How to Find an Apartment In Denver

The prospect of having to find a new place to live can prove to be a challenge. Combine that sentiment with the ever-growing expansion of one of America’s most beloved metropolitan cities, Denver. Ranked among the nation’s best cities to live, Denver definitely has an abundance of appeal and, over the last decade, the city’s population has unsurprisingly grown by a cumulative 21%. Needless to say, knowing how to find an apartment in Denver can be quite an undertaking. Luckily, there is never a shortage of neighborhoods tailored for every individual, family, and walk of life.

Here are some notes, tips, and guides refined to showcase exactly how to find an apartment in Denver, Colorado. While the search may be arduous, note that finding your next home should never be a rushed process. Carefully vet areas of interest and establish a list of requirements for your next Denver apartment.

Importance of Finding Your Dream Apartment

“Self-care” is one of those millennial marketing buzzwords that are so often used, it almost feels like an afterthought or a cliche. But the underlying concept is still crucial. Let’s take a minute to consider just how important finding your dream apartment can be not only for everyday living but for self-care routines and even mental health.

Your apartment home should function as a haven. After all, it’s the place where you celebrate big wins and quiet evenings. It’s the place you arrange and rearrange for the sake of matching your style and aesthetic. Your sacred physical space hosts dinner parties and solo Netflix marathons. So, choosing your Denver apartment should require careful thought and consideration.

According to LifeHacker, finding a great apartment to visit is only half the battle, and in many cases, can be the easiest part of the apartment hunting process. Learning how to find an apartment in Denver usually entails prioritizing a list of essentials for your next home. Among the list of factors, consider:

• Rent budgets
• Physical features
• Lease agreement
• Location
• Amenities
• Pet policy
• Guest policy
• Security features
• Parking

Narrowing down your available apartment possibilities can be difficult. With a priority list to guide you, you can quickly check off properties that fall outside of your defined requirements. However, if you know anything about how to find an apartment in Denver, there are other challenges you may encounter. Deposits, rent terms, and noise ordinances should also be considered when shopping around. What is the downfall of apartment hunting in Denver?

The Challenges of Apartment Hunting in Denver

There’s a downfall to the rising popularity of Colorado’s capital. For one, Denver has one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. Unsurprisingly, the demand for apartments has skyrocketed in recent years, like an indication of why the city ranks third among America’s Best of the Best list. Apartments that are situated in some of the most popular suburbs and neighborhoods are off the market as quickly as they’re posted. Some of those neighborhoods include:

• Cherry Creek
• LoDo
• Highland
• RiNo Art District
• Five Points
• Washington Park
• Glendale

In such a burgeoning metropolis, finding the most appealing rental property can be a challenge.

Denver Apartment Guide: What to Look For

Before you set out to rent an apartment in Denver, there are so many possibilities to entertain. There’s a lively atmosphere lurking around every corner and all neighborhoods have pros and cons to weigh. In addition, landlords and property managers vary, so it’s important to understand your lifestyle, needs, and everyday expectations. Knowing how to find an apartment in Denver means defining your own day-to-day habits.

Consider: are you more likely to use public transportation or commute with your own vehicle? Do you prefer areas closer to work? The heart of Denver is its downtown and for most people, the desirable neighborhoods put you in or around it. However, that’s not to suggest that city-center living is right for everyone. Consider how you feel toward loud noises and light pollution. Are you more likely to seek quiet spaces and calm environments?

What is Denver Life Known For?

One of the best things about living in Denver is its eclectic options and adventurous spirit. Positioned at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the city of Denver provides a convenient getaway to a slew of outdoor pursuits like hiking, mountain biking, skiing, etc. It also offers a plethora to do in the city with more than 5,000 acres of parks, trails, golf courses, and playgrounds. In fact, many of Denver’s most prominent neighborhoods are built around and named after local attractions like Sloan’s Lake or Washington Park.

Cost of Living

With Denver’s population boom, the cost of living has dramatically increased over the last several years. In fact, according to Apartment List, the median rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Denver is $1,276. When figuring out how to find an apartment in Denver, consider the higher cost of living based on geographic location. Neighborhoods and suburbs just outside the city center tend to be more affordable than those that are nearest to downtown.

Questions to Ask When Apartment Hunting

If you’re apartment hunting, you should always consider the questions to inquire with the property managers or landlords. Gathering as much information as possible allows you to properly vet and, therefore, make the most informed decision. We highly recommend taking notes on the places you visit so that the details stay fresh in your mind.

Here are some samples of important questions AparmentGuide.com suggests you ask from the landlord or property manager:

• How much is the rent?
• When is rent due? Is there a grace period?
• What amount of rent is expected in the first payment?
• Is there a security deposit? How much is it? What does it cover?
• How much notice do I have to give to vacate?
• Will I get my security deposit back?
• What are the pet policies?
• Is there a pet deposit?
• What are the maintenance terms?
• What changes can I make to the décor?
• Can I have friends or family stay at the apartment? For how long?
• Is there assigned parking? Is it included in the rent?
• Can the property manager or landlord enter my apartment? Do they have to give notice?
• How soon can I move in?

