Goldsmith

Goldsmith used to be one of Denver's suburbs, but is now solidly surrounded by town. It is roughly halfway between downtown and the Denver Tech Center, with roughly an hour's commute to each (that's in rush hour). It's actually probably quicker to the Tech Center. Goldsmith homes are nice homes, dating mostly from the 60s and 70s. They are well-kept and there are green yards and trees here, instead of the flat sod and saplings of depressing newer suburban areas.

I used to spend a lot of time in this area because I was dating a man who lived close to Monaco and Evans. This is a nice, safe neighborhood. It's surrounded by the heavy retail area of Havana/Hampden, but is a quiet, safe neighborhood. In fact, it's too quiet and out of the way for my taste, but all of the people I know that either grew up here or live here now really like this area.

Housing costs here are very reasonable compared to more central neighborhoods. There are some inexpensive apartment rentals, and many single-family detached homes. The retail options out here are pretty much confined to chain-type stores and restaurants, but there are also some clubs for people needing a bit of nightlife. For daytime activities, there are no parks inside the neighborhood itself, but there are many large parks within a short distance. Overall, this is a very family-oriented neighborhood.

Goldsmith residents take pride in their neighborhood, as the streets upon streets of well-kept brick ranchers attest. Along with the neighboring ‘hoods of Hampden and Virginia Village, Goldsmith is one of those established southeast Denver neighborhoods that offers peace and quiet and a good quality of life overall.

Some of Goldsmith’s homes, which mostly date from the 1960s, are still occupied by their original owners. It’s clear, driving along the pleasant, leafy streets, why those original owners have absolutely no reason to leave, and why the area has also drawn many families in the last decade. The homes are well taken care of, with substantial yards. The neighborhood borders I-25, and is relatively close to the Tech Center, which is a few miles down the highway. The area also abuts the oddly named yet popular James A. Bible Park, which is in Hampden and offers an inviting green oasis of athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and trees.

Although initially resistant to the real estate bust, housing prices in Goldsmith dropped substantially in 2008 and have declined more than in surrounding neighborhoods. New residents drawn to this neighborhood may find a good deal on a well-built home in a desirable residential area.