# 4

2022 rank: 24

West Highland continues to be hugely popular. Its solid growth in home prices, well-performing pair of schools, and solid commercial offerings boosted it back into this year’s top 10.

Another notch in the pros column: Late last year, Denver City Council rezoned the area to allow for the building of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. The residential enclave—defined by its Craftsman bungalows, Victorians, and modern scrapes—feels like a locals’ neighborhood. It’s not quite as trendy as Highland, its sister ’hood to the east, or Berkeley to the north, but it’s equally well outfitted, with two convenient bike lanes (on West 29th and 35th avenues), a large grocery store, and the bustling Highlands Square.

Population 9,934
2023 Median Sale Price $993,542

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 18
Schools Score 4
Crime Rank 29
X Factor Score 8.5

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

Highlands Square is the nucleus of commerce here. It’s where you’ll find a number of bars and a diverse array of cuisines; among our favorites are El Camino Community Tavern (Mexican), Fire on the Mountain (chicken wings), Detroit-style Blue Pan Pizza, and Natuur for healthier options. There are plenty of ways to support artisan purveyors, from strolling the Sunday farmers’ market in the summer to browsing 49-year-old Seafood Landing fish market.

There’s more. West 38th Avenue beckons with American Elm and Glo Noodle House. Sweet tooths will be satiated at Sweet Cow Ice Cream or the Inventing Room Dessert Shop (be sure to reserve a spot in advance).

Thirsty? Highlands Cork and Café—and its perfect people-watching perch—is a favorite among the work-from-anywhere crowd, and the European-inspired Café Zuri boasts mean brews and mouthwatering slices of walnut cake. Oasis Brewery’s patio is an ideal happy hour spot, and Three Dogs Tavern is a long-standing neighborhood sports bar.

Shop

Women’s clothing stores are abundant in West Highland with spots like RusticThread Boutique, Sol Shine, and and Ruby Jane. For gifts, look no further than the Perfect Petal’s bouquets or the creative cards at Wordshop. Kate Maller Jewelry sells sustainable, handcrafted pieces of wearable art. West Side Books has been a go-to for new and used books for more than two decades.

Joy Fill is a sustainable store where you can refill household cleaners and personal care products and find a variety of eco-friendly products.

Break a Sweat

Sloan’s Lake Park is nearby, but there are plenty of fitness studios within walking distance, too. Choose between spin (Rush Cycle), boot camp (Orangetheory Fitness, F45 Training), barre (Barre3, Pure Barre), and aerial fitness (Air). Nurture—a “wellcare marketplace”—hosts a variety of workout classes and is home to a number of wellness businesses, such as acupuncture and massage, plus a health-focused cafe. Got kids? Let them burn their energy at Ta Da Gymnastic Studio.

Spots to Eat

Nest Café & Bar

Glo Noodle House

Rewild

Mead St. Provisions

View All Restaurants in West Highland

About This Neighborhood