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If I were buying a house in Denver heading into 2027, where would I look?

That's harder for me to answer than it probably sounds.

I've lived in Colorado for more than 43 years, and there are a LOT of Denver neighborhoods and suburbs I like for different reasons.

But if I had to narrow it down to just three areas right now, these would absolutely be on my list:

📍 Wheat Ridge
📍 Tennyson / Berkeley
📍 Applewood

And yes, I'm a little biased on two of them.

I grew up around Wheat Ridge and Applewood, very close to Youngfield and 38th Avenue, so I've watched this part of the Denver metro change dramatically over the years.

These three areas are also interesting because they offer three very different versions of living in Denver.

One gives you established neighborhoods, larger lots in places, and an incredibly central west-metro location.

One gives you walkability, restaurants, shops, and a much more urban neighborhood lifestyle.

And one gives you mature trees, larger homes and lots, proximity to Golden, and a suburban feel while still keeping you relatively close to Denver.

So which one is best?

There isn't one.

Quick Answer: If I were looking for a home in the Denver area heading into 2027, three places I'd seriously consider are Wheat Ridge, the Tennyson/Berkeley area of northwest Denver, and Applewood. Wheat Ridge stands out for its central west-metro location, established neighborhoods, and access to both Denver and the foothills. Tennyson/Berkeley offers a more walkable, urban lifestyle with restaurants, shops, and neighborhood energy. Applewood provides mature landscaping, larger lots and homes in many areas, and convenient access to Golden and the foothills. The right choice depends on your budget, housing preferences, commute, and the lifestyle you want outside your front door.

Where Are the Best Places to Buy a House in Denver Heading Into 2027?

Before we get into these three areas, there's something I think is important if you're moving to Denver or buying a home in the Denver metro area.

Don't start by asking:

“What is the best Denver neighborhood?”

Start by asking:

“What do I want my everyday life to look like?”

Do you want to walk to coffee or dinner?

Would you rather have a bigger backyard?

Do you want an older home with character?

How important is mountain access?

Where do you commute?

Do you want to be close to downtown Denver?

Would you rather have a quieter suburban environment?

How much maintenance are you comfortable taking on?

Your answers could lead you to three completely different areas.

That's exactly what happens with Wheat Ridge, Tennyson/Berkeley, and Applewood.

Let's break them down.

1. Wheat Ridge:

Location, Character and West Denver Convenience

If you've followed my content for a while, you probably know I have a soft spot for Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

I grew up in this part of town, so I've had a front-row seat to how much Wheat Ridge and the surrounding west Denver metro have changed.

And heading into 2027, I still think buying a home in Wheat Ridge deserves serious consideration for the right buyer.

What Is It Like Living in Wheat Ridge?

One of Wheat Ridge's biggest advantages is its location.

You're west of central Denver but not all the way into the foothills.

That gives you relatively convenient access in multiple directions—to Denver, Golden, Arvada, Lakewood, and routes toward the mountains.

But Wheat Ridge doesn't feel like one giant master-planned suburb.

Its housing stock and neighborhoods can vary significantly.

Depending on where you're looking, you may find:

• Mid-century ranch homes
• Brick ranches
• Remodeled older homes
• Larger lots
• Mature trees
• Newer infill development
• Townhomes
• Properties with unique layouts and additions
• Homes that have been updated gradually over decades

That variety is part of the appeal.

It also means two Wheat Ridge homes at the same price can be very different properties.

Why Buy a House in Wheat Ridge?

For me, one of the biggest selling points is the combination of location and established neighborhood character.

Wheat Ridge can put you within relatively easy reach of:

• Downtown Denver
• Golden
• Olde Town Arvada
• I-70
• The foothills
• Parks and trails
• Shopping and restaurants
• Other west Denver communities

For someone who wants to be on the west side of the Denver metro without necessarily paying for a Golden address or choosing a more urban Denver neighborhood, Wheat Ridge can occupy an interesting middle ground.

