N. Denver vs COS (Arvada, Thornton: cul-de-sac, travel, rent)

[NeedAChangeFromFL]

Ok, we are focusing on COS, but hubby got a job offer yesterday for N. Denver. I really haven't done much research on N. Denver (no, I don't know exactly where in N. Denver) and was pretty much set on COS.
COS is still an option because he hasn't yet heard from the people in COS but I want to know a little more about N. Denver also.

Is it scenic like COS (mountains)?
Could we rent 3+ bedrooms for under $1100/month?
Schools (better/worse/same as COS)?
Crime (more/less crime than COS)?
Weather (big issue) is it about the same as COS or is it colder/more snowy?

I like the idea of snow and sunshine, lol.

Any helps is appreciated!!

[denverian]

Originally Posted by NeedAChangeFromFL

Ok, we are focusing on COS, but hubby got a job offer yesterday for N. Denver. I really haven't done much research on N. Denver (no, I don't know exactly where in N. Denver) and was pretty much set on COS.
COS is still an option because he hasn't yet heard from the people in COS but I want to know a little more about N. Denver also.

Is it scenic like COS (mountains)?
Could we rent 3+ bedrooms for under $1100/month?
Schools (better/worse/same as COS)?
Crime (more/less crime than COS)?
Weather (big issue) is it about the same as COS or is it colder/more snowy?

I like the idea of snow and sunshine, lol.

Any helps is appreciated!!

It's kind of hard to say without knowing the exact location. I live in Denver and haven't hear anyone refer to "north" Denver. North of downtown is older neighborhoods (like hundred year old houses) and the area is definitely turning around. North of that you get into industrial areas an nowhere you'd want to live. If it's in the north Denver suburbs, I'd guess that as Thornton/Northglenn area, and I don't care for it. Lots of '60s ranches, nothing special in the area, generic suburbs. But you might find 3 bdr. to rent for that price in the Thornton/Northglenn area. Within the Denver city limits, it would be hard to find 3 bdr. for that price.

Crime may be an issue in the older neighborhood directly north of downtown. If you're in the norther suburbs, probably nothing bad or unusual. I don't know about the schools in Thornton/Northglenn, other than they're never mentioned as the better schools in the area. I've noticed in that area lots of immigrants moving in, as is typical of older suburbs.

Weather is similar in Denver, maybe a bit warmer since CS is over 6000' in elevation, whereas Denvers is around 5200. Downtown Denver is further from the mountains than DT CS, but you still have great mountain views. Denver is just a much bigger city (near 3 million in the metro area).

[NeedAChangeFromFL]

Thanks for replying...I have to ask hubby what he meant by N. Denver...I took it that maybe he was saying north of Denver, like Loveland or something?? He could've meant the northern part of the city....I honestly don't know. I was kinda disappointed so I didn't ask many questions...I really want to live in COS. My goal in moving is to do a complete turn around from where we are now (in HOT FL with no scenerey, lots tourists, mean people, the list goes on for days...) so I am not at all interested in living in another overally congested place.

Originally Posted by denverian

It's kind of hard to say without knowing the exact location. I live in Denver and haven't hear anyone refer to "north" Denver. North of downtown is older neighborhoods (like hundred year old houses) and the area is definitely turning around. North of that you get into industrial areas an nowhere you'd want to live. If it's in the north Denver suburbs, I'd guess that as Thornton/Northglenn area, and I don't care for it. Lots of '60s ranches, nothing special in the area, generic suburbs. But you might find 3 bdr. to rent for that price in the Thornton/Northglenn area. Within the Denver city limits, it would be hard to find 3 bdr. for that price.

Crime may be an issue in the older neighborhood directly north of downtown. If you're in the norther suburbs, probably nothing bad or unusual. I don't know about the schools in Thornton/Northglenn, other than they're never mentioned as the better schools in the area. I've noticed in that area lots of immigrants moving in, as is typical of older suburbs.

Weather is similar in Denver, maybe a bit warmer since CS is over 6000' in elevation, whereas Denvers is around 5200. Downtown Denver is further from the mountains than DT CS, but you still have great mountain views. Denver is just a much bigger city (near 3 million in the metro area).

[kristenfromdenver]

It's all relative, of course, but Denver is definitely NOT congested at all. In fact, if you live in the city, you can get around very easily. It's the people who come into the city from the suburbs who encounter all the traffic. If you travel on the city streets, there are very few streets that move slowly. Just avoid the highways going in and out of Denver. If you end up in Denver you will love it, so don't worry!!!

Oh, and the people are very very nice (I'm one of them) and it's a gorgeous city. Check out some of MobyLL's posts with pictures! And Avery-Jay has some nice ones as well of down town during XMAS>

[livecontent]

"North Denver" is a term that is used frequently by real "natives" and very long residents of Denver. It intially referred to the area around North High School in Denver. The area grew past that area more to what one would normally refer to the Northwest of Downtown. After the I-25 (which is old Denver Speak is referred to the "Valley Highway") this areas was contiguous with the Central Core but after the highway sliced through it, it separated the larger part of "North Denver", from the Downtown area.

North High School is on Speer, West 29th and Federal. So the Area we would be talking about would be West to North West of this area--so about W26th to W 52nd--it can be described by anywhere within this area. West 38th seems to be in the middle and is around there that most people describe themselves as growing up in "North Denver"

I have been here almost 30 years and I live near this area in Arvada. The traditional Italian community was along West 38, became more Hispanic. Today many parts of this area, for example along W. 32th (Highland Neighborhood), near Berkeley Lake, north of Tennyson and 38th are becoming gentrified. This area is considered an area for creative people to move and prices are on the rises on many streets.

