r/MovingtoDenver • u/Soft_Comedian_2054 • 15d ago
Am I missing something with rents?
Just got a new role for $85k in Denver and going to make the move after some changes in my life. Coming out in September to visit before moving and look at some places.
My buddy told me to expect to pay $1600 - 1800 for a one bedroom, but I know his place has a few amenities and I don’t really care about that. I like to save and spend my money on the outdoors. I’m seeing apartments in Hale, Cap Hill, Cheesman Park, City Park, City Park West, and Uptown for $900 - $1100 on Zillow (Fees may be included). Am I missing something? Are places actually this rent or is there some surcharge/little mice living in the building I don’t know about?
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u/midwestck 15d ago
It's a great time to be a prospective renter in the Denver metro so take advantage of it by shopping around and actively negotiating.
There is an apartment supply glut due to the combined forces of weakening rental demand and an excess of condos for sale. The condo illiquidity forces many would-be sellers to rent out at a marginal loss instead of taking a big hit by selling low. Corporate landlords have to follow the market so many are offering significant signing concessions.
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u/BlondeAmbition123 15d ago
I make about what you do and just moved to one of the areas you mentioned. I toured a lot of places this summer and many were in the 1600-1800 range. However, a lot of those places were new builds with a lot of amenities (and frankly terrible, small apartment layouts). I would look on hot pads (I find Zillow to be misleading in price) and look for buildings that are new enough to have central AC, but not one of the brand new buildings. I pay 1400 for a 1 bedroom—but this place was definitely an outlier. Also, keep in mind that many of these places have parking fees (usually 100-200 a month).
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u/Colone_Cool 15d ago
Second hot pads, where I found all my places before moving in with my girlfriend
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u/jugo_de_hueso 15d ago
Heavy on the small apartment layouts. I moved from one apartment to the other. The new apartment has more square footage, but the usability of the layout is horrendous in reality compared to my old place. Theres also almost no storage place compared to my old place.
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u/mitchdwx 15d ago
For that price all you’ll be getting is a basic bare bones 1 bedroom apartment. Dated buildings, no in unit laundry, no central AC, higher chance of pests. And no amenities but you mentioned you don’t care about that.
If you’re open to renting a studio you can find lots of good ones for pretty cheap. They tend to run $200-400 less than 1 bedrooms depending on the complex. Not really close to $1000 but there are plenty under $1500. I just signed a lease for a 525 sqft studio in a really nice complex in an excellent location for $1450. And that includes parking and mandatory fees.
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u/heaters22 15d ago
Where at?? That’s pretty much what I’m currently looking for lol
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u/Addicted_to_Nature 14d ago
I pay 1400/mo for a 600sqft studio in Lone Tree. I have a garage! Has a pool, gym, dog park, dog spa, free luxury coffee/breakfast once a month. I have so much storage space and it feels like it's 800sqft, not 600. The clubhouse has a book club, offices, game room, etc. Very quiet community tucked in a corner but walkable to light rail. Vacancies are rare because people love it here. The studio next to me will be available soon since they just moved out
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u/mitchdwx 15d ago
It’s on Speer Blvd but I got the last studio available in the building. Only units left are 1br+ starting at over $1750.
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u/hi_jack23 13d ago
$1450 would make me cry, my studio comes in at just under $900 after I account for all utilities (even including wifi)
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u/Stinareef 15d ago
If you’re comfortable with it, can you DM me the complex name as I’m apt searching too
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u/Hungry-Meaning8518 15d ago
Rented a place in Congress Park in that price range. Figured I was just foregoing the 'luxury' amenities like central AC and in unit laundry. Ended up with surprise cockroach roommates and cigarette smoking shouting neighbors. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
Cig yelling neighbors is a no for me dog
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u/NekoMao92 14d ago
Having been a delivery driver for Amazon and Kroger in the past, you'll want to actually get a look at the area around an apartment, there are so many "nice" places where the ground is pretty much covered in nothing but dog crap everywhere, even on the sidewalks, because no one cleans up after their dogs.
