Commute from Brighton to Gunbarrel (Boulder, Broomfield: for sale, renting, HOA)

[selvenholl]

Hubby is considering an offer that would relocate us from Scottsdale to the Boulder area. We are horse people with two small children and a search online showed a lot of horse property out in Brighton, as well as a couple of really promising charter schools. Just wondering how bad the commute would be for Dh. Right now he's driving about 30 miles each way so that we can be in a more rural area, however, it's a straight shot to the freeway with not much traffic for him, making it about a 40min drive. We're originally from CA so 40mins didn't seem like anything compared to what it was like there...

Any input appreciated! And if anyone could recommend other horsey areas, I'd sure appreciate it!

[chilaili]

If he went the back route on Hwy 7 and Arapahoe Road it could take about 45 minutes without stopping but those roads are single lane roads with traffic lights. He could go all the way to Hwy 36 along Dillon Road which looks shorter but I think has to be a longer drive because it takes you thro Superior and Boulder. Another possible option is to go north to Hwy 52 and come into Gunbarrel that way but that's also a longer drive along country roads.

Another horsey area which would put you a lot closer is around Niwot but I'm guessing it would be more expensive than Brighton.

[OhioToCO]

Originally Posted by selvenholl

Hubby is considering an offer that would relocate us from Scottsdale to the Boulder area. We are horse people with two small children and a search online showed a lot of horse property out in Brighton, as well as a couple of really promising charter schools. Just wondering how bad the commute would be for Dh. Right now he's driving about 30 miles each way so that we can be in a more rural area, however, it's a straight shot to the freeway with not much traffic for him, making it about a 40min drive. We're originally from CA so 40mins didn't seem like anything compared to what it was like there...

Any input appreciated! And if anyone could recommend other horsey areas, I'd sure appreciate it!

Probably, wouldn't be too bad, unless it snows overnight - google gives 45 min, and I would say it's true. Most of the commute is along CO-52, which I drove the opposite way (from Gunbarrel east) but not on the workday. If he is OK with a 45 min commute that occasionally will be 1.5 hr, I'd say go for it. I know for me it would be too long. But the view on his way west would be spectacular!

What is your budget? There are some horse properties in Boulder County, namely along 75th-76th street and between Baseline and South Boulder rd. The schools are excellent there! It would be about 10-15 min commute for him.

[Marc Wishner]

There are some Ok affordable horse properties in the lafayette and erie areas as well as north of niwot ( and around Niwot). You should post your price range and home size expectations and that will help forum members advise you. Yes, in Brighton you will get more for your money but the commute can be difficult with traffic and weather delays.

[selvenholl]

Thank you, everyone!

We will be renting for a minimum of a year or so, in order to get to know the areas. Our budget for a home purchase will be no more than $450k when we are finally ready to buy.

[mic111]

You can also look at the horse properties in Broomfield with your $450K budget. Won't help tremendously with the commute but might be a bit shorter.

15325 Lipan St, Broomfield, CO 80023 MLS# 1032073 - Zillow

1981 W 149th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80023 MLS# 1063357 - Zillow

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by mic111

You can also look at the horse properties in Broomfield with your $450K budget. Won't help tremendously with the commute but might be a bit shorter.

15325 Lipan St, Broomfield, CO 80023 MLS# 1032073 - Zillow

1981 W 149th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80023 MLS# 1063357 - Zillow

Those properties are quite a bit closer to Gunbarrel than Brighton.

[selvenholl]

Thanks for the links!

Does anyone know of any communities in the area that specialize in horse property, like where all your neighbors have acreage and/or horses on their lots? I think I saw online that Todd Creek has something like that but can't find actual info on the community itself.

[mic111]

Pony Estates in Broomfield is one but I don't think there is anything for sale in there right now. In the older neighborhoods such as Pony Estates you might want to check to make sure they have high speed data access.

In terms of Todd Creek we looked there about 10 yrs ago. Their HOA at the time restricted a household to two pets, of any type. We felt that was unreasonable for multi acre properties. Later on we found out about the water problems they were experiencing and felt lucky to have not bought there. They have a water system of sorts now, relying on water from tanks but if you buy there it is really important to understand how their water rights work and whether the community has long term water that will be enough as they build it out.

In terms of horse properties the ones I sent the links on are generally in neighborhoods where many people have horses and other animals. Wilcox and Mustang Acres are two of the neighborhood names. They generally have city water and septic systems. You would need to check on high speed data access.

Another thing to think about is that horses here get really pricey during drought years because no one can grow the feed for them. As a result alot of people end up giving up their horses and so you see less and less households having them.