Plenty of culture, history, and access to nature combined with , a bustling economy, higher than average job growth, and high median household incomes — making the decision to move to or invest in the Mile High City can seem like a no-brainer.
At Cobalt Creek Property Management, we’ve put together information on 6 of the best neighborhoods for families in or near Denver to make this decision even easier.
- Sloan’s Lake
- LoHi (Lower Highlands)
- Washington Park
- Littleton
- Centennial
- Highlands Ranch
Living In Denver
as the second-best place to live out of 150 cities in the United States for 2020-2021. They list overall quality of life and economic opportunities among the attractive reasons to move to Colorado. If you want to take advantage of everything Denver has to offer for families with kids within city boundaries, Sloan’s Lake, Lower Highlands, and Washington Park are sure to impress.
1. Sloan’s Lake
Named for the lake and park adjacent to the community, Sloan’s Lake residents look forward to the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival every summer. Families who move here have to stay active in with their children, easy access to shopping and entertainment, and .
For real estate investors, check out home listings, including 1920s brick bungalows, charming Tudor ranches, modern townhomes, and new-build apartment communities. This is a trendy, growing neighborhood that is attractive to both young professionals and families.
- Population: 7,934
- Average Home Sale: $669,966
- School Score: 3
- Crime Rank: 26
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,803
2. LoHi (Lower Highlands)
If your family is more into the hip, downtown life, you’re sure to love LoHi. Lower Highlands is a unique blend of indie eateries, boutique shops, and art galleries — hello, Children’s Museum of Denver. It’s a great neighborhood for experiencing the urban lifestyle with kids amid the beauty of the Rockies. With community perks like these, great schools might just seem like icing on the cake.
If you’re looking to buy and rent out a property, Lower Highlands is incredibly popular among young families looking to rent or buy. This popularity and growth have average home prices at over $700K. Listings are a mix of Victorian-era homes and ultra-modern architecture.
- Population: 9,001
- Average Home Sale: $700,576
- School Score: 2.9
- Crime Rank: 51
- Average Monthly Rent: $2,135
3. Washington Park
Active families with kids will love making the most of the over 270 green spaces in Washington Park. Low crime rates and high-scoring schools are also incredibly attractive desirable features. This is the place Denver residents go to show off Colorado.
Investors will be interested to know that . The real estate market is a unique blend of early 20th-century Victorian homes, brick bungalows, and brand-new luxury builds.
- Population: 7,697
- 2021 Average Home Sale: $711,660
- School Score: 3
- Crime Rank: 11
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,968
Neighborhoods Just Outside The City
If you want access to the best of Denver but don’t mind digs slightly outside the city center, or prefer the quiet and extra space in the suburbs, why not explore prime locations just outside Denver? Littleton, Centennial, and Highlands Ranch are all exceptional places to live in Colorado.
4. Littleton
Like LoHi, Littleton, Co is bursting with indie shops and art galleries. Families looking for a more laid-back, historic-feeling community might enjoy this neighborhood. Just a few miles south of Denver, you have access to over 1,500 acres of parks and open spaces, Highline Canal, and Chatfield Reservoir.
Step back to the 19th century at the Littleton Museum’s farm, explore the greenery at Hudson Gardens, or immerse the kids in a taste of culture with theater and music at the local Town Hall Arts Center.
Investment buyers and potential landlords might be interested to know that 40% of the population living in this Denver suburb are renters. are also close to twice the national average.
- Population: 47,989
- Average Home Sale: $410,900
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,678
5. Centennial
Centennial City is located just south of the greater Denver metro area. It’s one of . From Greenwood Manor to Arapahoe Heights, this locale boasts both great public schools and family-centric neighborhoods. It’s , and the 15th safest in the nation.
In addition to easy access to shopping and dining, families will love exploring a variety of nearby museums, the Botanical Gardens, Elitch Gardens, and the Denver Zoo.
High median rents, incredible home appreciation rates, and steady income rates over $100k make this a . It’s the state’s 10th most populous city with a larger percentage of 4-bedroom, 5-bedroom, and larger single-family homes than 98% of the rest of the US.
- Population: 110,937
- Average Home Value: $522,640
- Average Monthly Rent: $2,586
6. Highlands Ranch
Families moving to CO will appreciate the stability of this neighborhood for over 50 miles of interconnected trails, top-rated schools, and low crime rates. It’s rated 96.7% more family-friendly than the rest of the state, .
For Colorado real estate investors, Highlands Ranch is mostly made up of 3 to 4 bedroom single-family homes and townhouses. The average rental cost in this Littleton suburb is . Vacancy rates are lower than close to 90% of communities in the US.
- Population: 99,810
- Average Home Value: $567.500
- Average Monthly Rent: $2,642
Managing Properties In The Best Neighborhoods For Families
Make moving to Denver even easier. Check out the rental listing at Cobalt Creek Property Management, where we take care of our tenants through a convenient maintenance request and payment portal. Get all the benefits of real estate investing without any of the hassles. We can help you find, buy, sell, and manage rental properties in the best neighborhoods for families. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.