The overall feel
Applewood Hills is one of those Lakewood neighborhoods that feels settled in the best possible way. Developed largely in the mid-1950s near West 20th Avenue and Youngfield Street, the area has mature trees, established yards, curved residential streets, and a distinctly suburban atmosphere. It is part of the broader Applewood community, a northwestern Lakewood area known for its access to open space, established housing, and mountain-oriented lifestyle.
The first impression is usually quiet and residential. You will see people walking dogs, children biking, neighbors tending gardens, and longtime residents who know one another. It is not a neighborhood built around nightlife or a highly concentrated commercial district. Instead, Applewood Hills appeals to people who want a calm home base while remaining close to Lakewood, Golden, Denver, and the foothills.
The streets around Applewood Hills are generally peaceful, although roads such as Youngfield Street, West 20th Avenue, and nearby West Colfax Avenue carry more traffic. If you are especially sensitive to road noise, it is worth visiting homes at morning and evening rush hour before making an offer.
Housing and neighborhood character
Housing is one of Applewood Hills’ strongest attractions. Most homes are detached, single-family properties built during the postwar expansion of Lakewood. Many have brick or ranch-style designs, attached garages, basements, mature landscaping, and larger lots than you typically find in newer suburban developments.
You will also find a mix of renovated mid-century homes and properties that still show their original character. Some buyers love the opportunity to update a kitchen or open up a floor plan while preserving features such as hardwood floors, brick fireplaces, and large picture windows. Others are drawn to homes that have already been remodeled.
- Expect a predominance of ranch-style and split-level homes.
- Lot sizes often feel generous compared with newer subdivisions.
- Mature trees provide shade and privacy, but they also mean ongoing yard maintenance.
- Townhomes, apartments, and smaller attached homes are available in the wider Applewood area, though Applewood Hills itself is primarily residential.
The neighborhood’s age is part of its charm, but it also means buyers should inspect roofs, sewer lines, electrical systems, windows, drainage, and older mechanical equipment carefully. A well-maintained home can be extremely appealing, but “updated” does not always mean every major system has been replaced.
Walkability and daily convenience
Applewood Hills is moderately walkable for a suburban neighborhood, but it is not the sort of place where most residents complete every errand on foot. Internal residential streets are pleasant for walking and biking, while destinations are more spread out along corridors such as Youngfield Street, West Colfax Avenue, and Kipling Street.
The neighborhood works especially well for people who enjoy recreational walking. Sidewalks, quiet streets, and access to nearby parks make it easy to build outdoor time into a normal day. For groceries, restaurants, coffee, and larger shopping trips, most households will still rely on a car.
That said, Applewood’s location is convenient. Residents can reach shopping centers, services, restaurants, and everyday necessities in several directions without having to cross the entire metro area. The neighborhood also connects relatively easily to Interstate 70, U.S. 6, and major north-south roads.
Schools and family-friendliness
Applewood Hills is served by Jefferson County Public Schools rather than Denver Public Schools. Exact school assignments can vary by address, so families should verify boundaries directly with Jeffco before buying or renting.
For families, the neighborhood’s main advantage is its environment. The streets are established, yards are often sizable, and there are plenty of opportunities for children to play outside. The broader Applewood community includes nearby parks, trails, recreation facilities, and open spaces that make weekends feel active without requiring a long drive.
Parents should still evaluate each school individually, including transportation, enrollment, programming, and current boundary information. The neighborhood’s reputation among families is helped by its quiet streets and access to outdoor amenities, but school quality and fit are personal decisions that deserve a firsthand look.
Parks, trails, and green space
Outdoor access is a major part of the Applewood lifestyle. Applewood Golf Course provides a large, maintained green space within the community, while nearby Crown Hill Park offers a much larger natural setting with a lake, wildlife habitat, and multi-use trails. Crown Hill is especially popular for walking, birdwatching, running, and relaxed weekend outings.
Maple Grove Reservoir is another important local landmark. The original Applewood Hills development was built near the reservoir, and the surrounding landscape helps give the area a more open, spacious feeling than many older suburban neighborhoods.
Residents also have convenient access to the foothills, Golden, Red Rocks, and regional trails. You can be out for a neighborhood walk in the morning and heading toward mountain recreation later the same day. That combination is one of the biggest reasons people choose this part of Lakewood.
Safety and community involvement
Applewood Hills generally feels safe and settled, with a strong owner-occupied presence and an active neighborhood identity. As in any suburban area, conditions can vary from one street to the next, and residents should use normal precautions with vehicles, packages, bicycles, and unlocked garages.
The Applewood Property Owners Association describes its mission around community livability, safety, welfare, and neighborhood interests. The wider Applewood community has also organized around protecting local open space, including the future of Applewood Golf Course.
That civic involvement says something about the neighborhood. Residents tend to care about maintaining the area’s mature, low-density character rather than seeing every open parcel converted to more intensive development.
Getting to downtown and major employers
Applewood Hills is not downtown, but it offers a practical balance between suburban living and regional access. Downtown Denver is generally reachable by car via Interstate 70 or U.S. 6, with travel times depending heavily on traffic. Golden is close by, making the neighborhood convenient for employees of the Colorado School of Mines and businesses in the western metro area.
Other nearby employment centers include the West Colfax corridor, St. Anthony Hospital and other medical facilities, downtown Lakewood, and the broader Denver metro area. The neighborhood is also reasonably positioned for commuters heading toward Boulder or the foothills, although rush-hour congestion can make those trips unpredictable.
What residents love most
The most common praise for Applewood Hills comes down to balance. Residents enjoy mature trees and larger lots without giving up access to shopping, jobs, and city amenities. They appreciate being near Crown Hill Park and the foothills while still living in a neighborhood with a traditional, residential feel.
- Quiet streets and a sense of permanence
- Larger yards and established landscaping
- Mid-century homes with renovation potential
- Quick access to parks, trails, Golden, and the mountains
- A family-friendly atmosphere without feeling newly built or overly uniform
- Proximity to Lakewood and Denver without living in a denser urban neighborhood
The trade-off is that Applewood Hills is car-dependent for many errands, housing can be competitive, and older homes may require meaningful maintenance. Still, for buyers seeking a peaceful Lakewood neighborhood with character, green space, and convenient regional access, Applewood Hills is an appealing place to put down roots.