Where to Live in
Lakewood

Lakewood, CO: 2026 Neighborhood Shortlist

The 2026 Vibe Check

Lakewood isn't just Denver's backdrop anymore; it's actively pulling away. The big story is the West Colfax corridor, which has officially become its own economic zone separate from the city core. Gentrification isn't a creeping line here; it's a series of distinct, hard-edged bubbles. You feel it most acutely along the Wadsworth/6th Ave intersection, where the old-school auto shops are getting replaced by $8 artisanal doughnut joints. The Belmar area is the polished, corporate attempt at a downtown, and it's got a firm grip on the western suburbs, but the real energy is in the scrappier, more authentic pockets. The tension is visible: you'll see a brand new, $700k townhouse sharing a block with a 1960s ranch that’s clearly a rental. The light rail expansion is the engine, but the resulting housing crunch is making people choose: do you want the walkable, new-build life or the classic, yard-focused Lakewood feel? The lines are drawn.

The Shortlist: Top Neighborhoods for 2026

Lakewood Gulch

• The Vibe: Industrial Gentrification
• Rent Check: 10-15% higher than city average. You're paying a premium for the address and walkability.
• The Good: This is the only part of Lakewood that feels like a true urban neighborhood. You can walk from your apartment at Union Pointe to Odell Brewing Co. or the Alamo Drafthouse without touching a major arterial. The light rail stop at Wadsworth & 7th is your direct ticket to Denver. The new Lakewood Gulch Park is the central green space, and it's always active.
• The Bad: Parking is a nightmare for anyone with more than one car. The noise from the 6th Ave and I-25 corridors is constant; if you're sensitive to traffic sound, do not look at anything south of 6th. The "grit" hasn't fully been scrubbed out—you'll still find some questionable auto body shops and the occasional sketchy encounter near the rail station after dark.
• Best For: The young professional who wants a Denver-lite lifestyle without Denver prices and is willing to trade square footage for location.
• Insider Tip: Go to Edgewater Public Market on a Tuesday night for trivia, then walk the 10 minutes south into the Gulch to see what the real vibe is.

Eveleth Hills

• The Vibe: Established Suburb
• Rent Check: Right at the city average. If you're seeing a 1BR for $1700-$1850, it's likely here.
• The Good: This is Lakewood’s quiet backbone. The schools (Eveleth Elementary, Alameda High) are consistently solid and a major draw. You get actual mature trees and decent-sized backyards here, a rarity in new developments. The walkability is for errands, not nightlife—hit up the King Soopers on Wadsworth or grab a coffee at Habitat Coffee & Tea on Lakewood Blvd. It's safe, predictable, and stable.
• The Bad: It's a cul-de-sac culture. You'll need a car for everything. The nightlife is non-existent; your best bet is a 10-minute drive to Belmar or the Gulch. The housing stock is aging, and you'll face a bidding war if a house has been updated.
• Best For: Families who need good schools and a safe, quiet street but still want to be 15 minutes from everything.
• Insider Tip: The secret weapon is Lakewood Park. It has the best softball leagues in the city and a massive green space that feels like a private community park.

St. Anthony's

• The Vibe: Quiet Residential
• Rent Check: Slightly below average to average. Look for deals on the streets north of W. Mississippi Ave.
• The Good: The commute winner. The W. Mississippi light rail station puts you in Union Station in under 20 minutes, no traffic. You get the classic Lakewood feel—smaller, 1950s-era brick homes with real character and yards—without the Gulch price tag. The neighborhood is tucked away from the main commercial drags, so it feels surprisingly peaceful. The St. Anthony's Hospital area is well-maintained and stable.
• The Bad: It's a "bedroom community" in the truest sense. There are very few local businesses to walk to; you're driving to Belmar for dinner or Wadsworth for groceries. The housing stock is old, so expect to deal with outdated electrical or plumbing if you're buying.
• Best For: The Wall St. or Tech worker who commutes downtown daily and values a quiet, functional home base over a lively neighborhood scene.
• Insider Tip: Cut through St. Anthony's via Xavier St. to avoid the Wadsworth parking lot during rush hour. It's a local rat-run for a reason.

Foothills

• The Vibe: Retro Car Culture
• Rent Check: The Value Play. You can find 1BRs well under $1700.
• The Good: This is the last affordable pocket of Lakewood that hasn't been flipped. The rent is low, and the access to the South Platte River trail system is incredible for cyclists and runners. The Foothills Golf Course is a huge green space. The area has a distinct, unpretentious character; the weekly car shows at Solider's Memorial are a summer staple. You get bigger apartments for your money here.
• The Bad: It's gritty. The Colfax and Kipling intersection is a hub of fast food, gas stations, and low-level crime. The apartment complexes are older, so soundproofing is minimal. It's not the place for a quiet night in unless you're on a top floor facing away from the street. AVOID if you're looking for polished new builds.
• Best For: The renter on a strict budget who is more interested in trail access and space than a trendy bar scene.
• Insider Tip: For a surprisingly good, cheap breakfast that isn't a chain, go to Pete's Kitchen on Colfax. It's a Lakewood institution.

Strategic Recommendations

• For Families: Eveleth Hills is the undisputed winner. The school ratings are a tier above, and the street layouts are built for kids on bikes. The lots are bigger, giving you actual yard space for a swingset. You'll pay for it in slightly higher property taxes and home prices, but the stability and community infrastructure are worth it. Look for homes in the Eveleth Park vicinity.

• For Wall St / Tech: St. Anthony's. Your time is money. The ability to be on a train and at your downtown desk in under 25 minutes is the single biggest factor here. You can afford a decent house with a garage, and on the weekends, you're a 5-minute drive from the action in Belmar or the Gulch without having to live in the noise. The trade-off is a boring Tuesday night.

• The Value Play: Foothills. This area is next. The city is already pouring money into the South Platte River corridor, and the proximity to Bear Creek Lake Park is an untapped goldmine for outdoor enthusiasts. The fixer-uppers here are going to be renovated and double in value in the next 5-7 years as the West Colfax boom pushes west. Buy a 1960s brick ranch here before it gets the "Gulch treatment."