I also like that many parts of Wheat Ridge don't feel cookie-cutter.

Homes, lots, streets, and even individual blocks can have their own personality.

What Kind of Homes Can You Find in Wheat Ridge?

If you like mid-century Denver-area housing, Wheat Ridge is particularly interesting.

Ranch-style homes are common in many parts of the area, and buyers may find features such as:

• Single-level living
• Basements
• Brick construction
• Larger yards
• Mature landscaping
• Garages
• Original mid-century details
• Renovated interiors

But with older housing comes an important caveat.

You need to understand what's been updated.

A beautiful Wheat Ridge remodel can still have older infrastructure hiding behind the finishes.

Depending on the home, I may want buyers paying particular attention to the:

• Roof
• Sewer line
• Electrical system
• Plumbing
• Foundation and drainage
• HVAC
• Windows
• Previous additions
• Permit history

Remodeled doesn't always mean fully updated.

What's the Biggest Downside of Wheat Ridge?

The variety that makes Wheat Ridge interesting can also make it harder to shop.

One block can feel different from another.

Home condition can vary considerably.

And because there's so much older housing stock, you really need to evaluate the specific property, not simply the neighborhood.

For some buyers, Wheat Ridge's less-uniform feel is exactly what they want.

For someone who prefers newer construction and highly consistent neighborhoods, it may not be.

2. Tennyson / Berkeley:

Walkability, Restaurants and an Urban Denver Lifestyle

Next is Tennyson Street and the Berkeley neighborhood in northwest Denver.

And this is a completely different experience from Wheat Ridge.

If you want to live somewhere where restaurants, coffee shops, bars, boutiques, parks, and neighborhood activity can be part of your everyday life, this area should probably be on your radar.

What Is It Like Living Near Tennyson Street in Denver?

Tennyson Street has evolved dramatically over the years.

Today, the surrounding Berkeley neighborhood offers a mix of established residential streets and a lively commercial district.

This is the type of place where the location itself can be a major part of why you buy the house.

You may be able to leave your car at home and walk to:

• Coffee
• Dinner
• Drinks
• Shops
• Fitness
• Parks
• Neighborhood events
• Everyday services

That's a fundamentally different lifestyle from choosing a larger suburban property farther from Denver's urban core.

Why Buy a Home in Berkeley or Near Tennyson Street?

For many buyers, the answer is simple:

Lifestyle.

You're buying more than the house.

You're buying access to the neighborhood.

Berkeley can appeal to people who want some combination of:

• Walkability
• Restaurants and nightlife
• Neighborhood businesses
• Parks
• Northwest Denver location
• Older-home character
• Modern infill
• Proximity to downtown Denver
• Convenient access toward the west metro

It's also an interesting compromise for someone who likes urban Denver but still wants a more neighborhood-oriented residential environment.

What Types of Homes Are Near Tennyson and Berkeley?

Housing can include a mix of:

• Older bungalows
• Brick homes
• Renovated historic properties
• Duplexes
• Townhomes
• Newer infill homes
• Contemporary construction

That creates a huge range of experiences even within a relatively small geographic area.

You might tour a charming older bungalow and then walk two doors down to a much newer modern property.

For buyers who like architectural variety, that's a positive.

What's the Biggest Downside of Tennyson / Berkeley?

You generally pay for desirable location and walkability.

And depending on exactly where you buy, the tradeoff could include:

• Smaller lots
• Less privacy
• More activity
• Parking considerations
• Older housing
• Higher prices for the amount of house or land
• New infill changing the feel of individual blocks

This is why I wouldn't compare Tennyson/Berkeley with Applewood by asking:

“Where do I get the biggest house?”

That's not really the point.

A major part of what you're purchasing near Tennyson is the location and lifestyle outside the house.

3. Applewood:

Larger Lots, Mature Trees and Golden-Area Access

And then there's Applewood.

This is another one where I'm definitely biased.

I grew up very close to Applewood, around Youngfield and 38th, so this is an area I've known for decades.

