How to Choose the Right Denver Apartment Neighborhood
Written by Holly Van Keuren — Denver's Apartment Aunt, licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker, and someone who has helped more travel nurses find Denver apartments than she can count.
A few months ago, a travel nurse named Jess messaged me at 11 p.m. — which, if you know nurse schedules, is basically their lunchtime. She'd just accepted a 13-week contract at UCHealth Anschutz and was staring at a Denver map that might as well have been written in hieroglyphics.
"Holly, there are like 80 neighborhoods. I just need to know where to live so I'm not miserable on my commute and can find decent tacos after a 12-hour shift."
Fair. Let me break this down for you the same way I broke it down for Jess.
Step 1: Stop Trying to Find the "Best" Neighborhood
I need you to hear this: there is no universally "best" Denver neighborhood. There's only what's best for your hospital, your schedule, and your version of a good day off. A neighborhood that's perfect for a nurse at Denver Health downtown is completely wrong for someone commuting to Sky Ridge in Lone Tree. This isn't a "one-size-fits-all" situation.
Step 2: Start with Your Hospital (Always)
Before you even think about walkability, nightlife, or which neighborhood has the best brunch, answer this one question: Where is your hospital?
Here's my general mapping based on years of placing travel nurses:
UCHealth Anschutz / Children's Hospital Colorado:
Look at Aurora, Lowry, or Central Park. These keep your commute under 20 minutes and offer newer apartment communities with the amenities travel nurses love — in-unit laundry, secure package lockers, and covered parking ($75–$150/month).
Denver Health (downtown):
Capitol Hill, Golden Triangle, or Baker put you close to the hospital with walkable neighborhoods that feel alive on your days off. One-bedrooms start around $1,700+ in these areas.
Swedish Medical Center / Craig Hospital (Englewood area):
Washington Park, Glendale, or even Cherry Creek give you a short commute south while keeping you connected to Denver's social scene.
Sky Ridge / Parker area:
Lone Tree and the southern suburbs offer newer communities with upscale finishes, often at more competitive pricing than central Denver. Two-bedrooms start around $2,600+ if you want extra space for visiting friends or a home office.
Step 3: Layer in Your Lifestyle
Once you've identified your commute zone, ask yourself these questions:
After a 12-hour shift, do I want silence or stimulation? If you need quiet, neighborhoods like Washington Park or Lowry are your friends. If you want to decompress at a brewery patio, RiNo or LoHi/Highlands have you covered.
Do I want to walk places or drive? Denver's most walkable neighborhoods are Capitol Hill, RiNo, Union Station, and LoHi/Highlands. If you prefer driving, suburban areas like Arvada, Broomfield, or Lone Tree offer more space for less.
Is outdoor access a priority? Many nurses tell me their days off revolve around hiking, running, or biking. Washington Park is steps from one of Denver's best parks, and Golden gives you trailhead access practically from your front door.
Step 4: Find Your Balance Point
In my experience, most travel nurses end up in one of three categories:
The "Close + Quiet" Nurse: Wants to be 10–15 minutes from work in a residential, low-key area. Prioritizes sleep quality, parking, and in-unit laundry over nightlife. → Look at Lowry, Central Park, or Glendale.
The "Slightly Farther + More Fun" Nurse: Willing to add 10 minutes to the commute in exchange for walkable restaurants, a social scene, and that Denver "vibe." → Look at RiNo, LoHi/Highlands, or Capitol Hill.
The "Strategic Middle Ground" Nurse (my recommendation for most): Close enough to work that bad weather doesn't ruin your commute, but in a neighborhood with enough personality to make Denver feel like home — not just a contract city. → This varies by hospital, which is exactly why working with a locator helps.
Tell Me Your Hospital → I'll Send Neighborhood Matches
Common Mistakes Travel Nurses Make Picking a Neighborhood
Choosing based only on rent price. The cheapest apartment in Denver might cost you more in gas, tolls, and sanity if it adds 45 minutes to your commute each way.
Trusting Google Maps commute times at face value. That "18-minute drive" becomes 35 minutes during rush hour on I-25. Always check commute times during your actual shift change hours.
Picking a neighborhood because it "looks cute" on Instagram. RiNo and LoHi/Highlands are gorgeous — but if your hospital is 30 minutes south, you'll grow to resent the commute faster than you think.
Not factoring in parking. Parking in Denver runs $75–$150/month at most newer apartment communities. Make sure it's in your budget.
What About Short-Term vs. Long-Term Leases?
This comes up constantly with travel nurses. Here's my take: if your contract is 13 weeks, many buildings offer shorter lease terms — but you'll often pay a premium. If there's any chance you'll extend (and many nurses do — Denver has a way of convincing people to stay), a 12+ month lease at a premium apartment often gives you better monthly pricing, better unit selection, and access to move-in specials that short-term leases don't qualify for.
I cover this in more detail in the Denver Renter's Guide, including how to evaluate total monthly costs like parking, utilities, and pet rent.
From Your Apartment Aunt
You don't need to memorize Denver's neighborhoods. You don't need to scroll listings for hours. You don't need to guess and hope. You just need someone who knows how to match your hospital + your lifestyle + the right apartment — and who actually answers her texts at 11 p.m. (nurse hours, I get it).
Check out the FAQ if you have questions about how the locator process works, or browse the Relocation to Denver guide if you're coming from out of state.
Holly Van Keuren is a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker and the founder of Holly The Locator, a boutique apartment locating service specializing in premium Denver apartments for travel nurses, healthcare professionals, and relocating professionals.