West Centennial - Centennial, CO

Once inhabited by herds of bison and Native American tribes, the land east of the Rocky Mountains was bought from France in 1803. In the mid-1850s, gold miners arrived, establishing Denver as a supply hub.

As Denver grew, so did the populations of nearby areas. Farms, homes and suburbs sprung up around Denver, and at the turn of the 21st century, over 100,000 residents were incorporated into the new town of Centennial.

West Centennial locals have access to the arts scene in Denver, but options exist close to home as well. Explore life in the 1860s and 1890s at the Littleton Museum, or dive into art at one of the small museums near the DTC. There, Samson Park showcases sculpture in a bucolic setting, and tucked in a small space in an office building, the Madden Museum of Art has constantly rotating displays, including work by Jackson Pollack.

Large, clean restaurants dishing up a range of fare serve West Centennial. For a more refined atmosphere, check out Ivy at the Glenn. This bistro serves familiar American dishes made with seasonal ingredients and backed by French culinary ideals. In the evening, locals love this establishment's French onion soup with gruyere, followed by crab cakes with bananas foster to finish. In the morning, the bottomless mimosas and bloody marys attract guests to this establishment.

Snooze, another local restaurant, also serves up great brunches. Rather than focusing on large plates of greasy food, Snooze features small plates of well-designed breakfast favorites. Popular with hipsters, Snooze has everything from eggs benedict to waffles to breakfast tacos, and each dish has its own artistic flair

In the evening, nightlife options include sports bars and brewpubs as well as restaurants. Sports lovers head to Bar Louie, a popular destination with walls covered in flat screen TVs. Those who prefer to play games head to The Varsity Inn. This dive bar features beer in cans and rows of old school arcade games, providing locals with something fun to do in the evening.

Locals who prefer to spend the night dancing at a club, drive to downtown Denver or the LoDo neighborhood. There, clubs such as the Beta Nightclub and the Cowboy Lounge play music late into the night for dancing.

University Avenue, a large thoroughfare runs through West Centennial, but residents also have easy access to Interstate-25, which leads into downtown Denver as well as to Colorado Springs in the south and Fort Collins in the north. Free parking spots exist throughout the residential and commercial areas of West Centennial.

Public transit riders can take RTD buses through the neighborhood, and commuters can easily take the light rail into the city. Arapahoe at Village Center Station, the light rail station serving West Centennial, has free parking spots for commuters, and bus lines also run to this station.

The streets of West Centennial offer safety to bikers and walkers, and bicyclists enjoy access to hundreds of miles of trails through the metro area. The expansive trail system combined with the fact many buses carry bikes make it possible to live in Centennial without a car.

Although certain areas of West Centennial may be considered as walkable communities, most residents need a car or bicycle to fully engage with the community. However, cabs can help, and many cab companies and Uber drivers operate in the area. Rather than trying to hail a cab in the street, residents must call one.

When you have a hankering for outdoor activity, West Centennial offers a range of parks. DeKoevend Park located along South University Boulevard has a creek running through it, and it features tennis courts, baseball fields and a playground as well as open spaces for games. Paths also run through the park for bicyclists, runners and walkers.

In the summer, South Suburban Parks and Rec opens the Benjamin Franklin Pool. This family-friendly pool charges a small admission at the door, and once in, you can enjoy the pool or the splash park.

Dogs like to romp at Wynetka Ponds Park. One of the only dog parks in the metro area to feature grass in its off-leash area, this park sits in Littleton, about four miles from West Centennial. Annual festivals in the Denver area include the Denver Chalk Art Festival, the Denver Zombie Crawl and Zoo Lights.

Living in West Centennial can be more expensive than living in other parts of the Denver area. In West Centennial, one-bedroom apartments average at $1,081 per month, approximately $40 higher than the metro average of $1,041.

Taking the light rail into downtown Denver costs $2, but express fares cost $3 and seniors and students receive discounts. Once in downtown, free buses operate along major streets. If you prefer to drive, West Centennial gas stations price their gas at 5 percent lower than the national average.

Pints of beers cost $4 to $5, but on special, you can often find a bottle or a 12-ounce glass of beer for around $2 to $3.

For shopping, locals head to the Streets at SouthGlenn. This outdoor shopping mall lets you browse the latest fashions while enjoying Colorado's sunny weather. Filled with a range of department stores and small chain shops, this shopping center also hosts Colorado-based businesses such as the 7Twenty Boardshop. This shop features snowboards, skateboards, longboards and apparel.

Also located in SouthGlenn, Trice Jewelers has a reputation for being one of the best jewelers in the area. Here, you can find wedding sets, fine timepieces, Denver Bronco's-themed jewelry and more. For the perfect outfit, head to the locally owned Irresistibles. This boutique carries unique styles for women and teens.

West Centennial residents have a huge range of grocery stores near their homes. If you like wide aisles, lots of choices, a solid deli and everything under one roof, check out King Soopers. If you prefer shopping in a trendier environment, head to Trader Joe's. Other area grocery stores include Albertsons and Whole Foods. During the summer months, the Centennial Farmers and Artisans Market takes place in Centennial Center Park.