8.6 out of 10

Baker

Ranked 3rd best neighborhood in Denver
39.7173546538861 -104.997883212546
Great for
  • Eating Out
  • Internet Access
  • Shopping Options
  • Nightlife
  • Neighborly Spirit
Not great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Schools
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Parking
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"Something for Everyone"

Located a mile and a half south of downtown, the wedge-shaped Baker neighborhood houses an eclectic mix of professionals, families, and the young and hip. It’s also mixed-use: along I-25 and in the south, it gives way to graffiti-covered abandoned factories; the residential core sits west of South Broadway, and South Broadway itself is one of Denver’s most popular out-on-the-town destinations.

The cost of owning or renting a home has increased in recent years, but Baker’s historic cheapness and proximity made it appealing to a wide variety of residents. Hispanic and Latino families and young professional couples occupy the single-family homes, and singles buying their first condo or renting apartments often seek out this area. Many of Baker’s homes are historic, dating back to the 1880s.

South Broadway, sometimes referred to as SoBo, is a destination in its own right for people living in the suburbs or other parts of the city. It’s a mishmash of chic and gritty, trendy and old-school. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether that guy walking down the street is a purposefully disheveled hipster, or just… disheveled. Decadent Beatrice and Woodsley, with its aspen-tree-and-chainsaw décor, $10 cocktails, and oxtail soup, is a few doors down from Swift Steak House, an unpretentious hole-in-the-wall with a crackly old radio and chicken-fried steak. Up on 3rd Avenue, the Mayan theater, built in 1930, is true to its name, with the walls inside covered with murals of fierce warriors. The Hi-Dive and some of the other bars make this a good place to go for live music. Bibliophiles will find it easy to lose an entire day in the half-dozen new and used bookstores, many of which are labyrinthine and piled floor to ceiling with paperbacks. Like SoBo, Baker itself seems to offer something for everyone: quiet, family-friendly streets, proximity to downtown, and one of Denver’s most vibrant and bustling dining and entertainment enclaves.
Pros
  • Unique and Eclectic
  • Bibliophiles' delight!
  • Historic buildings
  • Urban vibe
Cons
  • Parking
  • A couple of pockets to avoid
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
2yrs+

"A historic neighborhood with a mix of everything"

The Baker district is definitely for those who love the urban vibe. It's an old, eclectic neighborhood with mixed industrial, commercial, and residential spots. 6th Ave and Broadway have shops and restaurants. These are the small, independently owned kind of retail establishment. This means it's a great place to try everything and find the little gems that are your favorites. There are places (such as The Hornet) that have been local favorites for a long time, and some new places that are opening up. I've never lived within the Baker borders, but have some favorite restaurants there, and I used to visit a friend with a gorgeous Victorian in that neighborhood.
Baker has seen lots of ups and downs over the decades. It has had its time as a neighborhood to be avoided, but it has also seen a surge in popularity. Some of the reclamation and upgrade projects have hit roadblocks since the economy has tanked (especially the old Gates Rubber Company project on the South end of Baker).
Nonetheless, it's a wonderful neighborhood. The great old Victorian homes are a major attraction, and lots of them have been refurbished. Denver's real estate market has stayed pretty strong, so it's tough to find a bargain in the metro area, but there are still some pockets in Baker with affordable living spaces.
Overall, there are still some sketchy areas in this neighborhood, but there are also some fantastic spots for living, shopping, and dining. It's definitely a good place to live and hang out once you get familiar with the neighborhood. If your heart is in the suburbs, this is not the place for you, but if you love city life, you'll probably love Baker.
Pros
  • Historic buildings
  • Urban vibe
Cons
  • Heavy traffic
  • A couple of pockets to avoid
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish

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