So you’ve decided to make the big move to Denver—a smart choice if you enjoy breathtaking views, beautiful architecture, almost 300 sunny days per year, and great food and beer. If you’re a young professional, Denver has some of the best neighborhoods for you to enjoy. The city is a wonderland of culture and activity, breweries, sports, and so much more. But where are the best places to live in Denver? If you’re a young professional considering a move to the Mile High city, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best Denver neighborhoods.
9 of the best places to live in Denver
- LoDo/Downtown
- Capitol Hill
- Highland
- LoHi
- Five Points
- River North Art District (RiNo)
- Washington Park
- Sloans Lake
- University
1. LoDo/Downtown
The best neighborhood in Denver for young professionals
Lower Downtown, named LoDo, is one of the oldest areas in the city of Denver and a great neighborhood to call home. Downtown Denver is a favorite for young professionals because it offers everything city-dwellers are looking for: high rise apartments, great public transportation (no car needed to get to work!), and lots to do within walking distance.
Union Station, a transportation hub opened in the 1800s, continues to operate as a train and bus station servicing Denver’s metro transportation system, the RTD. What you’ll also find inside Union Station are restaurants, shops, and bars, and even a hotel. Union Station is a popular meeting place for happy hour drinks and games on the shuffleboards.
Take in a Rockies game at Coors Field, located in the heart of LoDo, and, of course, drink some beers at one of the many breweries Denver is known for. LoDo is home to Wynkoop Brewery, Colorado’s first brewpub, and one of the best options for outdoor drinking and dining. Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, and Great Divide Brewery are also top destinations for enjoying local craft beer and outdoor seating. You get the point; this is a city of breweries and LoDo/Downtown has a high concentration of them. Larimer Square is a great place to spend a day–the indie shops and restaurants are a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Local tip: Every summer, Larimer Square is transformed into an artist haven with the Denver Chalk Art Festival, a favorite local event to consider attending this year.
2. Capitol Hill
The best neighborhood in Denver for history and culture
Capitol Hill is just south of downtown, but it feels like a different world entirely. The arts and culture alone make this one of the best neighborhoods in Denver. Home to the Colorado State Capitol building, Cap Hill is a historic area of Denver. Say goodbye to bars at every corner and hello to an abundance of art galleries, and six different museums, including the renowned Denver Art Museum.
Cap Hill is home to a mix of modern apartments with historic homes, and is known for its walkability and desirable proximity to dining and outdoor living. Grab brunch at Ivy on 7th, then walk it off in Civic Center Park, where you can enjoy views of the State Capitol building, and live music at the pavilion throughout the warmer months. While on the higher end of average rent prices, this area is an ideal location for young professionals to live in Denver, especially if you work in the downtown area.
Local tip: Civic Center Park hosts many events throughout the summer including the annual PRIDE festival and Civic Center Eats, where residents can enjoy a variety of food trucks every Thursday 11:00AM-2:00PM.
3. Highland
The best neighborhood in Denver for young singles
Like the sound of Capitol Hill but not the price? Check out downtown’s northern neighbor, the Highland. This is the perfect neighborhood for young singles looking for urban living and the opportunity to meet others. There are tons of modern houses and apartments mixed in with older Victorian buildings, pedestrian-friendly streets, and more local shops and restaurants than you can count. Root Down is one of the most popular restaurants in the area, where you can find other young locals enjoying brunch every weekend. When the weather is warm, free events like farmers markets and street fairs take over the streets of the Highland and offer excellent options for shopping and entertainment.
Local tip: The Highland Bridge, a pedestrian-only walkway, is a popular route for residents in the area to access downtown. The bridge serves as an extension of 16th Street Mall where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and seasonal activities.
4. LoHi
The best neighborhood in Denver for boutique shopping and outdoor dining
Lower Highland (LoHi) is a recent addition to Denver’s neighborhoods—the lower section of the Highland neighborhood, closest to downtown, has become a much hipper area than the northern portion of Highland. In fact, LoHi has been named one of the most hipster neighborhoods in the country, but don’t let that scare you off! This is the spot to be if you want to be on the cutting edge of things. It’s home to the coolest boutiques, Denver’s Contemporary Art Museum, and amazing spots to eat like Avanti Food and Beverage’s food collective—a food hall with seven different restaurants offering everything from arepas to pizza. Avanti also features a unique outdoor seating area with bleachers overlooking the downtown skyline.
From Avanti, you can walk to Little Man Ice Cream, a popular destination for homemade ice cream served behind the counter of the twenty-eight foot tall cream can that many consider a Denver landmark. An added bonus of this Denver neighborhood is that LoHi is also super bike-friendly. Here, you can easily access Denver’s main pedestrian walk and bike path, the Cherry Creek Trail. It’s no surprise that LoHi is one of the best areas to live in Denver.
Local tip: LoHi is very dog friendly! Many dining establishments encourage four-legged patrons including Recess Beer Garden, a beloved LoHi local favorite.
