Homes for Sale in Lakewood

Lakewood is Colorado's fifth-largest city and one of Denver Metro's most internally diverse communities. The city spans nearly 45 square miles between Denver's western border and the foothills, encompassing dramatically different neighborhoods: the walkable urban-suburban hybrid of Belmar, the elevated trail-access of Green Mountain, the residential neighborhoods of Bear Creek, and the more affordable older sections east of Wadsworth.

Belmar is the most compelling commercial development in Lakewood, a planned urban district built on the former Villa Italia Mall site that recreates the street-grid, walkability, and retail mix of an older city center. It's anchored by an REI, multiple restaurants, a farmers market, and independent businesses arranged around pedestrian-friendly blocks. For buyers wanting suburban space with walkable urban amenity, Belmar's surrounding neighborhoods deliver that combination at lower prices than Denver proper.

Green Mountain, in the southwestern part of Lakewood, sits at higher elevation with direct access to the Hayden Green Mountain Park trail system (hundreds of acres of open space with hiking and mountain biking). The views east toward Denver and north toward the mountains are significant. Homes here tend to be 1970s–1980s construction on larger suburban lots.

Lakewood's history explains its structure: the area spent a century as a patchwork of unincorporated Jefferson County communities and didn't become a city until 1969, when roughly 90,000 residents voted to incorporate — one of the largest municipal incorporations in the country at the time. It was briefly named Jefferson City before residents chose Lakewood. The neighborhoods grew up on their own before a city hall existed, which is why Lakewood still feels like several distinct communities sharing a name.

Lakewood is served by Jefferson County Public Schools and has multiple W Line light rail stations (Lamar, Lakewood–Wadsworth, and Federal Center) providing direct access to downtown Denver. The proximity to the foothills makes it a practical choice for buyers who want fast trail access without the mountain-town premium. The trade-off: outside Belmar, most of Lakewood isn't walkable — you're choosing space, trail access, and lower prices over urban walkability.