Willow Creek - Englewood, CO

Beginning in the 1850s, farms and open spaces filled the area now called the Southeast Corridor, but as Denver grew and the interstate system emerged, developers began creating neighborhoods in this area along the southeast side of I-25.

Due to its proximity to downtown, the area continued to attract families and young professionals, and in the 1970s, the development of the Denver Tech Center west of this area drew even more professionals to the area. In 2001, a large portion of the Southeast Corridor was incorporated into the city of Centennial. With an instant population of over 100,000 residents, the area became the largest incorporation to date.

Art-loving locals drive to downtown Denver for museums and theater, but options exist near the Southeast Corridor as well. The DTC features Samson Park, a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden, and the Madden Museum of Art, a small museum devoted to making art accessible.

The Southeast Corridor hosts a range of restaurants, making it easy for locals to find American bistros, sushi bars, Mexican restaurants and other types of eateries right outside their doors.

The Perfect Landing, a local favorite, features a diverse menu of snacks such as truffle-covered fries and poutine. A Canadian favorite rarely found in Colorado, poutine features cheese curds and gravy heaped over a pile of fries. In the morning, The Perfect Landing is a great spot for a family breakfast – kids, in particular, love watching the planes take off from the nearby Centennial airport. At night, the restaurant turns into a piano bar.

For dinner and a beer, check out Dad and Dude's Breweria. This brew pub serves homemade pizza and a huge selection of specially crafted beers. Come on a Wednesday to be the first to sample a wood or barrel-aged brew – the staff put a new barrel of something special on tap once a week.

Maggie Smith's Irish Pub draws locals in the evening for its hearty fare, wide selection of whiskeys and inviting atmosphere. Order a drink and sit outside around the fire pit, or stay inside, sip a lager and order the bangers and mash.

If you want to dance the night away, the Proof NiteClub sits near the Southeast Corridor. Named the best dance club in Denver, Proof hosts top 40, retro and electronica nights. Enjoy offerings such as a happy hour buffet bar or bottle service at a private table.

Residents may reach downtown for work or play by taking an RTD bus or driving to the Arapahoe at Village Center Light Rail Station. From there, the train takes you to the Station I-25 and Broadway Light Rail Station, which has trains connecting to downtown.

Drivers can also reach downtown easily, as the area sits in close proximity to I-25, which runs into downtown. If parking downtown, drivers face fee-based spots, but in the Outer Southeast Corridor, free parking spots exist in abundance.

The Southeast Corridor features bike paths linking to the 338 miles worth of dedicated paths running through the Denver metro area. Free of motorized traffic, these trails offer safety to bicyclists and walkers. Bicyclists also enjoy bike lanes in many of the city's roads and a biking culture in the area.

Cabs and Uber operate in the area, but rather than trying to hail cabs in the streets, most residents have to call these services to their locations.

Many parks exist in the Southeast Corridor, and kids love Centennial Center Park. This spacious park features two playgrounds, a splash park for the summer months and several picnic shelters with gas fire pits.

To access a larger, more natural park, head to Cherry State Park. This 880-acre state park sits just a few miles from the Southeast Corridor, making it an easy destination for a bike ride. To enter the park, you must pay a daily fee or buy an annual state parks pass. Once in the park, you have access to a swim beach, a playground, 35 miles of recreational trails, picnic areas, camping spots, a shooting range, an off-leash dog park and more.

To see how the landscape looked before the settlers arrived, check out Plains Conservation Center. This natural area also hosts Hops for Habitat, an annual beer-drinking event to support the facility.

The great amenities and proximity to the city give the Southeast Corridor a higher cost of living than other parts of the metro area. While rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Denver metro area averages at $1,041 a month, one-bedroom apartments in the Southeast Corridor rent for an average of $1,191 per month.

The prevalence of brew pubs and local beers helps to keep beer prices low. Some pubs offer select craft beers for as low as $2 on special, but typically a pint of microbrew costs between $4 to $7 a pint.

Taking public transit into downtown Denver costs $4, but seniors, students and frequent riders can access lower fares. Drivers pay 5 percent less for gas than the national average.

Shopping opportunities surround residents of the Southeast Corridor. For an upscale experience with a high concentration of shops, locals simply drive 12 miles north to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Locals who want to save, however, drive 18 miles south to the outlet malls in Castlerock.

Locally, Woodcraft sells tools and building supplies, but this is more than just a hardware store. This woodworking shop features instructional books, a coffee bar, knowledge staff and a light, airy atmosphere. At Outabounds Ski and Board, another shop in the heart of the Southeast Corridor, you can find consigned ski and snowboarding gear and apparel, priced considerably lower than new items.

For groceries, residents shop at Sprouts Farmers Market, an all natural chain market selling organic veggies, herbal supplements and bulk items. Chain grocery shops including King Soopers also exist within driving distance of the area. During the warm months, locals shop at the Centennial Artisans and Farmers Market.