# 13

2023 rank: 43

Tree-lined blocks shade new builds, midcentury brick Tudors, and bungalows—almost exclusively single-family—in this well-established neighborhood just east of the University of Denver (DU). Those homes have become increasingly more expensive over the past few years, rising to an average of $1.49 million in 2023. The neighborhood gathering place is Observatory Park, site of DU’s Chamberlin Observatory, a Romanesque structure that just celebrated its 130th birthday in July. University Park’s wide streets and grassy lawns make it a pleasant place to walk while the 2.4-mile East Harvard Gulch Trail, which cuts through the spacious Robert H. McWilliams Park (or Dinosaur Park, as the locals call it), is the perfect post-work cycling spot.

Population 8,092
2023 Average Sale Price $1,494,694

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 9
Schools Score 4
Safety Rank 25
X Factor Score 6

How we got these numbers: We utilized the city’s official list of 78 neighborhoods (only 73 had enough data to be included), and ranked them using four variables: home prices, crime data, school rankings, and an X factor score that accounts for things like access to open space, proximity to public transportation, and restaurant and shopping options. For more on our methodology, return to the main page.

Your Itinerary

Eat & Drink

A few years ago, you would’ve had to visit University or University Hills for good grub, but this neighborhood has added a few more restaurants to its ranks in recent years. For Korean-style corn dogs coated in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, head to Two Hands on University Boulevard. Big news for Beau Jo’s lovers: the Colorado-style pizza chain made its return to Denver in June with a new outpost in the hood. When the hangry starts to hit, you can also reach for ramen at Tatsu Izakaya, a pile of wings from Saucy’s Southern BBQ & Cuisine, or street-style tacos from Tacos El Metate.

Look Up

The Denver Astronomical Society hosts public nights at the observatory on Tuesday and Thursday nights ($4 for adults, $3 for students) during which you can get an up-close look at the moon and stars through the venue’s famed 26-foot-long Alvan Clark-Saegmuller refracting telescope. If you can’t score a coveted reservation for one of the public nights, try your luck at one of the monthly star parties on the south lawn ($2 donation suggested). Weather permitting, you might still be able to steal a look through the legendary lens, or you can bring your own.

About This Neighborhood