Just Another California Family - Denver Neighborhoods

[2bindenver]

Denver proper is highly suburban in nature.

What makes you want a dense urban experience?

I moved here from the South Bay in 1989.

[vunderbar]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Denver proper is highly suburban in nature.
.

Agreed. there is a dense-ish but small downtown, and a couple other dense-ish nearby neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill or parts of the Highlands. Otherwise, the city is suburban in feel.

[wilberry]

I like old Englewood off south Broadway

[emm74]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Denver proper is highly suburban in nature.

What makes you want a dense urban experience?

I moved here from the South Bay in 1989.

I think that Denver residential neighborhoods are different from suburbs based on lot sizes. In general, the houses are a lot closer together than in an average suburb, and it creates a different level of interaction with neighbors.

OP actually said they were seeking a "dense suburban" feel and I think the neighborhoods listed are exactly what OP is looking for.

OP, you said Highlands is top of your list at this point, and I would say that you've done a good job on your research, I think that would be a great fit. Berkeley and Baker which have also been suggested would also be worth looking into.

If you are open to something on the east side, I think Park Hill also would be an option.

[Balayage_Denver]

I just moved here 5 weeks ago and have decided when I get married it’s Littleton for me! My friends that have a 2 year old live in that area and it has the cutest downtown. Littleton is West and has a Mountain View. Anywhere close to University of Denver area of that part of town is the sweetest. I’ve heard lots of great things about the highlands. Guess it depends on budget and size of home. How much City life you want. I saw someone mentioned Baker. That’s where I moved, it feels like Queens, NY for me - kinda like Astoria. The roads are very busy so I’m finding I have to be extremely cautious driving. However it’s close to work and awesome for singles. Most of my hair care clients are from California. Best of luck to you guys with your move!

[daprara]

Originally Posted by mrazyattic

...
My question to you all... which neighborhood(s) would you suggest that we check out for a "dense suburban" feel with a chance to meet others given the description above? Some of the neighborhoods on our list:
1. East Washington Park
2. North Cap Hill
3. Highlands (recently has become top on our list)
4. Fivepoints

All of the above have good walkability but most of the above neighborhoods do not have a lite rail station. Denver's RTD lite rail build out hasnt created a NYC type transit situation. For example; if you live in the HighLands your choices are still drive, bike or the bus.

Exception
-FivePoints on your list has a RTD lite rail station! It has a small limited park & ride tho. FivePoints can be a transitional neighborhood so asssume you know what to look for. For that successful home. Crime rates could varry unexpected; 4example CapHill I think has a higher crime reate than FivePoints. Just given CapHill has more opportunity; unlocked cars, expensive houses and lower sense of community. Reference at the denvergov.org crime maps. Maybe mid covid these are not up to date or not consistantly maintained but a quuick look at the crime per thousand number may help.
-Denver neighborhoods are not that consistant. 4example; 3-4 blocks off the dreaded Colfax Ave there are good residential opportunities. A few blocks could make a difference.

Lower sense of community
a few houses down from mine i noticed a newer SUV with its driver side window down. After this weeks snow fall there was lots of snow inside the vehicle. The contense of the vehicle looked tossed, the glove box busted hanging open. This made it stand out 4me. I asked and people said the vehicle was parked there since September (with the window down). Turns out it was stolen.

[JuanONeil]

I’m from Orange County but my dad is from the Bay Area and he says where I live (Englewood) reminds him of where he grew up in the Redwood City/Palo Alto area in the 70s and 80s, make of that what you will!

I don’t know particular neighborhoods of the city of Denver very well but I will say that you want to stay South and East in city limits — Broadway being the absolute limit to the West and Colfax being the absolute limit to the North but when it comes to where I would want to live if city living were my thing (it’s not can you tell), I would say that South Downing and 7th Ave are the better West/North limits.

However most of the southern suburbs are really nice — you can’t go wrong in Englewood, Littleton, Cherry Hills, Columbine, Greenwood Village, Centennial, most of Glendale is nice but the farther from Colorado Blvd or Leetsdale the better as there are sketchy neighborhoods a few blocks around each of those streets. Also the Western part of Lakewood is nice but the town itself borders one of the nastiest parts of Denver and that vibe and crowd has spilled over into the town if I were you and considering living there I would check out a map of how the school districts are set up because you could live in a really nice neighborhood but your kids could wind up in a high school with MS 13 or something, reminds me a lot of Anaheim in that sense my cousins lived in the Anaheim Hills which is really beautiful and basically on the same level as Yorba Linda but the rest of Anaheim from “somewhat sketchy but basically livable” at best to hearing gunshots every night and having one of your neighbors’ homes blow up from meth cooking.

[vunderbar]

Originally Posted by JuanONeil

I’m from Orange County but my dad is from the Bay Area and he says where I live (Englewood) reminds him of where he grew up in the Redwood City/Palo Alto area in the 70s and 80s, make of that what you will!

I lived in the Palo Alto/Menlo Park area in the 70s and 80s and have NO CLUE what's he's talking about

[suzco]

Originally Posted by vunderbar

I lived in the Palo Alto/Menlo Park area in the 70s and 80s and have NO CLUE what's he's talking about

I've lived in metro Denver for many, many years, and I also have no clue what he's talking about - reads like word salad to me.