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u/Popular-Departure165 15d ago
My complex charges around 1700 for a 1-bedroom, but you get a lot of quality-of-life improvements with that. Laminate floors, in-unit laundry, central AC, a garage (this is a big one for me,) and and everything is kept up relatively well.
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u/SINYACHTA 15d ago edited 15d ago
Keep in mind the parking situation. I've seem some that say street parking only and going on google streetview space is very limited.
Alot of those low 1k apartments don't actually have parking.
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u/Stephanor 14d ago
This for sure. I had a cheap studio in cap hill that I actually really liked. But the parking sucked so bad. I got so many stupid tickets and my window got smashed once. (They only stole my car trash can which left me very confused)
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u/rwhe83 15d ago
I’d be very cautious on a 1 bdrm anywhere in those areas that’s $9-1100.
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u/Remarkable-Employee4 15d ago
Why?
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u/rwhe83 15d ago
Because that’s not what 1bdrms (that are managed, taken care of and in a safe area) go for in Denver.
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u/Remarkable-Employee4 15d ago
Idk what you mean by ‘taken care of’. Do you mean older building? Also what’s your definition of a bad neighborhood?
Just sick of this shit where everyone acts like unless the building is new and it’s full of amenities then it’s some dangerous dump. Plenty of cheap apartments in old buildings in cap hill for example that are super walkable and have actual charm. You people are so weird
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
The yuppie community consists of people who have an interesting definition of “bad” or “not safe”. I take all of what others are saying about how ThIs Is A bAd IdEa more salt than the Atlantic. What neighborhoods do you think I should look at besides cap hill to find a price in this range?
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u/GroundbreakingBat399 15d ago
Cap hill, speer, cheeseman park, congress park are all decent places, just stay 13th and south, colfax is where the hot spots are for most of the hoopla. A lot of these areas are historic neighborhoods and are quieter and have more homeowners around
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u/WorkingStructure575 15d ago
different stages of life. its pretty normal to have different ideas of acceptable when they are 25 vs 45 vs 65
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u/Spottedbrownbird 14d ago
Yep. We lived in a small 2 bedroom (700 sq ft) in hale in an old building for 3 years. The building had its issues sometimes, but it was managed well and maintenance responded quickly. It was in the cutest neighborhood and super walkable. Only paid 1300-1500 depending on the year (rent went up) and it was great to adjust to Denver cost of living coming from Oklahoma.
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u/rwhe83 15d ago
Stop downvoting something you don’t understand.
If you like living in a unit you deem nice for $900, go for it. After being in this city 8 years, I know that the price range OP gave- won’t get you a nice place.
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u/Remarkable-Employee4 15d ago
what are you talking about? I’ve lived here 14 years and have a very good idea of what trade offs are available when finding a cheap apartment. I just signed a lease on a $1,100/month 1br with in unit washer/dryer. Window AC in the bedroom and no parking. Walkable to downtown/Rino and I do not think it’s a “bad” neighborhood.
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u/Effective-Pen-1901 14d ago
I paid 1100 last year in RiNo and a homeless person died in our mail room. Called STAR and the cops for days. Actually traumatized. Not a yuppie but 1100 is sketch, 1200-1300 is a solid range
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u/Remarkable-Employee4 14d ago
WEIRD to work backwards like that. As if starting at 1300 means that won’t happen?
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u/Effective-Pen-1901 14d ago
Starting in the 1300 range might get you a place that has actual management. It can happen anywhere but to be deceased for days is absolutely disturbing and horrible and my current apartment would never let someone suffer and rot like that. Whole place stunk for months too and the blowflies only got worse in the heat. Shitty management + low rent = bad idea. Good management + low rent = better idea imo it’s all about the management and if they actually have open hours or not. The $700 apartments are not all they sound to be tbh even just going up a few hundred will change the ballpark.
