Highland

What Makes Highland Special

Highland is a defined Denver neighborhood northwest of downtown. Its boundaries generally extend from West 29th Avenue to West 38th Avenue and from Federal Boulevard to I-25.

The naming can be confusing. Highland and West Highland are separate statistical neighborhoods, while “the Highlands” is often used informally for a broader area. Lower Highland, commonly called LoHi, refers to part of Highland rather than a separate Denver statistical neighborhood.

Those distinctions are useful when comparing listings, market reports, and amenities. A property described simply as being in “the Highlands” may not have the same surroundings or access as another home with the same marketing label.

Highland's history is visible in its older homes and street patterns. Victorian-era houses, cottages, traditional brick residences, and later construction reflect different periods of development. Contemporary infill has introduced additional housing choices without making the neighborhood uniform.

Its elevated setting and relationship to downtown are also important parts of its identity. Pedestrian connections, nearby river recreation, and local businesses help link the neighborhood with the city beyond its residential blocks.

If you're comparing northwest Denver locations, explore my West Highland neighborhood guide, Sunnyside neighborhood guide, and Berkeley neighborhood guide.

My guide to choosing the right Denver neighborhood for your lifestyle can help you connect those comparisons with your everyday routine.

Highland Real Estate: What to Expect in 2027

Highland's housing market includes older detached homes, renovated properties, townhomes, condos, and newer custom construction. Those property types should not be evaluated as though they offer the same space, maintenance needs, or ownership costs.

Condition, above-grade living space, basement functionality, renovation quality, lot characteristics, parking, outdoor areas, and location all influence value. For condos, building finances and monthly association costs are also central to the comparison.

Geography matters as well. A report for Highland may differ from a broader search that combines LoHi, West Highland, and other locations commonly described as the Highlands. Confirm the boundaries before applying a published median to a particular home.

Property Types and Pricing Considerations

• Older cottages and detached homes: Appeal to buyers who value established character or a separate structure. Evaluate major systems, usable space, storage, basement condition, and future maintenance.
• Victorian-era homes and traditional residences: May offer distinctive masonry, porches, woodwork, and room arrangements. Compare architectural details alongside condition, functionality, and renovation history.
• Renovated and expanded properties: Require a review of construction quality, available permits, system improvements, structural changes, and how additions connect to the original home.
• Townhomes and paired residences: Offer different combinations of interior space, parking, and outdoor access. Confirm ownership structure, shared-wall arrangements, insurance, maintenance responsibilities, and any association requirements.
• Condos: Require evaluation of both the unit and the building. Dues, reserves, insurance, assessments, rules, parking, storage, and financing eligibility can affect the purchase.

Market pace varies with pricing, condition, property type, location, and available alternatives. Some listings may attract prompt interest, while others take longer or need a price adjustment. Highland's popularity does not guarantee multiple offers or a quick sale for every property.

For Buyers

Start by deciding which Highland setting fits your plans. A home close to restaurants and evening activity, a property with a private yard, and a condo with shared maintenance offer different ownership experiences.

Visit at different times of day. Parking demand, deliveries, restaurant activity, traffic, highway noise, and nearby construction can affect some addresses more than others. Spend time outside the property as well as inside it.

Older homes deserve careful inspection. Depending on the property and inspection findings, additional evaluation may be appropriate for the sewer line, foundation, roof, electrical system, plumbing, heating and cooling, drainage, and previous additions.

For renovated properties, ask what was improved beyond visible finishes. A remodeled kitchen does not establish that the electrical service, sewer line, roof, or structural components were addressed. Available permits, warranties, and service records help explain the scope of the work.

For newer townhomes, consider how the layout functions. Stairs, bedroom placement, laundry location, garage access, and the route to a rooftop space can affect daily comfort. Balconies and rooftop decks also deserve review for drainage, waterproofing, and maintenance responsibilities.

My Denver home buyer's guide explains financing, offers, inspections, appraisals, and closing. If you're relocating, my Colorado relocation guide can help you organize the broader search.

For Sellers

Selling a Highland property starts with identifying its actual competition. A preserved cottage, a renovated detached home, a contemporary townhome, and a condo may attract different buyers, even when they are nearby.

The strongest marketing explains the property's specific advantages. A functional layout, architectural details, natural light, private outdoor space, garage parking, and documented improvements can all contribute to its position in the market.

