Applewood

Applewood is a charming little area that has great access to the mountains just up I-70. While the interstate does go through the neighborhood, it doesn't detract from the homes within the neighborhood. Yes, it can get busy here during rush hour, but within the neighborhood traffic is light and not an issue.

Nearby there is a great mall, tons of restaurants, and a variety of businesses. From this location there is easy access to anything on the west side of town and not too bad to Denver International Airport. This is a nice community for families and retired people alike.

I am biased for Applewood. I spent my adolescence growing up in Applewood and have spent my adult years describing how it has held on to its charm. The reason people move to Applewood is for the peaceful neighborhood, mature trees and unique homes. Not to mention good schools and shopping. Although it doesn’t have a central downtown like LODO or HIGHLANDS, that is not why families choose this neighborhood. The past few years have been difficult for Applewood compared to the new tract housing, however you won’t confuse your house for your neighbor’s house either. Today it still holds quite a good value for what it delivers. Homes are mostly upper end and pride of ownership abounds. Neighborhood parks are tucked away, local pools are crowded with kids, and trees shade most every home. Yes, I-70 does run through the area but there is also a mall near by, business parks, and easy access to the mountains or downtown. Hike the Mesa, Tour Coors Brewing Co., and hang out in downtown Golden which is also close by. By far one of my top ten neighborhoods in west Denver.

The neighborhoods in and around what is called Applewood is a pretty typical white American middle class neighborhood. I think that part of Applewood is in Lakewood and also part is in Wheat Ridge, its hard in this part of town along I-70 west of Denver to see where one town starts and another begins. Applewood is almost to Golden on the way out of Denver, the area is close enough to commute to downtown, the Denver Tech. Center or to DIA. It is a nice front range position to quickly head up to the mountains and avoid Denver traffic for the most part. The famous Red Rock amphitheatre is only about 10 miles south and a great shopping area known as Colorado Mills where there are a lot of shopping and dining options is minutes away.

There are several golf courses in and around the neighborhood, paths, ponds and reservoirs scatter throughout. In many ways it is typical suburb-land but it was well planned and it caters to recreation and family. It has a nice, safe, clean feel and it just far enough away from Denver and just close enough to the mountains to have that classic Colorado feel.

There are a lot of highways and Interstates that move through the area on their way up into the mountains, along the mountains or towards Denver but the streets of Applewood tuck away nicely from the noise and bustle of the commuters and vacationers that constantly migrate through. If you are looking for character, history and local restaurants you could take the short drive to Golden, or even Boulder. While a bit of a drive for dinner, there are mountain towns an hour or so away to escape to, but you will not find those qualities in the bedroom communities of Applewood.