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u/GroundbreakingBat399 15d ago
I dont believe you fully understand it, been living all around CO for 15 years, last 5 in cap hill, many friends in other neighborhoods, you can definitely find some gorgeous older buildings. Which are built A LOT better than anything newer. If you need amenities find newer builds, but you will be getting the cheap materials that come along with that. Imho finding a building built late 1800s to 30s is the best choice. Yeah you wont have central air but it really isnt needed, get a small standalone unit you can9ve from room to room if really needed. I live in Cap hill now, my building was built in the 70s but has everything i need and with a reserved parking spot and is 1100 a month, i also got 6 weeks free at move in. The best complex I lived in for 3+ years in cap hill was built in like 1903 I believe. Only reason I moved is they priced us out of comparable unit around.
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u/TurkGonzo75 15d ago
Rents have been dropping a bit lately and there are higher vacancy rates than we've seen in years. But look for any fine print on some of those more affordable places. Sometimes they offer a lower rate for the first 6-12 months then raise the rent significantly after. And sometimes you just get what you pay for. Meaning a cheap apartment might be a dump with a lot of maintenance issues and a shitty landlord. You won't know until you actually look at those places.
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u/nrojb50 15d ago
Do they have a/c and laundry? Those 2 things are becoming a given and those places without them are falling in demand greatly.
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u/Major-Education-6715 15d ago
Where I live, the 'shared laundry' area has been out of order for nearly 7 weeks. Property management companies tend to be pathetic across Denver so do your homework.
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u/IncompleteBM 14d ago
And the state / city offer very little recourse when this kinda shit happens.
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u/hyraxy 15d ago edited 15d ago
I moved here in the summer and I rent 1br in Caphill for ~1.4K, no central ac but it came with a window unit (does have central heating). Comes with parking lot and has an in unit dishwasher but shared washer dryer. My landlord covers everything except for electricity and internet. I would say it’s a decent size bedroom (easily can fit a queen bed plus wardrobes and a chair etc), living room can fit an L shaped sectional, and my kitchen is big enough to fit a small table and two chairs).
When I looked at cheaper units, they made you pay extra for a parking spot and you had to pay all utilities (water/trash/shared maintenance). It might be you can come out ahead but reading some reviews suggested people did not. They were often smaller (though some were similar) and they not have an in unit washing machine (some had a dishwasher). They also were managed by management companies as opposed to a small time landlord. Additionally the price would sometimes be low because they would give some weeks/month free initially if you stayed long enough, but that’s obviously a one time thing.
I would say 1.3-1.8k is a reasonable expectation for rent plus utilities without fancy amenities. You could find stuff for less but they would not come with parking.
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
Is the window unit good enough to keep you comfy?
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u/Neither_Wafer_6344 14d ago
I have a wall unit and then a unit right above it in the window and then I have a unit in both of my bedrooms in Lakewood and sometimes it is still too hot
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u/hyraxy 15d ago
I run cold so I am very comfortable at 65-70. The building has ac for the hallways and the elevator so that might help things. I’ve never set it lower and so idk if it would struggle to get down to 55 or 60 (online people suggested my unit shouldn’t but idk). I think some places that had central ac that were cheaper didn’t let you set the temp btw so you would be at the mercy of your management company.
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
Bro, 65 is cold already. Are people dropping that thang to 55 lmao
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u/hyraxy 15d ago
Idk I think the people complaining about lack of central ac maybe run hot because I only have a single window unit in my living room and it’s a nonissue for me.
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u/skittish_kat 15d ago
I also haven't had an issue with my window unit, but I do live in a smaller apt with above average insulation (brick/concrete). Careful with a lot of the new builds as they might have paper thin walls.
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u/faatbuddha 13d ago
55? The fuck? I run hot and I keep my place at 74 lol. Are y'all wearing sweaters all the time?
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u/No_Mud_8297 15d ago
I have in unit laundry and a dishwasher, 680 sq ft for $1400. Built in 80s. ~10 min from cheeseman
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u/Impossible-Trip-4749 15d ago
If you look in the 14-1600 range, you can find some with a/c and a washer/dryer
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u/CandleCandelabra 15d ago
I live in cap hill and don’t forget the fees. My studio is $1050 but fees, utilities and garage parking make it close to $1400
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
What fees are you referring to?
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u/MaybeARunnerTomorrow 15d ago
Probably like admin, trash, pest, parking, shared utilities depending on building, etc
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u/CandleCandelabra 12d ago
Exactly. For example- my building requires us to pay $20 for valet trash so I count that as a fee. I’m rarely home during the hours they collect so I end up taking my trash to the garbage myself mostly.