And Applewood still stands out to me because it can provide something that's becoming increasingly difficult to recreate:

Established neighborhoods with mature trees, distinctive homes, larger lots in many areas, and convenient access to both Denver and Golden.

Where Is Applewood, Colorado?

Applewood sits on the western side of the Denver metro, generally around the Wheat Ridge/Golden area.

That's part of what makes the location so appealing.

You're not living in the mountains, but you're considerably closer to the foothills than someone on the eastern side of the metro.

Depending on the specific property, you can have relatively convenient access to:

• Golden
• Wheat Ridge
• Denver
• I-70
• The foothills
• Trails and outdoor recreation
• Shopping and restaurants
• Mountain routes

For someone who wants a more established suburban environment while remaining connected to Denver, Applewood can be a compelling option.

What Is It Like Living in Applewood?

Applewood feels different from Tennyson almost immediately.

Instead of choosing the neighborhood primarily for walkability and urban activity, many buyers are attracted to things like:

• Larger lots
• Mature trees
• Established streets
• Mid-century and custom homes
• Privacy
• Outdoor space
• Proximity to Golden
• West-metro location
• Foothills access

The neighborhood's maturity is part of its charm.

Trees have had decades to grow.

Homes don't all look identical.

Lots can feel more substantial than what you'll find in many newer Denver-area developments.

What Types of Homes Are in Applewood?

Applewood has a lot of architectural variety, including homes from the mid-century era as well as properties that have been significantly renovated or expanded.

Depending on the specific neighborhood and property, buyers may encounter:

• Ranch homes
• Mid-century homes
• Split-level homes
• Two-story homes
• Custom properties
• Larger lots
• Finished basements
• Renovated homes
• Properties retaining substantial original character

And just like Wheat Ridge, that means condition can vary.

One Applewood home may have undergone extensive modernization.

Another may offer an opportunity for someone who wants to update a property themselves.

What's the Biggest Downside of Applewood?

If your dream is to walk out your front door and have dozens of restaurants and shops a few blocks away, Applewood probably isn't Tennyson.

It's a different lifestyle.

You'll likely rely more heavily on your car for everyday errands and entertainment.

And desirable homes—particularly those with the lot, location, condition, and character buyers want—can command significant prices.

So the tradeoff becomes:

How much do you value space, mature landscaping, and west-metro location versus walkability and urban amenities?

That's a lifestyle decision.

Wheat Ridge vs. Applewood:

What's the Difference?

This is a particularly interesting comparison because they're geographically close and can overlap in the minds of buyers.

But I wouldn't treat them as interchangeable.

Wheat Ridge generally offers a broad range of housing and neighborhood environments, often with an extremely central west-metro location.

Applewood can feel more residential and established, with larger lots and mature landscaping being a major part of the appeal in many sections.

If you're considering either, I'd drive both.

Don't simply look at listings.

Experience the streets and neighborhoods.

Wheat Ridge vs. Tennyson / Berkeley:

Which Is Better?

These two can appeal to someone who wants to stay relatively close to central Denver while retaining good west-side access.

But the lifestyle difference can be substantial.

Choose Tennyson/Berkeley if your priorities lean heavily toward:

• Walkability
• Restaurants
• Coffee shops
• Neighborhood energy
• Urban convenience

Explore Wheat Ridge if you're more interested in:

• Larger lots in many areas
• Established suburban neighborhoods
• Ranch-style homes
• West-metro access
• A little more breathing room

Neither is universally better.

The question is what you're prioritizing.

Applewood vs. Tennyson:

Space or Walkability?

This might be the clearest contrast of the three.

With Applewood, a significant part of the appeal is often the property itself—the lot, mature landscaping, home, privacy, and location near Golden and the foothills.

Near Tennyson, a significant part of the appeal is everything immediately outside your property.

Restaurants.

Coffee.

Shops.

People.

Walkability.

Neighborhood energy.

If I know which of those lifestyles sounds more like you, we've already made substantial progress toward figuring out where you should live.

