Denver and the Front Range are incredible areas to live — full of character, culture, and opportunity. But what are the best neighborhoods for you to live in? That depends on your priorities and what you are looking for. If you’re thinking of moving to the area, you’re in for a treat. Prepare to be spoiled with bustling nightlife, gorgeous natural scenery, a booming local economy, a buzzing food and music scene, and the list goes on. There’s never been a better time to move to Denver and the surrounding areas. Whether you are a renter or house hunting, read on to find which neighborhood is right for you!
Let’s start by looking at the 10 best Denver neighborhoods to live in.
Washington Park
Live the good life in one of Denver’s most historic, luxurious, and beautiful neighborhoods. ‘Wash Park’, as locals know it, is a peaceful and relaxing community replete with tree-lined paths, excellent schools, townhomes, brick bungalows, and remodeled early 20th-century Victorian homes, perfect for retirees, families, and young professionals.
Washington Park stands as its crown jewel in a neighborhood known for its walkability and lush scenery. Explore a natural paradise full of open green spaces, tennis and basketball courts, two lakes, miles of biking trails, and summer events. Wash Park not only has an abundance of natural wonder but also several shopping, restaurant, and brewery options to keep your weekends interesting.
Lowry
Lowry, in eastern Denver, is known for having breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and its beautiful green spaces, including the Reading Garden, offering serene spaces for friends and school groups. Young professionals and families can find residential homes and condos in this affordable and quiet neighborhood.
Lowry provides residents with a peaceful haven from the bustling activity of downtown, just a 10-minute drive away. The hub of the neighborhood is Lowry Town Center, offering a wide variety of dining, shopping, and fitness options.
Our Communities: Boulevard One and Prelude at TAVA Waters.
Sloan’s Lake
Sloan’s Lake offers residents a serene haven in northwest Denver and the biggest lake in the city, Sloan’s Lake. Head over for breathtaking lakeside views of Denver’s skyline and the Rockies or go boating and fishing out on the water.
Amble past Tudor homes, modern remodels, duplexes, townhomes, and Mediterranean-style revivals. It’s home to a small commercial district, but it’s close to major highways, downtown Edgewater, and hip west-end neighborhoods.
Our Communities: Sienna on Sloan’s Lake and SloansEdge Southshore Townhomes.
Five Points
There’s never a dull moment in one of the most exciting communities in Denver. Five Points, encompassing micro-neighborhoods River North (RiNo), Curtis Park, and Ballpark, provides a bountiful selection of live music venues, bars, restaurants, and galleries, with several new and exciting community amenities coming soon.
While most residents are young renters, Five Points has great schools for families looking to settle down. Catch a baseball game at Coors Field, hang out at McGregor Square, embrace the ‘hood’s rich jazz history and scene, or explore the walls, alleys, and pavement adorned with street art. There’s always something to do in Five Points.
Cherry Creek
For those who like the finer things in life, Cherry Creek features a blend of historic homes and new residential properties that you can call home. Best of all, it has one of the city’s most exciting food and beverage offerings. In the heart of Denver, Cherry Creek is close to major highways for work commutes. Indulge in Cherry Creek’s 16 blocks of vibrant dining, shopping, and art in your downtime. Ride out to Cherry Creek trail by bike if you’re looking to break a sweat.
Hilltop
Earn exclusive status when you reside at Hilltop, one of Denver’s most expensive and scenic areas to live in. This one-square-mile neighborhood offers a mix of modern, traditional, and Spanish-style homes, perfect for families with a big budget.
This quiet and grand residential area features lush streets, premier schools, expansive parks, and a charming retail and food corridor, with plenty of amenities for singles and families. Hilltop is close to Cherry Creek, home to an abundance of dining and art gallery options.
Berkeley
In northwest Denver, this sleepy residential community is ideal for families and first-time home buyers. Explore a mix of Tudors, Denver squares, contemporary townhomes, and duplexes with close access to every amenity you need.
Tennyson Street is the hub for incredible dining, bars, and shopping. Take a moment to unwind in Berkley’s Lake Park, or take your family pup out to one of the neighborhood’s 12 dog parks. Berkeley is one of the most walkable and bikeable communities in Denver.
Our Community: 5390’
Highland
Highland has seen explosive growth in new residents, bars, restaurants, and shops over recent years. Locals divide the walkable Highland neighborhood into Highland, LoHi (Lower Highland), and Platte Street.
