2024 rank: 70
Southmoor Park made a powerful entrance into the top five this year, driven in part by a dramatic 66-percent surge in home sale prices over the past year. An oddly shaped plot of land that, alongside Hampden South, marks the city’s southeastern border, Southmoor is one of the priciest Denver neighborhoods, too: The average close price in 2024 topped $2.3 million. (Yes, really.)
The neighborhood’s action is concentrated around Belleview Station, a transit-oriented, mixed-use development that welcomed a new hotel in the past year: the Kimpton Claret. Its 19th-floor rooftop bar, Halo, is 5,817 feet above sea level, qualifying it as the highest open-air rooftop bar in Denver.
The high-performing Thomas Jefferson High School and its adjacent park, along with the ’hood’s proximity to the Denver Tech Center and Cherry Creek Reservoir (not to mention I-25 and the light rail), also lure homeowners seeking grassy lawns and apartment dwellers needing easy commutes.
Neighborhood Rankings
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 data, school 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 & Drink
South Newport Street is lined with the neighborhood’s top restaurants, such as Los Chingones, Ambli Global, Tap & Burger, and Le French. Local java expert Corvus Coffee Roasters also has a location on the strip.
For special occasions, book a table at Saverina, a new Italian restaurant serving house-made pastas inside the Kimpton Claret Hotel. And on sunny Centennial State days, hit up Belleview Beer Garden. (Bonus: It has a dog-friendly patio.) Belleview Station even has its own farmers’ market on Sundays from June to October, with live music and fitness classes.
On the other end of the neighborhood—by Happy Canyon Shopping Center—grab a bite at locally born, fast-casual chicken sandwich spot Birdcall or Tai Tai Japanese.
Shop
Fashion arrived at Belleview Station with the opening of A Line Boutique, a trendy women’s store that has two additional locations in town. (Schedule a manicure across the street at the Nest Nail Spa to complete your new look.) Those hoping to furnish a new home without breaking the bank should set their sights on Joy’s Consigned Furnishings.
Break a Sweat
Cherry Creek Reservoir, a few miles to the east, is a great place to stretch your legs. If you want a serious sweat, though, check out some of the neighborhood’s boutique fitness studios, like YogaSix, Orangetheory Fitness, and Barre3.
Spots to Eat
About This Neighborhood
- Berkeley
- Hilltop
- Country Club
- Wellshire
- Southmoor Park
- Congress Park
- University Park
- South Park Hill
- Belcaro
- West Highland
- North Park Hill
- Regis
- Cheesman Park
- Washington Park
- Capitol Hill
- Washington Park West
- Central Park
- University
- Rosedale
- Speer
- Sloan’s Lake
- Hampden South
- Platt Park
- Cory-Merrill
- Highland