Denver is changing fast. I know because I’m a Denver local who travels the world to write this blog.
I leave Denver for long stretches a few times a year, so I really get a chance to witness the differences each time I return.
And goodness, there is a LOT of change happening in almost all of the best Denver neighborhoods!
Trying to figure out which neighborhoods in Denver are right for you? Read on because I’ll overview the 15 best areas to live in Denver. I’ll break down the pros and cons of moving to each Denver neighborhood and will give you handy maps to visualize it all.
Note this article is geared toward looking for a place to live in Denver. If you’re visiting Denver as a tourist, check out my article on where to stay in Denver. That article breaks down all the best Denver areas, hotels, and more.
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16 Best Neighborhoods in Denver
RiNo (River North Art District)
One of the coolest neighborhoods in Denver, great for students and nightlife lovers.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Source Hotel
Of all the best places to live in Denver, none has changed more over the last decade than the River North Art District, referred to by the shorthand “RiNo.”
This former industrial area, part of the historic Five Points neighborhood, has recently seen massive development of hip bars, busy nightclubs, trendy restaurants, and boutique shops along Larimer Street.
It’s definitely the hottest area for nightlife in Denver which, depending upon your perspective, maybe a pro or a con. RiNo features large streets, art galleries, lots of converted warehouse buildings, and some of the best street art in the Mountain West.
Pros of RiNo Neighborhood
- Probably the trendiest neighborhood in Denver, Colorado
- Best nightlife options in town
- Excellent dining and drinking scene
- Amazing street art
Cons of RiNo Neighborhood
- RiNo gets very loud – especially on a weekend, when RiNo absolutely floods with partiers
- Highway and rail track barriers make it harder to walk to nearby areas (you can walk to LoDo, but it’s a long walk)
- Home prices are getting expensive fast
👉 What are the best things to do in Denver? I wrote an epic post you should check out: 58 Best Things to Do in Denver (By a Local!). It’s packed with fun activities, stuff to do, and adventures around town.
City Park
Open green spaces and a lower cost of living draw young professionals to this Denver neighborhood.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Catbird Hotel
Both City Park West and City Park East are some of the best neighborhoods to live in Denver if you have a dog, or need to live in the city but like to spend a lot of time outside. You’ll be just steps away from two of Denver’s largest parks: Cheesman Park and City Park.
There’s also a good offering of some of the best restaurants (try Olive & Finch) bars ( The Thin Man is great) and coffee shops in Denver, plus many more just south along Colfax Avenue.
Pros of City Park Neighborhood
- Lots of nearby green and open space
- Reasonably close to downtown, but considerably more affordable
- Easy access to DIA
Cons of City Park Neighborhood
- The stretch bordering Colfax has elevated crime rates
- St. Joseph’s hospital complex means ambulance sounds are common
🎓 Pro Tip: Check out Denver Public School’s boundary maps to visualize the city’s elementary, middle, and high school districts. They also have a nifty school finder that lets you quickly find schools by entering an address.
Washington Park
Arguably the best neighborhood in Denver for families, being safe and largely residential.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Cherry Creek
Can’t decide between living in the city of Denver or the Denver suburbs? This area might be a good compromise!
Located in the southern half of the city, Washington Park is a relatively quiet residential neighborhood with lots of single family homes and townhomes on offer, a Whole Foods Market, and the spectacular coffee shop Wash Perk (popular with students at nearby Denver University).
As one of the safest neighborhoods in Denver, Washington Park is relatively quiet and peaceful. But the area is also close enough to bars and restaurants, with many located along the nearby stretches of South Broadway in Baker or South Pearl in Platt Park.
The big attraction, of course, is the proximity to the excellent Washington Park, where you’ll find miles of biking trails, volleyball nets, two lakes, tennis and basketball courts, and loads of green space.
Pros of Washington Park Neighborhood
- Gorgeous leafy streets
- Proximity to Washington Park
- Quiet, safe neighborhood
Cons of Washington Park Neighborhood
- Distance – getting most anywhere will require a car or bike
- Not as many bars, restaurants, or shopping (though several Denver malls are nearby)
👉 Love Day Trips? Denver is perfect for day-long excursions – read my post on the 14 Best Day Trips from Denver (not all of them are to the mountains!).