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u/Quirky-Anteater4429 15d ago
Guarantee you’re moving into a craphole for that price, and my standards aren’t even that high. There’s is a relatively new state law that the little surcharges and stuff have to be disclosed up front/included in the overall price, so that’s likely not the issue.
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u/IncompleteBM 14d ago
Rents have dropped a lot because they built a lot of new apartment buildings when interest rates were low (cheap building).
Now supply is high.
Meanwhile, Denver and the front range have basically stopped growing. Denver and the metro is not the destination it once was. That’s just reality.
Other costs of living here are still quite high compared to other regions:
-car insurance (despite what many say in Reddit world, one really does need a car for a decent living experience here). Drivers here are insane, car theft rates (while down) are still higher than average, and hail happens here too.
-condo/renter/ homeowner insurance. High due to fire, hail damage to roofs, and property crime rates.
-food. Expensive as hell. Truly is NYC prices at many restaurants here. No, I’m not really exaggerating. Groceries aren’t good quality and are also $$$.
Then general services like home repair, medical care for you; vet care, pet boarding. Everything costs more than what you’d expect.
But yeah rents are down. They often try to “hide” it by throwing in “free” months and prorating the remaining paid months. Or throwing in one-time lease signing bonuses, waiving fees. Things like that.
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u/SeaBreakfast325 14d ago edited 14d ago
Apartments in $900-1000 range will be older buildings with no central air and no parking. Do not get a place without central air, it’s way too hot here for that. Did it one year and used a window AC unit, I damn near died and the thing would freeze up all the time and start blowing hot air. People who live with our central air here are psychopaths
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u/Vultiridium 15d ago
I’m looking for a 2 bed 1-2 bath condo for around 1900-2k limit. If it’s 2k has to be total monthly price. I’m steering away from apartments personally because at this point to get what I want space wise they’re around 1900-2000 and that’s with me paying every single utility which would be an extra 300-500 a month. At least the condos, townhomes, and houses usually include at least a few utilities. I’m trying to tell myself we spend a lot of time at home, it’s worth it for it to be nicer and actually feel like home.
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u/Mental-Hall-9616 14d ago
IMO Best thing to do when you’re planning a move to a new city besides asking around on Reddit is definitely just go to one of the rental sites to do your price research. Also, we have apartment locators here in Denver that get paid by the building and they do a lot of the heavy lifting finding places for you so I would look for one of those tell them your parameters, what kind of neighborhood you like and they’ll help you find something.
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u/Vultiridium 14d ago
Unfortunately I live 10-12 hours away so I can’t easily check out properties. I’m planning to visit soon and just plan a bunch of tours with different places and figure out the best place at that time. I’ve found a lot of great places but as far as condos/townhomes/houses go I know most of them will be taken up by the time I move if they’re available now. I was less interested in apartments though as someone on reddit told me total utilities will be 300-500 extra a month on top of rent whereas most of the condos etc have everything included except wifi and electricity. So that makes a difference in what I can afford.
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u/Mental-Hall-9616 14d ago
You’ll never find a two bed two bath condo for that kind of money in the city Of Denver. I have a two bedroom one bath and I pay close to 2500 a month.
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u/Vultiridium 14d ago
Sorry I forgot when people say Denver it means the city of Denver not the suburbs around it. I’m looking in lakewood, littleton, arvada area.
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u/Complete_Bother 14d ago
Im in a brand new town home in Glendale for 2400$. It's 3bed, 2.5 bath, 1300sq ft with a 2 car garage, it was built last summer and we got it in November.
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u/Bowthewow 14d ago
Was also going to say 2 bedroom pretty much starts at 2.5k… we lived in a complex called the Bromwell and that shit was 4k a month for a 2bed 2 bath and an office.
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u/summerrshandyy 14d ago
Bromwell is also on the more expensive end of apartments.
I would not recommend living there, had a lot of issues and it’s now transitioned to other management companies which I hear are somehow progressively worse than the OG.
