11 Best Places to Retire in Denver

Which are the best places to retire in Denver?

Retiring is something many of us think about even if we’re decades away from the big moment, wondering what exactly we’ll do once we’re no longer tied to a certain place, going to work every day and having to keep the same home, so it is good to be informed on time about the best places for retirement days that are in your neighborhood.

If you didn’t know, Denver was named the number 1 place to live in the 2016 Best Places to Live in the United States report released in March by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking was determined in part by a public survey of thousands of Americans, but data from the United States Census Bureau, the FBI and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as the US News rankings of the Best High Schools and Best Hospitals was included as well. Denver, Colorado was followed by Austin, Texas and Fayetteville, Arkansas, if you were curious, but we’re going to focus on the top city for now.

To have a few more options to pick from we decided to include neighborhoods that are a few miles away from Denver City since, well, living in downtown Denver can be great, but it’s also quite expensive. At the same time, living a few miles away from the city isn’t that big of a tragedy and it may even come with a bit more of that quiet time everyone hopes for once they hit retirement age, while still being close enough to the rowdiness that comes hand in hand with a modern city for those moments when you feel like getting a taste.

The Mile High City (Denver) is the capital of Colorado and it is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of one mile above sea level, hence the nickname. The city has over 682,000 citizens, with over 2.5 million in the extended Metro area. The median home price in Denver hits $251,000, while the cost of living index in the area is 115, meaning you’ll be paying a bit extra over the average across the US. If you want to find more similar cities, you can also take a look at the 11 best places to retire in Colorado.

In order to create our list we took a look at all surrounding neighborhoods around Denver and took into consideration multiple criteria. For instance, we wanted to make sure the cities are safe, so we checked out the crime index, then we took into consideration the average commute time since no one wants to spend forever stuck in traffic, even if public transport is an option. The median home price was also of interest since you need to be able to afford moving to a new location, as well as the cost of living index since paying double for the same thing isn’t something anyone wants.

Lastly, since healthcare is so important, we looked into how many doctors per 100,000 residents were in these neighborhoods and cities. Those who had the best numbers got the highest marks and resulted in the best scores.

We got our information from Sperling’s Best Places which takes government data and mixes it together, as well as Denver Relocation Guide where we found more inside scoops about each place. Without further ado, here are the 10 best places to retire in Denver.

11. Denver

Score: 10

Average commute time: 24.85

Median home price: $251,600

Cost of living index: 115.1

Doctors per 100K: 545

It may sound a bit ironic, but it’s the truth – Denver is the last on our list. Living in Denver is great, but the stats aren’t great enough to push the city up the list any more than this position. The median home price in the city is above $250,000, which is a lot of money. The average commute time is close to 25 minutes, which isn’t all that terrible, but it isn’t great either.

Regardless, Denver is a great city if you want to have a lot of activities to do in your spare time. There are plenty of entertainment options, art and culture, shopping galleries, museums, a zoo and the botanic gardens.

10. Commerce City

Score: 12

Average commute time: 29.12

Median home price: $200,600

Cost of living index: 105.2

Doctors per 100K: 80

If you want to make sure the home you’re moving in is new, then picking Commerce City is a good choice. Up until recently this was an area that was more industrialized and full or warehouses, but it’s been shifting toward a more residential place in recent years. Therefore, there are plenty of options when looking for a new house to call home. If you enjoy the nature, there are many city parks and even some trail systems.

The median home prices in the area is a bit over $200,000, but you should keep in mind the fact that they’re mostly new. The cost of living in the area is higher than the national average, but it’s not a dramatic hike.

9. Boulder

Score: 13

Average commute time: 19.15

Median home price: $471,300

Cost of living index: 155.1

Doctors per 100K: 363

Rated as one of the best top small cities in the world, Boulder is near Denver, to the northwest. If you’re into doing a lot of walking, then this is a perfect place. There are also plenty of other places to visit if you enjoy art and architecture, especially since there are plenty of historic buildings to check out. There are also hundreds of restaurants and entertainment options for when you’re feeling bored. Aside from the awesome view of the Flatirons, there are parks to enjoy and trails to hike if you want to spend some time in nature.

The median home price in the area is a bit steep, north of $471,000. The cost of living here is also quite high, with the index sitting at 155.1. On the other hand, the average commute time is short and there are plenty of doctors to take care of you if you’re in need of it.

8. Brighton

Score: 14

Average commute time: 28.18

Median home price: $194,400

Cost of living index: 104.1

Doctors per 100K: 80

About 20 miles away from downtown Denver you will find Brighton. Instead of the hustle and bustle offered by Denver, here you’ll find a more chilled out atmosphere, specific to small towns. This neighboring city has plenty of communities and parks to enjoy.

