Westcliff & Cambridge - Westminster, CO

Eager to find gold, miners arrived in Denver in 1858, but the gold disappeared quickly, and Denver became a supply stop for miners on their way to the mountains. Farmers settled in the areas around Denver, including the northwest area now called Westcliff and Cambridge.

As the city grew, the development of the freeway system made it easier for commuters to live in this area, and eventually, Westcliff and Cambridge became subsumed into the metro area. Families moved to the area in search of affordable housing, more space and a quieter atmosphere than they could find in the city.

Locals interested in learning more about the area's history can check out Semper Farm, one of the first farms in the area. They also have access to Denver's incredible museums, including the Denver Art Museum, as well as annual events, such as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and Taste of Colorado.

While restaurants exist throughout the Westcliff and Cambridge area, a cluster of dining establishments sit on Westminster Boulevard or Town Center Drive.

At the Kachina Grill, locals enjoy dishes inspired by the southwest. Try one of the chef's diverse tacos, such as the Mojave filled with duck confit, pickled cactus, chipotle agave and manchego cheese, or the gaucho filled with slow braised lamb, smoked tomato aioli, brussel slaw and cowboy beans. Other options include bison burgers and cured-boar sausage.

Fish-loving residents dine at Bonefish Grill. At this upscale fish restaurant, enjoy everything from cold water lobster tails to Chilean sea bass. The Bonefish quickly flies in all of the fish from the coasts, but if you prefer something more local, check out Tiller's Kitchen and Bar. Tiller's focuses on locally grown farm-fresh fare prepared in a culinarily artistic manner. Try the bone-in roast chicken with fava bean and wild-mushroom ragout, or sample the lamb BLT made with lamb bacon on focaccia.

Bender's Bar and Grill attracts hockey lovers in search of a good time. With subscriptions to all cable hockey channels, this bar promises to broadcast almost every game, and it even houses a hockey rink so you can play as well. Featuring a serene patio with a beautiful view, this pub hosts bands for live music and lists a range of hearty food on its menu. Quaker Steak and Lube, another local favorite, plays NASCAR, has plates holding wings and a clientele sporting big hair.

Drivers enjoy free parking around the residential and commercial parts of the Westcliff and Cambridge neighborhood, and they have easy access to downtown Denver via Highway 36, which links to Interstate 25, running into downtown Denver.

RTD buses also follow this route into the city. Running every 30 minutes, these buses take locals into downtown in approximately an hour, and once in downtown, you can take the light rail train to the rest of the metro area.

Most Denver buses and trains carry bicycles, making them an easy way to augment a bicycle commute. Additionally, paths and bicycle lanes run through the Westcliff and Cambridge area as well as the rest of the metro area, make cycling safe and convenient. While the area provides safety for walkers, it cannot be considered a "walkable" community as its key features sit too sprawled out from one another.

Westminster City Park houses gorgeous scenery for parents and great playground equipment for children. The park also draws adults in search of a workout. If trying to burn calories, you can jog around the pond, hit the ultimate disc golf course, do some tricks at the free skate park, or run up and down the stairs.

If you have a dog, check out the Westminster Dog Park. This park has a large fenced-in area for dogs to play off leash, but it also has great trails if you prefer to hike with your dog.

Living in Westcliff and Cambridge costs about the same as living in other parts of the metro area. While the average renter in the metro area pays $1,041 for a one-bedroom apartment, renters in this area pay $1,015.

Catching the bus into Denver costs only $3, and students and seniors can ride outside of rush hour for only a buck. Drivers save about eight percent on the cost of gas, as compared to the national average. If you want a pint of beer, the massive amount of breweries in Colorado helps to keep those prices down – expect to see beers in this neighborhood priced between $4 and $6.

For shopping, locals enjoy browsing through the shops at the Orchard Town Center. This mall hosts everything from upscale outdoors shops, such as REI, to discount shops, such as Ross Dress for Less. For diamonds and jewelry, locals shop at the Shane Diamond Company. This shops sells a range of jewelry as well as a Shane diamond with a cut proven to sparkle.

After the proposal, shoppers head to Bouquet Boutique. This shop specializes in wedding flowers but also arranges funeral bouquets, and shoppers can have fresh springtime flowers delivered to Colorado at any time thanks to this shop.

For the hottest trends, shoppers frequent Corah Couture Boutique. This small shop contains well curated pieces that shoppers aren't likely to bump into anywhere else, and its owners have a great eye for design, meaning that you almost always find something you like.

When you feel hungry, Westcliff and Cambridge has a range of chain grocery shops, such as King Soopers and Whole Foods. The area also hosts small shops such as Wally's Quality Meats, a butcher. For fresh local produce in the summer, shoppers can hit the Solaire Shoppes Farmers Market, open on Saturdays.