I am very sure that some Denver "Natives" will chime in and give me more information because the boundaries are a little vague.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by livecontent

"North Denver" is a term that is used frequently by real "natives" and very long residents of Denver. It intially referred to the area around North High School in Denver. The area grew past that area more to what one would normally refer to the Northwest of Downtown. After the I-25 (which is old Denver Speak is referred to the "Valley Highway") this areas was contiguous with the Central Core but after the highway sliced through it, it separated the larger part of "North Denver", from the Downtown area.

North High School is on Speer, West 29th and Federal. So the Area we would be talking about would be West to North West of this area--so about W26th to W 52nd--it can be described by anywhere within this area. West 38th seems to be in the middle and is around there that most people describe themselves as growing up in "North Denver"

I have been here almost 30 years and I live near this area in Arvada. The traditional Italian community was along West 38, became more Hispanic. Today many parts of this area, for example along W. 32th (Highland Neighborhood), near Berkeley Lake, north of Tennyson and 38th are becoming gentrified. This area is considered an area for creative people to move and prices are on the rises on many streets.

I am very sure that some Denver "Natives" will chime in and give me more information because the boundaries are a little vague.

OK, that makes sense, and I've heard of this area referred t as "North Denver". I like the area and worked there in the early '90s.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by NeedAChangeFromFL

Thanks for replying...I have to ask hubby what he meant by N. Denver...I took it that maybe he was saying north of Denver, like Loveland or something?? He could've meant the northern part of the city....I honestly don't know. I was kinda disappointed so I didn't ask many questions...I really want to live in COS. My goal in moving is to do a complete turn around from where we are now (in HOT FL with no scenerey, lots tourists, mean people, the list goes on for days...) so I am not at all interested in living in another overally congested place.

Loveland is to the north and outside the Denver metro area. I guess congestion depends on your definition. I live in the city and have no problems getting around, but the freeways can jam up pretty bad and rush hour is longer than an hour. I'm more urban minded and like to be near the urban core, but even if you move to the Denver area, you'll be able to find what you like. And as I remember, Colo. Springs can get pretty congested - especiall along Academy Blvd. From what I remember, it's not easy to get from one side of the city to the other during peak hours.

[NeedAChangeFromFL]

haha....I live in a suburb of Tampa (supposed to be AWAY from traffic). We live 8-9 miles from the interstate (you have to use the interstate here to get ANYWHERE). Know how long it takes to travel those 8-9 miles?? 30 minutes with light traffic and 45-1hr+ .
The entire road...one cookie cutter housing subdivison after another with houses built within 5-10 feet of each other. Each subdivision with 200-300+ houses.

That is my definition of congested, LOL.

Originally Posted by denverian

Loveland is to the north and outside the Denver metro area. I guess congestion depends on your definition. I live in the city and have no problems getting around, but the freeways can jam up pretty bad and rush hour is longer than an hour. I'm more urban minded and like to be near the urban core, but even if you move to the Denver area, you'll be able to find what you like. And as I remember, Colo. Springs can get pretty congested - especiall along Academy Blvd. From what I remember, it's not easy to get from one side of the city to the other during peak hours.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by NeedAChangeFromFL

haha....I live in a suburb of Tampa (supposed to be AWAY from traffic). We live 8-9 miles from the interstate (you have to use the interstate here to get ANYWHERE). Know how long it takes to travel those 8-9 miles?? 30 minutes with light traffic and 45-1hr+ .
The entire road...one cookie cutter housing subdivison after another with houses built within 5-10 feet of each other. Each subdivision with 200-300+ houses.

That is my definition of congested, LOL.

Yeah, going from stoplight to stoplight is very frustrating to me. You'll find that anywhere other than small towns. My house is 10' from my neighbor and it takes me 10 minutes to mow my whole yard, but I like the social atmosphere of my neighborhood - and the houses are built in traditional styles, not cookie cutter. I don't care for cul-de-sacs and beige houses that look alike. I wouldn't be too worried about Denver being big and congested - you can live on the outskirts and still travel into the city for things like sporting events, zoo, museums, etc. on weekends. At least here you can get around the freeways easily on weekends, unlike in California where I moved from.

Ironically, it's currently warmer in Denver than it is in Tampa right now. It was sunny and 70 when I went out at lunch. We have warm, Chinook winds blowing today. It's a nice break from the cold we've had the past couple weeks. But still no humidity or bugs like you get in Tampa!

[NeedAChangeFromFL]

Oh, LOL...I forgot to mention that there are 2 stop lights on the entire 8-9 miles stretch. Like I said, it's horrible.

The humidity is horrid here...today was the first relief we have had in I don't know how long. Today is the ONLY day we'll have though...supposed to be warmer tomorrow and then go back up to our usual December 85-89 degree weather

I don't even want to discuss the bug situation. EW

Originally Posted by denverian

Yeah, going from stoplight to stoplight is very frustrating to me. You'll find that anywhere other than small towns. My house is 10' from my neighbor and it takes me 10 minutes to mow my whole yard, but I like the social atmosphere of my neighborhood - and the houses are built in traditional styles, not cookie cutter. I don't care for cul-de-sacs and beige houses that look alike. I wouldn't be too worried about Denver being big and congested - you can live on the outskirts and still travel into the city for things like sporting events, zoo, museums, etc. on weekends. At least here you can get around the freeways easily on weekends, unlike in California where I moved from.

Ironically, it's currently warmer in Denver than it is in Tampa right now. It was sunny and 70 when I went out at lunch. We have warm, Chinook winds blowing today. It's a nice break from the cold we've had the past couple weeks. But still no humidity or bugs like you get in Tampa!