If you are looking for sublime suburban living near the bustling streets of Denver, you should check out homes in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

With a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to the west, this picturesque Denver suburb in Jefferson County is a great place to put down roots. There is a strong local community, plenty of outdoor fun just minutes away, and many home styles to choose from. 

But if you have never been to Wheat Ridge, it can be hard to visualize why you should move here. To help buyers on the fence, the team at Prevu Real Estate put together a list of the top reasons folks move to Wheat Ridge. 

Great location near Downtown and the Rockies

Part of what attracts folks to Wheat Ridge is the proximity to the Highland neighborhood, Civic Center, and the rest of Denver. I-70 borders Wheat Ridge's northern and western sides, making accessing Golden, the Rockies, and even Downtown Denver easy. Plus, I-70 runs right to Denver International Airport, making it easy to fly out of town. 

Other great options for commuting are 20th and 26th Ave, so there is no need to get on the highway. Not only will these routes get you to a hang out near Union Station, but they will take you out to shopping centers and restaurants, as well. 

But if you are not in the mood to drive, there are bus routes in Wheat Ridge that are part of Denver's Regional Transportation District. The 76 and 100 routes take folks right into the heart of Denver. 

There is also a light rail system, with the RTD Gold Line Station in nearby Arvada. There is alos a W line with a park and ride right on Sheridan Boulevard.

Proximity to outdoor beauty

Considering how far west Wheat Ridge is, you can get out to the mountains quickly or stay within city limits to get a taste of the great outdoors. You could be out on the wild trails of North Table Mountain within 15 minutes, or if you are meeting with friends in Confluence Park, you can reach the shores of the South Platte River within a similar time frame. 

But you do not need to leave Wheat Ridge for a great day in nature. If you want a calming outdoor space near the water, Crown Hill Park offers expansive lawns and a wildlife center to hang out at. 

The most popular local trails center around Clear Creek. About 20 miles of trail follow along the edges of the creek, where people meet to hike, bike, bird watch, or even go paddling. If you follow the path to the end, you'll end up in Downtown Golden, where many activities, restaurants, and bars await explorers. 

It is hard to beat living in Wheat Ridge when it comes to wintery escapes. Residents can easily access world-class skiing at Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge, all accessible via I-70. 

But Wheat Ridge is not all action and adventure, as you can play golf at the Applewood Golf Course, Willis Case Golf Course, or the Rolling Hills Country Club.

Varied homes to choose from 

Originally an agricultural community settled by German and Italian immigrants in the 1850s, Wheat Ridge grew over time into a city of its own accord. 

One of the older neighborhoods in the area is Applewood, which is characterized by storied homes from the 1950s and 60s on large plots of land. Here you can find Victorians, Mid-Century Ranches, and Bungalows resting under large trees. Morse Park is another place where buyers can discover Craftsman-style homes resting under the eaves of cottonwood, willow, and aspen trees. 

Homebuyers looking for modern townhomes, apartments, and mixed-use developments can find them around West 38th Avenue. If you love exploring trendy shops, restaurants, and local boutique businesses, this is where you want to find a home. 

If you want nature right in your backyard, then you'll love Clear Creek Crossing. The mixed-use development is right on the banks of Clear Creek, offering single-family, townhomes, and plenty of condominiums, with greenspaces and trails connecting locals to the Clear Creek Trail. 

Strong sense of community 

Wheat Ridge grew from a farming community into a city known for hosting fun festivals and events. 

The Carnation Festival in Anderson Park is one of the year's most anticipated events honoring the area's agricultural history. This is where locals come out to celebrate the city through a parade, music performances, a carnival, and a fireworks display that caps off the event. 

During the summer, you can find Farmers' Markets in several places throughout the city that offer craft goods and fresh produce. But locals take their harvest celebration to another level through the local Gleaning Program. The initiative asks the community to harvest excess fruits and veggies from their harvest to donate to food banks and charities, reducing food waste while helping the community. 

Access to ADUs 

As more and more folks move to Denver, properties with space for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are coveted by aspiring homeowners. 

Sometimes called in-law suites, granny flats, or secondary suites, these additional spaces on your primary residence provide room for your family to live or visit. But many people use these secondary spaces to welcome long or short-term renters into their homes. 

So long as the ADU is on your primary residence and has a dedicated entrance, you can have a granny flat. There are a lot of styles to consider, from a secondary unit above a garage to a completely separate unit on your plot of land. 

Either way, before you go buying a home in Wheat Ridge to open up an Airbnb short-term rental, check out the local codes in the neighborhood. Some areas are designated as Residential One-Family (R-1) or Residential Two-Family (R-2) zones. This means certain areas can only have one family living in a home, whereas an R-2 zone allows for an ADU.

Additionally, homeowners who want an ADU in Wheat Ridge must get the right permits and approvals from the city. This ranges from submitting architectural plans to having the space meet building code requirements. 

Plenty of arts and music 

Arts and culture are at the forefront of life in Wheat Ridge. 

38th Avenue is the centerpiece of the city’s art scene, with places like The Ridge at 38 hosting community events and art installations throughout the year. If you are looking for art to adorn your home, The Next Gallery on West 38th Avenue showcases the works of local and regional artists and hosts events all year round. 

But if you are looking for performing arts, nearby Sunnyside is home of The Bug Theatre, where you can watch plays, musicals, and improv comedy shows. 

When it comes to taking in music, folks in Wheat Ridge have access to the world-class Red Rocks Amphitheater, which is less than 20 minutes away. Closer to home is the Levitt Pavilion in Ruby Hill Park, where you can take in free concerts in the summer with local, national, and international artists. 

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