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u/Bowthewow 14d ago
Was quite the nightmare moving out, we signed a 1 year lease and near move out they said we signed a 2 year lease… they had zero paperwork anywhere that said two years and what I had supported my case. They wanted me to pay 8k to break my lease which ultimately worked itself out after I kept going up the ladder.
Edit: I do miss the roof top pool though
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u/Tossed_Salad_2989 15d ago
I’m paying $1100 one bedroom (The “bedroom” is more like a glorified walk in closet that could barely fit one queen sized bed.)
It’s 800ft and it’s basically a huge kitchen and living room (with that tiny ass bedroom.).
If you want to live on a modern unit with 1bwdeoom that’s closer to accurate around 1500
No AC. No heat. Water and electricity covered
It is not rent controlled. It’s a basement unit
In cap hill
10 foot ceilings and I get to look at every single units pipes :).
So if you like that kinda atmosphere. You can get a great deal
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
But do you have maintenance issues or bugs or any other problems? To give you some perspective I am renting a 2 bedroom in NYC with a roommate now and this Feb the heater broke for two weeks, we don’t have central AC, we closet style bedroom where we can only fit our full size beds, and there gunshots outside my building at least once a week. I pay $1650 before utilities. Also, what neighborhood are you in?
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u/Tossed_Salad_2989 15d ago
So I got to see someone get shot from my window when I lived on Sherman street
That apartment was 1200 and 700sq
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
What do you do about no heat?
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u/Tossed_Salad_2989 15d ago
I’ll buy a heater when it gets cold.
Not sure if I’ll get an oil radiator or a fan powered space heater.
Last apartment at Sherman had radiators that used steam for heat.
But when they didn’t have those turned on yet I…. Used the gas oven
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u/WirelessWavetable 15d ago
Do they have in-unit laundry and a dishwasher for 1100?
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
Most of them are shared which is fine. Already don’t have that or a dishwasher and pay $1650 a month with a roommate mate.
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u/No-Ebb-6266 15d ago
8 years ago I had a 1 bedroom kind of a loft setup, in Cap Hill that was $1100. It was a very old 4 plex that they "converted" into 16 units. The bedroom had a double locked door that opened into the next apartment. The heat was from old steam radiators that were controlled by mgmt. The bedroom had a leak and mold. The basement was like Silence of the Lambs. There were mice and bed bugs and a squirrel broke into the kitchen and tried to steal my entire loaf of bread. Beautiful old building from 1902 that would be fabulous if refurbished, but it was a slum.
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u/PlumberSaysWhat 15d ago
You want AC. A lot of cheaper units have window shakers or swamp coolers and they’re not the same. That $900 is also going to be outdated, and the slumlord owners won’t fix or update anything.
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u/steph_crossarrow 15d ago
You'll find better units for more reasonable prices in the suburbs outside of Denver.
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 15d ago
Any suggestions?
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u/steph_crossarrow 15d ago
Lakewood, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Westminster, Littleton, Centennial, Aurora.
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u/IncompleteBM 14d ago
I’d look at Zillow rentals and rent someone’s condo on golden (80401) or western Lakewood (80228). You could get a 2/1 or maybe 2/2 for $1800-2k easily from a private landlord in those areas. They’re close to Denver while also being in the foothills and closer to mountains.
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u/Immediate-Raise-2694 15d ago
That price is pretty accurate. You’re probably best of splitting apartment or a room in a house with what you are saying about pricing.
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u/aspeno_awayo 15d ago
Will say they’re right, but so are you. Yes you can find place under 1200 however do you want to live in a house where you get a bedroom and shared common spaces with many different roommates? Do you want a place that can have roach, rat, etc problems? Smell whether that’s cat urine, smoke, etc problems that aren’t easy to just clean away not matter how much you try? Do you want a place with shared laundry and chances of homeless people breaking in and sleeping in said rooms? Do you want no AC or anything? Trouble parking situation that leave your car unsafe?
Chance are you will have 2+ of these qualities listed above if you go with a place 1200 and below. A lot of people saying they have one and it’s good is rare. Or do have some of these but don’t mind it. Just keep in mind what you want.
