10 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Denver, CO [2024]

If you're thinking about moving to Colorado, the bustling city of Denver is probably the first place that comes to mind. This capital has a ton to offer and is one of the best cities for remote workers. The area is vast, though, so you need to choose the part of Denver that’s right for your vibe and budget.

Most Denver neighborhoods have their own distinct look, traditions, population, and attractions. To help you determine your future home, here are some of the best neighborhoods in Denver and what you can expect to find.

10 Best Neighborhoods in Denver, CO

How We Chose the Best Neighborhoods in Denver

For us, choosing the best Denver neighborhoods came down to a number of factors:

• Rental Prices: We looked for a mix of upscale and affordable neighborhoods that were desirable to renters.
• Popularity: These neighborhoods are all highly-rated and sought-after places to live in Denver.
• Lifestyle: Whether you crave the beach life, a charming island community, historic vibes, or a young and vibrant scene, this list has something for most preferences.
• Amenities: The neighborhoods encompass a range of offerings, including beautiful parks, shopping, dining, nightlife, cultural attractions, and family-friendly activities.

It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are many other nice neighborhoods to consider as well. If you're feeling brave, consider browsing all of our Denver apartment listings and investigating neighborhoods on your own!

Please note that the rent averages below represent current listings on our website and may differ from what people are actually paying right now.

1. Downtown / Lower Downtown (LoDo)

• Best for: Those seeking a vibrant urban lifestyle with short commutes, endless entertainment options, and access to top-notch dining and shopping.
• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,284
• Map of LoDo

Downtown Denver lies in the heart of Mile High City. You'll find plenty of young professionals living in its vibrant urban center. With so many jobs located in the Downtown Denver area, many residents enjoy a short commute with plenty to do after hours.

The neighborhood is split between Downtown and Lower Downtown, which is Denver’s historic district and oldest neighborhood. The 16th Street Mall is the core of the downtown area. This 1.25-mile shopping center is lined with locally-owned stores and some of the best restaurants Colorado has to offer.

Entertainment options are also endless. Whether live music is your scene, or professional sports are more your thing, you'll have access to all of it in Downtown Denver. The Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, and Avalanche games are just within reach.

If you aren't a big fan of living in the midst of crowds and tourists, though, Downtown and LoDo probably aren't your best bet. Downtown Denver’s demographic is mostly composed of professionals, and although kids are welcome, you won’t find many families roaming around. Other Denver neighborhoods just outside the city center, as well as nearby suburbs, might provide better community support and resources to raise a family.

2. Capitol Hill

• Best for: Those seeking a trendy, affordable neighborhood with vibrant nightlife, excellent walkability, and close proximity to downtown
• Average one-bedroom rent: $1,770
• Map of Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is considered one of the best, trendiest neighborhoods in Denver, and many young professionals and college grads call it home. Capitol Hill is close to downtown, but still far enough away to carry its own vibe and some of the best nightlife in Colorado. It’s also one of the more affordable neighborhoods in the city.

It’s true the parking situation in Capitol Hill leaves a lot to be desired, but the walkability makes it well worth it. If you live in this area, it's probably best to leave your car at home whenever possible. You’ll have your choice of restaurants, cafes, and bars within walking or biking distance. Rideshares, public bus, and bike rentals are also available throughout Denver.

The food scene in Capitol Hill, Denver is pretty diverse too, with American, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, and French dining options scattered across the neighborhood. If you're a foodie or a young professional in your early 20s looking for a lively area with tons to do, Capitol Hill is an ideal spot.

North Capitol Hill, also known as Uptown, is another fantastic district to live in. Uptown Denver is home to City Park, one of Denver's largest green spaces. The Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science are also located inside City Park, making it a wonderful place to spend a day and soak up Denver’s plentiful sunshine.

3. Highlands

• Best for: Those seeking a family-friendly neighborhood with a suburban feel
• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,013
• Map of Highlands

Highland is a beautiful, green family-friendly neighborhood nestled just outside of Downtown Denver. The neighborhood is filled with Victorian homes, local eateries, coffee shops, and a large variety of boutique shops. If you're looking for a real community and suburban neighborhood feel, you'll find it in Highland. Each of its three districts have their own personalities:

Highlands Square lies at the center of the neighborhood. Stroll along the sidewalks to discover the best shopping and stores with unique, locally-made goods.

Tennyson Street is an epicenter for Denver’s historic buildings and showcases the city’s local art scene. Art lovers will find scores of interesting art galleries in the area.

Always the trendsetter, Lower Highlands, or LoHi, offers tons of great restaurants and bars. The neighborhood is also easily accessible to downtown via the pedestrian Highland Bridge.

4. Cherry Creek

• Best for: Those seeking an upscale lifestyle with luxury shopping, a vibrant arts scene, and close proximity to Downtown.
• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,324
• Map of Cherry Creek

Located West of Downtown, Cherry Creek is a posh residential neighborhood with tons to offer. Newcomers are attracted to the upscale shopping and array of big box retailers and boutiques in Cherry Creek, Denver. The neighborhood trends towards upscale, and like most Denver locals, the people are friendly. The Cherry Creek Shopping Center serves as the neighborhood’s crown jewel with luxury department stores, as well as more traditional stores.

