Best Denver Neighborhoods and Schools (2024)

The best Denver neighborhoods in the city offer more variety of housing and things to do than the popular Denver Suburbs. From upscale homes to “urban pioneer” neighborhoods to manicured mansion communities, they are all within 15 minutes of downtown.

Chic Cherry Creek is its own upscale shopping, arts and restaurants district. Also, the Santa Fe Arts neighborhood has a great variety of galleries, shops and eateries.

Here are some descriptions of the most popular areas.

Hip City Living

Of course, these areas are pricey. So, be prepared to pay more per square foot in the best Denver neighborhoods than in the suburbs.

Discover old warehouses converted into lofts in neighborhoods near downtown like Lo-Do and Lo-Hi.

In addition, The Central Business District, Golden Triangle, Uptown, Curtis Park and City Park. Lofts offer traditional condominiums, town homes and renovated “Grand Old Ladies”. Those are the Victorian homes. Also, bungalows and new in-fill homes comprise the housing stock here. These areas are popular with younger folks looking for the nightlife as well as empty-nesters enjoying the amenities of the ‘Big City’ including theater, sports, shopping and world-class dining.

For “Urban Pioneer” neighborhoods consider the Highlands just Northwest of downtown. Also, Baker is located just south of Speer Blvd and west of Broadway. Finally, consider Curtis Park neighborhood just north of Coors Field. These neighborhoods as well as City Park and the Sunnyside neighborhoods are popular with millennials looking for more affordable housing.

Chic shopping, boutiques, art studios and the “Georgetown” of the West” can be found in Cherry Creek. This area is very popular with empty nesters who enjoy the lifestyle of the affluent without children at home.

Affordable Denver Restaurants, Activities and Events

One great reason to live in one of the best Denver neighborhoods is to take advantage of all the things to do downtown. Because, there are concerts, plays, great restaurants and plenty of things to do. Here’s a list of current, Denver restaurants, activities and events that are offering discounts right now.

Older Luxury Neighborhoods

In some of the best Denver neighborhoods, you would think you were in the suburbs of an older, Eastern city. But, you are actually in historic downtown Denver neighborhoods. Families of lawyers, doctors and CEO’s live in some of Denver’s best neighborhoods within the city limits.

Denver Country Club neighborhood is located within walking distance of Cherry Creek shopping. It’s own exclusive country club right in town! This is for Denver’s elite, the rich and famous.

Also, on the other side of Cherry Creek, there’s Hilltop and Crestmoor. City parks are walkable there too. Hilltop has stately 2 story homes. Some are historic fro the 1920’s and 1930’s. Some are brand scrapes where lots with unusable homes were cleared to make room the new giants.

On the south side of Cherry Creek, you will discover Bonnie Brae, Belcaro and Polo Club. Again, there are both stately mansions from days gone by and brand new homes too. Also, Bonnie Brae has probably the most affordable homes there with some priced under $1m.

Also, University Park is further south from downtown near the University of Denver with similar homes for the well-to-do. Congress Park and Washington Park have a mixtures of more modest bungalows and spacious 2 story homes. The bungalows were built in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Many of them are “Craftsman Bungalows” built with kits shipped from Chicago by Sears and Roebuck on the rail line that literally built Denver.

Park Hill is due east from Downtown Denver. It’s also full of stately homes from the past and some brand new homes. There’s also a good representation of those “Craftsman Bungalows”. Gentrification began there as early as the 1950s’ when some of Denver’s professional class believed in racially integrated neighborhoods and moved there.

Denver New Home Neighborhoods

Three of the best Denver neighborhoods within the city limits have all “new” homes. In town, some new homes were built within the last 20 years. But, some building of new homes in still continues especially in Stapleton.

Stapleton is the site of the former Denver airport. When Denver International airport replaced it in 1993, Stapleton was converted into a “mixed-use” residential community. While most of the land there has residential homes or is designated for future homes, amenities include retail, restaurants and commercial offices. There’s even a section for industrial commercial isolated from the rest of uses. Many builders are still building brand new homes. Demand is high. Nearby Anshutz Medical Center is rapidly developing into one the top national medical complexes in the nation. Also, young families, reluctant to retreat to suburbia, flock here.

About 2 miles south, Lowry is the site of the former Air Force Base. This smaller development is comprised on homes built mostly in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Only a few homes are brand new. Some of the former barracks and officers quarters are converted into condominiums and townhomes. But, most of the housing here was built since 1995.

Also, several builders have started building new homes in Mid-Town. This is the newest development in the city limits. It’s northern location is perfect for commuting to Arvada, Westminster and even Boulder.

Finally, several new home builders have discovered vacant lots or “tear-down homes” in some of Denver’s best neighborhoods. That means, you can find a brand new home in an older neighborhood. These homes are generally listed in the Denver Multiple Listing Service.

We can help suggest areas based on your criteria. Then, we will send you detailed “Neighborhood Reports” on those areas free by email. Check out our “Neighborhood Finder”. For the best suburban neighborhoods, see our Suburban Neighborhood Profiles.