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Finding an apartment to rent in Denver today, with the amenities you want and at a price you can afford, can be an adventure, and not necessarily the fun kind.
But, unlike the elusive sub-$300,000 house for sale, they’re out there if you’re willing to look.
With roughly 300,000 apartments in the Denver metro area, a vacancy rate hovering slightly above 4 percent means there are still some 13,000 apartments open at various price points at any given time, said Cary Bruteig, owner and principal of Apartment Appraisers & Consultants in Denver.
“Most apartment communities have some units vacant — it’s just a matter of whether you like what they’re offering and can afford the rent,” he said.
“You can look for stuff for sale and there might not be anything for sale,” Bruteig said. “But there are definitely apartments to rent. They’re building brand-new ones and opening them up.”
Still, over the last year, rents in the Denver metro area have skyrocketed, rising triple the national average and earning Denver the distinction of being the 11th-most-expensive major U.S. city for two-bedroom apartments.
In February, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city of Denver was $1,390, according to Apartment List, a San Francisco real estate research company. That’s 45 percent higher than the national average of $960.
So, what can you really get for $1,390?
We pored through online listings on Apartment List, Craigslist, Padmapper and apartment management company websites between March 23-24 to find out.
Here’s a snapshot of what $1,390 can look like in eight Denver neighborhoods (all apartment prices are subject to change):
Capitol Hill
Address: 1336 Logan St.
Monthly rent: $1,400
Square footage: 651
What you get: 1-bed/1-bath second-floor unit in a three-story condo/apartment building. Features private balcony, community rooftop deck/BBQ and wireless Internet. One private parking space included — a downright luxury in this neighborhood.
Downtown/LoDo
Address: 817 17th St.
Monthly rent: $1,379
Square footage: 603
What you get: 1-bed/1-bath ninth-floor unit in the Bank & Boston Loft Apartments, two historic buildings in the middle of the central business district. Near the Stout Light Rail Station, features oversized windows, wood floors and granite countertops. Loft-style environment — but no on-site parking.
Five Points
Address: 701 28th St.
Monthly rent: $1,350
Square footage: 810
What you get: 2-bed/1-bath garden-level unit in Mulberry Flats, a small, updated two-story apartment building. One block from the Welton Light Rail Station, with free on-site storage units and updated kitchen. Off-street parking for additional fee.
Highland
Address: 3201 Osage St.
Monthly rent: $1,350
Square footage: 510
What you get: 1-bed/1-bath second-floor unit in Avanti Plaza, a new three-story, mixed-use building. Located above future office space, it features in-unit washer/dryer and wireless Internet. And, it’s near a B-Cycle station.
Lowry/East Colfax
Address: 8001 E. 11th Ave.
Monthly rent: $1,375
Square footage: 978
What you get: 2-bed/1-bath third-floor unit in Lowry North Apartment Homes, a large apartment community. About one mile north of Lowry Town Center, with private balcony/storage, in-unit washer/dryer and fitness center.
Montbello/ Green Valley Ranch
Address: 5471 Chandler Way
Monthly rent: $1,350
Square footage: 1,060
What you get: 3-bed/1-bath single-family home within walking distance of parks and schools. With large fenced yard and 1-car attached garage.
Southeast Denver/DTC
Address: 4500 S. Monaco St.
Monthly rent: $1,360
Square footage: 1,005
What you get: 2-bed/2-bath second-floor unit in Cierra Crest Apartments, a large apartment community in the Denver Tech Center. Near Eastmoor Park and Belleview Light Rail Station, with in-unit washer/dryer, private balcony, pool and fitness center.
Southwest Denver
Address: 2621 S. Green Court
Monthly rent: $1,395
Square footage: 720
What you get: 2-bed/1-bath single-family home in quiet neighborhood. Near South Federal Boulevard and West Harvard Gulch Trail, it includes large fenced backyard, new washer/dryer and updated kitchen.
Emilie Rusch: 303-954-2457, erusch@denverpost.com or twitter.com/emilierusch
