May be Moving Back to CO . . . Relo Questions (Denver, Colorado Springs: houses, neighborhoods)

[carmcbe]

Hi all,

New to this forum and just beginning to gather info . . . I lived in Lakewood/ worked in DTC about five years ago as a single person. Loved the area so when I moved to get married I warned my husband he had five years to get me back to Colorado. Well, now my husband is considering a job which would require us to relocate from Arizona to Colorado. Just in time

Here is the situation . . .

the job will require some commutes to DTC but not everyday or even every week and some air travel . . . mileage would be provided as well as a car so distance from DTC and DIA would only be an issue because of commute time. Other than these occasional trips he would work from home and I do not work outside the home.

We are in a position where we could live most anywhere in the Denver/ CO Springs area . . . looking for most house for our money (within our preferences).

We have two small children that are not in school yet so family oriented areas are a must . . . good schools for when they do start school a plus. We are looking for a single family home . . . 4 bedrooms or could maybe do 3 if had basement or bonus room. Hoping to get new or newer construction. We've decided we are definately suburbanites . . . prefer planned communites . . . homes with upgrades. Prefer the outdoor activities of the area but as I recall that's not much of a problem anywhere . . . would like to be near shopping (necessities) but don't want to be right ontop of a shopping mall/ conjested area.

From looking on realty sites it seems new construction in our price range 200k-235k is only realistic in the northern suburbs of Denver. From when I lived there before I did not have a good impression of the northern suburbs . . . correct me if things have changed. We were really hoping to be down south . . . Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, maybe even CO. Springs.

Any suggestions for communites/ cities to try. We would not be moving until Summer.

Thank you.

[Katiana]

What did you not like about the northern suburbs? There is an active thread right now on the Denver forum: http://www.city-data.com/forum/denve...th-denver.html I would recommend reading it.

[carmcbe]

It was more an overall impression . . . I dated a guy that lived in the Thornton area . . . the houses were all older and the neighborhoods seemed more hodge podge than "neighborhoods" . . . the newer construction seemed generic . . . like I said it's been about five or so years and even longer since I've been in the northern suburbs . . .
I'll check out the thread . . . thanks. Just been on here a day or so . . .still learning my way around.

Thanks.

[2bindenver]

The cheapest "new" house is around the south area is $240,000.

You can get more house for the money in Colorado Springs than in/around Denver - but an hour commute is two hours too long.

I'd recommend Parker, Aurora (in Arapahoe County) and Castle Rock. You won't get everything you want, but it will be 3 or 4 bedrooms with a basement, good schools, reasonable commute...all areas have reasonable access to shopping.

I saw a house in Parker with views on Saturday $230,000 with a unfinished walkout basement. It did need work. Paint, carpet, updating.