Highlands is indeed tres cool, and has been for a couple of years now. Don't confuse with Highlands Ranch, a HUGE development down south of Denver also expensive.
Our kids have lived in Denver for almost 20 years now and have lived various areas at various times, some "edgy" and then gentrified.
You say "I don't work now" which confused me and made me think you might be a teen. What is your "work"? Denver, to me, is a great "town" and a young person's place. You don't have to live in downtown Denver with its high rents--there are lots of close in like Aurora and Lakewood.
And it has 300 days of sunshine!!
I totally "got" what fmpden was saying and thought it well stated, 'cause we just can't know on a personal level what may be perceived by others. We all hope it would be very open.

Gretchen, I provided a link on The Highlands area.
It would be pretty hard to confuse it with Highlands Ranch!

Capitol Hill is near downtown, and is still relatively affordable.
Also, west of the Highlands there are rental homes. And, look around Regis U. for student rentals, and D.U.

Aurora and Lakewood might be cheaper, but I wouldn't think a 30-something would be attracted to their generic, suburban nature. I could be wrong.