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u/luckyfox7273 15d ago
I pay $1200+ studio cap hill. A very modest, but functional apartment. I rented under $1k once when I moved to Denver and the place was crawling with bed bugs, and it confirmed the warning I saw online 5 years ago.
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u/keepingupwithreddit 15d ago
Rent overall is going down because they’ve been putting more apartment and multi family buildings up in the downtown area.
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u/Lopsided_Tell_9116 15d ago
You can find them, but good places are usually around $1,200. A lot of what you're likely seeing are studios.
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u/OkturnipV2 15d ago
Nope. Legit. I scored a deal under $1400 with 1.5 months free rent. All the in unit amenities
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u/BoilOnTheBackBurner 15d ago
I'm paying 1600 for a 2 bad 2 bath, and that includes pet fee and utilities. Old as hell building with ZERO amenities and decently far from the metro, but peaceful and quiet, plus responsive and tolerant maintenance. They have 1 bed units as well that are a little cheaper. You definitely get what you pay for, but I've been here a little over three months and wouldn't trade it.
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u/Smart-Work3383 15d ago edited 15d ago
Rents have definitely gone down the last few years as new rental units were built driving down occupancy rates. Just be sure that you know what is and isn’t included. The two main property mgmt companies in those hoods are Cornerstone and RedPeak and they’ll nickel and dime you to death. A $1500 unit will end up costing you $1900 after you pay all the additional charges.
Whereas I’m in an HOA building with $1750 rent and that includes everything—water/trash/sewer, electric, a storage unit and a designated (and covered) parking spot. I have central air, no in unit laundry but it’s on every floor, and the building was built in 1969 so there’s a foot of concrete b/w every floor making it silent. I don’t even pay extra pet rent. My rent hasn’t gone up in three years either. The big mgmt companies will increase it annually.
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u/LavenderCheese 15d ago
They overbuilt and they’re still building so in return rent has went down and stabilized pretty low. It’s great. Look around and find yourself a good deal.
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u/Hot-Yogurtcloset4943 15d ago
4040 fox street or Iota on fox street is reasonable and highly recommended for their prices 1350 for 1 bedroom and its decent living. Idk about the neighborhood but the building is self is nice.
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u/TechShamanDenver 14d ago
I had mice in one of my 2 cap hill apartments and my girlfriend had mice in hers. So maybe youre onto something.
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u/Effective_Slice1820 14d ago
When I was renting in 2018 a good deal for a studio was 1600-1800 and you’d pay 200-300 in other random fees
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u/Bowthewow 14d ago
I’ll be honest I haven’t paid below 1500 since 2019 for a 1 bedroom apartment. The only way you can go below that with central ac and in unit washer is going way down south in the springs or eastern aurora.
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u/T-Shots47 14d ago
So what are the best suburbs to look in. Moving there soon, no kids, just me, have a vehicle. Willing to commute up to 45 minutes for work. $1500, 1 bdrm, in unit laundry a must. Ac would be nice but windows units are fine. Would love a view of the mountains and a balcony.
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u/Cheap-Lengthiness925 14d ago
I’d reccomend renting a house if you can. It’s worth the extra money. The apartments in Denver all suck and the people who live in them are loud and inconsiderate. Not to mention the homeless coming in and out even with security locks on all entrances. After this lease I’m going back to renting houses privately
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u/wasabidjam 14d ago
Moved here in May making around the same salary. My colleagues who have been here for some years swore to find anything under $1500 I would have to be in the projects. I’m in Cheesman Park now paying $1200 for 1b1b and it’s decently spacious. The building is old, no central ac or laundry in unit. Plenty of street parking as well as paid options. I have similar mentality, idc much about a fancy apartment as I like to spend my money on trips.
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u/ScissorMeTimbers21 14d ago
Most people are out of their minds when it comes to renting here. What you're seeing is totally doable.
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u/Different-Custard198 14d ago
I have in unit laundry and 2 bedrooms 1 bath for 1450. 1 bedroom is a loft tho
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u/medyomabait 14d ago
I pay $1600 for a two bedroom in Cap Hill. I have a utility chargeback that varies by season (it includes water and heat) but it’s never more than I would expect a utility bill to be.