The median home price in the area is below $200,000 which is great if you’re on a budget. The cost of living index is a bit above the national average, namely 104.1 so your pocket shouldn’t suffer too much. Of course, it depends on the prices you’re used to in your current area of residence, but that’s another story altogether.

7. Northglenn

Score: 16

Average commute time: 27.68

Median home price: $185,800

Cost of living index: 102.5

Doctors per 100K: 80

North of Denver sits Northglenn, a community that has a few decades of history. Nowadays there are over 30,000 residents in the area, enjoying acres and acres of open space and parks, swimming pools, tennis courts, recreation centers and so on.

Homes in the area are quite cheap compared to other neighborhoods. More specifically, the median home price is $185,800, while the cost of living index is 102.5, which is great since you’re not going to have to pay an arm or a leg for your daily shopping list and amenities.

6. Erie

Score: 16

Average commute time: 27.2

Median home price: $340,900

Cost of living index: 130.5

Doctors per 100K: 363

Less than half an hour away from Denver you’ll find Erie, a small town that offers a lot of big town options, including restaurants, a business district, and a great golf course, as well as plenty of parks to enjoy a bit of extra fresh air on beautiful days.

The average home price in the area is quite steep, however, sitting at $340,900. The cost of living index is also a bit high, namely 130.5. There’s also a high density of doctors in the area, about 363 for each 100,000 people.

5. Louisville

Score: 17

Average commute time: 21.68

Median home price: $396,000

Cost of living index: 140.9

Doctors per 100K: 363

A bit farther away, some 25 miles away from Denver sits Louisville, just a stone’s throw away from the Rocky Mountains, making for a hell of a view. Since we’re so close to the mountains you’ll be able to enjoy about 10 ski areas close by, dozens of parks, but also trails and even an 18-hole public golf course if you’re into this sport.

Louisville has a pretty high median home price, getting really close to $400,000, but you’ll certainly be able to find cheaper houses if you look close enough. The cost of living is also a bit high, namely 140.9, so you’re going to pay quite a bit over the national average. Of course, there’s always room for improvement. There’s also a high number of doctors in the area so you’ll be able to find help in case of need.

4. Superior

Score: 18

Average commute time: 23.4

Median home price: $424,100

Cost of living index: 146,2

Doctors per 100K: 363

A few miles northwest of Denver, close to Boulder, sits the town of Superior. If you love nature, you’ll be happy to hear there are plenty of parks in the area, including some designed for kids, which will come in handy if the grandkids come visiting every now and then. There are also plenty other open spaces and miles and miles of trails connecting the neighborhood parks. Retailers, restaurants and all the services you’d need are close by, and there’s even an ice rink if you enjoy skating or want to pick it up now.

The median home price in the area is a bit high and so is the cost of living. There are also enough doctors in the area to take care of your needs, and you’re also close enough to Denver to make the drive in case of need.

3. Federal Heights

Score: 19

Average commute time: 28.27

Median home price: $173,100

Cost of living index: 100.1

Doctors per 100K: 80

Just north of Denver sits Federal Heights. If you want to move in the area you should know the median home price is quite low, namely $173,100, at least compared to other areas in Denver, while the cost of living index is on par with the national average. The crime index in the area isn’t exactly ideal, but there are plenty other things that put Federal Heights on our list. For instance, if you want to enjoy some time away from home you should know there are plenty of shopping centers to enjoy, while also having the opportunity to enjoy some fresh air. For instance, there’s a Water World here, the famous waterparks where you can take your entire family if you so desire. It’s going to be a treat for your grandkids when they visit!

2. Longmont

Score: 19

Average commute time: 23.23

Median home price: $236,200

Cost of living index: 110,8

Doctors per 100K: 363

If you want to have stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, then Longmont is the place to go. Close to both Boulder and Denver, Longmont offers residents plenty of recreational activities, being particularly known for its many restaurants. There are also over 1,500 acres of parks to enjoy if you so desire.

The median home price in the area is a bit over $236,000, while the cost of living index is 10 points above the national average. There is also a high concentration of doctors in the area if you’re ever in need.

1. Glendale

Score: 21

Average commute time: 22.24

Median home price: N/A

Cost of living index: 66.4          

Doctors per 100K: 363

One of the words often used to describe Glendale is “cosmopolitan,” in case you were wondering what exactly to expect upon moving. Glendale is more or less surrounded by the city of Denver, so you’re always close to the hustle and bustle of the big city. There are plenty of things to do in the area, especially if you enjoy spending time in nature. There are acres of parks and open spaces, bike paths and over 100 miles of trails to hike on the in the area.

The cost of living in the area is 66.4, which means it’s going to cost you over 30% less than in other cities across the country. There is also a high number of doctors to attend to your needs, the density being calculated at 363 per 100,000 residents. All in all, Glendale is on top of the list when it comes to the 10 best places to retire in Denver.