Thinking of moving to Denver? The Mile-High City has been recognized among the top U.S. cities for business and careers and is one of the best places to live in the nation for singles and young professionals. Denver is also highly regarded for its thriving arts and culture scene, incredible restaurants, and stunning natural beauty. Here are the five best Denver neighborhoods for singles and young professionals!
Capitol Hill
Photo via @lauren.m.thomson
- Home Price: $208,972 median purchase price; $965 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 5% of Denver neighborhoods
As one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Mile High City, Capitol Hill has plenty of historic architecture—including the golden-domed Colorado State Capitol and a real estate market with classic cottages and Colonial Revival homes on “Millionaire’s Row.” Cap Hill is one of the best places to live for young professionals in a city already known for its strong job market. Young professionals living in this bustling Denver neighborhood can take advantage of quick commutes to nearby Fortune 500 companies just minutes away in the Central Business District. Young professionals aren’t the only ones living in Capitol Hill, though—local politicians and parents who work at the Capitol often settle down here, too! And since Capitol Hill is the second-most walkable neighborhood in Denver, singles and nightlife lovers won’t have to go far from their front door to enjoy local attractions, bars, and restaurants.
Things to Do in Capitol Hill
Visit the home of Titanic survivor “Unsinkable” Molly Brown at the Molly Brown House Museum. See touring art exhibitions like “Curious Visions” or permanent collections at the Denver Art Museum. Browse unique albums, records, or apparel at hip Wax Trax Records. Jam out to live music from alternative acts like Dinosaur Jr. and Underoath at Ogden Theatre. Savor locally-sourced and seasonally-changing menu items like Fazzoletti or Bouillabaisse at Potager. Explore delicious vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes like Winter Pasta or a Chipotle Rice Bowl at City, O’ City. Listen to live piano music while dining on Prime Rib or Chicken Cordon Bleu at Charlie Brown’s Bar & Grill. Or split a Chef’s Meat & Cheese plate, handmade Duck Agnolotti, or Wild Mushroom Fusilli from the seasonal menu at Luca.
Five Points
Photo via @heather_mcelroy_real_estate
- Home Price: $395,167 median purchase price; $1,017 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 73% of Denver neighborhoods
Once considered the “Harlem of the West,” Five Points has hosted music legends Billie Holiday and Miles Davis at historic venues like the Rossonian and since-closed Rainbow Music Hall. Now, residents in Five Points enjoy indie and hip-hop acts at venues like Roxy Theatre and Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, and the free annual Five Points Jazz Festival, which celebrates the neighborhood’s musical history. Singles and young professionals moving to Denver can find countless other things to do in this highly walkable neighborhood and its many micro-neighborhoods like the River North Arts District—known as RiNo to locals. Five Points’ thriving arts scene features everything from street murals to unique local galleries and art studios, making this artistic hub a great place to live for creatives. And since Five Points is less than ten minutes from Downtown Denver, residents have even more employment opportunities and nightlife scenes to explore!
Things to Do in Five Points
Attend exhibition openings, shows from local artists, and live music performances at RiNo’s monthly First Friday event. Watch indie artists perform at one of Denver’s hidden gem music venues, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom. Cheer on the Colorado Rockies (MLB) during a home game at Coors Field or grab tickets to Bark at the Park, an annual dog-friendly game at the field. Learn about the Black ranchers and cowboys who helped shape the American West at the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center. Taste wine that’s brewed in-house at The Infinite Monkey Theorem. Watch rugby matches while you chow down on Fish & Chips or a Denver Cheesesteak at The British Bulldog. Go swing dancing, listen to slam poetry readings, or devour an organic Sauteed Vegetable Melt or Tom’s Enchiladas at Mercury Cafe. Share a New York-style Margherita or Pepperoni Pie with friends on the patio at Famous Original J’s Pizza. Or fill up on a Tex-Mex Super Burrito or La Fiesta Burger at family-owned La Fiesta.
Highland
Photo via @luminadenver
- Home Price: $382,556 median purchase price; $1,015 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 36% of Denver neighborhoods
The fast-growing Highland neighborhood is a safe, affordable place to live for singles and young professionals moving to Denver. Within the greater Highland neighborhood, residents will find smaller niches with distinct vibes, including LoHi (aka Lower Highland), Tennyson Street, and Highlands Square. This chic Denver neighborhood blends older architecture with modern murals and contemporary apartments to achieve its eclectic aesthetic. Highland and its micro-neighborhoods also offer Denver residents plenty of shopping, places to eat, and things to do, including a wealth of outdoor recreation along the South Platte River. And to top it off, this Denver neighborhood is nestled between US-287 and I-25, making it easy for young professionals living in Highland to travel throughout the area and the Denver metro!
