Washington Park vs. Cherry Hills Village (Denver: sale, new home, neighborhoods)

[dj32]

I'm curious for the locals (and agents) on the board. about what choice you would make and what negatives/positives you see of each of these.

We currently live in East Wask Park and may have an opportunity to purchase something in Cherry Hills. This would be a private sale and therefore, we may get a good price on something that we ordinarily would not find. I love our current neighborhood and definitely see it continue to appreciate- there is tons of development going on here now and I like the location of the park as well as Gaylord shops and restaurants. It really is idyllic. However, I do have challenges with the schools here, they are getting better, but not at the level of the ones our kids would go to in Cherry Hills. I also would like a little quieter neighborhood with less street noise and traffic and more kids playing in the street. We have alot of kids here but we are pretty close to University and other major cross streets and I get a little nervous. It is also somewhat loud and there is not much privacy.

I like the convenience of highways and city but Cherry Hills is really not much further distance wise....

All in, the properties would likely be comparable on price although the Cherry Hills property would be more dated and our current home is a new build from a couple years ago. Lot size obviously is bigger down there too.

What do you think?

[tfox]

dj32, from your prior posts it seems to me that you have as much experience as anyone else here, so I would trust your own instincts. However, here's my two cents.

From my end, I know a lot more about your current 'hood than I do about CHV. However, it seems to me that both Wash Park as well as CHV has both cemented themselves as very desirable places to live in their own categories of living. I think both places are virtually guaranteed to appreciate at better than average rates in the coming years. As far as an investment perspective goes, both places are easy choices in a good market or bad.

You did point out that your house in CHV may be a bit dated, but houses can always be updated, but the "location" can't be changed. I think it's far, far smarter to by a "dated" house in a great, proven neighborhood like Wash Park or CHV versus a big, beautiful house in a so-so neighborhood that hasn't stood the test of time. When coming time to sell, you're going to be attracting a well-heeled buyer who will probably want to do a lot of customization anyway, so its dated nature may not be as much of a concern as you think.

So, the bottom line is that I think you'll do fine in either place. You just need to decide what feels right to you, from a money standpoint I think you'll win either way.

[dj32]

thanks tfox... I agree w/ you about the dated thing too. always smarter to buy the worst house on the block. This one isn't bad by any stretch but I know compared to having higher ceilings, wiring,etc... of new home that will be the downside. Also, if it wasn't dated, and in this one tiny pocket of CHV, we definitely couldn't even come close to affording it... and it will be a stretch anyway, if updates have to be made.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Once again I agree with Tfox. You could be fine in either place.
When I was still in Country Club North, friends of ours, a young couple with younger kids, bought a place out south for reasons similar to what you mentioned, Dj. They ended up sending their kids to St Anne's.
She missed her old haunts and kept shopping in Cherry Creek, etc, but the move worked for them, and there they will stay.

[dj32]

anyone else? 2BinDenver? Any agents out there that understand the area? I guess I thought someone else may respond given all that i read about the neighborhoods on the board!!
My biggest fear is that even though I think our house is beautiful and great location, it won't sell!!!

[2bindenver]

Nice. Great way to get me to join a conversation

I have sold buyers into Wash Park & CHV. I have sold two sellers out of Wash Park (both moved out of state,) but I have never sold a CHV property.

That being said - WP has a wonderful mix of old and new properties/location is prime/shops/park/resturants...CHV house are built from the 1970's, have more lot size, are a part of South Suburban Rec - but "they" want out,...

If you told a co-worker you lived in WP, they'd think you are lucky.
If you told a co-worker you lived in CHV, they think you were d*mned lucky (and why the heck are you working here.)

[dj32]

2BinDEnver- thanks for replying, I'm really glad to get more input on this. I had to read your post to my husband, I lol to the last statement. I'm still pretty conflicted, especially given the housing market. But I just can't get past the good public schools and the relative quiet of CHV...

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by dj32

But I just can't get past the good public schools and the relative quiet of CHV...

heh
It *can* be relative.
Back in the early '70's, I used to go to some hellacious keggers out in CHV.
The CHV cops were pretty nice though.

[Sters]

How are the schools in Washington Park? I'm from out of state and am trying to get a handle on Denver public schools, or does Washington Park have their own??? What is the difference between east and west?

[Katiana]

Washington Park is in the city of Denver; the schools are part of DPS. I don't know the differences between east and west Wash Park other than the obvious geographic difference, but I'm sure someone can respond.