Park Hill - Colorado Springs, CO

Explorers first moved to the Colorado Springs area during the Colorado Gold Rush, and the area that eventually became Palmer Park was one of the first settled. In 1873, Matt France bought the land and used it as a sheep farm.

A few years later, the founder of Colorado Springs, William Jackson Palmer bought the land, and in 1907, he donated it to the city. It has provided a natural respite to locals ever since. In the 1980s to 1990s, the Springs experienced unprecedented growth, and many new housing developments sprung up in the areas around the park.

To learn more about their history, locals visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. For arts, they have the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and the annual Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival. Locals also drive to Manitou Springs for local events, such as the Emma Crawford Coffin Races.

In Park Hill, restaurants sit scattered throughout the area, but many of them cluster together on Academy Boulevard and Austin Bluffs Parkway.

Named after the Polish word for coffee, Kawa Coffee sells a range of fresh roasts along with pastries and bagel sandwiches. Openly devoted to the Christian religion, this restaurant welcomes prayer groups as well as students, telecommuters and others, and it does not do business on Sunday. Coffee enthusiasts love that they can order coffee that has been hand-brewed in one of a number of ways, including extraction and French Press.

For pizza, check out the Roadrunner Pizza Company. This institution has an eat-in dining room in a cozy hole-in-the-wall space, but most diners prefer to order in, as this company remains one of the few in the area to deliver until 2 a.m. All pizzas have generous amounts of toppings with fresh mushrooms being a local favorite. Locals suffering from the munchies find the Roadrunner's wings, jalapeño poppers and taquitos to be an effective remedy.

In the evening, locals have a range of bars at their disposal, and at these watering holes, residents enjoy family dinners, watching the big game, playing pool and other typical pub activities. A local favorite, the Copperhead Road Bar & Nightclub appeals to locals with all kinds of interests. Come dance the night away to electronica on Electronic Dance Monday, watch the show on select Magic with Mike Thursdays, or soak up a military discount on Fridays. In addition to great prices and special events, this venue features live music and a menu full of pub grub.

Large thumping clubs with multiple dance rooms do not exist in Colorado Springs. Locals craving that scene drive to Denver. One exception Club Q markets to the Spring's gay residents and supporters, and it hosts dance nights as well as sports watching events.

In Park Hill, drivers have access to ample amounts of free parking spots in their neighborhoods, and parking lots surround all of the area businesses, making it easy for consumers to find a parking spot as well. Drivers have access to Pikes Peak Avenue, which takes them to Interstate-25, running north and south through the entire metro area.

Mountain Metro Transit provides bus rides through Park Hill and the rest of the metro area, and riders can even take buses into Manitou Springs, a hippie haven on the outskirts of Colorado Springs. Buses only run six days per week, and service on most routes comes hourly.

You can walk safely through Park Hill, but the area does not promise convenience for walkers. Bicyclists have access to miles worth of scenic routes and safe bike lanes throughout the city. Cabs and Uber cars also serve the area. Rather than trying to hail a ride in the street, call a cab or use the Uber application to find a driver.

Palmer Park, centrally located in the Park Hill neighborhood, contains everything residents need and want in an outdoor area. Let the kids explore the playground equipment, or bring their friends, and play a game of soccer in the green spaces. Your pup can run with you along the trails of the park, or they can shed their leashes and romp in the off-leash area. If you want a work-out, grab your bike and hit the trails, or try some bouldering on the rocks in Palmer Park.

For a fun outdoor festival, locals head to Pioneer Days. Held for over 40 years in Old Colorado City, this festival combines live music and vendors with historical exhibits.

Living in Park Hill costs less than living in other parts of the Colorado Springs metro area. In the Springs, one-bedroom apartments cost an average of $739 per month, but in Park Hill, they average at just $606.

Gas stations in the area price gas at 18 percent less than the national average. You can ride a bus anywhere in the city for less than $2, or for $4, you can ride all day long. A pint of beer starts at $3, and at one bar, you can drink as much domestic lager as you can in 3 hours for $10.

In Park Hill, shops sit near the restaurants on Academy Boulevard, and these specialty shops appeal to hobbyists with a range of interests. Bicycle enthusiasts shop at Ted's Bicycles. This shop sells everything from rugged mountain bikes to expensive recumbents to fixed gear cruisers, or its specialists can help you fix up your current ride.

Gaming and comic book fans shop at Dale'z Kardz. This shop carries an inventory full of Magic, Pokemon and YuGiOh cards, and a range of other delights. They also reach out to the community through regular gaming events and a Pokemon league.

For groceries, locals shop at King Soopers or Safeway. Small specialty shops such as the British Home Shoppe also sell hard-to-find snacks for locals. If you crave fresh, local veggies, check out one of the area farmer's markets. Held in the summer, these markets set up stalls in places such as the Doherty High School parking lot or the streets of Old Colorado City.