Which Area Has the Best Mountain Access?

If mountain and foothills access is one of your biggest reasons for moving to Colorado, I'd pay close attention to geography.

Applewood and Wheat Ridge's west-metro locations can be attractive for buyers who regularly want to head toward Golden, the foothills, or I-70.

Tennyson/Berkeley is still on the northwest side of Denver, which can also be advantageous compared with living much farther east.

But there's an important reality about living in Denver and going to the mountains:

A few miles can matter, but so can when you leave.

Colorado mountain traffic can dramatically change travel times.

I wouldn't choose a house solely based on shaving a few minutes off an online estimate.

But if mountain access is a major lifestyle priority, it absolutely belongs in the location conversation.

Which Area Is Best for Walkability?

Of these three, Tennyson/Berkeley provides the clearest walkable neighborhood lifestyle, particularly around the Tennyson Street commercial district.

Wheat Ridge and Applewood offer different kinds of neighborhood environments.

That doesn't mean you can't walk, bike, or access trails in those areas.

It means you're less likely to have the same walk-out-your-door-to-coffee-and-dinner experience you'll find around Tennyson.

This is why “walkability” needs to be defined.

Do you want to walk recreationally?

Or do you want to walk to things?

Those aren't the same requirement.

What Does Your Money Buy in Wheat Ridge, Tennyson and Applewood?

This is where the comparison gets especially interesting.

The same Denver home-buying budget can purchase very different things depending on location.

Near Tennyson, you may be sacrificing some square footage or lot size in exchange for location and walkability.

In Wheat Ridge, your budget may lead you toward an established ranch, remodeled older home, or something with more outdoor space.

In Applewood, buyers may prioritize larger lots, mature landscaping, home size, and the west-metro setting.

But pricing changes constantly, and even within these areas there can be substantial variation.

That's why I wouldn't use one generic number and tell you:

“This is what $750,000 buys in Wheat Ridge.”

I'd rather look at what's actually for sale when you're ready to buy.

Should You Buy an Older Home in Wheat Ridge, Berkeley or Applewood?

Much of the housing stock in these areas isn't new construction.

Personally, I think that's part of the appeal.

But older homes require a different type of due diligence.

Depending on the house, I'd want buyers paying attention to:

• Roof age and condition
• HVAC
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing
• Sewer line
• Foundation
• Drainage
• Windows
• Insulation
• Previous additions
• Renovation quality
• Permit history
• Homeowners insurance

I've said this before, but it's worth repeating:

An older house isn't automatically a problem.

A well-maintained 70-year-old house may be in much better condition than a poorly maintained 20-year-old house.

Understand the specific property, not simply the year it was built.

So, Where Would I Buy a House in Denver Heading Into 2027?

If I were narrowing my personal search to these three areas, I'd think about it this way:

Wheat Ridge: If I wanted an established west-metro neighborhood, convenient location, housing variety, and relatively easy access in multiple directions.

Tennyson / Berkeley: If walkability, restaurants, neighborhood energy, and being closer to Denver's urban core were major priorities.

Applewood: If I wanted mature trees, more space, an established neighborhood, and convenient access to Golden and the foothills.

And that's exactly why I picked these three.

They're not three versions of the same neighborhood.

They're three different versions of living in Denver.

Watch: 3 Denver Areas I'd Buy in Heading Into 2027

In this week's episode of Living in Denver, I'm taking you through all three:

📍 Wheat Ridge
📍 Tennyson / Berkeley
📍 Applewood

I'll show you:

• What homes look like
• What your money can buy
• What it's actually like to live in each area
• What has changed
• What I like about each
• The biggest downside of each
• Which type of buyer each area may fit

And I'll bring a little extra perspective to Wheat Ridge and Applewood because I actually grew up around this part of town.

I've watched these communities change for decades—and that's one of the reasons they're still fascinating to me heading into 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a House in Denver

What are the best places to buy a house in Denver in 2027?