Capitol Hill
Affordable Victorian-era homes line the streets in Cap Hill, one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Patterson Inn
Capitol Hill is one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods, and a lot of the buildings here are late Victorian Era mansions that have since been converted to apartments, condos, or townhomes. The streets are very green, and it’s a highly livable neighborhood that is quite literally in the center of Denver, Colorado.
Capitol Hill does have its drawbacks, especially when it comes to parking. If you’re getting a place in Capitol Hill, try to find somewhere with reserved parking. Fighting for a spot on the street is something that everyone I know who lives on Capitol Hill complains about constantly.
Pros of Capitol Hill Neighborhood
- Generally the most affordable rent among central Denver neighborhoods
- Houses offer gorgeous architecture, with great curb appeal
- Loads of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and shops
- Many nearby attractions, including the iconic Colorado Capitol building and the Denver Art Museum
Cons of Capitol Hill Neighborhood
- Many buildings are 100+ years old, are carry the problems that comes with
- The area, especially around Colfax, tends to have higher crime rates
- As in much of the city, there is a high number of individuals affected by housing insecurity
- Parking on street is a nightmare
Lower Downtown (“LoDo”)
The best neighborhood in Denver for a big city, high-rise style living.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Maven at Dairy Block
Lower Downtown, or LoDo, was the first Denver neighborhood I lived in after law school. I was coming off a few years living on the East Coast and chose it because this is definitely the most big-city-style neighborhood in Denver. This historic neighborhood puts you right in the middle of the city’s action.
It features many of Denver Colorado’s main attractions, including Union Station, Larimer Square, Coors Field, and the fantastic urban micro district Dairy Block. In fact, about half of the top entries on my list of things to do in Denver are in or near LoDo. You’ll find plenty of modern apartment and condo buildings. But in terms of the cost of living, be prepared to pay a premium for this prime location near Union Station!
Pros of LoDo Neighborhood
- Location, location, location!
- The most vibrant part of the city on any given night
- Many high rise apartments offer amazing views of the Rocky Mountains
Cons of LoDo Neighborhood
- Rent or housing prices are relatively expensive
- You won’t find proper houses here, it’s entirely condos and apartments
👉 Need a Hotel in Denver? I visited dozens of them and ranked them in my guide to the best hotels in the Denver area. Bookmark it!
Golden Triangle
The best place to live in Denver for a central location and relatively affordable rent.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Art Hotel Denver
Golden Triangle is the Denver creative district bounded by Colfax Avenue to the north, Broadway to the east, and Speer Boulevard along the west. It’s a small area but is home to some of Denver’s best museums and cultural institutions like the Kirkland Museum of Fine Art, the Denver Public Library, and the Denver Mint.
In Golden Triangle, you’re also steps from the golden dome at the Colorado Capitol Building and Civic Center Park. You’ll find a mix of large condo buildings along Speer Boulevard, eclectic townhomes, commercial spaces, and hotels. Be sure to check out the bar at The Art Hotel Denver, one of my picks for the best downtown hotels in Denver, Colorado.
Pros of Golden Triangle Neighborhood
- Lots of museums and attractions
- Central location within walking distance to downtown, but slightly more affordable rent
Cons of Golden Triangle Neighborhood
- Still not a ton of restaurants or bars (though that’s changing)
- Can feel a little empty at night
👉 Visiting Denver and Wondering Where to Stay? I wrote a whole post on the best Denver areas for tourists! It’s geared towards shorter visits, but if you or your friends want to play tourist for a weekend, it’s a must-read.
Lower Highland (“LoHi”)
One of the best neighborhoods in Denver for anyone who can afford it!
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website
Best for: anyone who can afford it!
Lower Highland (or “LoHi”) technically isn’t an official neighborhood, though it’s called one by Denver Colorado locals, so you may find some confusion around terms here. Whatever you call it, this is undoubtedly one of the most expensive Denver neighborhoods – and for good reason.
LoHi is situated just across the I-95 footbridge from LoDo but offers a more traditional neighborhood feel with lots of single family units, green and leafy streets, and some of the best restaurants and dining options in Denver. Don’t miss the rooftop at Linger or ice cream at Little Man!
