doing the ground work now (Denver, Aurora: foreclosures, renting, houses)

[canyahelp?]

Hi My husband & I are considering a move to Colorado. I am trying to research as much as possible now. Here is our info, anything you can help with would be greatly appreciated Thank you in advance.

Work will be at the airport - over night shift.

Would like under a 30 minute commute if possible??

Family neighborhood, we have young kids great community

**We currently live in a "great neighborhood" - .7 miles from their school, somehow there are no children on our street our kids ages. Do not want that to happen again.

Great schools are a must =) **meaning, PTA, volunteering, teachers happiness, teachers involvement, principal involvement, activities. While academics are important, so is the atmosphere. I am not in love with our current school, I volunteer weekly in the classes, the lunch room, field trips ect.**

looking to purchase, we have a full house - so renting first, tho ideal is not practical in our situation...

anything else you can add in would be great!!

Thank you very much for your time

[vegaspilgrim]

SE Aurora near the Southlands Mall (E-470 & Smoky Hill Rd) is chock full of families with babies and little kids everywhere. The schools (Cherry Creek Schools) are pretty highly regarded. Commute to DIA can be under 30 minutes if you take E-470, the toll road, unfortunately it's a very expensive toll road. Here's my photo tour of the area: Southeast Aurora, CO -- PHOTO TOUR. Search the archives for posts by "the3Ds" who lives in this area.

[2bindenver]

Price range? # beds, baths, wants in a house?

[canyahelp?]

We are looking for 4 plus bedrooms, 3 plus bedrooms - 2500 square feet minimum.. Would like to keep it under $350, - not being from the area, not sure if that is over or under for a good area. My joke to my husband, we don't want to be the poor family of the rich neighborhood, or the rich family of the poor neighborhood would like a nice balance. Tend to like the newer houses with a bigger, open style kitchen. A good size yard. We like to spend time outside with the kids and dogs. We like company - with moving to a new state, family and friends would be staying with us, so we need room to move.
If we could keep the price under 300 in a similar city/neighborhood we are good with that =D I am a stay at home mom while the kids are young and would like to keep it that way, while still being in a nice area.
Thank you very much for your time.

[2bindenver]

Reunion, Fronterra Village in Commerce City River Oaks in Henderson as a start.

All newer houses in close proximity to the airport.

[LEDFuller]

Stillwater has some very nice, well built Woodcrest homes and some fantastic bargains. Amenities are increasing and it's very handy to downtown (20-25 mins) and DIA (20-25 mins). Some nice views, too. Schools are getting better, although still not great. I think the area is up and coming (new Adams county center, etc) despite the snobbery you will encounter online regarding anything Northeast of Denver.

[Ziasforever]

You got the job part out of the way. 90% of the work!

[mariafraietta]

Stapleton!! If you want young, liberal, city-oriented-but-want-suburban-amenities types of people. It's a great place to live. Otherwise, as mentioned above, the Southlands area might be great. Much more conservative, more cookie-cutter, but full of great schools and active parents. I'd steer clear of Adams county at the moment; property values are volatile. And don't even think about Green Valley Ranch, although I'm sure the homes come up in your area searches. Too many foreclosures!!

[robertzimmerman]

Originally Posted by mariafraietta

Stapleton!!

Stapleton for a 4+3, 2500 square feet, $350K is not realistic.

[LEDFuller]

I posted about Stillwater-- which is in Henderson. Thimig school is walking distance and, although it is new and not yet rated that great on "Great Schools", all the parents of kids I know that go there really love it. Lots of activities and community involvement-- dances, movie nights, etc. Henderson has lots of foreclosures (nothing like Green Valley Ranch, though). But the neighborhood, location and homes are very nice, especially in Stillwater and the very new River Oaks. The foreclosures are due to these particular builders financing very irresponsibly, and the fact the Stillwater homes built by Woodcrest were some of the nicest but most expensive in the area. I think this area will be sought after soon, if people can hang on ( great location/commute to everything, new amenities, sweeping mountain views). Many of the homeowners in Stillwater are very committed to staying and investing in their local schools and community. I think those who take advantage of the bargains in Stillwater in Henderson are going to do well in the long run, although it might take 3-5 years due to the bank's dumping the foreclosures at very cheap prices. Best of luck to you!