Central Business District

Families are scarce. Instead, you'll find business movers and shakers--established executives and up-and-coming wannabes. Creative types call this home. These are active people, no matter what their discipline. Age ranges from 20somethings and a ton of boomers to a sprinklinng of retirees. All residents have (or need) discretionary income.

LoDo ("Lower Downtown") gets all the buzz, but there are plenty of destination spots within the offical confines of the CBD: Marlowe's on the 16th Street Mall for classic American food and people-watching, Hard Rock Cafe across the street. McCormick's has great seafood and the best happy hour in the city, located in historic Oxford Hotel...neighborhing Jax offers more contemporary fare from the sea. Nosh on steak at Elway's in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, or go to the Denver ChopHouse for delectable, hearty entrees and onsite brewpub. SingSing (essentiallly drunken group karaoke) is right next door. Watch the game at ESPNZone at the Tabor Center, or at a number of sports bars east of Coors Field, such as Blake Street Tavern and LoDo's. Head for The Front Porch in Writer Square for cheap drinks--and any of the luxury hotels for pricier versions and upscale ambiance. Most clubs are in neighboring LoDo, literally just steps away.

Since downtown living can revolve around high-rolling executives and travelers, you'll pay top dollar for walkable convenience to all the Denver-based business and entertainment you can handle. Most of the rentals in this hood are brand-new luxurious condos or well-kept lofts, many with concierge service...so you really are getting a lot in return for your pricey rent.

If you have a car and your building doesn't offer free parking, you'll pay dearly for downtown lots. Shop around for the best monthly rates. Need a cab? This isn't NYC--you don't flag 'em down here, but call for a pickup...or head over to one of the major hotels, where they line up for guests. You'll be close enough to walk to most downtown destinations, and you're aided by the 16th Street Mall shuttle--it can get crowded during rush and lunch hours, and stopping at every block is tedious...but it's free and convenient when you're dragging yourself home after a long day (or night).

Maybe the Central Business District name is correct after all--downtown wasn't created for residents. When you're looking, consider safety issues, grocery options, where you'll stash your car and building pet policies in addition to price and the usual rental amenities.

Unless you have an apartment-sized lap-dog, downtown isn't the best place for pooches who need lots of exercise. But if you insist, you can walk over to the bike/jogging path along Speer Boulevard--it follows Cherry Creek, with grass and trees. If you have other "inside" pets (cats, reptiles, birds and the like), check with your building...and also consider that when you have to make a trip to the vet, you're probably negotiating an elevator or stairs with your pet.

Even without saying that the Pepsi Center (home of Denver's pro basketball and hockey teams, and site of major concerts) is just a heartbeat away...that Coors Field (dedicated to the Colorado Rockies baseball team) is just across the street at 20th and Blake...and LoDo ("Lower Downtown") nightlife offerings merge right into the CBD, there's still enough within the official perimeter to keep you occupied: the performing arts center is home to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Broadway tours, the Colorado Ballet and local theatre companies. Shop, grab a bite to eat and catch a movie at The Pavilions. The Colorado Convention Center's newly added Wells Fargo Theatre is an intimate setting for concerts by touring singers and musicians. Settle in at Tattered Cover for great book selections as well as atmosphere. The Cherry Creek bike/jogging path follows a tree-lined waterway, just below Speer Boulevard. The Westin Hotel, two Hyatts, Ritz Carlton offer great restaurants and bars--as well as New Year's Eve galas (look for the new Four Seasons to be added to the mix). Aveda has a luxurious spa at the Oxford Hotel. The Brown Palace adds more than 100 years of history and European elegance to the mix, as well as its weekly high tea, Halloween ghost tours and a live grand-prize steer from the annual National Western Stock Show on display every January.

With so many visitors, safety can become an issue when you're walking from place to place--stay on main drags, such as the 16th Street Mall, or wherever there are popular venues. This isn't a run-down urban area, but it's still best to stay alert. Driving in? Speer Boulevard offers a little tree-lined sceney and offers quick access downtown. Plus 15th and 17th streets take you north and south, respectively, with relatively little hassle.

Full-on grocery stores are still scarce, but King Soopers at 14th and Speer has been a downtown staple for years--as has Walgreens on the 16th Street Mall. A few 7-Elevens dot the landscape and there's a Vitamin Cottage at 15th and Platte River Dr. The very best gyms are downtown: the revered Denver Athletic Club continues to set the standard, with superb atmosphere, equipment and social activities. Two other upscale options: Colorado Athletic Club and Athletic Club at One Denver Place. Downtown is the financial district, so banking options are numerous--pick your poison.

Not the family haven of the 'burbs, you won't find Denver public schools here--they're just a short commute: five minutes to West High School and beyond for elementary and middle schools. You're in the center of metropolitan Denver and close to major thoroughfares, so trips to private schools are short and sweet, as well.

For adults, you can walk to Auraria campus to attend University of Colorado at Denver, Metropolitan State College and Community College of Denver. Across from the convention center, Emily Griffith Opportunity School not only offers vocational training, but serves up a decent lunch in its for-the-public cafe.