Families and new home buyers will find their humble abode among the timeless Denver squares, Victorian-era homes, and modern apartments. Check out Highland’s high concentration of food and beverage options, stunning gardens and parks, and hip art galleries in your free time.
South Park Hill
If you’re looking for the perfect retreat for your family, South Park Hill is an ideal choice for young families and first-time home buyers. Although it’s one of the most expensive areas to live in, it’s very walkable and has small commercial pockets, including dining options on East 22nd Avenue and Oneida Street.
Explore an array of Tudors, Denver squares, and bungalows that you can call home. South Park Hill has a relaxed suburban appeal. While it may be a sleepy neighborhood, it has easy access to downtown to get in on the fun when you’re feeling up for it.
University Park
University Park is a college town east of the University of Denver. South of Downtown, University Park has easy access to I-25 and is very walkable. Explore its tree-lined streets alongside mid-century brick bungalows and Tudors. On the weekends, pack your picnic basket and head to Observatory Park. For dining, you may have to head over to South University Boulevard in the University neighborhood.
If you’re considering a move to one of Denver’s best neighborhoods, check out our Comprehensive Guide to Moving to Denver.
Now, let’s take a look at a handful of communities across the Front Range.
Superior
Founded as a mining town that transitioned to ranching, Superior is a small community on the edge of Boulder County. Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to Boulder Valley’, the natural surroundings are an unmissable highlight, showcasing mountains, lakes, and open spaces. There are miles of trails to be explored and an unending list of opportunities for those who like to be outdoors.
While Superior could certainly be described as ‘quaint’, the proximity to both Boulder and Denver makes it easy for residents to enjoy more cosmopolitan attractions should they wish to. With high-quality schools and 13 playgrounds across numerous parks, Superior is also a very family-friendly place.
Our Community: Montmere at Autrey Shores
Boulder — NoBo
NoBo (North Boulder) was once an industrial area that has now been transformed into a mix of new housing developments. The neighborhood has attracted young families, artists, and small businesses since the early 2000s. NoBo is becoming a city center all its own — breweries, restaurants, wineries, and other local artisans create an approachable and friendly atmosphere with a different feel than what you’d find downtown on Pearl Street. The area is also great for road biking with easy access to Highway 36.
Boulder — Mapleton Hill
Mapleton Hill is a historic and highly coveted neighborhood in Boulder. The fact that the homes here are just a walk away from downtown Boulder and hiking trails has made it very desirable since the first influx of people coming to Boulder. Many of the homes here were built over 100 years ago but have undergone multiple renovations on the inside, creating a charming aesthetic on the outside while not sacrificing any comfort or modern luxury on the inside. The streets are lined with trees and there are few commercial businesses here, which makes the area feel natural and homey. Because of its aesthetics and overall safety, Mapleton Hill is popular with families.
Boulder — Whittier
Whittier shares many similarities to Mapleton Hill. It’s within walking distance of Pearl Street and a very pedestrian and kid-friendly area. Whittier was originally established in 1859 and has a quieter feel to it with many houses designated as ‘historic’. For families, Whittier Elementary is highly rated and is also the state’s longest-running school.
The streets here are lined with bike lanes that bring you all around Boulder, which is lucky because parking can be tricky for those without a driveway. The great thing about Whittier is that homes here are a bit more affordable than those in areas such as Mapleton Hill. The homes are not any less incredible, simply a bit more modestly sized. Fun fact for pop culture fans, this neighborhood is also home to the ‘Mork and Mindy’ house.
Find Your Perfect Denver or Front Range Home with Koelbel and Company
Denver is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for an energetic nightlife and active social scene, or are drawn to the peace and quiet of nature, Denver has a neighborhood to fit your needs. You may want to take a look at our guide to relocating to Denver, here. And if city life isn’t for you, the Front Range connects you to some of the best things that Colorado has to offer. If you’re considering making the move to this vibrant area, our team at Koelbel and Company can help make finding your dream home easy. Right now we’re creating new communities in some of Denver’s most popular neighborhoods and have an array of move-in-ready homes and residential communities to start building your life in Colorado. Consider giving us a call today – we make it easy for you to find your new home in this amazing city!
Post updated with additional neighborhood information on May, 29th 2024.
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