Lowry Field Denver, CO

Lowry Air Force Base served as a defense site and USAAF training base for decades and at one point was the home of the Air Force Academy. The base closed in 1994, then was carefully redeveloped into a residential community.

The impact of the old base can be felt across the entire neighborhood, and pedestrians can even see the original motto of the base, Sustineo Alas, meaning "I Sustain the Wings," on many of its buildings.

One of the base's aircraft hangars now houses the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, a popular attraction that draws visitors and hosts events during all seasons. Another hanger has been converted into the Big Bear Ice Rink.

The relative newness and organization of Lowry impacts its dining options in two overarching ways. Locals can take advantage of dedicated dining areas that present numerous dining options in a walkable space. However, very few of these restaurants come from established, local chefs.

The Lowry Town Center, for example, sports a central food hub that includes an Einstein Bros Bagels, Subway, Starbucks and Pei Wei. Nevertheless, Lowry wants to provide a less cookie-cutter, commercialized food scene for its residents and actively seeks to establish specialized local restaurants.

Lowry's most famous local eating destination is the Lowry Beer Garden at Hangar 2. A celebrated craft beer scene with some of Colorado's finest brews, the Beer Garden also excels in topping-stuffed hamburgers and fried pickles. The restaurant also features high-definition televisions, an outdoor drinking area and ping pong tables for those seeking a festive atmosphere. Weekly events such as a Texas Hold 'Em tournament draw large numbers throughout the year.

Serioz Pizzeria and wine bar serves the best Italian food in the neighborhood. Stop in for affordable prices, good selection and a particularly popular mac 'n cheese. Dog lovers can even bring their pets to the back patio, where the owner brings out fresh bowls of water for the patrons' canine companions. Pizzas come thin — not exactly Colorado-style — but highly recommended.

Even with the activity of the Beer Garden and the music scene at The Soiled Dove Underground, the nightlife in Lowry doesn't have the spunk or festivity found in either downtown or neighboring Aurora. Locals seeking more entertainment can enter the RTD transport system through Route 73 on Quebec St., or take a 10-minute drive to the city center.

As an old military base, Lowry's sidewalks and streets rate as extremely walkable. Cyclists can bike the rougly 10-mile stretch through Cherry Creek trail to get to downtown, but otherwise the RTD system runs its 6, 73 and 10 lines through several bus stops in town. In fact, Lowry Boulevard itself has more than 10 bus stops before becoming East Sixth. You can actually bring your bicycle right onto the bus if you like.

Denver does have an Uber presence, although you might wait a little longer for your ride to reach Lowry, especially during peak hours. Due to the abundance of parks, old military structures and the Community College of Aurora at Lowry, you shouldn't have much trouble finding public parking.

With more than 700 acres of parks and recreation-designated areas, almost 20 percent of all of the park space in Denver surrounds Lowry. The city planners dedicated more than one-third of these spaces to native plants and grasses, encouraging wildlife and preserving Colorado's natural beauty.

Regardless of your outdoor tastes, you're bound to find exactly what you need in one of Lowry's 17 parks and open spaces. With natural reserves areas, regional parks, a fitness center, sports complex and a golf course, Lowry provides a fitness gold mine for athletes, runners, cyclists and dog-owners.

Lowry even offers a park for those who'd rather sit and enjoy the Rocky Mountain air than sprint through it. Try out the Reading Garden at Spurce St. and Trenton St. for a well-kept, quiet atmosphere with public art and seating for visitors.

Housing prices spread across a fairly dramatic range in Lowry. Renting a one-bedroom might cost you between $850 and $1,400 a month, and if you like, you can even live inside an old military barracks. Outside of higher-than-average real estate, Lowry's cost of living competes with anywhere in Denver. A gallon of unleaded gasoline runs about 7 percent less than the national average. A bottle of Colorado craft beer will cost you between $5 and $6 at the Beer Garden.

Nearly all of Lowry's stores fit within a small pentagon-shaped area, with Quebec Street forming the western edge and East 3rd and East 2nd as the northern and southern edges, respectively. Luxury shoppers should seek out Cherry Creek Shopping Center for an outstanding high-end shopping experience.

Catering to Lowry's dog- and cat-owning population, Chewy's Bonetique carries quality pet foods, treats, supplements, and even stylish collars and beds. It's the place to be if a member of your family just happens to walk on four legs.

Self-described as a "whimsical clothing shop," Semplice targets women who are looking for a wardrobe that is both trendy and eco-friendly. New items come in weekly, and you can often find handbags, jewelry and home items to complement that new dress or skirt.

Grocery shoppers should head to the Havana/Mississippi area, where a Sprouts Farmers Market and a Costco can be found. Every June through September, the annual Lowry Farmers' Market sets up shop at Hangar 2, where you can buy fresh food, shop for gifts and enjoy live music.