Area recommendation for older couple (Denver, Aurora: for sale, HOA fees, condo)

[ndcoop]

Any suggestions/recommendations for places to look at homes for a couple in their 50's? It is overwhelming trying to decipher the many posts through a search. We would be talking about homes in the $250,000 range that would meet the following qualifications:
1. Scenic 2. Within a couple of miles of grocery store, restaurants, movie theater, etc. 3. Near a park or walking trail. 4. We would be retired but may like to do part time work and some volunteer work. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I just want a starting point. Thanks in advance.

[2bindenver]

Everywhere would fit that description.

Would you like an active adult community?

[ndcoop]

I have not done a ton of research regarding the communities. From what I have read, they seem to center around golfing as a major draw and neither of us are golfers, nor really care to learn. We also prefer an individual residence verses a condo or townhouse. At the same time, I want to stay very open-minded and not rule anything out. I was wanting some suggestions so that I could look for them on google earth (streetview) and just get some idea of the neighborhoods people are familiar with. Thanks for the reply.

[Brian_M]

There are seriously so many areas because you have so few restrictions that it's impossible to give recommendations that have any validity.

Start with the big ones... do you want to BE close to the mountains/foothills (west), or have a good view of them (east). Do you want to live in the urban center, or go sub-urban.

[ndcoop]

We would prefer the view over being close to the foothills. We would also prefer suburban over urban. I will try to be more specific and list a few other things:
Ranch style housing / quarter acre to half acre of property or at least some degree of yard privacy / HOA fees that do not include community pool or clubhouse affiliation. / subdivision with moderate restrictions / and reputable builder or contractor of the homes in the subdivision/ quality in workmanship and materials. We are looking at 3BR / 2 Bath / unfinished basement / 1500 or so square feet. Thanks for the reply.

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by ndcoop

1.We would prefer the view over being close to the foothills.
2. We would also prefer suburban over urban. I will try to be more specific and list a few other things:
3. Ranch style housing /
4. quarter acre to half acre of property or at least some degree of yard privacy
5. HOA fees that do not include community pool or clubhouse affiliation. /
6. subdivision with moderate restrictions / and reputable builder or contractor of the homes in the subdivision/ quality in workmanship and materials.

7. We are looking at 3BR / 2 Bath / unfinished basement / 1500 or so square feet. Thanks for the reply.

All doable for a price. Under $250,000 1., 2., 3., and 7 for sure.

5. Some will and some won't have a clubhouse and or a community pool. We can search MLS for that.

6. Moderate/Reputable/Quality? That would be too subjective.

4. Privacy is doable, a quarter acre or more, sorry.

There are 15 for sale in all Metrolist areas: 3+ bed, 2+ bath, 1500+, unfinished basement with a view of the mountains. 3 in Aurora, the rest north of Denver.