Pros of LoHi Neighborhood
- Beautiful streets and homes
- Lively, but still quiet at night
- Lots of high end restaurants
- Walkable to downtown Denver
- Views of Denver’s skyline
Cons of LoHi Neighborhood
- Price – average rent or home prices are very high!
Uptown (“North Capitol Hill”)
Walking distance to downtown, Uptown is one of the best places to live in Denver for young adults.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Warwick Denver
Technically known as North Capitol Hill, Uptown is one of my personal favorite neighborhoods in Denver. I’m a little biased since I used to own a home there. I recently sold it to focus on my life of world travel, but it’s still a great area to live in Denver.
When I lived in Uptown, I was working as a corporate lawyer downtown, and I absolutely loved being able to walk to work. I really think Uptown is the perfect Denver neighborhood, especially for young professionals or anyone working downtown.
Uptown is near to much of the best stuff to do in Denver, and offers many great restaurants and bars, all while still maintaining a good community feel. The tree-lined streets are super green, and the sidewalks are wide and walkable!
Pros of Uptown Neighborhood
- Great location in the center of the city
- Highly walkable
- Solid dining and bar scene, but still quiet at night
- Cost of living is reasonable for a downtown neighborhood
Cons of Uptown Neighborhood
- Public transit connections are not the best (the nearest light rail is 15 minute walk)
👉 New to Colorado? See Laura’s tips for moving to Colorado!
Berkeley
Restaurants, galleries, and spacious parks make this one of the best neighborhoods for families and outdoor lovers.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Lumber Baron Inn and Gardens
Berkeley is a great Highland neighborhood in Denver for finding traditional single family homes along quiet, safe, and relatively walkable streets. It offers a vibrant hub of high end dining and boutiques along the iconic Tennyson Street.
Berkeley is also home to Berkeley Lake Park and Rocky Mountain Lake Park, which makes it a great place to live in Denver if you enjoy the outdoors or have a dog. Plus, it’s close to I-70, giving you easy access to day trips from Denver to the Rocky Mountains on weekends.
Pros of Berkeley Neighborhood
- Spacious homes, many with yards
- Lots of restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, and culture
- Great parks with walking trails, playgrounds, and outdoor space
Cons of Berkeley Neighborhood
- A little far from downtown
Sunnyside
This Highland neighborhood offers a balance of space, location, and cost of living .
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Life House, Lower Highlands
Rounding out the Highland neighborhoods featured on this list, Sunnyside is a great neighborhood where several of my friends live. There are lots of spacious single family homes, and many offer expansive yards and friendly front porches. The streets are wide, clean, and covered in greenery. Along 38th Avenue you’ll a few solid restaurants and local businesses. Plus, you’re just over the bridge from RiNo, LoDo, and all that downtown offers.
Pros of Sunnyside Neighborhood
- Lots of gorgeous homes with yards on offers
- Cost of living is less expensive than LoHi or Berkeley, but still close to it all
Cons of Sunnyside Neighborhood
- Not quite as walkable as other central neighborhoods
Sloan’s Lake
Where to live in Denver if you’re looking for nearby amenities including ample outdoor space.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Perry Sloan’s Lake
Sloan’s Lake is a large Denver lake offering gorgeous views of downtown Denver to the east and the Rocky Mountains to the west.
My mom used to live near Sloan’s Lake and really liked it because it’s a safe part of Denver that offers many different styles of housing options, and is near some solid breweries, restaurants, and grocery stores. It’s also close to several major Denver thoroughfares, making it easy to get around or out of town. You’ll find a mix of Tudor’s, contemporary remodels, duplexes, and townhomes.
Pros of Sloan’s Lake Neighborhood
- Great running and biking trails in Sloan’s Lake Park
- Close to downtown Denver
Cons of Sloan’s Lake Neighborhood
- Cost of living – this is a desirable Denver area
⛰️ Ready to Explore the Rocky Mountains? Bookmark our guide to the best hiking paths in the Denver area for tips about the best trails and hikes close to Denver for every skill level.
Baker (“South Broadway”)
One of the most accessible and best neighborhoods for food and nightlife.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: TownePlace Suites Denver Downtown
I lived in the Baker neighborhood for a year, and I really loved this Mile High City neighborhood. It is close to the food and nightlife action on South Broadway, offers a great community, and has decent transit connections.