Consider this good rule of thumb when defining the dimensions of your dream Denver apartment. UrbanPhenix suggests that 100 to 400 square feet per person are a good unit of measurement.

Denver’s Neighborhoods

One of the most amazing things about the Mile High City is the vastness of its metropolitan area and the suburban neighborhoods that seem to bleed into one another. Every corner of the city has its own style, flare, and aesthetic. Certainly, the vibe you find in RiNo’s Art District–think psychedelic arts with modern twists–is much different than the structured, high-end community of Cherry Creek.

Every neighborhood in Denver offers something different from restaurants and bars to events and nightlife. To break it down, here is some information on what Apartmentguide.com, defines as the five most popular areas for Denver apartments.

Want to know how to find an apartment in Denver quickly? Contact property managers through UrbanPhenix and inquire about our available units today.

Neighborhoods to Consider:

Downtown

Average Rent: 1 Bedroom, $2,477

Most suitable for working professionals and those with a penchant for city life, downtown Denver boasts a ton of amenities. Find hundreds of famous eateries, breweries, bars, shops, and more within a couple of miles radius. Convenient access to everything you need makes downtown and ideal place to consider renting an apartment.

Cherry Creek

Average Rent: 1 Bedroom, $2,851

Home to the Botanical Gardens, and Denver’s upscale Cherry Creek Mall, this neighborhood is close enough to downtown but far enough that it feels like a suburb. Surrounding neighborhoods boast multimillion-dollar homes and hi-rise apartments are considerably more expensive.

Capitol Hill

Average Rent: 1 Bedroom, $1,646

Located just south of Denver’s capitol building, Capitol Hill is a great place for single millennials who are new to the Mile High City. It’s within walking distance of downtown, but without the steep price tag. Most of the surrounding neighborhood homes are old Victorian-style mansions. In fact, it’s largely considered Historic Denver, hosting some of the oldest landmarks like the Molly Brown House Museum.

Highland

Average Rent: 1 Bedroom, $2,222

To locals, this neighborhood is known as “The Highlands.” As far as hip and trendy are concerned, Highland takes the cake. Combining old homes with modern architecture, this area of Denver is more artistic with an upscale feel. There are numerous independently owned shops, small businesses, restaurants, music venues, and gorgeous parks nearby. It’s within a few minutes walk to downtown and has incredible views of Denver’s skyline.

Stapleton (Central Park)

Average Rent: 1 Bedroom, $1,600

Still on the rise, this area of Denver was once industrial and the far-out suburbs. Slowly, new shops and restaurants have transformed public life. It’s also conveniently located between Denver International Airport and Downtown Denver, making it easy for individuals with wanderlust dreams to get away quickly. Like Capitol Hill, Stapleton (which is now called Central Park) is incredibly affordable.

Why Rent Instead of Owning?

We know you’re seeking advice on how to find an apartment, but this is a good reminder that renting is still a worthwhile trend.

Many will tell you to stop throwing away money on the costly monthly rent. On the other hand, there are well-known benefits to renting that are often overlooked. Whether you’d like to admit it or not, the following reasons make homeownership look like a nightmare, and for good reason. Renting, especially through trustworthy property managers, can make everyday living a breeze. Westword suggests there are many good reasons to rent rather than own in Denver.

For one, renting a three-bedroom apartment is more affordable than owning a three-bedroom house. Rent is cheaper in almost 90% of Colorado counties. Renting also absolves you of the never-ending commitment of homeownership. Rather than signing a binding contract for a 15- or 30-year mortgage, average apartment leases span a year. This type of freedom allows you the option to move on if you’re ready for change or something new.

Additionally, insurance costs are significantly lower as you are insuring only apartment contents. As far as price is concerned, subletting an apartment makes it easier to deal with unforeseen obstacles, for example, if your employer transfers you to a different city. In other words, you don’t have to go through the time, cost, and inconvenience of selling a home.

Lastly, if the neighborhood changes or you have a change in your everyday lifestyle, moving to another apartment is easier than selling a home. Now that you know how to find an apartment in Denver that process will run a lot smoother, too.

Using a Reputable Property Manager

When you are considering how to find an apartment in Denver, think about using a reputable property manager. Using a reputable property management company like Urban Phenix (urbanphenix.com), there are several advantages. Property managers are expert middle people. They know how to screen renters so you as a renter don’t end up with the next door renter from hell.

Property managers understand what questions you as a renter should be asking. They are well-informed and highly organized. Furthermore, they have all of the paperwork needed to protect the rights of both the landlord and the tenant.

Property managers, like Urban Phenix, know their niche market. They can make practical suggestions to renters who may be looking to learn how to find an apartment in Denver. We’re always here to assist. Contact us today for more information.