Cole

I think it's hard to find a more authentic urban neighborhood in Denver than Cole. Alleyways splitting each residential block. Little corner stores and bus stops everywhere. 24/7 foot traffic, kids playing baseball in the street. The visible signs of urbanity can't be missed in Cole. The neighborhood is clearly being gentrified (again), particularly after being hit rather hard by the housing/foreclosure crisis of 5 years ago. Investors and flippers are on to the secret - historic, well-maintained single family homes (with garage parking!) on small lots available for under $300k in urban Denver?! You betcha. And located just a 10-minute bike ride (or a 5-minute drive if you're more keen on 4 wheels) from some of the best Denver has to offer - the Central Business District, Coors Field, Uptown, LoDo, City Park, Denver Zoo?! Double whammy. And completion of the light rail line connecting DIA (the airport) with Downtown Denver will only add to the locational appeal of the hood. Although its true - you won't find many organic coffee shops or yoga studios in Cole - plenty of great restaurants and bars are within walking distance.

So naturally, what are the trade offs? Most people would probably tell you the neighborhood is dangerous. Ask somebody who actually lives there, however, and they will probably tell you otherwise. A good dose of common sense in the "hood" goes a long way. Don't get into verbal altercations with people in front of the corner liquor store. Don't leave your new $1500 mountain bike sitting out in your front yard overnight. Don't join a local gang. Etc etc. You know, those things your mom taught you when you were a kid. The risk of random violent crime is no higher in Cole than many other urban Denver neighborhoods. The biggest trade off to most people is probably the lack of necessity shopping in Cole, though you don't have to go far at all to pick up groceries or find a pharmacy. The quality of the neighborhood schools certainly won't draw you to Cole, but they are changing along with the neighborhood. Small children are out and about everywhere, and with several local parks, bball courts, and ball fields, and minimal traffic, Cole definitely has a kid-friendly vibe. Most of the kids just aren't white.

Bottom line is this: a historic, well-maintained single-family housing stock in close proximity to Denver's big city amenities is hard to find these days at an affordable price. Cole is probably top of the list for anybody or family that is willing to be a bit of an urban pioneer - more interested in re-creating a neighborhood than simply selecting one. If you're a tweener, you'd probably fit right in with the culture. (If you can't afford to be a yuppie, you don't appreciate the insightfulness of new age hippies, and you're not hung up on your new tattoo sleeve or the color of your fixie bike, then you're a tweener).