Blog > Living in Lakewood, CO: A Local Guide to Denver's Outdoor Suburb
Living in Lakewood, CO: A Local Guide to Denver's Outdoor Suburb
by Alex Saldana
Living in Lakewood, CO: A Local Guide to Denver's Outdoor Suburb
By Alex Saldana, Colorado Real Estate Broker (License #042865) · June 24, 2026
Lakewood sits directly west of Denver in Jefferson County, the state's fifth largest city with about 156,000 people, 80-plus parks, and a median home price near $580,000. It is one of the most popular landing spots for buyers who want mountain access close to the city.
What is it like to live in Lakewood, Colorado?
Lakewood is Colorado's fifth largest city, home to just under 156,000 people spread across roughly 44 square miles directly west of Denver in Jefferson County.
Because it is so big, Lakewood does not have one single vibe, and that is part of what makes it interesting. It is bordered by Denver to the east, Wheat Ridge to the north, Golden to the northwest, and Morrison to the south. Closer to Belmar on the eastern side, it feels like a young, walkable, professional pocket with breweries and restaurants. Out west near Green Mountain or Solterra, it turns more suburban with bigger lots, mountain views, and a slower pace. Up north toward Applewood you get large, almost semi-rural lots with foothill views. Demographically it is a real mix of young professionals, families, federal workers, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts. It tends to skew a bit more laid-back and outdoorsy than the polished south metro suburbs, which is exactly why a lot of my relocation clients end up here.
How much do homes in Lakewood cost?
The median sales price in Lakewood sits around $580,000, which makes it one of the more accessible big suburbs in the entire Denver metro area.
That accessibility is notable when you consider how close Lakewood is to both downtown Denver and the foothills. The median only tells part of the story though, because prices swing a lot from one neighborhood to the next. On the lower end, condos and townhomes around Belmar can start in the 300s. On the higher end, established west-side and Applewood homes routinely clear a million dollars. So your real budget depends far more on which part of Lakewood you target than on the citywide median. If you want a walkable lock-and-leave condo, your number looks very different than if you want a quarter-acre lot with foothill views. When buyers tell me a price ceiling, the first thing we do is map that number to the right pockets of the city rather than chasing the average.
Which Lakewood neighborhoods should you know about?
Four Lakewood areas cover most of what buyers ask about: Belmar, Green Mountain, Applewood, and Solterra.
Belmar is the walkable heart of the city, a mix of condos, townhomes, and modern row houses where prices generally start in the 300s and nearby single-family homes sit closer to 600 and up. Green Mountain, on the west side, is full of 1970s through 1990s ranches, bi-levels, and tri-levels with bigger lots and mountain views, with many homes running from $800,000 to $1.5 million. Applewood is the upscale, established option, partly unincorporated Jefferson County, with larger lots, mature trees, and prices often well above a million. Solterra is the master-planned community tucked against the foothills, newer construction from the 2010s and 2020s, with prices generally starting in the 700s. Each one trades something, whether that is walkability, lot size, newness, or commute distance.
What is there to do in Lakewood?
About a quarter of Lakewood's land area is dedicated to parks and open space, and the city holds more than 80 parks.
The crown jewel is Bear Creek Lake Park on the west side, a 2,600 acre regional park with a fishing reservoir, paved and dirt biking trails, hiking, picnic areas, plus water skiing and camping in summer. Green Mountain holds William F. Hayden Park, a large mesa with miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails and sweeping views of the city and foothills. For everyday life, Belmar is a walkable outdoor shopping district built on the old Villa Italia Mall site, with Whole Foods, a Cinemark, the Alamo Drafthouse, and the Lakewood Cultural Center hosting theater and music year-round. The 40 West Arts District along West Colfax adds studios, galleries, and murals. And you are only 15 to 20 minutes from Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Dinosaur Ridge, so you can hike midweek and catch a concert on the weekend.
