Mile High Home Group – Welcome to Denver

This guide is part of our complete Lakewood Real Estate Guide → [Lakewood Real Estate Guide]

Search

Search

3 steps completed

Lakewood, Colorado, draws relocating buyers seeking balance in the Denver metro area. Its position west of downtown offers practical access to urban jobs and foothill recreation without the premium prices of core city neighborhoods. For those evaluating suburbs like Arvada or Littleton, Lakewood stands out for its housing variety and connectivity, making it a deliberate choice amid shifting market dynamics.​

Lakewood’s Strategic Location Drives Buyer Interest

Lakewood spans immediately west of Denver, extending toward the foothills, which positions it as a bridge between city amenities and mountain access. Relocating buyers from higher-cost areas often prioritize this proximity, as it shortens drives to downtown Denver—typically 10 to 20 minutes depending on traffic—while keeping foothills trails within 15 minutes. Commute patterns matter here because Colorado’s I-70 corridor clogs during peak ski season, yet Lakewood’s arterials like Wadsworth Boulevard and US-6 provide reliable alternatives to C-470 backups common in southern suburbs.​

This location influences buyer behavior by reducing long-term transportation stress. Families relocating from out-of-state note that RTD bus line 1 connects Lakewood to downtown in about 32 minutes for $3, offering a viable car-free option for hybrid workers. Compared to Arvada’s northern exposure or Littleton’s longer Santa Fe Drive hauls, Lakewood minimizes daily friction, which sustains property values during economic shifts.​

Commute Advantages for Denver Metro Workers

Relocating professionals weigh commute reliability heavily, as Denver’s job hubs in LoDo and DTC demand predictability. Lakewood’s median drive to downtown covers 7.5 miles in 11 minutes under ideal conditions, but real-world patterns—factoring winter snow and construction—average 20 minutes via direct routes. This edges out Littleton’s 25-plus minutes via jammed C-470, appealing to buyers tired of prolonged drives from exurbs.​

Public transit bolsters this edge. Hourly RTD services from stops like S Teller Street reach 17th and Champa without transfers, a rarity in sprawling Jefferson County. For remote-heavy buyers, this setup supports occasional office days without lifestyle upheaval, explaining why Lakewood sees steady demand from tech and healthcare sectors clustered downtown.​

Weather plays a role too. Snow accumulation demands all-season tires and plowing awareness, but Lakewood’s municipal services clear major roads faster than rural fringes, preserving resale appeal for cautious relocators.​

Diverse Housing Stock Meets Varied Needs

Lakewood’s inventory blends ranch-style homes from the 1960s, mid-century moderns, townhomes, and newer builds, catering to buyers avoiding Denver’s condo saturation or Aurora’s uniform stock. Median prices hover around $555,000 to $575,000, down 2.6% to 3.4% year-over-year, which tempers affordability pressures while offering entry points below Golden’s $800,000 threshold.​​

Buyers choose Lakewood for this mix because it aligns with life-stage shifts. Empty-nesters favor single-level ranches near Belmar, while growing families target foothill-adjacent lots in Green Mountain—where homes average $565,000 with skyline views. Inventory trends show 398 to 536 active listings, with 5.19 months of supply up from 2.06 last year, giving relocators negotiation leverage absent in tighter markets like Littleton.​​

Neighborhood variety reduces risk. Lakewood Estates provides family stability with parks and trails, while Lochwood offers affordable townhomes near transit, drawing investors and first-time buyers alike. This stock diversity supports long-term value, as homes sell at 96.92% to 99% of list price, signaling balanced demand.​

Belmar and Green Mountain Neighborhood Appeal

Belmar: Walkable Urban-Suburban Hybrid

Belmar redeveloped from a fading mall into Lakewood’s central hub, featuring residential lofts, shops, and dining within a 22-block district. Relocating buyers select this area for its walkability—reducing car dependency—and proximity to Wadsworth light rail, which cuts downtown commutes.​

The appeal lies in convenience without density. Mixed-use blocks house 1,583-square-foot homes up to $995,000 alongside rentals at $1,600 monthly, fostering community stability that boosts resale speeds. For sellers, Belmar properties move quickly due to steady foot traffic and events, outperforming isolated suburbs.​

Green Mountain: Foothill Access with Suburban Calm

Green Mountain attracts outdoor-oriented relocators with trails in Bear Creek Lake Park and views rivaling pricier Golden. Median single-family prices sit at $565,000, offering mid-century homes 10 to 15 minutes from Golden’s core at half the cost.​​

This neighborhood matters for its buffer against urban sprawl. Buyers value the quick hop to hiking while staying near Fox Hollow Golf Course and Red Rocks Community College, blending recreation with education access. Ownership here holds value through market dips, as demand from active professionals persists.​

Ownership Costs in Context

Lakewood’s expenses align with prudent budgeting for relocators. Property taxes average 0.64% effective rate—higher than Colorado’s 0.55% median but below the national 1.02%—yielding $2,556 annually on a $555,000 home. Jefferson County’s assessments factor market value post-homestead exemptions, keeping bills predictable.​

Utilities add realism. Electricity averages $210 monthly via Xcel Energy (14¢ to 19¢ per kWh), spiking to $406 in January due to heating demands, while city water runs $6.97 per 1,000 gallons bimonthly. Total ownership costs—mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance—run 25% to 30% below Denver proper for equivalent square footage, aiding cash flow amid 6-7% rates.​

Compared to peers, Lakewood undercuts Arvada’s higher inventories but matches Littleton’s schools-driven premiums, positioning it for value retention.​

Schools Strengthen Long-Term Appeal

Jefferson County schools serve Lakewood, with standouts like D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High earning A+ Niche grades for rigor, drawing families over generic districts. Elementaries like Dennison (87% proficient) and Jefferson Academy (A-minus) emphasize STEM, correlating with 10-15% home price uplifts in zoned areas.​

Relocators prioritize this because strong schools hedge against market volatility—properties near top performers like Green Mountain High sell faster, even in softening cycles. Middle schools such as Bell (17:1 ratio) support transitions, reducing buyer regret common in lower-rated suburbs.​

Market Trends Favor Strategic Buyers

Lakewood’s 2025 trends show stabilization: median prices dipped slightly to $646,800 in May but hold at $555,000-$610,000, with days on market at 33-50. New listings rose 7.6% yearly, easing competition versus Denver-Aurora-Lakewood’s 10,717 active count.​

Sellers offer concessions like closing cost aid (up 5%), signaling buyer leverage amid 36-day medians. Housing needs assessments project 968 annual units to combat shortages, potentially lifting values long-term. Relocators benefit by targeting move-in-ready homes near Belmar or Green Mountain, where 17% sell above list.​

Metric	Lakewood	Denver	Aurora
Median Price	$555K-$575K ​	$600K+ ​	$450K-$500K ​
Days on Market	33-50 ​	Faster ​	Variable ​
Months Supply	5.19 ​	Tighter ​	Higher ​
Sale-to-List %	96.92-99% ​	99%+ ​	Lower ​

This table highlights Lakewood’s middle-ground positioning, ideal for balanced decisions.​​

Lakewood suits relocating buyers who value measured access over extremes. Its connectivity, housing options, and cost structure deliver enduring utility in Colorado’s dynamic market. Trends indicate opportunities for those acting deliberately.

For personalized insights on Lakewood properties matching your criteria, reach out to me directly—let’s discuss your relocation strategy today.