There isn't one best area for every buyer. Three places I'd personally have on my radar are Wheat Ridge, Tennyson/Berkeley, and Applewood because they offer very different combinations of location, housing, walkability, lot size, mountain access, and lifestyle.

Is Wheat Ridge, Colorado a good place to live?

Wheat Ridge can appeal to buyers looking for an established west Denver suburb with varied housing, mature neighborhoods, access to Denver and Golden, and convenient routes toward the foothills.

Is Applewood, Colorado a good place to live?

Applewood can be particularly attractive for buyers who value established neighborhoods, mature trees, larger lots in many areas, distinctive housing, proximity to Golden, and west Denver metro access.

Is Berkeley a good neighborhood in Denver?

Berkeley, including the area around Tennyson Street, can appeal to buyers looking for a walkable northwest Denver neighborhood with restaurants, shops, parks, older homes, newer infill, and convenient access to central and west Denver.

Is Tennyson Street a good place to live near?

For buyers prioritizing walkability, restaurants, coffee shops, neighborhood businesses, and an active urban-neighborhood environment, living near Tennyson Street may be worth considering.

Is Wheat Ridge or Applewood better?

Neither is universally better. Wheat Ridge offers a broad mix of housing and neighborhood environments with a central west-metro location, while Applewood can appeal more strongly to buyers seeking mature landscaping, larger lots, and proximity to Golden. The best fit depends on the specific buyer and property.

Is Wheat Ridge or Berkeley better?

Berkeley may fit someone who prioritizes walkability and urban amenities. Wheat Ridge may be more appealing to someone looking for additional space, larger lots in certain areas, established suburban neighborhoods, and west-metro convenience.

Is Applewood close to the mountains?

Applewood's west Denver metro location puts it relatively close to Golden and the foothills. Actual mountain travel time varies considerably based on destination, traffic, weather, and time of day.

Where should I live in Denver if I want mountain access?

West and northwest Denver-area communities such as Golden, Applewood, Wheat Ridge, western Arvada, Lakewood, and other nearby areas may be worth researching if foothill and mountain access is a major priority.

How do I choose the right Denver neighborhood?

Start with your budget, commute, housing preferences, desired lot size, walkability, mountain access, parks and trails, restaurants, and what you want everyday life to look like. Narrow the location first, then start seriously comparing individual houses.

About Adam Lang | Living in Denver

I'm Adam Lang, a Denver-area Realtor®, Colorado native, Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert, and creator of the Living in Denver YouTube channel.

I've lived in Colorado for more than 43 years, and this particular part of Denver is personal to me.

I grew up near Youngfield and 38th Avenue, very close to Wheat Ridge and Applewood, and I've watched the west and northwest Denver metro change considerably over the years.

Today, I help buyers, sellers, and people relocating to Colorado figure out not only which house to buy, but which Denver neighborhood or suburb actually fits their lifestyle, budget, commute, and long-term goals.

Through Living in Denver, I publish weekly content about moving to Denver, Denver neighborhoods, Denver suburbs, buying a house in Denver, Denver real estate, Colorado lifestyle, and what it's actually like to live along the Front Range.

Thinking About Buying a House in Denver in 2027?

If Wheat Ridge, Applewood, Tennyson/Berkeley—or anywhere else around Denver—is on your radar, I'd be happy to help you narrow things down.

I offer a free 30-minute Denver Real Estate Strategy Session where we can talk through your:

• Budget and comfortable monthly payment
• Timeline
• Commute
• Neighborhood preferences
• Home style
• Lot-size preferences
• Walkability
• Mountain access
• Parks and trails
• Current Denver-area inventory
• Buying strategy

And if you're relocating to Denver, I'd much rather have this conversation before you fly out and schedule 20 random showings.

We can narrow Denver's huge metro area into a handful of communities that actually make sense for you first.

Because the goal isn't to find the neighborhood someone on the internet says is “the best.”

It's to find the part of Denver that fits the way you actually want to live.