Golden is a small to medium size town at the base of the foothills, 20 minutes from Downtown Denver and Boulder, and 45 minutes to the closest ski area. Golden boasts its own downtown, and has access to numerous paved and hiking trails straight from town. Clear Creek runs through the center of Golden, offering tubing and kayaking in the summer, and plenty of recreation year round.
There are several neighborhoods in the Golden area, at a variety of price points. Here are a few examples below. More info is in our neighborhood section.
Mountain Ridge: (900's-1.3 Million). Mountain Ridge is on the North end of town at the base of the foothills, with easy access to Mitchell Elementary and town. This neighborhood is a popular spot for families who want quick access to town and the outdoors.
Mesa Meadows: (700's-2 million). Mesa Meadows sits at the base of North Table Mountain, facing West towards the foothills. There is a great variety of housing in this neighborhood, from high end homes to starter homes closer to Ford St.
Apple Meadows: (Low 500’s-600’s) Apple Meadows is a neighborhood about 3-4 miles North of downtown Golden. This is a great neighborhood for a starter home, or to buy a home that has potential for equity growth by remodeling. Many of these homes are ranch models and bi levels built in the early 70’s. People love this location because it is still very accessible to Golden, Denver, the Mountains, and Boulder as well. There are numerous trails and open space options from this neighborhood, with access to North Table Mountain, Long Lake Ranch Recreation Complex and trails, and it’s just a mile from White Ranch open space.
South Golden: (Low 500’s-800’s) There are several neighborhoods south of Downtown Golden that are still very affordable. These neighborhoods are near South Golden Road, West, South and East of the King Soopers shopping area in south Golden. Part of this area is also known as Pleasant View. There is everything from condos, to townhomes and duplexes, to single family homes. These homes are generally older homes, with some new construction sprinkled in as well. This area has great access to Golden, South Table Mountain, and the new light rail station at the Jefferson County Government center.
Lakota Hills: (Mid 600’s-low 900’s) This is a great neighborhood near Shelton Elementary with parks, trails, and close proximity to the Apex Open Space area near Heritage Square. This is a small neighborhood of tri level homes of approximately 1900 sq feet and up. These homes were built in the 1990’s and later. There is a paved trail from this neighborhood that leads to downtown Golden and the Splash water park.
Heritage Dells: (Low 700’s-High 900’s) This neighborhood is right next to Lakota Hills, off Heritage Rd and Kimball Ave. These homes where build in the late 70’s and early 80’s and are 2200-2800 sq ft on average. These homes boast mountain views, trail access, and a mountain feel. Families love this neighborhood for its affordability and access to Golden, Denver and the mountains.
North Table Mountain Village: (High 600’s-900’s) North Table Mountain Village is also in North Golden, about 3-4 miles from downtown Golden. This neighborhood boasts lots of options from with homes ranging from 1800-3500 sq feet. This neighborhood has great access to open space, mountain views, and parks.
Wildhorse Ranch: (Mid 500’s-mid 700’s) Wildhorse Ranch is a small neighborhood of 50 new homes just south if W 58th Dr. a mile West of highway 93. These homes were built in 2012 and consist of ranch, and two story models with no basements. These homes range from 1700-2300 sq ft. If you can find a home available in this neighborhood, you will get the most affordable newer home development in the whole area. This neighborhood is ideal for families looking for mountain views and access to trails and open space.
Golden has a series of detailed neighborhood plans that align with the broader City of Golden Comprehensive Plan. These plans include specific guidelines and visions for different areas such as the West Downtown Neighborhoods, South Golden Road Neighborhoods, and North Clear Creek Neighborhood, among others. Each plan is tailored to preserve the unique character and historical significance of these areas while enhancing community safety, pedestrian mobility, and residential quality of life​.
For those considering a move to Golden, it's important to be aware of the various essential services and utilities available. This includes electricity and gas services provided by Xcel Energy, water services, various options for telephone, cable, and internet services like CenturyLink and Comcast, and local police and fire department contact information. Additionally, Golden provides easy access to nearby hospitals like Lutheran Medical Center and St. Anthony Central. This comprehensive network of services ensures residents have all they need for a comfortable living​.
Golden, originally the territorial capital of Colorado, is a place steeped in history with eight historic neighborhoods. These areas, including the Twelfth Street and 8th and 9th Street Historic Districts, showcase homes built by Colorado’s early entrepreneurs and are part of the city's rich historical fabric. In addition to its historic charm, Golden is known for its spectacular outdoor opportunities, given its location in the Clear Creek valley surrounded by mesas and mountains. The city is well-equipped for outdoor activities, with numerous shops and outfitters, and hosts a variety of annual events and festivals, making it a lively and engaging community​