West of Denver area (Arvada, Littleton: houses, buying, best schools)

[mtnsky]

I am looking at areas west of Denver -- Arvada, Golden and Evergreen.

I'm planning a trip out there and I'd like a realtor to help me when I am there. Because these areas are slightly spread out, is it best to get three realtors or just one who can show me around all three areas?

Which of these places has the best schools (elem, middle and high) and is most walkable and family friendly? Does Evergreen have a natural food store nearby?

mtnsky

[TinajaCo]

All three are in the Jeffco school district, which overall is a good district. You may want to look up individual schools in the area to compare them, since they all are in the same district. Evergreen does have a small downtown area, but many houses in Evergreen are not near it. Arvada also has an old downtown, but it's grown into such a big area that again most houses will not be near it. Arvada is largely a suburb of Denver now and does not have as distinct of an identity as Golden or Evergreen does. I think Golden would be the most walkable of the three you mentioned-- it's compact enough that most areas in town are close to the old downtown.
There is a Vitamin Cottage in Evergreen, but for a bigger store you'd have to go to either Golden or southwest Littleton for Wild Oats.

[2bindenver]

All three areas have pluses and minuses.

Were you end up depends on what is important to you, and what you like & don't like about living in the foothills (look for a flat driveway, that does not face north.) How do you feel about wells? Or living in town (Golden has it's own outlying and far from town developments too) Arvada has the largest overall population, and has it's own Arts/Entertainment Center - they are excited about getting light rail and are making plans...

[BenWolfe]

Evergreen can be a very unique area. I would look for a realtor who lives and works in Evergreen to assist you in that area and the more rural areas of Golden. Most Realtors who live/work in Denver and it's immediate suburbs are not as familiar with wells/septic and what must be addresses when buying rural properties on acreage. You should use a different Realtor to assist you with Arvada and the Denver suburbs.