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If you were moving somewhere south of Denver in 2027, where should you start looking?

That's a question I get from people relocating to the Denver metro area—and there's no single answer.

Because there really isn't one “best place to live south of Denver.”

The right Denver neighborhood or suburb depends on your budget, commute, lifestyle, preferred home style, outdoor interests, lot-size preferences, and what you want to have nearby.

I've lived in Colorado for more than 43 years, and one thing I've learned is just how dramatically your experience living in the Denver metro can change based on where you choose to live.

A home in Littleton can offer a completely different lifestyle from a home in Lone Tree.

And both are very different from living in a newer master-planned community such as Southshore near the Aurora Reservoir.

That's why in this week's episode of Living in Denver, I'm taking you through three very different areas south of Denver that I think should be on your radar heading into 2027: Littleton, Lone Tree, and Southshore.

Quick Answer: Three areas worth considering south of Denver heading into 2027 are Littleton, Lone Tree, and Southshore. Littleton offers established neighborhoods, mature trees, trails, and a wide range of housing; Lone Tree provides newer homes, shopping, amenities, trails, and convenient access to I-25 and the Denver Tech Center; and Southshore offers newer construction and a community-oriented lifestyle near the Aurora Reservoir. The best choice depends on your budget, commute, housing preferences, and the lifestyle you want.

Where Are the Best Places to Live South of Denver?

Before comparing individual communities, there's something important to understand if you're moving to Denver from another state:

The Denver metro area is BIG.

People often tell me they're “moving to Denver” when what they really mean is they're relocating somewhere within the broader Denver metropolitan area.

And that's an important distinction.

Someone who wants a historic home, mature landscaping, easy trail access, and an established community may end up somewhere completely different from someone who wants a newer house, neighborhood amenities, and easy access to I-25.

That's why I recommend starting with location and lifestyle before individual houses.

Ask yourself:

• Where will I work?
• How often will I commute?
• How much house can I comfortably afford?
• Do I want newer or older construction?
• How important is lot size?
• Do I want an HOA and community amenities?
• Do I want walkability?
• How important are trails and parks?
• How important is mountain access?
• Do I want restaurants and shopping nearby?
• How much driving am I comfortable doing every day?

Once you answer those questions, choosing where to live south of Denver becomes considerably easier.

Let's look at three very different possibilities.

1. Littleton:

One of My Favorite Places to Live South of Denver

I'll start with Littleton, because this is an area I know especially well and one of my personal favorite parts of the Denver metro.

Littleton is interesting because saying:

“I want to live in Littleton.”

still doesn't tell me exactly what kind of lifestyle you want.

There are established neighborhoods, newer communities, condos and townhomes, ranch-style homes, larger custom properties, neighborhoods with HOAs, and areas that feel completely different from one another.

Littleton can also provide access to some of the things many people specifically move to Colorado hoping to enjoy:

• Parks
• Trails
• Open space
• Reservoirs
• Outdoor recreation
• Established neighborhoods
• Mature landscaping
• Downtown Littleton
• Southwest Denver metro access
• Relatively convenient access toward the foothills

Two communities that illustrate Littleton's variety particularly well are Grant Ranch and Bow Mar.

What Is It Like Living in Grant Ranch, Littleton?

Grant Ranch is a great example of why I like southwest Littleton.

It's an established community built around Marston Lake, with parks, trails, community amenities, and convenient access to other parts of southwest Denver.

What I like about Grant Ranch is the combination of a suburban neighborhood feel with access to outdoor recreation and established landscaping.

Depending on the section of the community, you'll find different home styles, sizes, and price points.

For someone moving to Littleton who wants a community-oriented neighborhood rather than an urban environment, Grant Ranch may be worth putting on the list.

Who might like Grant Ranch?

It may appeal to someone looking for:

• An established suburban neighborhood
• Community amenities
• Parks and trails
• Access to southwest Denver
• Proximity to recreation
• A range of single-family homes
• Mature landscaping compared with many brand-new communities

But Grant Ranch isn't the only version of Littleton.

Not even close.

What Is It Like Living in Bow Mar?

Bow Mar offers a very different experience.

If Grant Ranch demonstrates one side of Littleton-area living, Bow Mar shows just how dramatically things can change within a relatively short distance.

Bow Mar is known for its established character, larger properties, mature trees, distinctive homes, and lake-centered community.

The housing stock and overall environment can feel very different from what you'd find in a newer Denver suburb.

For a buyer prioritizing character, lot size, mature landscaping, and an established neighborhood, Bow Mar could be compelling.

It also illustrates something I frequently tell relocation buyers:

Don't assume two neighborhoods that look close together on a map will feel anything alike.

That's why I want people moving to Denver to experience neighborhoods—not just houses.

Why Consider Living in Littleton?

