Best Neighborhoods in Denver - 2025 Buyer's Guide

Whatever you might have heard about Colorado's capital city, you won’t fully experience its magic unless you visit. And if you plan on moving here, you’ll get to experience that magic daily.

Denver enjoyed a podium finish for six consecutive years on the U.S. News and World Report’s "Best Places to Live in the United States," from 2016 to 2021. Two of the city’s six professional sports teams, the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Avalanche, are equally decorated, boasting three Super Bowls and three Stanley Cup championships. And the city’s commitment to sustainability has won it a rare LEED for Cities Platinum Certification.

But accolades aside, Denver’s 200 local parks, hundreds of craft breweries, and 300 days of sunshine a year are just a few of the pros on a very long list. So if you’re moving to Denver, choosing a neighborhood might be the hardest part.

Below, the team at Prevu Real Estate has put together a list of the nine best neighborhoods in the Mile High City to help you on your buyer’s journey in Denver.

The golden-domed Colorado State Capitol building has a physical representation of where the nickname "Mile High City" comes from.

The building’s 13th step marks precisely one mile above sea level and is the reason why Denver enjoys its unique name.

"Cap Hill," as it is locally known, is the beating heart of Denver. It is a densely-populated neighborhood, yet its nearby parks and greenery are uninterrupted by the lively pulse of the city. You’ll have access to choice coffee shops, iconic museums, and highly-rated restaurants and bars.

You can head to Lincoln Street and discover DiFranco’s, a local favorite for homestyle Italian fare. Or, head to the south part of town, and you’ll find Fruition, a celebrated farm-to-table restaurant headed by chef Alex Seidel.

And after satisfying your palette, you can visit the Denver Art Museum, whose architectural marvel might only be surpassed by its vast collection of over 70,000 works of art. The area is also home to numerous art galleries, making it a cultural hub for art enthusiasts. Or you can head to the famed Art District on Santa Fe, which champions local and community art.

Capitol Hill’s housing stock complements its fixation on art. Much of the area’s architecture comprises stately Victorians, many of which were converted to townhouses, condos, and local shops.

Though technically a part of Five Points, the neighborhood’s rapid development and growth have established it as "RiNo," and many consider it a neighborhood on its own.

While Five Points is a classic setting for a night out on the town, River North Art District takes it to another level. Another vibrant arts area in Denver is the Santa Fe Art District, known for its free art, crafts, food vendors, and live entertainment on the First Friday of each month. It also features art galleries, breweries, restaurants, and art studios, making it an attractive and lively neighborhood for students and residents alike.

Abandoned warehouses in the area are now vibrant markets and food halls. Denver Central Market is one of the more famous and offers rows of eateries with indoor and outdoor seating. In addition, you can lose yourself in over 20 craft breweries and urban wineries that dot the area.

Vivid murals dot the neighborhood, contributing to its name. It is arguably the hippest area in Denver and should be No. 1 on your list if electric nightlife is a deal-breaker criterion.

Larimer Street comes alive as soon as the clock chimes 5 p.m., and every block is busy offering you cocktail lounges, bars, and jazz clubs.

The weekends become a partying haven, so it’s worth keeping in mind that tranquility is at a premium here. Then again, no one moves to RiNo for a laid-back lifestyle.

If the lively action of RiNo piqued your interest and you’re wondering where you can find some of the same without all the noise, Highland is your answer.

Backing away from the fast-paced playground of RiNo, Highland offers a mix of chic entertainment and suburban respite.

Highland comprises three distinct districts: Tennyson Street, Highlands Square, and Lower Highland. Depending on where you go, you’ll be cruising past rows of residential streets with prized single-family homes or catching views of the Highland Bridge on your way to one of Highland’s many speak-easies.

If you want peace and quiet, the idyllic streets of Highland Historic District should be your landing pad. Highland offers plenty if you enjoy local mom-and-pop shops, from ice cream parlors to antique bookstores, all within close proximity.

And if you want to make exciting plans for the weekend, Highland serves up farm-to-table restaurants, modern cocktail bars, and local watering holes to satisfy any itinerary, all conveniently within walking distance.

When people talk about Capitol Hill, they’ll usually mention Golden Triangle, a vibrant Denver neighborhood.

Much like RiNo is part of Five Points, so is Golden Triangle a part of Capitol Hill, yet both are distinct in what they offer. One can settle in Cap Hill and be removed from the hotels and shopping malls that drive traffic in Golden Triangle. But if you live near Civic Center Park, you’ll be virtually at the center of it all.

High-rises and luxury condos are the bread and butter of Golden Triangle’s housing stock. These can range from ultra-modern towers equipped with the latest amenities to elegant buildings built in the late 80s and 90s, with parquet floors and expansive living rooms.

The excitement of living in Golden Triangle lies in easy access to some of the trendiest shopping and entertainment options available in Denver. The 16th Street Mall has a mile-long path dotted with over 250 shops, including eateries, boutiques, and coffee shops.

But the area’s calling card is the Civic Center Park and its short distance to Union Station. It is undoubtedly one of Denver’s artistic centers, with the Denver Art Museum, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, and the Denver Firefighters Museum all nearby.

The Park is also home to one of the country’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations, as well as year-round outdoor events.

Sloan Lake is another testament to why Denver justifies the cliche of "having it all."

Though no one is sure if it’s Sloan Lake, Sloan’s Lake, or Sloans Lake, there is no disagreement about its beauty.

Denver’s Downtown skyline is visible to the east, while the Rocky Mountains outline the western skies. As a result, the housing options in Sloan Lake blend well with their rural surroundings. Antique Tudors, Victorians, and Mid-century Moderns line the shores of Sloan Lake, and many luxurious new construction homes are popping up with an equally extravagant price tag.

But besides some of the most desirable real estate in Denver, Sloan Lake has many perks that make it one of the best neighborhoods in the Mile High City. Downtown Denver is next door, where you can quickly access Golden Triangle’s Civic Center Park and museums.

A handful of blocks east of Sloans Lake lies the Empower Field at Mile High, home to the Denver Broncos. Or, if you’re not into sports, you can simply enjoy the Lake itself, the largest in Denver and home to its second largest park.

Easily one of the most peaceful neighborhoods to live in Denver, South Park Hill comfortably joins the ranks of the best residential areas in the city.

Another lively area in Denver is South University Boulevard, known for its vibrant shops, bars, and restaurants catering to students and young professionals.

Though it champions a tranquil vibe, South Park Hill is anything but sleepy. Its wide, stately avenues and streets are lined with impressive apartment buildings and exquisite homes. Those same streets are peppered with lively and diverse eateries, serving everything from Mexican to Ethiopian to New American.

East Colfax Street is where the neighborhood comes to life after hours. Multiple bars like Slashers and Mozart’s serve drinks until 2 a.m. This balanced mix of residential ease and dynamic nightlife makes South Park Hill an attractive option for buyers searching for the best of both worlds.

And to satisfy recreational needs, City Park borders the western part of the neighborhood, while Greenway Park lies to the east, offering an off-leash dog park.