Virginia Village - Denver, CO

Once an open-spaced agricultural area, Virginia Village was bought and developed in 1951 by Denver businessman Marcus C. Bogue Jr, who named the area after his wife, Virginia. Bogue built simple single-family houses, California-style ranches and schools to accommodate the growing number of residents. During the 1970s commercial development, the area saw an increase in ethnic diversity.

Improve your knowledge of Jewish history and culture at the area's Mizel Museum, or head to the Four Mile Historic Park museums, free on the first Friday of every month, to view an old blacksmith, an outdoor kitchen, a barn, stables, a teepee and a schoolhouse, and learn about pioneer times. Check out the annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival, or grab some fresh souvlaki at the yearly Denver Greek festival in the Village.

Whether you're on the hunt for high-quality International food, refined wine bars or live music at a local pub, Virginia Village has it all. Diners find a range of cuisine, from Russian to Japanese to Mediterranean, mostly centered around South Colorado Boulevard.

Grab your morning caffeine boost with a mocha picante, along with a chocolate roll, in the cozy ambiance of Sojourners Coffee and Tea on Holly Street. Listen to live music or poetry at open mic night on the second Thursday of every month.

Bull & Bush Brewery remains a fixture of Denver's foodie scene along Cherry Creek Drive. Sample authentic microbrews while diving into the place's world famous burgers. Order the El Bull 'Rito for a tortilla stuffed with pulled chicken, grilled steak, pork carnitas or chipotle shrimp. Add in beans, melted cheese and green chili for a heaping plate of Tex-Mex wonder. In terms of hamburgers, nothing beats the seasonal Mac Attack burger with mac and cheese, spicy queson dip, and bacon. Go bunless with locally made Kobe-style beef.

David's Kebab House provides authentic Russian dishes, such as the crispy potato pancakes, flavorful borscht and beef khanuma. Cheap food and beer characterize the old neighborhood bar, W.T. Shorty's Sports Grill. Stop by on Wednesdays for a $5 burger and karaoke, Thursdays for free team trivia, or Fridays for a free buffet with a drink purchase of $5 to $7 and rock n' roll bingo.

The Continental Room, along Evans Avenue, provides regular live music every weekend. Don't let the rough exterior fool you, because the drinks, service and music remain a hidden gem for Virginia Village residents.

When residents walk, bike or jog around the quiet streets of Virginia Village, it's more for exercise or recreation rather than to run errands. The area is mostly walkable and bike-friendly, with some bike lanes, yet much of the shopping requires a car.

Driving along South Colorado Boulevard or Cherry Creek Drive gets you downtown and provides access to other areas of Denver. Interstate 25 also borders the neighborhood. Plenty of street, garage and residential parking can be found either free or at a moderate price. To go the more environmentally friendly route, take the RDT bus along Colorado Boulevard or the light rail E and F lines at the Arapahoe at Village Center stop.

Car sharing and taxi services such as RelayRides and Uber provide further transportation options to residents. Locals are hard pressed to find a cab to hail in the area, though on occasion some pass through busier arteries such as South Colorado Boulevard.

Enjoy outdoor exercise and play for all ages at beautiful parks located in Virginia Village and neighboring areas. The Village contains Four Mile Historic Park which locals use casually for family picnics and strolls. The entrance fee for the grounds, which includes the museum area, costs $5 for adults, $3 for youth and is free for children ages 6 and under. Families can grab a pumpkin at the annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival or experience a Victorian-style Christmas and meet Saint Nick at the annual Colorado Christmas event. Take your pick among countless recreation and exercise options at Judge Joseph E. Cook Park. Meander along the stream, jog along trails, take kids to the playground, pick up a game of rugby or cool off at the outdoor pool in the summer. It's all is free, except the pool charges a moderate entrance fee.

At the corner of South Colorado Boulevard and Virginia Avenue, the City of Takayama Park provides free lush green spots for kids to play and dogs to run free. The Cherry Creek bike trail runs through, allowing walkers, joggers and cyclists to get around southeast Denver along the creek.

Virginia Village inhabitants pay about 4 percent higher than the average cost of living in Denver. Those looking to rent pay an average of $871.58 per month. Both the light rail and bus cost $2.25 a ticket locally and $4 for an express route.

Stopping by the neighborhood sports bar for a cold beer averages $3 a pint during happy hour and $5.50 at other times. Budget roughly 4 percent above the national average cost for gas.

Shoppers find Virginia Village more of a strip mall haven rather than a boutique-friendly area. Scattered mostly along South Colorado Boulevard, locals head to big chain stores such as Nordstrom Rack and the Super Target to browse for bargains.

Grocery needs are met by King Soopers, Whole Foods, Safeway or, for more ethnic supplies, East Europe Market. Fresh local food can be found at Sprout's Farmers Market during normal grocery-store hours or next door at Cherry Creek Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.