Littleton may deserve a spot on your list if you value some combination of:

• Established neighborhoods
• Mature trees
• Parks and trails
• Southwest Denver location
• Access toward the foothills
• A variety of home ages and architectural styles
• Downtown Littleton
• Outdoor recreation
• Larger or more established lots in certain neighborhoods

Another reason I like Littleton is that it doesn't give buyers only one type of house or one type of neighborhood.

Depending on your budget and priorities, we can look at very different versions of Littleton living.

What Are the Tradeoffs of Living in Littleton?

Every community has them.

Because Littleton covers such a broad area and housing stock varies considerably, you have to evaluate the specific neighborhood, not simply the Littleton mailing address.

An older home may also come with different maintenance considerations than newer construction.

Depending on the property, that can mean paying closer attention to:

• Roof age
• HVAC
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing
• Sewer lines
• Foundation and drainage
• Previous renovations
• Homeowners insurance

That's particularly important if you're drawn to Littleton because you prefer older homes and established neighborhoods.

Character is great.

Just understand what you're buying.

2. Lone Tree:

Newer Homes, Amenities and Easy I-25 Access

Now let's head east and compare Littleton with Lone Tree.

This is a very different lifestyle.

For someone who wants newer housing, convenient amenities, trails, shopping, restaurants, and access to I-25 and the Denver Tech Center, Lone Tree should probably be somewhere on the radar.

One of Lone Tree's biggest advantages is location.

If your daily life revolves around the south Denver metro, Denver Tech Center, or I-25 corridor, geography matters.

A house can be amazing, but if you're spending significantly more time commuting every day than you expected, that affects your quality of life.

What Is It Like Living in Lone Tree, Colorado?

Lone Tree generally has a newer suburban feel than many of Denver's older, established neighborhoods.

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

• Newer single-family homes
• Townhomes
• Condos
• Luxury properties
• Trails and open space
• Community parks
• Shopping
• Restaurants
• Nearby entertainment
• Convenient interstate access

That can make Lone Tree particularly attractive to buyers who like the idea of suburban living but don't want to feel disconnected from everyday conveniences.

You can have a very different experience here than in an early-1900s Denver neighborhood or older Littleton community.

And for some buyers, that's exactly the point.

Lone Tree and the Denver Tech Center Commute

If you're relocating to Denver for a job in or around the Denver Tech Center, I'd take your commute seriously before choosing where to live.

This is something I emphasize constantly with relocation buyers:

Don't judge a Denver commute based solely on mileage.

A location that appears close on Google Maps can feel very different depending on your route and the time of day you're traveling.

Lone Tree's access to the I-25 corridor can make it especially worth considering for people whose jobs and daily routines are concentrated in the south or southeast metro.

Before buying anywhere, though, I recommend testing the commute during the times you'll actually be making it.

Who Should Consider Lone Tree?

Lone Tree may be a particularly good fit if your priorities include:

• Newer housing
• Suburban living
• Shopping and restaurants
• Trail access
• Parks and open space
• I-25 access
• Denver Tech Center proximity
• Modern amenities
• Lower-maintenance housing options in certain communities

But if your dream of Colorado involves being farther west and closer to the foothills, another area may fit your priorities better.

Again:

There isn't one best Denver suburb.

3. Southshore:

A Completely Different Lifestyle Near Aurora Reservoir

The third area I feature in this week's video is Southshore.

And this is exactly why I wanted to put these three areas together.

Southshore provides a completely different option from Littleton or Lone Tree.

If you're drawn toward newer homes, neighborhood amenities, and a master-planned community environment near the Aurora Reservoir, Southshore may be worth exploring.

What Is It Like Living in Southshore, Aurora?

Southshore is in southeast Aurora near the Aurora Reservoir.

Compared with many established Denver neighborhoods, the housing stock is newer and the overall community has a more modern suburban/master-planned feel.

Depending on the individual property and section of the community, buyers may be attracted by:

• Newer homes
• Modern floor plans
• Community amenities
• Parks
• Trails
• Neighborhood gathering spaces
• Access to outdoor recreation
• Proximity to Aurora Reservoir
• A planned-community environment

For someone relocating from another state who prefers newer Denver-area construction, this can be a very different alternative to shopping older neighborhoods closer to central Denver.

Why Aurora Reservoir Matters to the Southshore Lifestyle

One of the reasons location matters so much is that nearby amenities influence what your normal life actually looks like.

Living near Aurora Reservoir can provide access to recreation that someone in another part of the metro simply won't have right outside their neighborhood.

That's why I encourage relocation buyers to stop asking only:

“How nice is this house?”

and start asking:

“What would my Saturdays look like if I lived here?”

If your ideal weekend involves trails, water, outdoor recreation, and neighborhood amenities, Southshore may make sense.

