10 of the Best Neighborhoods in Denver for Families

You may have heard that Denver is one of the most popular cities to live in the U.S., but did you know the Mile High City and its surrounding areas are some of the best places to raise a family, as well? With plenty of outdoor recreation, fun local attractions, and quality schools, you can’t go wrong when you decide to move the family there. And the best neighborhoods in Denver for families? They truly have something to offer for every walk of life!

Planning a move to Denver? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

There’s a mixture of historic and modern homes in the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Denver, and living there means you’ll have easy access to entertainment, dining, and shopping. Some popular family attractions include the Denver Art Museum and the Children’s Museum of Denver. Catching a sports game is another family-friendly way to pass the time, and you can cheer on championship teams such as the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets. Before we get into the details, though, let’s learn a little more about the basics of this family-oriented city. 

Q: Is Denver a good place to raise a family? A: With plenty of options to keep the family entertained and top-notch schools serving several areas, Denver is a great place to raise a family.

Denver at a Glance

• Denver's population is around 716,600.
• With nearly 19 percent of the population under the age of 18, there is a considerable number of families residing in the area.
• The average home price city-wide is around $574,800.
• The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment city-wide is around $1,975 per month.

Q: Is Denver a kid-friendly city? A: Although Denver is proud to boast its nightlife and brewery scenes, there are still plenty of kid-friendly amenities that make the city desirable for families. Parks, family-friendly attractions, and family-focused communities are available throughout the city.

10 Best Family Neighborhoods in Denver

The Mile High City isn’t lacking when it comes to desirable neighborhoods with high-quality amenities — and that includes communities that are especially family-friendly. With fun local attractions, lots of outdoor recreation opportunities, and plenty of places to eat, shop, and more, these are some of our top picks for the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Denver.

Caption: Platt Park is known for its Craftsman bungalows and modern duplexes.
(Source: Danielle & Tommy Dolan Real Estate via Facebook)

1. Platt Park 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,075
• Average home value: $838,500
• Great for: Shopping dining, nightlife, commute

The quiet, laid-back neighborhood of Platt Park is known for its Craftsman bungalows and modern duplexes. Not to mention it’s full of great amenities for families, including South Pearl Street, which features a variety of local places to eat and shop.

One of the area's most popular dining establishments is the trendy Sushi Den restaurant. However, there are also plenty of other great spots on South Pearl Street that cater to different budgets. Some of these include Ototo, Jack's on Pearl, and Hoja Mexican Kitchen.

The Antique Row on South Broadway is full of eccentric stores, such as Brooklyn's Antiques and Watson and Co. And small boutiques also reign on South Pearl Street, such as Melrose and Madison — which specializes in women's clothing — and Where the Sidewalk Ends Toy Shop..

The City Park neighborhood is named for its local park, one the largest green spaces in the city.
(Source: Lisa Butterly McDonald Real Estate via Facebook)

2. City Park 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,200
• Average home value: $753,300
• Great for: Local attractions, outdoor recreation, dining

City Park is located in the heart of Denver, and it features some of the best amenities offered by the city such as the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Bluebird Theater.

As one of the largest green spaces in the city, City Park — the neighborhood’s namesake — features plenty of areas to eat your picnic lunch outdoors, along with lots of ways to stay active, such as playing tennis or paddling around one of the lakes.

East Colfax Avenue is a busy local area that's full of local establishments, including the popular Q House and Steve's Snappin' Dogs.

3. Cory-Merrill 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,075
• Average home value: $901,800
• Great for: Convenient location, innovative architecture, jobs, nightlife

Situated south of Bonnie Brae and near University Park and Washington Park, the neighborhood of Cory-Merrill is one of the best neighborhoods in Denver for families. It’s best characterized by its architectural transformation over recent years. Although its primary architecture is still dominated by ranch homes and bungalows, the area has started to transition into more modern, larger homes with more prominent wood and stone facades.

Interested in learning how to sail? Almost four decades ago, Captain James Cook established the Victoria Sailing School in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood. It's now operated by Cook's daughter and son-in-law. The school, which has instructors with more than a hundred years of combined experience, offers courses in various areas, such as basic sailing and celestial navigation. Not bad for a landlocked state, huh?

As one of the oldest historic districts in Denver, the Montclair neighborhood is rich with retro-style homes.
(Source: Lisa Butterly McDonald Real Estate via Facebook)

4. Montclair 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,900
• Average home value: $700,100
• Great for: Historic homes, outdoor recreation, diversity, dining 

One of the oldest historic districts in the city of Denver is Montclair, which was first incorporated back in 1888. This neighborhood features stately homes, mid-century ranch houses, and Tudor Revivals on large lots. And the area is known for its laid-back atmosphere, community garden, and parks. It’s also convenient to the central city with good bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.

Tessa Delicatessen is one of the best establishments to stop in for a quick bite to eat in the area, as it’s best known for its simple yet effective approach to sandwich making. And Moon Gate Asian Grill is a favorite for its Asian dishes, while the Red Sea Restaurant serves some of the best Ethiopian dishes.

5. Hilltop 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,700
• Average home value: $1.54M
• Great for: Beautiful homes, dining, outdoor recreation, jobs

The Hilltop neighborhood is a great location for families looking to settle down for the long term in the Mile High City. This charming neighborhood features a variety of modern construction and a good reputation for having safe and well-kept streets and schools. There are also plenty of food and retail options nearby.

