Relocating to CO - help!! (Denver, Colorado Springs: fit in, 2009, renting)

[Ofamfive]

OK... I've read a dozen threads regarding best and worst cities to move to in CO. Most of which were posted in 2007 - 2008. Some were posted in first quarter 2009. However, I'm just as confused now as I was when I began the research. So many opinions, I just don't know what city to narrow down our research to.

We are originally from Cols, OH. We moved to West Palm Beach, FL due to a job transfer. Yes, it was huge culture shock for us. The nice mid-western culture was gone the instant we stepped foot here. We did finally fit into a small community and met wonderful people who are "true Floridians". Most people in WPB are not from FL. Hence, bring their culture to FL... I will leave it at that.

We settled into a nice home, became members of a great Baptist Church, and found "A" rated schools & Christian pre-schools for our three boys. My husband will be traveling throughout the state of CO & MO. Therefore, we need to find a friendly, family oriented, community within close range of the Denver Airport. From what I've read, Denver is not the ideal place to live. Most posts suggest suburbs west and south of Denver. Cities such as Evergreen & Littleton were suggested. At this stage, we will be renting a home as the housing market has plummeted in FL and it doesn't seem likely that ours will sell quick. Also, we still have land in OH that has not sold since we moved to FL in 2006. Lastly, my oldest will begin 1st grade this year. He is a gifted student and does really well in school. Therefore, I'm looking for a great school district.

I greatly appreciate any suggestions to help us get through the challenges facing us within the next few months.

[swcolorado]

Golden is a great little community. I have family that lives there and I always enjoy visting. You can either be in town or head up into the foothills west of town for a whole different living experience.

[Ofamfive]

Thank you for the input. I will look into it....

Other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

We have a family of five, three boys under the age of 6. We are looking for good schools - including a good Christian pre-school, great communities (from what I've read, everyone in CO is very friendly), and a good Christian based Church. We live a simple life and love to be around friends and family!

Thank You!

[CosmicWizard]

Be sure to take a tour of the Coors brewery when you visit Golden. Those over the age of 21 can sample the beer for FREE. The price is right!

[Ofamfive]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

Be sure to take a tour of the Coors brewery when you visit Golden. Those over the age of 21 can sample the beer for FREE. The price is right!

Yum! We do enjoy a Coors Light from time to time.

[lcar72]

Colorado Springs is a great place to live. Not quite as big as Denver & the traffic, not nearly as bad. However, the job market is not great here, right now. Alot of people are unemployed.

[EscapeCalifornia]

If proximity to DIA is a big factor, I'd forget Golden, Evergreen, Littleton and especially Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs does have its own airport but it won't have the flight options of DIA. The spouse of a member here drives to DIA from SE Aurora daily. I think that's about as far away as I'd want to live if I had to get to the airport often. You could also probably find something in the northern suburbs but I'm not as familiar with those.

[tfox]

Unfortunately, DIA is not in the best part of suburban Metro Denver (airports never are). It's also very, very far out, something you probably already know. The communities closeby in Denver and Aurora aren't what you're looking for, particularly to the south, west, or east .

To the north, you do have some options. Commerce City's north range, particularly the Reunion subdivision, are very highly thought of by those seeking a suburban lifestyle. I have some friends who relocated from Denver to Reunion, and except for poor proximity to Denver proper, they seem to love it. Further out to the north would be Brighton, a farm town turned exurb. Both areas I just mentioned are in the Brighton School District, which is not bad.

The next best area close to DIA is Stapleton, which is in the city of Denver. It's billed as being "urban" though it's in reality somewhere in-between. It is loaded with families with kids, and despite being in Denver Public Schools, the elementary schools serving the area are considered good, and higher-level schools are promised for the older kids. Stapleton has very frequent shuttle buses directly to DIA, which is a plus. Problems with Stapleton is that it's a very popular area and quite expensive relative to most other areas.

Outside of that, your next best suburban option would probably be southeast Aurora. It is not particularly close to DIA, but it is connected to DIA by a toll road E-470 which NEVER has any traffic at all. Bad news is that the toll road is also very expensive (which is why it doesn't have traffic). Still, for peace of mind, it might be worth it if you work that into your budget. It's also in the Cherry Creek school district, a good school district by any measure.

As for churches and Christian schools, there are options all over Metro Denver, so I think wherever you live you should be able to find something in any of these areas.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Ofamfive

OK... I've read a dozen threads regarding ... snip... We settled into a nice home, became members of a great Baptist Church, and found "A" rated schools & Christian pre-schools for our three boys. My husband will be traveling throughout the state of CO & MO. Therefore, we need to find a friendly, family oriented, community within close range of the Denver Airport. From what I've read, Denver is not the ideal place to live. Most posts suggest suburbs west and south of Denver. ... snip... I greatly appreciate any suggestions to help us get through the challenges facing us within the next few months.

Actually, the north end of El Paso County is just an hours drive from DIA, I've done it several times, without being reckless either. Monument and Palmer Lake are in School District 20, one of the best around COLO SPGS. The area is strongly Christian, with good Christian pre-schools around. Cost of living down here is a bit cheaper than much of Denver, and its right up against the mountains.

[wyocolo]

Everyone likes something different, which is a good thing but as far as I'm concerned I'll never go back to being a flat-lander! I live up in the mountains - 20 miles west of Denver in Conifer and it takes me one hour to get to DIA airport and 30 minutes to work in Golden but its worth it.
A great view of Pikes Peak, lots of trees and rock outcroppings and I can't see my neighbors..... heaven!!!