The Best Neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado

Denver is a beautiful place to live for many reasons, and it’s so easy to fall in love with this great city. When you live in Denver, you can expect sunshine, bustling streets, a rich culture, delicious food, involved local businesses, local breweries, and those stunning Rocky Mountain views. People travel from all over the world to see Denver and all it has to offer. Denver has one of the strongest economies as the city continues to grow and diversify. The 720,000 people that call Denver home love the energy the Mile High city exudes. There are so many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from, and they all have their own unique benefits, depending on what you desire. Here are some of the best to choose from.

Cheesman Park

A former cemetery, Cheesman Park has become one of Denver’s most popular neighborhoods. The average house price in the community is around $400,000, but there is a wide variety of properties, including $200,000 condos and million-dollar single-family homes. Cheesman Park has something for every family and all budgets. The park itself, which is the center of the community, is a popular place for Capitol Hill residents. You can always find something to do in the area. Typically, you’ll find people playing volleyball, doing outdoor workout classes, people jogging and biking, and those who are just out enjoying the sun and nature. On one edge of the park, the Denver Botanic Gardens and the estate homes line the side and are a great backdrop on a leisurely walk. The area is very transit-friendly, getting in and out of downtown is very easy on the RTD buses. Parking in the area can be hard to come by, so it’s better to be on foot or travel by bike in this area.

What do residents love? “I like it for the easy fact it’s great for the dogs, young demographic, growing food scene on E Colfax and the nightlife is picking up steam as well… and then, of course, you have the park which is great in spring, summer, fall just to relax & unwind. Also talent EVERYWHERE”

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Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek is one of Denver’s most popular neighborhoods due to its access to incredible amenities, schools, and outdoor activities. With an average house price of around $1.2 million, residents love the high-end boutiques and restaurants that have flocked to the area in recent years. While parking in the area is not the best, the neighborhood is very walkable to check out the boutiques and Cherry Creek Mall. Many Denver residents choose Cherry Creek as their stay-cation destination because there are plenty of classy hotels with rooftop pools and state-of-the-art gyms. Cherry Creek is home to all the action, and residents love every minute of it.

What do residents love? “Good restaurants, lots to do, public transportation everywhere, Gym/Grocery Store, [and] everything in walking distance. There’s actually nature (there’s definitely nature all around Colorado but just being from Chicago, this amazed me)”

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Congress Park

With an average house price of $700,000, there’s something for everyone in Congress Park. Beautiful tree-lined streets, the single-family homes in the area are the trademark of this sought-after community. Within three miles from downtown, it’s in an optimal location with great schools and public transit access. Congress Park is a family-friendly community. The park of the same name is a popular place for residents to have fun, gather for events, and enjoy nature. There’s plenty of local restaurants and shopping to delight in and all the outdoor activities you could want: tennis courts, softball fields, an outdoor pool, and more. There’s always something to do in the Congress Park district.

What do residents love? “Been in CP for about six years, and it’s great. Clean, people are friendly, crime is low, can walk to the park or shops and restaurants.”

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Highland

The neighborhood of Highland, which used to be called the Northside, has seen massive growth in recent years, and with new residents comes new amenities. The average house price is around $700,000 for the area, and it’s a sought-after place to call home. It has become one of the most popular communities leading to it’s expansion, including the regions of LoHi, or Lower Highland, and Platte Street. In these areas, you’ll find a diverse mix of young professionals, families, and first-time homeowners. There are many older character homes and many newly developed areas as well. The community is very transit-friendly and very walkable. Highland has one of the best restaurant scenes in the city, and there are venues for drinks like beer, kombucha, coffee, and craft cocktails. The Navajo Street Art District calls Highland home so that residents can catch a show at the Bug Theater. Highland offers plenty of history, as it is one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods and used to be its own city.

What do residents love? “Walking distance to lots of things to do, easy walk or bike downtown for work/fun, close to the I-70 to get out of town, historic and quiet neighborhood vibe.”

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Hilltop

Hilltop has been one of Denver’s most popular neighborhoods since the 1940s. The average house price is around $980,000. It offers residents access to a low crime rate, excellent schools, and proximity to the amenities that Cherry Creek has to offer. It’s a classic community with beautiful older architecture and newly developed properties. It’s one of the best places to settle down and raise a family. While Cherry Creek is the epitome of excellent amenities and is close by, Hilltop has some great restaurants and shopping right in the community. Cranmer Park is one of Denver’s highest points and is one of the best parts of the neighborhood. The open meadow, fully-restored sundial, and incredible views make this park a hot spot for residents.