Preparation should be selective. Maintenance, cleaning, paint, lighting, landscaping, and a clearer presentation of existing rooms may be more useful than a major renovation. The right priorities depend on condition, likely buyer questions, and current alternatives.

Gather available permits, warranties, service records, and information about significant work. For attached homes, organize documents explaining shared responsibilities, parking rights, insurance, and any association obligations.

If your next move involves selling and buying, my Smart Seller Game Plan can help you think through timing. You can also contact me about pricing and preparing your Highland home.

Life in Highland: Parks, Local Businesses and Community

Parks and Recreation

Hirshorn Park is a local green space within Highland, providing an outdoor destination near the neighborhood's residential streets and businesses. Its convenience depends on the property's address and the activities you want close to home.

Highland Park, despite its name, is in neighboring West Highland. It should not be presented as the central park within the Highland statistical neighborhood. My West Highland guide provides more context for that setting.

Commons Park and Confluence Park offer additional recreation options beyond Highland's boundaries. Their river-adjacent paths, open areas, and connections to downtown can be useful for residents who enjoy walking, running, or cycling.

The South Platte River Trail connects with the Cherry Creek Trail at Confluence Park, extending the options beyond a single neighborhood outing. The practical route from your home still matters, including crossings, elevation changes, and access points.

Walk or ride the route you expect to use before making trail access a deciding factor. A destination that appears close on a map may require a different connection than you expect.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Highland offers neighborhood businesses and dining destinations across several streets rather than one uniform commercial center. Parts of LoHi are especially associated with restaurants, coffee shops, and evening activity.

That proximity can be appealing for buyers who want local outings close to home. It can also introduce deliveries, parking demand, rideshare activity, and noise near particular properties.

Highland Square is a separate business district in West Highland, centered around West 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard. Tennyson Street's well-known shopping and dining corridor is in Berkeley. Both are options in a broader northwest Denver search, but neither should be described as being within every part of Highland.

If those destinations are central to your routine, compare my West Highland guide and Berkeley guide with the actual routes from your shortlisted properties.

For downtown outings, consider the full journey rather than distance alone. Your starting address, the crossing you use, and the destination can make a meaningful difference.

Community and Everyday Convenience

Highland combines long-established residential streets with businesses, newer housing, and areas of ongoing change. That mix creates different rhythms between an interior block and a location close to a busy commercial intersection.

Neighborhood organizations, local events, and businesses can provide ways to learn about the community. Check current schedules and participation details rather than assume a particular event happens year-round.

Evaluate the practical destinations that shape your week: groceries, pharmacies, fitness, medical care, pet services, and other regular stops. Being close to restaurants does not automatically mean every errand is equally convenient.

Parking deserves its own review. Confirm garage dimensions, alley access, driveway arrangements, assigned spaces, and restrictions. Street parking during a quiet showing may not reflect a busy evening.

Nearby development is another address-specific consideration. If sunlight, privacy, a view, or quiet is important, review relevant projects and proposals rather than assume surrounding properties will remain unchanged.

Highland Architecture and Housing Character

Highland's housing reflects different periods of Denver's growth. Victorian-era homes, cottages, traditional brick residences, bungalows, and later construction share the area with contemporary townhomes and condo buildings.

Some older properties retain masonry, woodwork, porches, and distinctive windows. Others have been expanded or substantially updated, creating differences in both appearance and functionality.

Historic designation applies to selected districts and properties rather than every home in Highland. An older appearance does not automatically establish landmark status or the review requirements for future work.

If you plan exterior changes, an addition, or redevelopment, confirm the property's zoning, historic status, setbacks, easements, permit history, and applicable restrictions. A larger building nearby does not establish what can be built on another lot.

Denver's Landmark Preservation design review guidance explains the process for designated properties and districts.

Regardless of age or style, compare how the home functions. Room placement, storage, natural light, basement ceiling heights, stairs, garage access, and outdoor privacy can make similarly sized properties feel very different.

Getting Around Highland

Highland's position northwest of downtown provides several options for getting around, but the most useful combination of walking, cycling, transit, and driving depends on the address and your destinations.

Pedestrian bridges and surrounding connections help link the broader area with the river corridor and downtown. Those routes are not equally convenient from every property, and elevation changes can affect the experience.

Test the actual walk to your regular destinations rather than rely on a general claim that downtown is minutes away. The route to a particular office, station, restaurant, or park may differ substantially.