The population in Baker is a mix of smaller families and young professionals, and the housing tends to consist of charming smaller single family homes. It’s a very livable neighborhood that I would gladly move back to.
Pros of Baker Neighborhood
- South Broadway offers lots to do, but it’s still quiet
- Light rail station
Cons of Baker Neighborhood
- Housing can be expensive considering the lack of space
Cherry Creek
Luxurious Denver living with high-end homes, fancy shopping boutiques, and highly rated public schools.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Jacquard, Autograph Collection
Cherry Creek is definitely one of the more unique neighborhoods in Denver. It’s home to some of the most expensive homes in town, fancy shopping boutiques, the large Cherry Creek shopping center, and some of Denver’s higher rated public schools. It is very expensive to live and far from everything, but the community who lives there absolutely loves it.
Pros of Cherry Creek Neighborhood
- High end and luxury housing options
- The Cherry Creek shopping area is very walkable, with lots of boutiques, shops, restaurants, etc
Cons of Cherry Creek Neighborhood
- Location – a car is mandatory
- Price – get ready to pony up to live here!
Central Park (“Stapleton”)
Great for families, it’s one of the best places to live near Denver for a suburban feel.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Central Park
Central Park, formerly known as Stapleton, is one of the more “suburban” neighborhoods in town.
It’s not my thing, but my friends who live there have very different opinions of Central Park. They love the large houses, suburban style living, and plentiful outdoor space. There’s also a decent smattering of shopping, restaurants, etc. Plus, you’re not that far from the exquisite Stanley Marketplace.
Pros of Central Park Neighborhood
- Safe, with well rated schools
- Large homes with lots of space to spread out
- Easy access to parks and green space
Cons of Central Park Neighborhood
- Location – you’ll need a car because you’re far from the city center
Curtis Park
Denver’s oldest neighborhood with a long-running history of celebrating jazz culture.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: The Ramble Hotel
Curtis Park makes up a large part of the historic Denver Five Points neighborhood. Curtis Park is also officially the oldest neighborhood in Denver. Along with the adjoining Whittier neighborhood, the area became synonymous with jazz, at one point being known as the “Harlem of the West.” To this day it plays host to the excellent Five Points Jazz Festival.
Pros of Curtis Park
- Central location close to RiNo and downtown Denver
- Great light rail connections
Cons of Curtis Park
- Rising real estate prices and gentrification may burden local residents and small businesses
Park Hill
With suburban-style living and highly-rated schools, this is one of the best neighborhoods for families.
📍 Google Maps | Neighborhood Website | 👉 Best Hotel for Your Scouting Trip: Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel
Best for: families
Park Hill is one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods, and also one of its largest. Expanding over the area just west of City Park, from I-70 down to Colfax, Park Hill offers a lot of single family homes along tree lined streets, giving it an almost suburban feel. Many of the schools also score high on the Colorado Department of Education’s District and School Performance Framework results.
Pros of Park Hill Neighborhood
- Large homes with yards and space
- Several well rated school districts
- Tree lined streets
Cons of Park Hill Neighborhood
- A bit far from the city center
FAQs About Denver’s Neighborhoods
Is Denver expensive to live?
Denver ranks 43rd in the USA for the cost of living, according to the Numbeo index, making Denver a relatively expensive place to live. Still, Denver is relatively affordable to live in when compared to major coastal cities like New York or San Francisco, though housing prices are increasing rapidly.
What is the nicest neighborhood in Denver?
Higher end nice neighborhoods in Denver include Highland, Cherry Creek, and Lower Downtown. All offer some of the most expensive real estate in Denver.
What is the most expensive neighborhood in Denver?
The Denver suburb Cherry Hills Village is one of the most expensive in the United States according to Bloomberg’s 2020 report.
👉 DON’T MISS: my mega-post on the 58 best things to do in Denver and my complete Denver travel guide! Both are packed with more local tips.
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Looking to live somewhere other than Denver? Check out our guide to the top places to live in Colorado.
That’s it for this list of the best neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado… according to this local anyway! Scroll down and leave a comment letting me know which ones you think are the best neighborhoods.
