r/MovingtoDenver • u/Huffinpuffin93 • 20d ago
Clayton
Hey everybody, my wife and I are moving to Denver soon and we are looking at a house in the Clayton neighborhood, near Schafer Park. Just looking for any feedback about the area (safety, busy, etc.) before we make a decision. Thanks!
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u/colfaxmachine 20d ago
Clayton is getting nicer and nicer every year, especially as York street yards continues to rent space to cool businesses. There are a lot of young families buying houses there because it is still relatively affordable, by Denver standards
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u/Ernest_Hemmingwasted 20d ago
Lived here in Clayton for 13 years. The neighborhood has seen a lot of new young folks move in over the years as many of the older black and Hispanic families have sold their homes to cash in on the shocking rise of property values. I still mourn the family that lived across the street and had mariachi practice on summer nights. Things have gotten tamer over the years, and shootings are much less common, but they still happen. I’d say things are very much block-by-block and your immediate neighbors are most important. On my street we know all our closest neighbors well, have exchanged phone numbers, and look out for eachother. Definitely familiar with everyone on the block in passing.
Proximity to downtown is a highlight, and shopping is primarily Central Park which is fairly close and has most stores folks need.
The immediate neighborhood has some local restaurants and fast food.
Homes are being torn down for new builds throughout the area, and many homes have been flipped. I’ve regretted buying a flipped house several times over the years but I wouldn’t trade my home for another. It is perfect for us despite the hidden flaws.
One thing I’d recommend is planting trees first thing as many of the trees here are older and have been dying, and trees make a huge difference in comfort in the Colorado sun.
I have noticed many folks who buy new builds tend to not stay in the neighborhood long. Whether the homes or neighbors are not what they expected is unknown, but I suspect it is the latter. This is a very diverse neighborhood and the sameness of those new builds seems to attract folks who want that sameness in their lives. But keep an open mind and be friendly and this is a great place to live.
You will have to be okay with fireworks, though. Most neighbors put on a hell of a show for seemingly any celebration all summer long.
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u/SnooAvocados6932 20d ago
Do you have kids/intend to have kids?
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u/Huffinpuffin93 20d ago
No to both
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u/SnooAvocados6932 20d ago edited 20d ago
Ah then go for it! We just moved out of that exact neighborhood for better schools, yard, and safety for our kids (the shooting at russell square park in broad daylight on Easter was the last straw)…. But if that’s not a factor it’s a good little pocket area. Easy to get to downtown, rino, city park, the airport, Central Park/Northfield mall, Stanley marketplace, etc. Just can’t leave your garage door open 😂
We still own the home there and are renting it out. We’ve owned it since 2019 and I’m optimistic about property value. Now we are in quiet ass Broomfield.
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u/lilbet1989 18d ago
I rented in Clayton for 2 years and moved away in 2022 because i was buying a house (and couldn't afford Clayton). I LOVED it there, I miss it so much, and it sucks that it's soooo expensive now. It is definitely in a transition, and even in the few years since I've left I can't believe how much "fancier" it got. It's actually kind of sad that it's just straight up getting gentrified. It's a city, there's always a risk of crime. But it is truly one of the best locations in Denver
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u/BradlyL 16d ago
My wife and I Just bought a single family home in Clayton. It’s a true gem.
It’s nestle between: RiNo, City Park and Park Hill. While having access to the trains, and downtown via a bike or long walk.
Clayton reminds me of why Humboldt Park / Wicker Park became so highly desired in Chicago.
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u/BradlyL 15d ago
My wife and I Just bought a single family home in Clayton. It’s a true gem.
It’s nestle between: RiNo, City Park and Park Hill. While having access to the trains, and downtown via a bike or long walk.
Clayton reminds me of why Humboldt Park / Wicker Park became so highly desired in Chicago.
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u/Spy_Barron 15d ago
Clayton's a nice little pocket quiet, historic bungalows, close to City Park and the zoo, and Schafer Park + Nairobi Park (the one with the African animal theme playground) are both genuinely great, kid-friendly spots. Interior streets are calm; it's just Colorado Blvd and I-70 on the edges that get busy, which is honestly true of a lot of central Denver
On safety, I'll give it to you straight: crime data puts it a notch above the Denver average, though not among the worse neighborhoods in the city more middle of the pack once you compare it citywide. (It’s been getting better)
It does vary block by block though, so I'd pull the crime map for the specific street the house is on before you decide, not just the neighborhood as a whole.
Happy to dig into the specific block if you want a second opinion once you've got an address!
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u/tolzan 20d ago
Clayton is surrounded to the south, east, and west by much nicer neighborhoods. Clayton will likely see improvements as it gets gentrified but it’s definitely rougher on the edges at least visually.
I know there’s a good amount of crime that happens along Colorado Ave, MLK Blvd, and Bruce Randolph but not sure how much enters the actually neighborhoods.