Best place in CO out of this list? (Denver, Colorado Springs: to rent, townhomes)

[coffeebean]

My husband is up for a relocation and we are trying to find a good place for us to go. We were offered a position in Texas but have turned it down, it wasn't a good fit for us.

We have four kids (baby to 8), we home school, do not vax. We live in a midwestern town of about 80,000 that has next to nothing going on for it, nothing fun on the weekends, nada zilch. We are looking for a good place to stay for 1-3 years that have resources for our children. We want to play outside with nature, museums, and just a town that has something happening in it that we can enjoy as a family. A town that has activities or carnivals, just something going on with it!

We will be renting preferably a townhome, so those in a reasonable price range would be a great benefit!

Here are the locations in Colorado that may be possible candidates, any one in particular we should avoid? Any that are amazing?

Aurora
Colorado Springs
Fort Collins
Dacono
Denver
Lakewood
Lone Tree
Pueblo

[Mike from back east]

There are MANY good places on your list, tons of areas in Denver and elsewhere.

I'm VERY partial to Colorado Springs: excellent for families; lots of homeschooling; VERY fine schools in at least 3 districts; right next to the mountains; culture commensurate with a metro area of 500k; most areas are very safe; well educated population; low cost of housing; good eats; low cost of living; an hour from the southern burbs of Denver; 90 minutes from the main downtown scene in Denver. Not perfect, but IMO, very close.

Suggest you go the COL SPGS forum and check the index for "Why Choose... and the one for Briargate photo tour.

Best of luck to you.
s/Mike

[Tom Emmerling]

I moved out here from a midwestern town myself, so I know what you are talking about. I love Fort Collins and think it has everything you are looking for. As far as townhomes here, you are probably looking at around 1100 a month to rent one. We have the budweiser events center, even though it is named after a beer company, it offers lots of things for the little ones. They have disney on Ice shows, the 4-H carnival, and many more activities. I believe there is a science museum in town also. Plenty of nature, but of course that is anywhere in Colorado. Definately come out and drive around before you decide on any one place.

[Pilot1]

I like the southern burbs like Lone Tree, Parker and Castle Rock. However, there is a lot of newer suburban sprawl, but it is convenient.

[StealthRabbit]

1st choice ColoSprings, lots to do, quick get-aways, easy to meet folks, great place to live and exciting for kids. Beautiful areas abound within and nearby

2nd Ft Col - great people, lots of variety, close to WY for real get-aways. Tad too suburban for me (I prefer Loveland, ~ 10 miles south, or Berthoud, another 5 further south) You have to go to Denver for the airport (Boo) It seems like you have to go to kansas...

[Katiana]

Aurora, Lakewood and Lone Tree are all suburbs of Denver; they're basically the same place. I'd lump all four of those together. You will not be limited to living in these communities if you move there.

I prefer metro Denver to COS and Ft. Collins, so you see how complicated this is. No one has mentioned Pueblo yet but I wouldn't rule it out. I would recommend a trip out to look around and see what appeals to you personally.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Aurora, Lakewood and Lone Tree are all suburbs of Denver; they're basically the same place. I'd lump all four of those together.

I prefer metro Denver also, just a lot more to do and easier access to a big city. Aurora is rough around the adges, but there are some nice areas, but be careful there. Lone Tree is very much like Highlands Ranch and to me just blends in with that newer suburb. Its much newer than Aurora with lots of cul de sac style communities and new strip centers. Very convenient to the Park Meadows Mall and light rail. Lakewood is a nice, older suburb. Check out Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Lakewood. Parker and Castle Rock may also be a possibility. A little farther south than HR and LT.

[spinfree]

why wasn't texas a good fit? it's a great state, just like colorado.

[coffeebean]

why wasn't texas a good fit? it's a great state, just like colorado.

We were offered San Angelo, and didn't care for the location. Seemed too far removed from metro areas. We'd prefer to not drive 4 hours to get to a big city.

[delta07]

Of all the choices, I would choose Fort Collins. I went to school there in the mid-nineties and loved it. My husband and I considered moving back, but decided to go to Oregon instead. Fort Collins, while still relatively small, has much to do for adults and children alike. Old Town is a great place to shop, dine, and participate in community events. The outdoors are very accessible and won't take your hours to get to some great hiking, biking, or other activity. Because of the smaller sized city, you will still feel a great sense of community. Fort Collins is within an hours drive to Denver for all the big cities ammenities you are looking for.

I would avoid Aurora altogether. It is a giant concrete suburb of Denver on the east side. It takes forever to get anywhere, especially the mountains. There are also some extremely shady parts of Aurora. Denver is great to visit, but I don't think I would live there either unless I could afford a nice place in the city. Lakewood and Lone Tree are also suburbs of Denver and really nothing special. No real character, IMO. I don't know anything about Dacono.

Colorado Springs is beautiful, but I don't like the city. Just not me. I would consider it though because it is also closer to outdoors, etc. and within driving distance to Denver, although traffic can be horrendous. Pueblo is a bit far from Denver and big city attractions.