For driving, review access to surrounding streets and highway connections alongside traffic and parking at your destination. Proximity to I-25 can be useful while also introducing noise or other location considerations for nearby homes.

Transit should be evaluated through the complete trip. Check current routes, stop locations, frequency, transfers, and the walk between the property and the stop. Do not assume direct or equally convenient rail access from every Highland address.

If you want to reduce car use, evaluate your full weekly routine rather than only the route to a favorite restaurant or downtown outing.

Highland Schools and Enrollment

Highland is within Denver Public Schools. Current attendance assignments, enrollment zones, school choice procedures, and program availability should be verified for the property under consideration.

A nearby school's location does not automatically establish enrollment eligibility. Grade levels, application deadlines, transportation, and program requirements may affect the options available.

My guide to Denver metro school districts and school choice enrollment explains the questions to ask during your search. Confirm current details directly with the district.

Highland Denver: Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Highland unique?

Highland combines established residential streets, older architecture, contemporary housing, local businesses, and connections toward downtown. Different parts of the neighborhood offer different balances of residential character and commercial activity.

What types of homes are in Highland?

The neighborhood includes older detached homes, cottages, Victorian-era properties, bungalows, renovated residences, townhomes, and condos. Condition, layout, parking, outdoor space, and ownership responsibilities vary considerably.

How much do homes cost in Highland in 2026?

A useful estimate requires current comparable sales for the relevant property type and location. An older cottage, a renovated detached home, and a newer condo can have very different values and monthly costs. Check a report's boundaries and methodology before applying its median to an individual property.

How competitive is the Highland real estate market?

Competition depends on pricing, condition, property type, location, ownership costs, and available alternatives. Some listings may attract prompt interest, while others take longer. Buyers and sellers should evaluate current comparable properties rather than assume every renovated home receives multiple offers.

Is Highland walkable?

Many locations offer access to local businesses and nearby destinations, but the experience depends on the address and your routine. Walk the actual routes and evaluate crossings, sidewalks, traffic, distance, and elevation changes.

What schools serve Highland?

Highland is within Denver Public Schools. Verify current attendance boundaries, enrollment zones, application procedures, and program availability for the specific property directly with the district.

Is Highland the same as West Highland?

No. Highland and West Highland are separate Denver statistical neighborhoods. The broader Highlands name is often used informally, so check the address when comparing listings, amenities, and market data.

Is LoHi a separate neighborhood from Highland?

LoHi, short for Lower Highland, is a commonly used area name within Highland rather than a separate Denver statistical neighborhood. Listings using the term may cover different locations, so verify the address and immediate setting.

Is Highland Square in Highland?

Highland Square is centered around West 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard in neighboring West Highland. It is a nearby destination rather than the business district for every property in the Highland statistical neighborhood.

Is Highland Park in the Highland neighborhood?

Highland Park is in neighboring West Highland. Hirshorn Park is a local park within Highland, while Commons Park and Confluence Park offer additional recreation destinations nearby.

Is Highland a good investment?

That depends on the property, purchase price, condition, financing, ownership costs, permitted use, and your goals. No neighborhood can guarantee appreciation or rental returns. Evaluate the specific home and realistic expenses rather than rely on a general reputation for demand.

How does Highland compare with Berkeley, Sunnyside or West Highland?

Highland offers its own combination of housing, businesses, and downtown connections. Nearby neighborhoods provide different residential settings and amenities. Explore my Berkeley guide, Sunnyside guide, and West Highland guide, then compare actual homes and daily routes.

Work With Sallie Simmons in Highland

I'm Sallie Simmons, a REALTOR® with Compass and part of the Nostalgic Homes team. Since 2014, I've helped buyers and sellers navigate Denver real estate with straightforward advice, detailed property evaluation, and strategies built around their goals.

For Highland buyers, that means looking beyond the neighborhood name and attractive finishes to understand condition, layout, location, ownership costs, and comparable sales. For sellers, it means identifying the property's strengths and presenting them clearly against the right competition.

Whether you're considering an older home, comparing attached properties, relocating, or preparing to sell, my approach starts with understanding your priorities and explaining the tradeoffs honestly.

Explore my Denver Real Estate Resource Center for additional buying, selling, and relocation information, or browse my Denver neighborhood guides to compare locations.

Let's Get Started

Thinking about buying or selling in Highland? Let's talk about your goals, timing, and the properties you want to compare. Call me at 662.588.2420 or contact me about buying or selling in Highland.

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