4.2 out of 10

Ruby Hill

Ranked 34th best neighborhood in Denver
39.6902726494366 -105.01153469014
Great for
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Pest Free
  • Cost of Living
  •  
  •  
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Eating Out
  • Nightlife
  • Resale or Rental Value
  • Shopping Options
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters

Reviews

2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 1/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"A small gem lies within this questionable community"

Ruby Hill has long been synonymous with crime. This area of southwest Denver, and many other areas located just off of Federal Blvd. have had problems with crime for many years. In just this year alone there have been multiple car thefts, drug/alcohol related arrests, burglary and armed robbery. The thing about Ruby Hill is that you can tell some of the homeowners are trying their best to improve the neighborhood by tending to their landscaping, making sure the walks are clean, etc. Unfortunately, this location just seems to be plagued.

Godsman Elementary is the only school in this neighborhood although there are several more very close by. Godsman Elementary has the lowest rating possible for state standardized tests. On a scale of 1-10 it has scored a 1, the very worst you can score. Although it's not surprising, it is sad that these children aren't given more options or that there isn't more involvement from the families and administration to get things back on track.

Ruby Hill has Federal Blvd. on the west side as a border. There are numerous businesses here and Federal has always been a very busy street. In parts is can look dirty and run down.

Ruby Hill does have one special gem though: the park. Ruby Hill Park has been known for years as the place to go when you want to go sledding. After a big snow storm you can find tons of people out in the park sledding, learning to snowboard, and just having fun. People come from all around the city to enjoy the great slopes in this park.
Pros
  • great park for sledding
  • affordable
Cons
  • crime
  • very poor schools
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
2yrs+

"A spot to find a slope in winter--in the middle of the city"

I mostly am personally familiar with Ruby Hill simply as a spot on the other side of Aqua Golf, which I visited a few times. I also know it by reputation because of the sloped hill in Ruby Hill park, which is very popular in winter. It's tailor-made for sleds, and sometimes there are even beginning skiers trying out planks or boards as they take lessons in the park.

So far, so good. The downside is that this is--well--Southwest Denver. I don't think I'll ever be tempted to spend much time here. It's just got a rather flat feel to it, without much spirit or interest. And that's not even addressing the problem of persistent areas of crime.

However, this area seems to hold a lasting appeal for people who clearly have very different tastes and priorities than I do. Actually, that probably covers the majority of people, so there's every reason for these neighborhoods to be popular. Families find some neighborhoods in this part of town appealing for the lower costs, good views and many park spaces. On the other hand, those looking for a safe, suburban-style family neighborhood should probably look elsewhere.

Overall, Ruby Hill is a sort of patchwork of good and bad. Street-smarts will help you locate the safer areas here, but I would advise house-hunters to use caution. On the right block, you could find a low-cost and safe family area. In other spots, this can be a worrying part of town.
Pros
  • affordable
  • Great park
  • many areas feel safe
Cons
  • some problems typical of West Denver
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Hipsters
3/5 rating details
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
2yrs+

"A great park - but some other problems make this neighborhood a mixed bag"

Metaphorically speaking, the most striking feature of Ruby Hill is its park. It dominates a hilltop, taking in some seriously impressive vistas: glimpses of the mountains, a distant view of downtown, and a clear eastern view of the sky over the plains. There are some running and biking trails, playground space, and a row of power line towers marching up and over the hill. In winter, it offers unforgettable sledding.

Literally speaking, the most striking feature of Ruby Hill is its streets. The traffic control “dips,” if you’re not expecting them, will rip the underside out of your car. The long grooves in the pavement are reminders of the heavy toll these features have exacted. Ruby Hill definitely needs to work on its streets.

Unfortunately, there are bigger fish to fry. While not as notorious as some of the other Southwest Denver neighborhoods, Ruby Hill has its share of gang activity and poverty – problems that seem to plague the area as a whole, despite there being many blocks that feel friendly and safe. Ruby Hill is home to many of these, and the homes are neater than the cluttered yards of College View to the south. There are a lot of good things going for this neighborhood, but renters or buyers would be advised to do their homework first.
Pros
  • Great park
  • many areas feel safe
  • affordable
Cons
  • some problems typical of West Denver
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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