Kennedy - Denver, CO

In the 1850s, prospectors in search of gold established the city or Denver, and Auraria, later redubbed Aurora, quickly followed on the plains to the east. Over the next 150 years, these two towns expanded until they overlapped, and the Kennedy neighborhood sits near where these two areas meet.

For close to a century, the area now called Kennedy contained farms and orchards. However, in the middle of the 20th century, the development of the freeway system allowed commuters to settle there, causing the neighborhood's population to boom. At the same time, the Army Core of Engineers built the Cherry Creek Dam. The dam created the reservoir, and the untamed natural area around it helped to draw more people to this bucolic neighborhood.

The area embraces Denver metro area's art scene, which includes museums such as the Denver Museum of Art and theaters such as the Aurora Fox Theater.

In the Kennedy neighborhood, numerous free parking options exist. Travelling drivers can easily reach downtown Denver via Interstate 25 or South Quebec Way.

RTD buses also link the neighborhood to downtown. Commuters also have the option to park at Nine Mile Station to take the light rail into the city. Bicyclists can take the Front Range or Cherry Creek trails into Denver.

Although safe for walkers, most residents augment walking with cars or public transit. Cabs and Uber cars also serve the area. However, you cannot typically hail a cab in the street. Rather, service users call them in advance.

Kennedy locals live near a range of parks. To explore the wild without leaving town, locals head to Cherry Creek State Park. This massive park has a reservoir with a swim beach, boating docks and a yacht club. It also has a playground for kids and miles of trails for bicyclists and joggers. Locals also take advantage of its fenced-in leash-off area, which lets them put their dogs out to play. To gain admission, you need to pay a small fee per vehicle, or you can gain admission with a state parks annual pass.

Free parks also exist throughout the Kennedy neighborhood, including the well-maintained Hampden Heights Park. This neighborhood park features open grassy areas for people or dogs to run and play. It also has ball fields, a scenic trail, picnic benches and a playground.

Annually, events such as the All-Judaic & Israeli Art and Jewelry Festival and the Denver Green Festival take place to amuse and entertain area locals.

Living in Kennedy allows residents to save money compared to the rest of the Denver metro area. While the average one-bedroom apartment in Denver rents for $1,061, the average renter in Kennedy pays only $931 per month.

Taking the light rail into Denver costs just $3, and if you want a pint of beer, happy hour specials at Kennedy bars only cost around $2. Otherwise, expect to pay between $3 and $5 for a beer. Locals also pay less for gas because area gas stations typically charge 11 percent less than the national average for a gallon of fuel.

Shops find themselves throughout all the commercial areas of Kennedy. In addition to a number of major chains and big box stores, you can also find unique independently owned boutiques. At Wild Blue Boutique, find the outfit you need to make yourself fit into the Colorado fashion scene. This shop focuses on casual wear for women, men and children. Check it out if you need a new denim shirt or a new pair of cowboy boots.

At A-Line Boutique, shoppers browse the latest fashions in an upscale setting. The interior artfully combines wood and steel, creating an industrial fee in this trendy yet inviting space. Settle into one of the white leather chairs, and have one of A-Line's consultants pick out the best styles for your figure.

For groceries, Kennedy locals have easy access to a range of major chains, including King Soopers, and small boutique suppliers, such as Sprouts Farmers Markets. The independently owned grocery shops in the area include Arash International Market, a Persian food and spice market. For locally grown fare, locals head to the farmers market in Lowry.