Overland - Denver, CO

Home to Denver's first recorded settlement in 1858, then called Montana City, the Overland Park neighborhood underwent dramatic demographic and industrial changes over the course of the next 150 years.

Development kept steady along the South Platte River and the thoroughfares of South Broadway and Santa Fe. At one point, the Overland area was an important agricultural center before becoming a center for rail and road transit. Today, Overland prides itself as an ecologically sound and education-friendly neighborhood.

Several historical sites commemorate the original Montana City location, particularly in and near Grant-Frontier Park. The Overland Park Neighborhood Association governs most activities, public areas and even neighborhood dispute resolution.

As you'd expect in an area with such rich history, plenty of established, local nearby dining options await Overland residents. Those with more conventional, big-chain tastes can find plenty south towards Hampden or east along Evans and Yale.

Maria Empanada features authentic South American plates, some of which seem plucked straight from Buenos Aires. The whole environment feels casual, as breakfast foods often come with complimentary coffee, diners enjoy free Wi-Fi access and the staff happily assists with any questions you may have about some of the less conventional items on the menu. Of course, you're coming here for the empanadas, but don't neglect the hot chocolate bar melted directly into steamed milk.

For a French cocktail bar with a great happy hour, look no further than La Cour Bistro & Art Bar on South Broadway. Resting on the eastern border of Overland, La Cour blends a bistro environment with compelling and sometimes provocative art with a twist: it's painted while you eat. The upper level fills with live jazz music, and the patio features a fire pit where people can relax after work.

Overland won't compete with downtown Denver for nightlife, but that excitement lies only a short cab ride to the northwest. For a more relaxed night scene, try Washington Park between Virginia and Louisiana.

Overland's trails and well-established streets provide a good level of walking and cycling access within the neighborhood. On top of that, it's very easy to transport around the Overland area and to the rest of the city. Denver's Regional Transport District (RTD) provides buses and light rail services throughout the entire city and into Boulder. You can find light rail stations on Broadway, Yale, Evans and other streets to the north, west or south. Pricing varies depending on your destination, but you can reach the downtown area for less than $10.

Most residents in Overland, like the city as a whole, use personal automobiles to get around. You can also hail a cab, and Uber has a strong presence in Denver. Other private car services, such as 303 Car Service, Summit Express or the Dream Shuttles Denver Party Bus, provide abundant alternatives.

South Broadway, Santa Fe, Evans and Yale, all major thoroughfares that border or cut through Overland, can be congested during peak hours. Additionally, parking tends to be tight along the commercial areas, but all of the golf courses in the area offer free parking.

Though modestly sized, Overland still offers plenty of access to some of Denver's great parks. Overland Pond Park nestles against the South Platte River trail, and its scenic tranquility makes it a frequent destination by Denver Public Schools for nature education. Right next door you can tee-off at Overland Golf Course, Denver's oldest public course. Established in 1895, Overland Golf Course presents both 18-hole and 9-hole games along with a restaurant and pro shop to visit before or after you play.

Grant-Frontier Park sits just off of Evans Avenue. Ride your bike, walk your dog or take a jog through the site where old Montana City was founded. Also located on the South Platte, you might even see a fisherman or two in the summer or a barbecue taking place in the picnic area.

Most events in the neighborhood center around Overland High School, considered one of the best schools in the country. The school provides public performances, conducts music and features a wide spectrum of competitive athletic events.

Consistent with its reputation as one of Denver's most affordable neighborhoods, Overland's housing prices can be up to 35 percent less expensive than city averages. One-bedroom apartments command between $800 and $900 in monthly rent. You can buy a gallon of gasoline for about 5 percent less than the national average. In fact, most energy costs will be cheaper in Overland than in many other nearby neighborhoods as well. Even outside of happy hour, a bottle of beer at a local establishment should only cost you $6.

Shoppers looking for upscale stores will want to travel a little to the east toward the Cherry Creek and Country Club streets, but Overland does also host good deals and long-standing boutique shops. The newly placed Belmar shopping and entertainment district in nearby Lakewood brings a modern feel to the area, however.

Southwest Denver's undisputed king of shopping bargains, Mile High Thrift keeps a little bit of everything on its shelves. Shoes, clothing, electronics, books and furniture line this enormous and always-busy retail center. It might take you a little while to navigate through the forest of other shoppers and their children, but keep moving on, and you're bound to find an amazing deal or two.

For an off-the-grid vegan shopping experience, try out Nooch Vegan Market on Speer. A very knowledgeable staff will help you pick out the perfect vegan goodies, including a selection of faux meats. It's small, independently owned and welcoming. It makes finding out what's really in your food really simple.