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Denver Neighborhood Guide

Denver is a large, multifaceted city and one of the fastest growing metro areas in America. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in America with newcomers flocking from all over. It can be quite overwhelming at first. Undercover Colorado provides a handy reference for those who wish to explore Denver’s various areas and attractive feature. Additionally, we’re offering a Denver neighborhood guide that can serve you if you’re looking to move to the Mile High City in the near future. 

Looking for a place to live in Denver? Urban Phenix has affordable apartments for rent that offer residents the comfort of home in a beautiful city. Learn more here

a guide to denver neighborhoods

Glendale

To start our Denver neighborhood guide, we zero in on one of the city’s oldest areas. This neighborhood formed just one year after Denver was settled in 2858. Not to be confused with the popular area of Glendale in California, this Glendale sits a few miles south of the city’s metro downtown area. 

Writer Dalian Singer of 5280 Denver Neighborhood Guide notes that this emerging neighborhood abounds with rental and homeowner options for newcomers of all ages. Most Glendale residents rent. Thus, the area has given rise to many newly constructed apartment complexes with a plethora of appealing amenities. 

Located in Arapahoe County, Glendale has been voted one of the best areas of Denver in which to live. This neighborhood of over five thousand attracts young professionals because of its good schools, green spaces, and many amenities. There is an urban feel with many bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and parks. 

Find some of our Glendale apartments for rent here:

Lakewood

According to Spacewise, Lakewood is an excellent community in which to live and work. There are 75,000 job opportunities in the industrial area sector with wages 5% higher than in other nearby communities.

Downtown Denver is easy to access with a sophisticated transit system.

Belmar, the central plaza hosts over eighty retailers, restaurants, a movie theater, an ice-skating rink, music venues, and art galleries. Excellent shopping and dining attract tourists and locals.  

Sloans Lake/Edgewater

Located to the southwest of The Highlands, Sloans Lake offers residents an out-of-the-city location surrounding Denver’s biggest lake.

While walking downtown would be a stretch, Sloans Lake is a sleepy, friendly community. While there are some interesting restaurants, most residents head uptown or to Cap Hill. Edgewater offers lakeside locations with great city views. This community of over 5,000 offers a pleasant mix of urban amenities with a suburban feel. Families and young professionals enjoy the many restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Schools are rated above average.

Capitol Hill

Known by locals as Cap Hill, this neighborhood stretches from East Colfax to 6th Avenue north to south and from the capitol building to Cheeseman Park east to west.

Arguably the hippest places to live are those near the city center. Unique architecture and historic homes converted into apartments define the character of this Denver neighborhood. Capitol Hill is nestled within walking distance of the State’s Capitol buildings and downtown business district. Cap Hill is the most densely populated part of Denver. The appeal is proximity to bars and restaurants and often a short walk to work. Cap Hill is a neighborhood that never sleeps. Days and nights are full of eclectic activities that appeal to a multigenerational crowd.

a guide to denver neighborhoods

Five Points

A decade ago, Five Points was practically unknown. Once referred to as Harlem of the West, Five Points was home to artist studios. Ten years later, this is one of the most energetic communities in Denver.  Construction is rampant. New sidewalks and bike lanes are gradually appearing. Five Points has an abundance of art galleries, interesting restaurants, vibrant bars, and live music venues.

RiNo

The best Denver neighborhood guide should include one of the newest, up-and-coming areas. Once an industrial district, RiNo has slow transformed into a mecca for art, microbreweries, restaurants, and tech start-ups. As a trendy bustling area, this Denver neighborhood has a lot of perks, including proximity to busy city-life. 

The Denver Ear rates River North Arts District (RiNo) as Denver’s hippest neighborhood. They call it the area where art is created. RiNo is popular with both locals and tourists for its historic warehouses and factories which have been converted to apartments and studios. Enjoy the trendy restaurants, microbreweries, music venues, and art galleries.

Highlands

The Highlands—or, Highland as it is sometimes called—has a suburban feel. It got its name from the fact that it is a raised hillside, providing a great view of downtown Denver.

The area has lots of nightlife and good restaurants in the area—especially around Highland Square at 32nd Avenue, and Tennyson Street starting at 38th

The area once referred to as North Denver is now divided into smaller sections called Lower Highland or LoHi and West Highland.

Lowry Park

Built after the closure of the air force base, The Denver Post calls Lowry Park a master-planned neighborhood built on the Lowry Air Force Base’s footprints.

This east Denver neighborhood offers a variety of housing options, schools, retail stores, and local businesses.

Lowry Park has properties for both owners and renters. The majority of residents have young families. House prices and rents are affordable. Lots are small but the neighborhood has lots of green space for kids to play.

Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek stretches from Speer Boulevard in the south and east to Colorado Boulevard. Bordered on the west by University Avenue, 6th Avenue forms the north edge.

Named for the creek that winds through this neighborhood, Cherry Creek is an upscale place to live. It borders Cap Hill making it easy to access downtown Denver for work or recreation.

Cherry Hill offers a mix of rental properties including apartments and houses. Luxurious residences are tucked into its side streets.

Cherry Creek North is Denver’s answer to LA’s Rodeo Drive while Cherry Creek Mall in the south is a mecca for less affluent shoppers.

Wheat Ridge

This Jefferson County community of over 32,000 has been voted one of Colorado’s best places to retire. Most residents of this Denver suburban neighborhood own homes. Wheat Ridge has a dense suburban feel. The residents are lean, fit, and conservative. Schools are rated above average.

Wheat Ridge offers many parks, shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. 

Arvada

Denver’s Channel 7 voted Arvada one of the top ten places to live in the United States.

Its rating was based on affordable housing, healthcare, safety, amenities, and safety. Arvada is home to many young professionals. There are many green spaces where kids can play and residents can keep fit.

denver neighborhood guide

Getting around Denver

Many of Denver’s neighborhoods offer access to downtown Denver by walking, rollerblading, or biking. Denver also has a transit system that allows workers, residents, and tourists to make their way through the city. Denver residents readily walk, run, job, and hike. The city’s public and private transportation is efficient and easy to access.

Why Choose Urban Phenix?

If you are new to Denver and you are looking for a place to rent, the knowledgeable, experienced customer relations staff of Urban Phenix can help. 

In the Glendale area, we have a wide range of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Contact us to discuss the area where you’d like to live in The Mile High City.