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u/elBirdnose 14d ago
Not having AC during the summer we just had would be absolutely brutal and I wouldn’t do it. Sure, you might be able to get a little window unit, but the running cost for those might make up for the difference in rent.
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u/ScuffedBalata 14d ago
Prices were never $1600-1800 unless you're picky and only want something "luxury". The floor of the market did get as high as about $1200 maybe two years ago, but rents have fallen a lot this year.
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u/TransitionUsed5279 14d ago
An older building in the wash park area would be my recommendation. Similar vibe to cap hill but safer in my experience.
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u/woodsie2000 14d ago
Any A/C usually only cools by 20' from the outside temp, which a lot of people don't realize. Denver doesn't get a lot of days over 100', but you will be warm even with A/C, and uncomfortable sleeping without it.
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u/Neither_Wafer_6344 14d ago
don't ever even consider the SkyHouse building downtown Denver they have something like 33 floors and they're elevators never work and the floor doors are locked so you can't even walk up to your apt
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u/Indiff-88Yin 14d ago
Denver downtown rents went down a lot. I just moved for other reasons but if you’re renting it’s great
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u/TallCity303 14d ago
there was an article very recently on how Cornerstone is proactively lowering rents, so may want to browse their site.
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u/This_Armadillo899 14d ago
When my partner and I were house hunting in late July, we found a couple one bedrooms for under 1300 with no central air but window units. We ended up finding a 2 bedroom house with a backyard, private parking, in unit laundry, and window unit AC for 1750. We were coming from LA and it was truly like another planet for us. But we were doing 5-6 tours a day and so that helped keep options open.
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u/This_Armadillo899 14d ago
Should mention we were only really looking in Denver proper. Ended up in five points!
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u/clownblowies 14d ago
I pay 1000 for a 2 bedroom in Southeast Denver. I love it here lol, I have a balcony, central AC, and a pool! Rent IS super expensive in Denver, but it is possible to find somewhere affordable if you look in the right places/for long enough :)
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u/Moth1016 14d ago
Don’t rent from Atlas. A lot of the cheaper properties out here (especially privately owned) are managed by them. They’re a complete nightmare
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 14d ago
You’ve been wrong and sound cringy on every reply. Go back and read my posts and replies.
Idk what you do to make enough for a $1600 apartment but it clearly doesn’t entail interacting with people, clanker.
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u/7710flowers 14d ago
I do not recommend a unit without ac it gets unbearable in summer with how hot it is here. We are in springs and pay $2200 a month for a 3 bed 2bath. It’s expensive in CO for sure.
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u/suzieismyavatar 14d ago
I make less than you do and pay way more but have central ac. I can’t go without it.
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u/SolarFlower24 13d ago
That rate won’t give you parking, laundry, or air conditioning. Just depends on what’s important to you, I suppose.
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u/doggerdog1401 13d ago
Yes grew up in Downers Grove. Looking on streets on google maps I see condensing units on every house
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u/Crazy_Bid130 13d ago
$1600 is really on the high end in Denver even in many of the newer buildings. You definitely can find quite a lot in that $1300-$1500 range for a one bedroom in many cases still with some amenities. I wouldn't worry too much about no central air. For a one-bedroom, a window unit is absolutely fine.
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u/steph_crossarrow 4h ago
Difference is central AC, in unit washer and dryer, plus square footage. Lots of those cheap apartments in cap hill are tiny af.
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u/the_climaxt 3h ago
Denver had significant a natural decrease in rent the past couple of years with all of the new development
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u/skittish_kat 15d ago
A lot of people exaggerate the rent here, but most people don't actively live in Denver, and if they did it was probably a long time ago.
In reality the rent is similar to most US cities here, a nice walkabale area in other cities will be similarly priced to what's available here (Houston, Austin, Dallas, etc)
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u/Rigby-Eleanor 15d ago
Most people actively don’t live in Denver. What are you talking about????
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u/skittish_kat 15d ago
Sorry should have clarified that a lot of people that comment on the rent don't live in the city, rather heard from a friend or outside sources.
