If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to get stuck in your ways. Why would you change? I already know I have two Whole Foods that I can get to in under seven minutes. The gas station is 1 minute away and the liquor store is down the street. Sometimes change comes to you when you’re least expecting it and for others consistent change is mandatory. Regardless, change allows us to grow up, adapt, and get out of our comfort zone.
It wasn’t until I unwillingly drove across town with a friend to walk around Sloans Lake that I knew it was where I wanted to live. I had lived in Denver for almost two and a half years and had never taken the time to drive across town to see the beauty of Sloans Lake. Why? Because it was too far.. I was stuck in my ways.. I thought Wash Park and Cherry Creek was enough for me and the best.
When I started exploring Sloans Lake and West Colfax, I was surprised to find everything that it had to offer. I must say, the fact that an Alamo Drafthouse was going in on the south side of the lake was almost enough to move alone! (Alamo Drafthouse began in my hometown of Austin, TX and serves delicious food and drinks during a movie).
It’s been a year and a half since moving West of town to Sloans Lake. The neighborhood is developing at a rapid pace and I’m always searching for new things popping up. For me, it’s been the perfect neighborhood! Morning walks around the lake, Alamo Drafthouse, Sloans Tap and Burger, Brew Culture, Coda, Joyride Brewery, US Thai, and High Ride Cycling are a few of my usual hangouts.
It’s become home and my neighborhood. I can walk in for coffee and the baristas know I want a large Americano. I know it will take me 45 minutes to walk the lake and pushing an hour if my dog comes along (Nilla likes to take her leisurely time). High Ride will take me two minutes to get to and I can snooze twice before I give myself 5 minutes to hurry out of the house.
My point is, you have to be willing to get out of your comfort zone and explore more than what is in your bubble. Each of us have a radius around us that allows us to make a decision on if we are going to go visit a friend or try out a new restaurant. Try going a few miles further. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you find. You might find what feels like your new home waiting down the street. Or just a good coffee shop. Regardless, go explore! Denver has a lot of wonderful neighborhoods worth visiting!
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Click here to see more on Sloans Lake and its development.
Let me know if there is a particular neighborhood you would like to see highlighted. I’ll be featuring them throughout the blog.