If your ideal Saturday is walking to an older downtown district for coffee and then heading toward the foothills, it may not.

Neither lifestyle is better.

They're just different.

What Are the Tradeoffs of Living in Southshore?

The location that gives Southshore its lifestyle can also be a tradeoff depending on where you need to go regularly.

This is where your commute becomes extremely important.

Before falling in love with a newer home, ask:

• Where will I work?
• How often will I commute?
• Where do friends or family live?
• How frequently will I go downtown?
• How important is airport access?
• How often will I head to the mountains?
• What stores and services will I use regularly?

A neighborhood can check every box inside the community and still be wrong for you if you're constantly driving somewhere else.

Littleton vs. Lone Tree vs. Southshore:

Which Is Best?

Here's the answer people sometimes don't want to hear:

It depends.

But that's actually good news.

These communities give you very different options.

I wouldn't choose between them by asking:

“Which is the best place?”

I'd ask:

“Which one makes my everyday life easiest and most enjoyable?”

Littleton vs. Lone Tree:

Which Is Better?

This is a useful comparison because both can appeal to someone searching south of Denver, but for very different reasons.

If you prioritize established neighborhoods, mature landscaping, varied architecture, southwest Denver access, and proximity toward the foothills, I'd spend more time exploring Littleton.

If you prioritize newer housing, shopping, modern amenities, I-25 access, and proximity to the Denver Tech Center, Lone Tree may move higher on your list.

The right answer depends much more on your lifestyle than a generic ranking.

Lone Tree vs. Southshore:

Which Is Better?

For buyers wanting newer housing, these two may naturally end up in the same conversation.

The major question becomes location.

Lone Tree puts you along the south I-25 corridor.

Southshore puts you farther east near Aurora Reservoir.

That affects your:

• Commute
• Weekend activities
• Access to other parts of Denver
• Mountain trips
• Shopping patterns
• Daily driving

The houses may look similar online.

Your life outside those houses may look completely different.

Grant Ranch vs. Bow Mar:

Two Very Different Ways to Live in Littleton

Even within Littleton, it's worth comparing neighborhoods rather than treating the city as one housing market.

Grant Ranch can appeal to someone who values community amenities and an established suburban environment.

Bow Mar offers a different feel with its mature character, distinctive properties, larger lots in many cases, and lake-oriented community.

And that's exactly why I don't like telling relocation buyers:

“You should live in Littleton.”

That's only the beginning.

The next question is:

“Where in Littleton?”

How Much Does It Cost to Live South of Denver?

This is one section I'd keep updated regularly because Denver-area home prices change.

Instead of assuming one price point for an entire city, look at the specific neighborhood, property type, age, condition, lot, and amenities.

A home in Bow Mar isn't directly comparable to every home in Grant Ranch.

A Lone Tree townhome isn't the same search as a luxury single-family property.

And Southshore's housing options shouldn't be evaluated solely against Denver's older housing stock.

When you're relocating, I'd establish three numbers:

1. Your comfortable monthly housing payment

Not simply the maximum amount you're approved for.

2. Your comfortable cash-to-close amount

Including down payment, closing costs, and reserves.

3. Your post-closing lifestyle budget

Because moving to Colorado isn't much fun if your housing payment leaves no room to enjoy Colorado.

Where Should You Live South of Denver If You Work in the Denver Tech Center?

If you're commuting frequently to the Denver Tech Center (DTC), I'd make commute testing a major part of your search.

Lone Tree may naturally deserve consideration because of its location along the I-25 corridor.

But that doesn't automatically make it the right choice.

Your budget, preferred housing stock, desired neighborhood feel, and willingness to commute all matter.

This is why I ask relocation clients to tell me where they'll actually be going regularly, rather than simply where their office is located.

Your office may be one destination.

Your gym, family, trails, restaurants, airport, schools, and weekend activities are destinations too.

Where Should You Live South of Denver for Outdoor Recreation?

Again, it depends on what you mean by outdoors.

Someone prioritizing access toward the foothills may prefer a southwest location.

Someone who loves having reservoir recreation nearby may be intrigued by Southshore.

Someone wanting neighborhood trails and open space while remaining close to the I-25 corridor may prefer Lone Tree.

Don't search for the neighborhood with the most generic “outdoor lifestyle” label.

Define the outdoor lifestyle you actually want.

Should You Buy a Newer or Older Home South of Denver?

This is another major dividing line between these areas.

If you love:

• Mature trees
• Established neighborhoods
• Architectural variety
• Older-home character

parts of Littleton may naturally appeal to you.

If you'd rather prioritize:

• Newer construction
• Modern floor plans
• Larger kitchens
• Contemporary primary suites
• Newer mechanical systems
• Community amenities

Lone Tree or Southshore may provide more options worth exploring, depending on the specific neighborhood.

Neither is automatically better.

