Living in Evergreen (Denver, Aurora, Boulder: for sale, crime, daycare)

[syndee]

Thinking about relocating. Like the looks of Evergreen.. I have two children ages 5 and brand new. Was wondering what it is like for kids. Also how is the comute to Denver?

[Koji321]

I am a single mother of 2 - and a job change actually transported us up to the Evergreen area for a couple years.

I would say that it is a very different pace up the hill; one thing I do miss the most is that neighbors waved to one another while driving by, and the people are very friendly... It took me a while to adjust to people's overall 'stand-off-ish-ness' & reclusive tendencies when we moved down to Denver last year.

I found that overall, Evergreen was a very family oriented, safe, nice place for us to live -

however, I did often feel that my kids were left out of activities because it was difficult to participate in most of the programs they may have taken an interest in such as tumbling, dance classes, swimming lessons, etc. because these programs just weren't offered at times that would be accomodating to a single, working mother's schedule.

Daycare was another major issue for me- the cost was outrageous because there are very few providers in the area so space availability was tricky as well.

During the winter, commuting could get pretty ugly - I always felt very regretful on the days when I had to drive my kids to daycare because I could not miss work because of a storm.

But with those major items being said - had I been able to stay home with my children & our circumstances been different - I would have truly enjoyed staying up in Evergreen & raising the girls up there until they were grown.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other specific questions I might be able to answer for you!

[Koji321]

The house I owned backed to open space, so I had to be cautious about wild life and letting my kids outside.

But, I also did love how they sort of just became accustomed to seeing herds of Elk & Dear around - as opposed to all of the disgusting graffiti they are getting used to seeing down here in the city.

[breaksraver13]

Originally Posted by syndee

Thinking about relocating. Like the looks of Evergreen.. I have two children ages 5 and brand new. Was wondering what it is like for kids. Also how is the comute to Denver?

I'm going to be honest........I lived in Evergreen for 6 months and was more than ready to move. It was too family oriented for me (which is good for you but, bad for someone young like me.) So to answer your question "YES" it is great for families.............VERY LITTLE crime and its cool how many deer/elk you and your children will see.

[SheridanL]

I personally love Evergreen. No, I have never lived there but, I did cut hair there in the early nineties. I lived in Aurora and drove to Evergreen everyday ( that should tell you how much higher prices are there!LOL!)
I think that this part of Colorado is overlooked by newcomers! If one goes the back way (as opposed to I70) I think it's 74, you will travel along Bear Creek. It is way cool and, I love all of the homes and businesses along the drive. You can go from Morrison to Kittredge to Evergreen! It is what a lot of people consider mountain/ft hill living!
Little Bear (a bar in Evergreen) is a place not to be missed! Very historic and a hoot!! Bear Creek Country Dining is right on the creek/river. AWESOME...I loved going there!! It is directly on the creek and, if you are dining inside, the glass walls don't hinder your view! You will see deer and such. It is very cool!!
As far as family living....there is a lot to do and of course you have Evergreen Lake! I think it is an ideal setting, close to everything!
Seriously, if you live off of I70 just in the foothills/mountains...you can be anywhere real quick....barring weather of course! That usually isn't a problem IMO!!

[steveco.]

I really don't think that it is overlooked especially by newcomers looking for the mountain living experience. People who move there usually don't know the work or other factors that come with living in a wilderness type of area and they usually end up moving away after a year or 2.

[Neditate]

LOL - Evergreen is far from being a "wilderness area". But it IS mountain living which not every person is cut out for. You are correct that the people who can't "hack" it move away after a year or two. All it takes is one bad winter and they are out of here. We chuckle at the for sale signs that pop up in April or May every year.

[SheridanL]

True. But it is always up for debate as to whether it is in the "mountains" or, "foothills".
There are always people who want the "mountain" living that do not consider Evergreen to be that. To me it is in the mountains.
It's just the best of both, as close as one can get to the hills and the city. But, it is expensive
I know the day of commuting might be an issue but, people will still want the mountain feel and commute to Denver. Some talk of the commute from Boulder to Denver (29 miles) but, the commute from Evergreen to Denver is (28 miles). My son did the Denver to Boulder commute years ago so, I know how that goes!LOL!
I also think that Evergreen is a great family town, often overlooked! It just doesn't get the press (so to speak) that Boulder or other just as far away towns do. IMO.

Gosh, I've pumped it up so much, I think I might move there myself!

[steveco.]

There is plenty of living choices up in Evergreen. Some of the neighboorhoods closer to I-70 and hwy 74 are a bit more suburban with houses being fairly close to each other, not really my idea of "mountain living" if you ask me. Then there are the more spread out developments that seem to go on forever such as brook forest. Most homes in those areas have anywhere from 1-5 acres or more depending how far it is from the major roads. The down side to these is that most times it takes forever just to get into town down the windy roads on the hills which can make any type of city commute a pain in the neck. I also think that Boulder gets more press because it contains the states largest college as well as being a fair bit larger than evergreen. Oh and Evergreen isn't actually a city its unincorporated Jeffco so no city tax.

[SheridanL]

Yes, Brook Forest!! I like the spreads along Bear Creek.
No city tax? I did not know that!! There you go, another plus!!
The windy roads to me are cool!! Drove them to work!!
Of course, I'm one of those that even like Floyd Hill!!