Another vote for live in the city, ride in the foothills. I am originally from New England, and the riding out here makes all that pale in comparison. That said, Denver is a great town and by being in the city, we don't drive much at all. Bike, walk, bus, or cab are all options. Plenty of restaurants and everything within a few blocks of my house, and yes, you can have a house right in the center of the city. We have 5 fruit trees and two vegetable gardens in a nice urban neighborhood.
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