Lynn Knoll - Aurora, CO

Denver's shadow to the east, Aurora has a history almost as old as Denver itself. Through the years, its population growth kept pace with Denver, and by the turn of the 21st century, the suburb emerged as the third-largest city of Colorado.

During the first half of the 20th century, the Lynn Knoll neighborhood experienced growth due to the establishment of an Air Force base and an Army hospital, later converted to a civilian medical center. In the second half of that century, the area experienced even more growth as the freeway system made it more attractive to commuters.

Theatergoers enjoy shows at the Aurora Fox Theater, but as the area doesn't have much of an arts scene, locals must rely on Denver's museums and events such as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and the Denver Chalk Art Festival.

Restaurants exist on most of the busy streets of Lynn Knoll, with a concentration around Interstate-225. Whether you opt for pizza, Hawaiian BBQ, pho or wings, expect to find affordable prices and large servings at Lyn Knoll's restaurants.

For pizza, check out MaMa Olivia's Pizzeria. The menu has standards such as Canadian bacon and pineapple as well as classic dishes turned into pizza, such as taco pizza or Philly cheese steak pizza. The handmade crusts draw many people to this establishment, and for a real treat, end your meal with an order of cinnamon sticks.

In the evening, locals craving a good time head to chains such as Old Chicagos or TGI Fridays, or they frequent independent sports bars such as the Zephyr Lounge or Scooters Sports Bar and Grill.

At Scooters, the menu boasts a wide range of affordable foods, and you can find classic favorites from Reubens and French dips to potato skins and super nachos. In addition to playing games on the big-screen TVs, Scooters patrons can enjoy discount taco night, poker tournaments and weekend DJs. More than just a sports bar, the Zephyr Lounge presents live music and holds talent shows for gifted locals.

Alternatively, revelers journey to Denver to dance at clubs such as Charlie's Denver, which plays country western, or The Beta Nightclub, which plays dubstep, techno and other electronica.

Free parking spots abound throughout the Lynn Knoll neighborhood, and locals live within close proximity of Interstate-225 and Highway-E-470, making it easy to avoid the city's traffic if traveling north or south of the metro area. To reach downtown, locals can drive along Moline Street, 11th Avenue and 17th Street.

RTD bus routes 6 and 10 connect the neighborhood to downtown. Running every 30 minutes, these buses reach downtown in less than an hour if running on schedule.

Bicyclists can ride into downtown via Cherry Creek, Colorado Front Range and High Line Canal Trails, or they can ride on the many bike lanes and trails running through Lynn Knoll.

Lynn Knoll is safe for walkers, and if you don't mind walking a mile or two for your errands, you could navigate this area exclusively on foot. However residents usually don't use walking as their primary mode of transportation due to the suburban sprawl. Cabs and Uber cars serve the area. Rather than waiting to hail an elusive cab on the street, riders should call in advance to ensure a ride.

Hoffman Park, a small neighborhood park in Lynn Knoll, provides locals with the free outdoor rec opportunities they want. Here, children play on playground equipment or run through spacious open areas as families picnic in the shaded shelters.

For a fun workout, locals head to the Aurora Skate Park, or they bicycle, jog, or walk on the paths running through the neighborhood. These paths welcome dog walkers with leashed pets, but dog owners in search of off-leash fun for their pups must drive to the Lowry or Stapleton Dog Parks.

In Lynn Knoll, residents enjoy a more affordable cost of living than the metro area average. While in Denver, renters pay an average of $1,061 per month for one-bedroom apartments, renters in Lynn Knoll pay an average of only $811 per month.

Drivers enjoy gas priced 4 percent lower than the national average, and residents drink pints of beer with price tags starting at $2 to $3. Taking the bus into Denver costs $3 during rush hour and less during non-peak hours.

The main shopping center in the area, Town Center at Aurora is an enclosed mall with several anchor stores including Dillard's and Macy's as well as lots of small shops, restaurants and a movie theater. Big box stores and chains also sit sprinkled throughout the area, but upscale shops and boutiques do not appear in Lynn Knoll.

The Cherry Creek Shopping Center between downtown Denver and Aurora hosts a range of upscale shops, and nearly a quarter of its shops carry the distinction of being independently owned boutiques not found anywhere else in the world. If you want to find something a bit more affordable at this shopping center, check out Inspyre Boutique. With price tags all under $100, this shop gives shoppers the best fashions without breaking their budgets.

Grocery shops include major chains such as King Soopers as well as a few small markets such as Carniceria Compare, a meat market. Farmers markets happen throughout Aurora and Denver during the summer, but the market in the parking lot of Nick's Garden Center and Farmers Market is one of the most popular.