Golden, Arvada, Lakewood (Boulder, Louisville, Center: house, neighborhoods, schools)

[zman0457]

We're thinking of relocating from the Tampa Bay area, but are tired of cookie cutter suburbia. Could someone help us with some general info on what these suburbs have to offer and their differences such as Culture, avg education level, dining etc. We would like Boulder, but would rather have more house for the money.

Thanks

[2bindenver]

There are some subdivisions in these cities that could be described as "cookie cutter" Same school system, so you'll have to choose specific schools.

Arvada Center Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities:

These cities are in such close proximity to each other- consider them all with a personal tour and see for your self -

[Katiana]

Also, there are lots of stats on the City-Data main pages for these cities. You might consider Louisville if you're thinking of Boulder County. Cute downtown, some 'cookie-cutter' areas, Boulder Valley schools.

[zman0457]

Thanks, I'll look into Louisville.

[FoRuMRideR420]

id pick golden out of the 3

[zman0457]

If you wouldn't mind explaining, tell why you would pick Golden?

[tfox]

Golden is the most like Boulder, though miniature-sized. They both have a college, they are both historic, both depend heavily on government research laboratories for employment, both are very compact and walkable, and both are right up against the foothills. They're also both relatively expensive (though Boulder much more so). Golden doesn't have the political axe to grind like Boulder does, which might be good or bad depending on your point of view.

Lakewood is essentially entirely 1950s-1960s suburbia, though it does have some great schools and neighborhoods. There is a belated attempt to build a downtown called BelMar atop an old shopping mall, however. Lakewood is mostly pretty affordable.

Arvada is a bit of a mix between Golden and Lakweood. It does have a compact mini-downtown called Olde-Town Arvada, plus some of that postwar suburbia too. Arvada is probably the most affordable of the three. Livecontent I think lives in Arvada and has some great posts describing it.

[zman0457]

Thanks for that info, as we were leaning toward Golden.

[frogandtoad]

What do you guys think about the brewery? I mean, do you ever smell it? Does it bother you looking at it? Or does all the beauty around there override it?