population grew to over 3,000 by 1880. In the 1950s, the Boulder-Denver turnpike linked the town to Denver, attracting Denver professionals to the area. An influx of hippies in the 1960s earned the area its reputation as an artistic and intellectual haven.

By 2010, nearly 100,000 people, including suits, hippies and students, lived in the area. In spite of its growing population, the city works diligently to preserve its natural areas and its unique personality. The area's arts scene includes museums such as the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and annual events such as Open Arts Fest.

Restaurants operate throughout the city of Boulder. However, Glenwood Grove-North Iris residents can eat locally thanks to the wide selection of restaurants along Iris Avenue and its intersecting streets.

Gluten-free gourmands eat at Blooming Beets. This restaurant labels itself as nutritious and primal, making it perfect for paleo eaters as well. Dig into the almond flour and herb-crusted rainbow trout or the grass-fed beef brisket for dinner. Indulge in flourless chocolate cake, chia seed pudding or fruit cobbler as dessert possibilities.

Tangerine serves breakfast, brunch and lunch at the Willow Springs Shopping Center every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and Dec. 26. Huge skillet meals pile high on your plate as meat, cheese and vegetables rise above a bed of fried potato wedges served next to eggs and toast. Many of the foods served here come from local farmers in Colorad as chefs make Mediterranean- and American-inspired dishes.

Since 1969, Boulder Cork has been attracting locals with its extensive wine list and gourmet fare. This restaurant sells the crab cakes, lobster-laden fare and massive slabs of beef you expect to find at a steak house, but it also has innovative extras such as drunken fish tacos and waffles smothered in blue cheese.

For nightlife, locals enjoy live music and craft beers at places such as the Outback Saloon or Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery. As large dance clubs are a rarity in Boulder, locals who want to dance head to brew pubs or drive to Denver for clubs such as Beta and Tracks.

In Glenwood Grove-North Iris, drivers easily find free parking spots, and they can access Denver via U.S. Highway 36, the Denver-Boulder turnpike.

RTD buses connect the two cities. Local buses service both the Glenwood Grove-North Iris neighborhood and the rest of the Boulder area, allowing public transit users the convenience of running errands or commuting without a personal vehicle.

Bicyclists enjoy hundreds of miles of paths throughout the city, and they can even ride to Denver thanks to bicycle lanes on Lowell Boulevard. The area's bicycle culture also helps to ensure the safety of local riders.

Although safe for walkers, the Glenwood Grove-North Iris neighborhood is not a "walkable" community. Locals living without cars may have to rely on cabs or Uber cars. Both serve the area and may even be willing to take riders all the way to Denver. Rather than raising your arm in the street to hail a cab, call in advance when you need a ride.

Centrally located in the Glenwood Grove-North Iris neighborhood, Howard Heuston Park has a playground, a basketball court, walking paths, picnic areas and a dog park. Perfect for the whole family, this park features well-maintained grass and a positive vibe. In the evenings after work, the park fills up with locals and their dogs, enthusiastically greeting each other.

Central Park, a small park near the Glenwood Grove-North Iris neighborhood and in the center of Denver, has beautiful views of the creek and grassy areas, and its proximity to the Boulder Farmer's Market makes it the perfect destination for a picnic of local produce. The park also has a bandstand where live music frequently plays during the summer.

Annually, the Boulder Creek Festival takes place along Boulder Creek in Central Park. Featuring vendors, bands and family friendly activities, the event welcomes summer to Boulder.

Living in the Glenwood Grove-North Iris neighborhood costs about the same as living in the Denver metro area. In Denver, landlords price one-bedroom apartments at around $1,061 per month on average, and in this area of Boulder, the rent for one-bedroom apartments averages at $1,143 per month.

Reaching Denver on public transit costs $5 for a one-way ticket. If you prefer to drive, Glenwood Grove-North Iris gas stations price gas at 3 percent less than the national average.

Drinkers pay $4 for microbrews at the area's brew pubs, but prices range from $4 to $9, depending on the type of beer you drink. Around the University of Colorado campus, student discounts and happy hour specials bring beer prices down to as low as $2.

Near the Glenwood Grove-North Iris neighborhood, shoppers have ready access to Rags Consignment. This shop consigns everything from vintage to contemporary fashions, and it sells them to locals at a discount. The shop's owner promises that she can find anyone a fashionable and flattering outfit. For more shopping, Glenwood Grove-North Iris locals head south to Pearl Street, a commercial street lined with cool eateries and independently owned boutiques. If you need a gift, check out Nod & Rose Storehouse. This shop carries a range of fun bespoke gifts and accessories. If you need a fun flask, a fashionable scarf or a unique pendant, stop in at this shop. Owned by sisters Lindsey and Laurel, Two Sole Sisters carries a range of fashionable shoes for every season. The constantly updated inventory sits against a cool brick wall, creating a visually pleasing shopping experience. For groceries, locals shop at chains such as King Soopers, Whole Foods and Safeway. During the summer, they frequent the Boulder County Farmers' Market.