But knowing your preference before you start touring can save an enormous amount of time.

Moving South of Denver?

Choose the Lifestyle Before the House

This is probably the most important lesson in the entire video.

Don't start with Zillow.

Start with your life.

Imagine a normal Tuesday.

Where are you commuting?

Where are you buying groceries?

How long are you willing to spend in the car?

Now imagine Saturday.

Are you heading toward the mountains?

Walking a trail?

Going to a reservoir?

Meeting friends for brunch?

Working in the yard?

Walking around a downtown district?

Taking the dog to a park?

Those answers tell me considerably more about where you should live around Denver than whether you prefer quartz or granite countertops.

Once we identify the lifestyle and location, then we find the house.

Watch: Best Areas to Live in Denver: 3 SOUTH Denver Picks for 2027

In this week's episode of Living in Denver, I'm taking you through three very different areas that I think people considering moving south of Denver in 2027 should have on their radar.

Inside the video:

• Littleton, including Grant Ranch and Bow Mar
• Lone Tree, with newer housing, amenities, trails, shopping and convenient I-25/DTC access
• Southshore, offering newer homes and a different lifestyle near Aurora Reservoir
• What homes look like in each area
• What everyday life can feel like
• Location and commute considerations
• The tradeoffs I'd think about before choosing

Because the best Denver neighborhood isn't necessarily the one at the top of someone else's list.

It's the one that fits your life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living South of Denver

What are the best places to live south of Denver in 2027?

There isn't one universally best community, but Littleton, Lone Tree, and Southshore represent three very different options worth researching. The right choice depends on your budget, commute, desired home type, and lifestyle.

Is Littleton a good place to live?

Littleton can be a great option for buyers who value established neighborhoods, parks, trails, varied housing, mature landscaping, southwest Denver access, and proximity to outdoor recreation. Different Littleton neighborhoods can offer substantially different lifestyles.

Is Lone Tree a good place to live?

Lone Tree may appeal to buyers seeking newer housing, trails, parks, shopping, restaurants, suburban amenities, and convenient access to I-25 and the Denver Tech Center.

What is Southshore in Aurora like?

Southshore is a newer master-planned community in southeast Aurora near Aurora Reservoir. It can appeal to buyers who want newer homes, community amenities, trails, and access to reservoir recreation.

Is Littleton or Lone Tree better?

Littleton may appeal more to buyers prioritizing established neighborhoods, mature landscaping, architectural variety, and southwest-metro living. Lone Tree may appeal more to someone prioritizing newer homes, amenities, I-25 access, and the Denver Tech Center. Neither is universally better.

Is Southshore too far from Denver?

That depends entirely on where you need to travel and how often. Someone working or spending significant time in another part of the metro should test the commute before deciding whether Southshore's location works for their lifestyle.

Where should I live if I work in the Denver Tech Center?

Lone Tree and other south/southeast Denver communities may be worth researching, but your ideal location depends on budget, commute tolerance, housing preferences, and where else you travel regularly.

Where should I live south of Denver for mountain access?

If foothill and mountain access is a high priority, southwest Denver-area communities may deserve additional consideration. However, commute, budget, housing preferences, and your specific mountain destinations should all factor into the decision.

Should I live in Denver or the suburbs?

It depends on the lifestyle you want. Denver proper can provide more urban and historic-neighborhood options, while suburbs may provide newer housing, larger lots, community amenities, or different access to employment and recreation.

How do I decide where to live when relocating to Denver?

Start with your budget, workplace, commute, desired housing type, lifestyle, outdoor priorities, lot size, amenities, and the places you'll visit regularly. Narrow down communities first, then start seriously comparing individual homes.

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 today I help buyers and families relocating from across the country figure out where around Denver actually fits the life they're trying to build here.

And that's an important distinction.

My job isn't simply to send someone a list of homes for sale.

I want to understand your commute, budget, housing preferences, outdoor interests, neighborhood priorities, and what you want a normal Tuesday or Saturday in Colorado to look like.

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

Moving to Denver in 2027?

Let's Figure Out Where You Should Live.

If you're considering moving to Denver, Littleton, Lone Tree, Southshore, or anywhere else along the Denver metro, you don't need to know exactly where you want to live before reaching out.

That's actually something I can help you figure out.

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

• Your budget
• Monthly payment goals
• Timeline
• Job location
• Commute
• Neighborhood preferences
• Newer versus older homes
• Lot size
• Parks and trails
• Mountain access
• Community amenities
• Denver neighborhoods and suburbs worth exploring
• Whether buying or renting initially makes more sense

If you're coming to Colorado for a relocation trip, we can also narrow down the areas before you arrive, so you spend your limited time experiencing communities that actually have a chance of fitting your lifestyle.

Because finding the right house is important.

But finding the right part of Denver comes first.