5. Five Points
The best neighborhood in Denver for entertainment
Five Points was one of Denver’s first suburbs and has remained one of the key Denver neighborhoods ever since. Housing is more affordable, public transportation is easy, and there are even more breweries here. If you’re looking for more of a city feel, you’ll want to stick close to Larimer Street, which is lined with new apartments and historic buildings turned into tattoo shops, art galleries, and places like Our Mutual Friend Brewing and Crema Coffee.
The southern portion of Five Points is more of a traditional neighborhood, with tree-lined streets and older homes available to rent. Commonly referred to as the “Harlem of the West”, this area also has a rich jazz history, and you won’t want to miss out on the Five Points Jazz Festival this May.
Local tip: Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom is one of the top destinations for live music in Denver and is located within the Five Points neighborhood.
6. River North Art District (RiNo)
The best neighborhood in Denver to experience local art
Although officially within the Five Points neighborhood, RiNo is considered a neighborhood of its own. RiNo, short for River North Art District, is another one of those Denver neighborhoods you might call hipster—which makes sense, considering all of the coffee roasters, artisan shops, restaurants, and apartments situated in old warehouses and factories. But if there’s one thing that actually defines this neighborhood, it’s a love for art. RiNo has rapidly become one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Denver, and its street murals are a huge focal point of the community in this neighborhood.
In addition to the art, RiNo has great food—try the The Source, an old warehouse turned hotel and food hall where you can choose from a wide variety of cuisine including israeli, barbeque, sushi, and Mexican fare. As with every other Denver neighborhood on our list, you’ll also find a growing collection of new local breweries sprouting up in the neighborhood.
Local tip: On the First Friday of every month, a number of RiNo establishments host events ranging from gallery openings and viewings, to live music.
7. Washington Park
The best neighborhood in Denver for families
Washington Park, also called “Wash Park” is a more residential Denver neighborhood. Here you’ll find lush landscapes and a more quiet atmosphere than other Denver areas. The neighborhoods namesake, Washington Park is a beautiful outdoor area with flower gardens and two man-made lakes. Here you’ll find residents doing yoga, playing sports, having picnics, and enjoying the gorgeous Denver weather.
Nearby South Pearl Street is a favorite destination for shopping and dining. Old South Gaylord is one of the oldest shopping districts in Denver and hosts a number of community events throughout the year. If you are planning to raise a family in Denver, you can’t go wrong with this Denver neighborhood.
Local tip: South Pearl Street farmers’ market takes place every Sunday June-October. Here you can find fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts.
8. Sloans Lake
The best neighborhood in Denver for commuting
Similarly to Wash Park, Sloans Lake is a family oriented neighborhood. Here you’ll find a mix of new contemporary remodels and duplex housing. The big appeal of living in Sloans Lake is the location. Residents can very easily commute to downtown or out West to the mountains with multiple route options.
Another big draw to living in Sloans Lake will benefit football fans, more specifically Denver Bronco’s fans. This neighborhood is within walking distance to Empower Field at Mile High. Other local favorite in this neighborhood include Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen and Cafe and Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse.
Local tip: Don’t miss the annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival where you can experience boat racing and Asian food vendors.
9. University
The best neighborhood in Denver for students
Students looking for housing in Denver will want to set their sights on the University neighborhood. Not only is the neighborhood within walking distance to the University of Denver campus, but residents of this area enjoy an abundance of dining and entertainment options. Housing is more affordable in this neighborhood thanks to the student presence, and the vibes of the area are both equally vibrant and relaxing. With the nearby Light Rail station, commuting to other destinations from University is easy, adding to its appeal. University is a very walkable neighborhood and if living in this area of Denver you may not even need a car. Young professionals and students alike consider University to be one of the best Denver neighborhoods to call home.
Local tip: The Newman Center for the Performing Arts is a top destination in the area for cultural events, modern dance, and opera.
Frequently asked questions
Denver’s cost of living is relatively high compared to the national average. Housing, transportation, and healthcare are some of the most expensive categories. However, Denver’s overall cost of living is lower than other major cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
Denver has a semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. The city receives an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, with low humidity and moderate temperatures. Winters can be cold and snowy, while summers are warm and dry. Denver is known to have snowfall into the late spring, but the sunshine helps melt the snow in a day or two.
Popular attractions include the Denver Art Museum, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, the Denver Zoo, and the Colorado State Capitol. The city also offers a variety of craft breweries, restaurants, and shopping destinations.
Denver has a fairly robust transportation system, including light rail, buses, and bike-sharing programs. The city is also known for its walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods, with dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian paths throughout. However, with an influx of new residents, traffic can be congested during rush hour, especially on major highways like I-25 and I-70.
The unemployment rate in Denver is generally lower than the national average, and the median household income is higher. Many major companies have a presence in Denver, including Lockheed Martin, Comcast, and Arrow Electronics. The city also has a thriving start-up scene, with numerous co-working spaces to support entrepreneurs.
Final thoughts
Each of these popular Denver neighborhoods provide endless options for dining, entertainment, and Colorado culture. The city of Denver draws new residents to the area every year, and has no sign of slowing down. If you’re looking to make Denver your home, consider choosing one of these top neighborhoods, and start enjoying life as a local in the Mile High City.
Be sure to check out our apartments for rent in Denver and get your living space lined up before you even make the move.
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