Things to Do in Highland
Bike the trails or go tubing on the South Platte River, take Fido to the dog park, or admire local street art at expansive Confluence Park. Attend live performances, film screenings, or presentations during the recurring Nerd Nite Denver event at The Bug Theatre. Enjoy a vegetarian-friendly brunch with dishes like Egg in Purgatory or Tofu “Paneer” Scrambled at Root Down. Grab a Chicken Parm on Baguette or a Spicy Tuna Dimeroll sandwich from Dimestore Delibar. Swing by the Avanti Food & Beverage Hall for a Pineapple Express pizza from Gorlami Pizza or Pork Belly at Meta Asian Kitchen. Order Chashu Ramen with Pork Buns from Uncle. Try one of the 60+ classic cocktails like a Queen’s Park Swizzle or Paper Plane in a speakeasy-style setting at Williams & Graham. Or buy a Handmade Waffle Cone or a Hot Fudge Sundae from LoHi staple Little Man Ice Cream.
LoDo
Photo via @city_lights_denver
- Home Price: $441,900 median purchase price; $1,342 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 91% of Denver neighborhoods
LoDo (aka Lower Downtown) has all the charm you’d expect from the oldest neighborhood in Denver. As a micro-community inside the larger Downtown Denver neighborhood, LoDo is home to a plethora of shops, galleries, bars, entertainment venues, and some of the best restaurants in Denver. Residents can easily get around by foot since LoDo is highly walkable, but public transportation is also available from Union Station—a 100-year-old neighborhood staple. LoDo’s central location and pedestrian-friendly layout make this Denver neighborhood extremely convenient to navigate for young professionals in the area. LoDo is not only close to the thriving job market of Downtown Denver, but it’s also a great place for remote work. And housing options are equally abundant in LoDo, where residents will find everything from high-rise apartments to luxury condos available for rent.
Things to Do in LoDo
Cheer on local sports teams like the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and Colorado Mammoth (NLL) or catch a concert at Ball Arena (formerly Pepsi Center). Find your next favorite book at Tattered Cover Book Store—the state’s largest independent bookseller. Explore the historic streets of Downtown Denver on the city’s best-ranked walking tour, LoDo Walking Tour. Marvel at traveling exhibits—like Dyani White Hawk: Speaking to Relatives—at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Tour Colorado’s first brewpub and sample on-tap beers like The Devil Went Down to Denver at Wynkoop Brewing. Eat anything from fried chicken to fresh poke bowls at the Denver Milk Market. Experience contemporary Asian plates like Wagyu Flatiron Steak or Sizzling Saigon Crepes at ChoLon. Sip a Femme Fatale cocktail and split tapas like Smoked Burrata or Moroccan Lamb Sausage with friends on rooftop bar El Five. Or satisfy your seafood craving with a plate of Salmon Crudo or Alaskan King Crab from the raw bar at Stoic & Genuine.
Washington Park
Photo via @devexproperties
- Home Price: $537,873 median purchase price; $1,253 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 77% of Denver neighborhoods
Washington Park may be a hotspot for families because of its low crime rates and many recreational activities, but these features also make it an excellent place to live for singles and young professionals who prefer a more suburban vibe. This safe Denver neighborhood offers a fantastic blend of urban amenities with outdoor recreation that the Mile-High City is known for. In Washington Park, the Rocky Mountains make a stunning backdrop against residential streets that are lined with cozy bungalows and modern Denver homes for sale. Beyond its scenic aesthetic, Wash Park also features plenty of things to do, especially in local shopping districts South Pearl Street and Historic South Gaylord Street—which offer boutiques, restaurants, and coworking spaces for telecommuting young professionals. But if Denver workers need to travel outside the neighborhood, I-25 and easily accessible RTD bus stops make getting around the rest of Denver a breeze.
Things to Do in Washington Park
Hike, visit the flower gardens, or picnic lakeside at the public park that gave this Denver neighborhood its name, Washington Park. Take classes on mindfulness, yoga, or freeform movement dance at the Yoga Center of Denver. Buy artisan crafts, fresh produce, and more at the South Pearl Street Farmers Market. Shop for dulcimers, harmonicas, and other string instruments at The Denver Folklore Center. Have sweet plates like Challah French Toast or savory bites like Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast for breakfast at The Cookery at Myrtle Hill. Dig into a Post Fried Chicken Sandwich or a Fried Half Bird at the Guy Fieri-approved Post Chicken & Beer. Gather with friends at Washington Park Grille and order unique Italian fare like a Honey Pie or Tuscan Lasagna. Or heat things up with some Diablo Shrimp or Mojo Skirt Steak Carne Asada at Perdida Kitchen.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
