Looking for our ideal neighborhood.. help, please? (Denver: apartment complexes, to rent)

[ADKme]

My job has relocated me and my fiance from New York to Denver and we are looking for the ideal neighborhood to rent an apartment. My office location is in the Stapleton-area and she will telecommute from home. We're looking for an area that is safe, has a good variety for jogging, maybe a golf course nearby, and has the typical Suburban America restaurants. We'll head Downtown for ballgames and some drinks, so being close to bus routes would be nice.

As for the apartment - a 2-br in some sort of development with a pool, 2-3 story buildings, and some fresh air. Being near some sort of lake (for scenery - I understand not many swimming holes around) would be a big perk too.

I'm shooting for my commute time (I'll be working 7am-5pm) to be at or under 30 minutes. We'll also be skiing every weekend, but we're willing to leave earlier on weekends to keep my weekly commute down.

School districts don't matter - no little ones on the way for at least a couple years.

We're open to all suggestions! Thanks!

[2bindenver]

Stapleton, Lowry for starters.

Forget the swimming holes. We have mountain ranges to ponder.

[vegaspilgrim]

What is a "swimming hole?" Something common back east, I guess? There are some sad souls who swim in Cherry Creek Reservoir, but I can't think of anything more disgusting.

Stapleton may be just what you're looking for. It's basically a new construction, modern suburban development that's designed to function like an early twentieth century streetcar suburb neighborhood. Northfield at Stapleton is an outdoor mall.

Chain restaurants, garden style suburban apartment complexes can be found in any suburb of the metro area in every direction.