Art is also widely celebrated in Cherry Creek. On the first weekend of July, Coloradans across the state gather with Cherry Creek locals to celebrate the arts at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. The festival is the premier art event in Denver, and brings in an amazing variety of visual, performing, and culinary arts.

If you're working in Downtown Denver and crave a more upscale lifestyle, Cherry Creek is an ideal neighborhood to call home. It’s a shopper paradise that is also very accessible to all of the amenities downtown has to offer.

5. River North Art District (RiNo)

• Best for: Those who appreciate a vibrant arts scene, unique culinary experiences, and an industrial-modern aesthetic.
• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,160
• Map of RiNo

If you're looking for a neighborhood that celebrates the arts, look no further than RiNo. The neighborhood is leaning into the industrial modern aesthetic with its many recent developments. What were once old warehouses are now trendy music venues, art galleries, and local restaurants.

Speaking of art galleries, you'll find literally hundreds of them lining the streets in RiNo. The abundance of street art and wall murals bring the area to life and play a part in making it so vibrant.

Beyond the art scene, the food in RiNo is truly unique. An influx of new experimental restaurants and food trucks make it a foodie’s paradise. Pair the unique cuisine with one of the many tried-and-true local breweries and you have the recipe for an amazing place to call home.

6. Five Points

• Best for: Millennials and college grads seeking a vibrant urban neighborhood with a rich history, a lively arts scene, and plenty of breweries.
• Average one-bedroom rent: $1,969
• Map of Five Points

One of the best neighborhoods in Denver was actually one of its first suburbs. Five Points, Denver attracts millennials and college grads looking for the best breweries, art galleries, tattoo shops, and independent shops against a vibrant urban backdrop.

Situated near RiNo, Five Points is also seeing a resurgence in development with abandoned warehouses turned performance venues. If you want to live in the middle of the action, rent an apartment in Five Points, Denver close to Larimer Street. The area features new complexes and historic buildings side by side. You'll never be at a loss of things to do on a Saturday night, including live jazz and the annual May's Five Points Jazz Festival.

7. Washington Park

• Best for: Those seeking a neighborhood with extensive green space, historic charm, and a blend of vibrant and quiet areas.
• Average one-bedroom rent: N/A
• Map of Washington Park

One of the best neighborhoods in Denver, Washington Park offers 165-acres of green space. Affectionately referred to as Wash Park, the neighborhood is known for its enormous 100-year-old trees shading the streets and the historic Mayan Theatre.

Newcomers should know that the area of Washington Park is divided into two different distinct areas and demographics. Although everyone is welcome in both areas, West Wash Park is the place for coffee shops, brewpub hops, and live music venues. Over in East Wash Park, the more introverted city dwellers and families love living close to the action while nestled in the comfortable quiet.

8. Stapleton

• Best for: Those seeking a trendy neighborhood with modern developments and ample public parks.
• Average one-bedroom rent: $1,718
• Map of Stapleton

The trendy neighborhood of Stapleton was once the home to the former 4,700-acre Denver airport. With so much empty space left behind after it relocated, the city voted on turning the vacancy into a residential area that now holds 30,000 people. Today, Stapleton is widely considered one of the best neighborhoods in Denver.

Unlike many of Denver's neighborhoods, Stapleton is more commercialized with newer complexes and developments. You'll find the Improv Comedy Club in Stapelton, as well as public parks, and eateries.

9. Congress Park

• Best for: Those seeking a small-town feel, beautiful apartments, and a vibrant mix of daytime activities and nightlife.
• Average one-bedroom rent: $1,511
• Map of Congress Park

Known for its small-town feel and big-city amenities, Congress Park boasts beautiful apartments, each with their own special features like exposed brick, wood floors, and unique textiles that make staying in an attractive past-time. If you’re keen to go out, though, the neighborhood has a wealth of green space, including Denver Botanical Gardens, for daytime experiences, and a variety of nightlife options, including long-standing restaurants, bars with live music, and the Sie Film Center, which hosts the annual Denver Film Festival.

Congress Park is singles and family friendly, with a bustling nightlife, easy access to the rest of downtown, and good schools.

10. Golden Triangle

• Best for: Those seeking a chic, creative district with modern apartments, stunning museums, trendy cafes, and a vibrant nightlife.
• Average one-bedroom rent: $1,774
• Map of Golden Triangle

Nestled within Golden Triangle are modern chic apartments, with pale floors, sleek appliances, and clean aesthetics. There’s a good reason these apartments feel magazine ready – the neighborhood is known as the “creative district” due to its stunning museums, from history centers to art galleries, as well as its trendy cafes and modern dining. Stroll through tree-lined streets that feel like a curated gallery tour themselves, before popping into the Denver Art Museum or the Denver Central Library.

Golden Triangle is generally considered a safe neighborhood, with easy access to amenities and to other neighborhoods downtown, good schools, and a bustling nightlife.

Finding Your Denver Apartment

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