Some of the delectable establishments in Hilltop are Park Burger and the Italian restaurant of Locanda Del Borgo. And if you’re looking for a variety of prepared foods and Greek specialties, the local grocery store Pete’s Fruits and Vegetables is the place to go. Owner Pete Moutzouris has been providing customers with fresh, local produce and Greek-inspired food since 1974.

There are plenty of green spaces to enjoy in this neighborhood, as well, and one of the most popular parks is Cranmer Park, which features a large meadow, a six-foot-tall sundial, and gorgeous mountain views. 

The Berkeley neighborhood is the perfect blend of Denver's historical charm and modern amenities.
(Source: Lisa Butterly McDonald Real Estate via Facebook)

6. Berkeley 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,150
• Average home value: $764,700
• Great for: Housing variety, walkability, dining, shopping, outdoor recreation

The Berkeley neighborhood is the perfect blend of Denver's historical charm and modern amenities. It features a variety of Victorians and contemporary townhomes, all within walking distance to the city's best restaurants and bars.

Some of the great establishments nearby include The Grateful Gnome, Hey Kiddo, and Vital Root. And some of the best local stores that you can find along the corridor of Tennyson Street include Real Baby, which sells toys and clothes for kids, and Feral Mountain Co., which rents equipment and provides outdoor gear.

One of the neighborhood's most popular parks is Berkeley Lake Park. It also features a dog park. Other popular places in the area include the Rocky Mountain Lake Park, which has tennis courts, and the Cesar E. Chavez Park, which has a playground that's quite popular among the kids. 

7. Jefferson Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,225
• Average home value: $698,400
• Great for: Local attractions, dining, commute

Located between downtown, the Denver Broncos' stadium, and the Highland area, Jefferson Park is a vibrant neighborhood that features contemporary homes in a serene and peaceful environment. Interstate 25 does cut through this neighborhood. However, the area is still able to keep a residential feel that includes bike lanes on West 23rd and 29th avenues, which make it easy to get around.

There are plenty of things to do in Jefferson Park for kids, in particular, including visiting the Children's Museum of Denver. The Downtown Aquarium has interactive exhibits where you can learn about the world of underwater life, and you can also solve crimes at the Adams Mystery Playhouse.

The small size of Jefferson Park makes it easy to walk or bike to wherever you want to go. Some of the area's most popular restaurants include Ros Siam and My Thai Cafe, as well as the Briar Common Brewery + Eatery.

8. University Hills

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,750
• Average home value: $585,000
• Great for: Beautiful homes, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining 

The bustling neighborhood of University Hills is a community that’s close to the University of Denver, and it offers a mix of suburban comfort and excitement for families. This area also features trails and parks, as well as convenient access to shopping and dining establishments.

The northern part of this neighborhood is characterized by compact ranch-style homes with large mature trees. The southern part is more modern. Residents can enjoy the University Hills Plaza and University Hills Shopping Mall, which features a variety of great dining establishments, including Cafe de France.

In addition to sports fields and tennis courts, Eisenhower Park features a recreation center, trails, a playground, and an outdoor pool. Magna Carta Park is another spot just a couple of miles away that has a playground and large open fields for picnics and soccer games.

Q: What is the safest place to live in Denver, Colorado? A: Washington Park is often regarded as one of the safest neighborhoods in Denver.

9. Washington Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,300
• Average home value: $1.21M
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, shopping, dining 

One of the most popular parks in Denver is Washington Park, which spans nearly 160 acres and contains two lakes and two flower gardens. In addition to being one of the largest urban parks in the area, its surrounding neighborhood is one of the best neighborhoods in Denver for families.

You can find plenty of lovely dining offerings along South Gaylord Street, such as Perdida and Devil’s Food Bakery. And when you're in the mood for some shopping, make sure to stop by local favorites such as Silk Road, Sports Plus, and Wish Boutique.

The Cherry Creek neighborhood is best known for its high-end shopping and dining opportunities, as well as its beautiful luxury homes.
(Source: Lisa Butterly McDonald Real Estate via Facebook)

10. Cherry Creek

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,100
• Average home value: $1.14M
• Great for: Dining, shopping, fitness, nightlife

Best known for its abundant amenities and beautiful luxury homes, the neighborhood of Cherry Creek has seen an increase in popularity over the years. In the past few years, the area has welcomed a number of new and tasty high-end restaurants in Cherry Creek North, which include Kini's, Toro, and Cherry Cricket.

It can be difficult to resist the urge to spend money while living in Cherry Creek, as the shopping options are plentiful! The Cherry Creek Shopping Center really has it all, and the sidewalks of Cherry Creek North also have popular stores like White Peacock and the Artisan Center. Fitness enthusiasts living in Cherry Creek will also appreciate the number of fitness studios in the area, including AKT, SoulCycle, and Barry’s.

Q: What’s the nicest suburb of Denver? A: While the Denver area is full of great suburbs that are desirable for families, one of the best Denver suburbs for families is the stunning community of Holly Hills. Accordingto Niche, Holly Hills is not only the best place to raise a family in Colorado — it’s also the best place to live in the entire state!

Move to One of the Best Family Neighborhoods in Denver With PODS

Once you’ve found a neighborhood in Denver that's the right fit for you and your family, let PODS assist you with the move. They can deliver a portable moving and storage container right to your driveway, where you can pack and load it at your leisure. And once you’re ready to move, they’ll pick it up and deliver it to your new home. PODS City Service is also available in Denver, which means you won’t have to worry about stresses like navigating a big truck through the crowded streets and finding parking.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.

(Source for image featured at top: Visit Denver via Facebook)