One of the best parts about living in Denver is the city’s many unique neighborhoods. Full of charm and character, each has a distinct vibe that caters to the various tastes of its constituents. Discover which area best fits your lifestyle, or walk a few blocks and find yourself in an entirely different ‘hood to satisfy your ever-changing tastes.
Capitol Hill or Cap Hill has historically been a place where the young hipster flourishes. This neighborhood has a real mix of characters, from boho energy healers to punk bars off Colfax Ave. It’s Denver’s most densely populated neighborhood, so if you like being in the thick of things, you’ll enjoy the constant hustle and bustle, but if you prefer a quieter, more spread-out place to lay roots where you’re not battling for street parking, you may want to look elsewhere. Many of the homes here are larger and have been converted into multi-unit walkups or condos. However, many single-family homes can also be found, featuring distinct Victorian architecture with ornate detail. The Denver Square, the iconic square-shaped home with a porch, made its name here.
A hot neighborhood overlooking downtown, the Highlands, got its start back in the late 2000s and has exploded ever since. Chic lofts and hip townhomes line the streets and feature easy highway access with plenty of boutiques, trendy restaurants, and bars. You’ll be paying a pretty penny to live in the “popular” part of town that’s since been divided into a few smaller neighborhoods (LoHi, the Lower Highlands, Tennyson, and Highland Square). Still, if you crave being steps from nightlife, the city’s best eateries, and parks, you’re in the right place. You’ll find everything from ultra-modern new builds to older homes that have been mostly rehabbed and remodeled.
Once an industrial hub, the RiNo has seen tremendous change over the past decade. Today’s RiNo has some of the city’s most ambitious architectural projects like The Source and INDUSTRY, converted warehouses that have turned into mixed-use hotels, food halls, coworking, and living spaces for the modern millennial. Adjacent to the Ballpark neighborhood, everything is walkable and easily accessible for prime downtown living with plenty of murals, coffee shops, breweries, and patios.
The Sante Fe Arts District and neighboring Baker bring a more affordable Denver to the limelight and is notably one of the city’s most diverse areas. Home to many of Denver’s hottest galleries, South Broadway features endlessly eclectic vintage shops, tattoo parlors, late-night hangouts, music venues, and eateries. This mix of a neighborhood has a real city vibe but also has plenty of single-family housing units with yards – bringing you the best of both worlds.
Washington (Wash) Park has been around since the 1920s, and so have many of the homes here, but a hallmark of the area is the usual scrape and rebuild, or gut Renos in this historically rich neighborhood. Tall trees line the streets, and families are always out and about riding their bikes or hosting happy hours on a lawn. It’s the ideal place if you want to be in city proper but have a quainter, more suburban feel. However, expect to pay up for the privilege. Denver’s Wash Park neighborhood is home to some of the highest housing prices in the downtown area regardless if you’re on the East or West side of the park.
If you’re into glitz and glam or being see and seen, Cherry Creek is the place for you. Recently rezoned to create a denser neighborhood, this area has exploded in popularity in recent years. From high-rise luxury condos to small city mansions, chic and modern housing options exist, which are just steps from designer boutiques, incredible restaurants, and the mall for all your retail therapy needs. The area is also home to Denver’s financial hub, so if you work in banking or investments, it’s a no brainer if you want to live close to the office.