What do residents love? “Hilltop is one of the best neighborhoods in Denver for families. Located about 20 minutes from Downtown Denver, Hilltop is known for its tight-knit community, spacious yards, and mix of housing options from cottages and bungalows to Tudors and modern Craftsman houses. Families love this Denver neighborhood because it’s home to four family-friendly parks—Crestmoor Park, Robinson Park, Cranmer Park, and Burns Park.”

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South Park Hill

While South Park Hill is one of the pricier neighborhoods with an average home price of around $800,000, there has been significant growth in the last year. South Park Hill boasts excellent schools, safety, and a calm atmosphere that is great for families and young professionals. The community is close to downtown, the Johnson & Wales University campus, numerous coffee shops and restaurants, and kids’ activities.

What do residents love? “Quiet, tree-lined streets. Ample street parking. Diversity in neighbors and housing stock. Close to work. A number of small retail/entertainment areas sprinkled around, close to City Park and downtown, safe road biking. Bikes Together.”

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Speer

Speer is one of Denver’s more affordable areas, with an average house price of around $500,000. The area is perfect for families, with access to great schools and amenities. The area is made up of mostly renters, but the community is filled with friendly people. There’s a great mix of historic character homes with newly developed homes as well. Speer offers close access to the Cherry Creek Trail, so those who love the outdoors can go out and explore the beautiful Denver landscape. The Alamo Placita and Hungarian Freedom parks are also nearby for residents to enjoy. One of the city’s three Trader Joe’s locations are here, and there are great restaurants to grab brunch, highly-regarded ramen from chef Tommy Lee, and the Nooch Vegan Market. There are some great coffee shops and breweries in Speer as well. The Art Student’s League of Denver offers classes for those looking to bask in their creativity. The Landmark’s Mayan theater is a 90-year-old theater that has been restored and has an in-house bar. There’s so much to do in Speer, and residents love all the options at their fingertips.

What do residents love? “Speer has several busy streets, particularly Speer Blvd, which intersects the neighborhood, but it has a lot of nice quiet streets, and it’s centrally located. It’s western/southwestern border is the liveliest part of South Broadway, which is a wonderful, walkable area with a lot of young people.”

Washington Park

The Washington Park neighborhood is the pinnacle of Denver luxury with an average home price of around $1.2 million. It’s consistently among the top-rated communities in the city. The Park is one of the most beloved green spaces in the city, which is impressive as there are almost 300 parks and green spaces to enjoy. If you love being active and enjoying nature, or your kids love the park and playgrounds, Washington Park is the place to be. The community is in an ideal location close to the best amenities, has one of the lowest crime rates, and some of the best schools. Visit any local restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops, and the Historic South Gaylord Street, which is lined with local boutiques and shopping.

What do residents love? ‘The actual Washington Park... I like the neighborhood and the hills. I work from home and go out at lunch to run, and it is not busy. I don’t drink beer, so can’t comment on the micro-breweries. Close to Sprouts, Natural Grocers, and Whole Foods. There is a Safeway that is pretty interesting. And close to I-25.”

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West Highland

West Highland is one of the top neighborhoods in Denver, with an average home price of around $660,000. It’s a family-friendly community with beautiful Craftsman bungalows, modern style homes, and Victorian-style homes. It has two of the top-rated schools in the city. It may not be as trendy as Highland, but the atmosphere and vibe is something people love. There’s access to bike trails and paths, and close to Highlands Square. There are many great restaurants with numerous cuisines, the Inventing Room Dessert Shop, and the Seafood Landing fish market. West Highland focuses on health and fitness, with numerous greenspaces and trails for everyone to explore, and many fitness centers, yoga, pilates, barre, and boot camp classes. There’s also a kid-friendly gymnastics studio to get them all tuckered out.

What do residents love? “Chill neighbors, great farmers market, easy access to multiple other parts of town, truly friendly vibe, and a good mix of age groups.”

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University Hills

University Hills is bursting with great dining, culture, and nature. It’s conveniently located close to the I-25, big-box shops, movie theaters, parks, and more. The average home price is just under $600,000, and there are many ranch style homes, and residents spend a lot of time perfecting their lawns. If residents want to experience downtown, they’re a close bike ride or walk away. The community is well-known for the abundant Middle-Eastern and Japanese cuisine options. There are movie theaters with IMAX, and Dave & Busters. University Hills has a YMCA, recreation centers, and the Wellshire Golf Course.

What do residents love? “I love that I’m in-between downtown and the DTC and close to Lightrail. I love that’s it’s pretty bike-friendly (I ride downtown to work year-round)”

The variety and characteristics among the Denver neighborhoods make it hard to believe they’re all part of the same beautiful city. Still, there is something for everyone in Denver. Whether you have a young family or moving out on your own for the first time, there is a community to meet your needs.