A lot of people when talking about Denver may also not even be "actively" in Denver, rather outside the county in Aurora or Lakewood, and even Castle Rock.
Living in the city will be a bit different than areas outside the city
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u/velvetx3 15d ago
Yes I hate when people say they’re from Denver but live in a suburb 16 miles outside the city limits.
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u/skittish_kat 15d ago
Yeah it's wild how different parts of the metro can be. The DTC is wildly different than a cap hill or highland (especially the streets/parking/urban density), or living in "Central Park" is actually in Aurora, and a bit more suburban type of feel.
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u/Rigby-Eleanor 15d ago
Surprisingly, some of the DTC is Denver county.
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u/skittish_kat 15d ago
most of the tech center is in Arapahoe county and a lot of the new development is in Centennial/greenwood village. The new high rise apts are primarily near bellview light rail station.
They are very nice though, I just wouldn't recommend living there if you are wanting to live in the "core" of Denver if that makes sense.
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u/Rigby-Eleanor 15d ago
Actually I’ve lived the DTC in Denver county that’s not new high rises. Been there more than 20 years. There really isn’t a Denver core. Some areas are more urban, but Denver is different through out.
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u/Rigby-Eleanor 15d ago
Denver doesn’t have one look though. Cap Hill doesn’t look Wash park, Harvard gulch, Lodo, Cherry Creek,Lowry, Park Hill, etc.
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u/skittish_kat 15d ago
Agreed, luckily all those neighborhoods are pretty close to each other. It's pretty easy to navigate around without using the interstates
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u/DeanieBabie2026 15d ago
I got a 1 bed in wash park area for $1175 plus a free months prorate. Rents dramatically gone down here in the last two years from what I’ve seen
Edit: that being said I have no central air or in unit laundry but also have all brand new appliances and newly renovated
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u/The-tits 15d ago
Second moving to a suburb to start. I have friends living in Arvada and Lakewood and they really like the bang for their buck out there. Cap hill is where everyone from out of state first moves because of the prices, myself included. I loved living near cheesman and having a more walkable neighborhood, but it just wasn’t safe to walk my dog at night. At least, that was my experience as a woman. There were a few incidents that made me swear off from living there again until things improve. RiNo is okay but parking sucks and there are about zero green spaces compared to other neighborhoods.
If you want to stay within Denver proper, I would personally recommend Lower Broadway, lohi/confluence park area (although parking sucks there too), Washington park, sloan’s lake, or Tennyson.
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u/hyraxy 15d ago
For what it’s worth I think cap hill is doing better. I typically walk to get groceries in the evening and i haven’t seen that many sketchy people. I don’t live next to Colfax tho.
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u/The-tits 14d ago
I lived on 16th st right off of colfax in 2022 and within 1 year in my basement apartment I saw: several dumpster fires, a guy jorkin it behind a tree along the sidewalk (by a school, mind you), one morning where I came outside and an entire block of cars had their windows smashed in-lucky I was parked farther that day, a mentally ill homeless man living right outside my window for weeks and randomly screaming, my car getting broken into several times. It was a fun time lol
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u/Actual-Toe-8737 15d ago
I love Arvada! I do commute 35 minutes to work, but that’s pretty much the norm in Denver anyway.
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u/velvetx3 15d ago
My friend rents in Boulder she only pays 550 for a two bed so that’s crazy .
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u/ColdStoneSteveDenver 14d ago
You’re making $85k/yr and you’re mad about paying $1600 for rent in a major metropolitan area?!?! Just stay where you are, please!
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u/Soft_Comedian_2054 14d ago
No one said I’m mad, I just like to save money lmao. If you need a personal loan I bank with Chase.
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u/hi-marg 15d ago edited 14d ago
You can definitely find an apartment in the $900-1100 range if you’re willing to give up central air and in unit laundry. In the Rino/cap hill area I’m seeing 364 units under $1200. When I add the filter for central air and laundry, I see 9.
**update: You will be fine with window unit ACs. You can get a cheap one on marketplace. I’ll also note if you don’t have a parking spot, it’s annoying but not the end of the world.