How are the schools and commute in Lakewood?
Lakewood is served primarily by Jeffco Public Schools, and downtown Denver is about 15 to 20 minutes away via the 6th Avenue Freeway.
On schools, the main high schools are Lakewood, Bear Creek, and Green Mountain, which generally rate in the average to above-average range, with Bear Creek often earning some of the strongest marks. Because the city is so spread out, assignments can change block by block, so verify the assigned schools for any specific home. Colorado is also a school-choice state, and you have roughly a 93% chance of getting into your top-rated choice even outside your assigned district. On commuting, the 6th Avenue Freeway makes downtown one of the smoother runs in the metro, and the RTD W Line light rail connects stops like Federal Center, Oak, Garrison, and Wadsworth to Union Station in about 20 to 25 minutes. The downside is the south side and DTC, where drives can easily push past 30 minutes.
Who is Lakewood the best fit for?
Lakewood fits buyers who want quick mountain access without giving up a 15 to 20 minute reach to downtown Denver.
It is one of the most popular suburbs my relocation clients land in, and the reason is usually that combination of foothills and city. If you work for the federal government, the Denver Federal Center is the largest concentration of federal agencies outside Washington, D.C., employing 6,000 to 7,000 people across agencies like the USGS, the Bureau of Reclamation, and FEMA Region 8. Healthcare and education workers have St. Anthony Hospital, the rebuilt Lutheran Medical Center, Colorado Christian University, and Red Rocks Community College nearby. Outdoor people get parks at the doorstep. The main group I would steer carefully is anyone whose job sits in the south metro or DTC, since that commute works against you. If you are weighing parts of town and want a local resource, reach out and we can map your goals to the right pocket of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Lakewood, Colorado?
Lakewood is the fifth largest city in Colorado, with a population just under 156,000 people spread across about 44 square miles. It is a sprawling city rather than a compact suburb, so the feel and housing change a lot from the eastern side near Belmar to the western foothills.
What is the median home price in Lakewood?
The median sales price sits around $580,000, depending on the source. That makes Lakewood one of the more accessible large suburbs in the Denver metro given how close it is to both downtown and the foothills. Prices range widely, from condos in the 300s to Applewood homes well over a million.
Is Lakewood a good place for outdoor lovers?
Yes. About a quarter of Lakewood's land is parks and open space, with more than 80 parks including the 2,600 acre Bear Creek Lake Park and the trails on Green Mountain. You are also 15 to 20 minutes from Red Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge, and the start of the foothills.
What is the commute from Lakewood to downtown Denver?
Downtown Denver is about 15 to 20 minutes via the 6th Avenue Freeway, one of the smoother commutes in the metro. The RTD W Line light rail reaches Union Station in roughly 20 to 25 minutes. Commutes to the south metro or DTC are tougher and can push past 30 minutes.
What are the main neighborhoods in Lakewood?
Four areas cover most buyer questions: Belmar, the walkable urban heart; Green Mountain, with bigger lots and mountain views; Applewood, the upscale established pocket; and Solterra, the newer master-planned community near the foothills. Each trades something different on price, walkability, lot size, and commute.
How are the schools in Lakewood?
Lakewood is served mainly by Jeffco Public Schools. The main high schools, Lakewood, Bear Creek, and Green Mountain, generally rate average to above average, with Bear Creek often strongest. Because the city is large, assignments shift block by block, and Colorado's school choice gives roughly a 93% chance of landing your top pick.
Who is the biggest employer in Lakewood?
The Denver Federal Center is the largest employer, the biggest concentration of federal agencies outside Washington, D.C., employing roughly 6,000 to 7,000 people. It houses agencies like the USGS, the Bureau of Reclamation, and FEMA Region 8. St. Anthony Hospital and several colleges add more local jobs.
Thinking about buying or selling in Denver?
Call or text (303) 552-4804 for a no-pressure conversation about your situation.
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