Best Neighborhoods in Denver for Families
If you are considering moving your family to Denver, Colorado, you are not alone. The Mile-High City offers an abundance of outdoor activities and breathtaking mountain views. Add its diverse neighborhoods, booming job market, great weather all year round, top-rated school districts, and wealth of community resources, and it’s no surprise the city has a growing population of young families.
This article can serve as the perfect starting point for you to explore the best neighborhoods in Denver for your family.
What Makes a Neighborhood Family-Friendly?
Finding the perfect home goes beyond the features and square footage of a property; it’s about finding a neighborhood that can nurture your family and that you can call home. Here’s what The Gonzales Home Team looks for in a neighborhood in Denver, CO, for clients who want the perfect place for raising their family:
Good schools and educational resources
Your children's access to good quality education is one of the major considerations in choosing a neighborhood. You do not only want a school with good grades on their standardized tests. You also want one with programs that your children may require (i.e. special education, language, arts, sports, and STEM).
Quiet atmosphere
Continuous and high levels of noise are associated with chronic stress, poor performance at school or work, and irritability. Because of this, it is best to avoid living in the city since you can expect noise from the streets, pedestrians, and establishments. You may also want to avoid neighborhoods with a significant population of college students and a high concentration of nightlife.
Local Parks, Green Spaces, and Community Areas
Parks, playgrounds, walking paths or trails, public pools, and community centers give your family a space to enjoy life outside your home and connect with the community. These places could even serve as the venue for your children to meet their life-long friends and to encounter opportunities for their future.
Low crime rates
The safety of your family is critical. Choose a neighborhood that has a desirable record in Denver's crime data to minimize the chances of your family encountering it at home and in nearby areas. Look for neighborhoods with well-lit streets and families spending time outside. Lastly, avoid neighborhoods with a high concentration of adult-only establishments.
Nearby stores and services
You want a neighborhood that has stores and services nearby. Ideally, they should be within walking distance so you can buy groceries or access services easily from your home or place of work.
Short commute to work
Ideally, you want your commute to work to be at or below the average for your city. In Denver, CO, the average commute time is around 25 minutes each way. Choose a neighborhood that allows you to go to and from work in no more than 25 minutes.
Top Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in Denver, CO
1. Washington Park
Schools and Education
Several good public schools for preschool to 12th grade serve Washington Park. These schools have a good student-to-teacher ratio with each classroom having around 13 to 20 students.
Schools in and near the district include Steele Elementary School, St. Johns School, Merrill Middle School, Grant Beacon Middle School, and Denver South High School.
Crime and Safety
According to the CAP index, Washington Park has a low crime incidence with a crime score of 3 out of 10 (below the US’ average crime score of 4).
Parks and Recreation
Wash Park is a haven for families with its natural beauty and recreational amenities, including two scenic lakes, jogging paths, playgrounds, tennis courts, and an activity center. The neighborhood also has Veterans Park in its southern portion, which has a community center, playground, and senior center.
Home Value
Washington Park's average home value is at $603 per square foot and ranges from $600 thousand to $2 million. Most properties are owned and consist mostly of single-family homes.
2. Berkeley
Schools and Education
You can walk to the nearest grade school, middle school, or high school within ten minutes from anywhere in the neighborhood. There is a branch of the Denver Public Library in the neighborhood and Regis University is in the next neighborhood to the north.
Crime and Safety
Based on the CAP Index, Berkeley has a low to moderate crime incidence with a crime score of 4 out of 10, which is equivalent to the US’ overall score.
Parks and Recreation
Berkeley has two lake parks, Berkeley Lake Park and Rocky Mountain Lake, and Cesar Chavez Park, a small park with a playground, recreational areas, and an open field.
Home Value
Berkeley's home value averages at $517 per square foot and a range of $600 to $975 thousand. Most residences are single-family homes, with a few townhomes and apartments.
3. Cherry Creek
Schools and Education
Cherry Creek has one of the state's top-rated schools in the neighborhood, Bromwell Elementary School. The nearest elementary schools are only a ten-minute walk, while the nearest middle schools and high schools are a 20-minute walk away.
Crime and Safety
Based on the CAP Index, Cherry Creek has a low to moderate crime rate and a crime score of 4 out of 10, equal to the overall score of the United States.
Parks and Recreation
Cherry Creek has a large amount of park space for its residents. Cherry Creek Park has greenspace for relaxed walking and picnics, mountain bike trails, and a hiking and biking path leading to several other parks in the city along Cherry Creek.
Home Value
The average price per square foot in Cherry Creek is $671. Average home values range from $500,000 to $2,000,000. Most of the homes in the neighborhood are apartments and townhomes.
4. South Park Hill
Schools and Education
The nearest elementary school is within a 10-minute walking distance, while the nearest middle school and high school are within a 20-minute walk. South Park Hill hosts one of the highest-rated schools in Denver, Park Hill Elementary School.
Crime and Safety
South Park Hill has a low to moderate crime score of 4 out of 10 on the CAP Index, which is the same as the nationwide crime score.
Parks and Recreation
The neighborhood itself does not have any parks. But, it has the City Park right next to its western portion and the Fred Thomas Park to its east. You can enjoy plenty of shows at the Bluebird Theater and tour the exhibits of the Museum of Nature & Science.
Home Value
The average price per square footage is $443 with the average price ranging from $600,000 to $1.35 million. Almost all homes in South Park Hill are single-family homes.
5. Congress Park
Schools and Education
Congress Park is near several schools, from preschools to high schools. Travel time to each school is only 10 to 20 minutes of walking.
Crime and Safety
Congress Park has a moderate level of crime with a crime score of 5 out of 10 in the CAP Index.
Parks and Recreation
The neighborhood has its namesake park, which has an outdoor pool, several tennis courts, a baseball field, and a soccer field. The Denver Botanic Gardens and the City Park are nearby to the next neighborhoods.
Home Value
Homes have an average price of $461 per square foot and a cost range of $300,000 to $1.1 million. A significant number of homes are rented and consist of single-family homes and apartments.
6. Country Club
Schools and Education
Schools in the area are highly rated. Families are not limited to only one option for schooling in grades K-8 and an option between private and public for high school education.
Crime and Safety
Country Club has a low to moderate crime score of 4 out of 10, which is equal to the national crime score of the United States.
Parks and Recreation
Country Club is near the Denver Botanic Gardens, Congress Park, and the Cherry Creek Hike/Bike Path. Of course, you also have the option of enjoying the exclusive amenities of the Denver Country Club.
Home Value
The average price per square foot of a Country Club is $598 while most homes are valued at $1 million to $2.5 million. Almost all home properties are single-family homes.
Tips for Choosing the Right Property for Your Family
- Stick to your budget and add the cost of moving and furnishing your new home
- Work with a local real estate agent to identify the best homes for sale in Denver, CO, that aligns with your needs
- Identify the size and floor plan that’s right for your family
- Consider the current condition of the house and the cost required to bring it up to your standards
Check out our home buying guide for Denver, Colorado for a more in-depth look.
Let The Gonzales Home Team Help You Find the New Home for Your Family
As you look for your new home, remember that you will have an easier time with the help of a local real estate agent. Let The Gonzales Home Team help you find the property that checks off all your boxes. Contact us today to explore the best home for your family!
