# 17

2022 rank: 15

Denver’s largest neighborhood by population is pretty far east—only Denver International Airport extends farther—but it continues to appeal to those wanting to buy in an increasingly expensive city.

Commuting is a breeze thanks to the surrounding highways and light rail. Families, in particular, are attracted to Gateway/Green Valley Ranch’s suburbia-lite vibes, safe streets, and the 21—count ’em—schools within its boundaries. Homes are primarily new(ish) builds from the early 2000s, and they remain among the most affordable in town—certainly, on this list—averaging less than $525,000. Another perk to living here: easy access to plenty of open space, including a public golf course, skate park, and, nearby, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Population 42,142
2023 Median Sale Price $519,016

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 35
Schools Score 3.7
Crime Rank 8
X Factor Score 6.5

How we got these numbers: We utilized the city’s official list of 78 neighborhoods (only 73 had enough data to be included), and ranked them using four variables: home prices, crime dataschool rankings, and an X factor score that accounts for things like access to open space, proximity to public transportation, and restaurant and shopping options. For more on our methodology, return to the main page.

Your Itinerary

Eat and Drink

You’re most likely to come upon a chain eatery when you’re on the hunt for food, but GVR is starting to come into its own with restaurants like Pupusas Paradise, a laid-back Salvadoran joint, Coriander (for Indian), and Pho Kitchen 88. On the sweet side, don’t miss La Michoacana Premium.

Kick back with a drink at GVR Beer Garden, which also serves brats, pretzels, and salads. And don’t miss the weekly farmers’ market, which runs from June through August at the Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center.

Get Outside

East typically isn’t the direction you head when you want to enjoy Colorado’s vast outdoor expanses. But GVR has a lot that draws nature lovers, including a number of parks, tennis courts, ballfields, and even a disc golf course. Green Valley Ranch Golf Club is widely considered one of the city’s top public courses and also hosts the annual Colorado Open tournament.

The Town Center Park Amphitheater hosts free concerts and movie nights during the summer.

For those simply looking to stay active, there are two recreation centers: Green Valley Ranch and Montbello, both of which have pools.

Coming Soon

The Flyway is a 223,00-square-foot retail center expected to open in the neighborhood in fall 2023. It’ll bring with it a grocery store, shops, and restaurants.

About This Neighborhood