Car Free living in Denver (Colorado Springs, Aurora: house, condo, rent)

[livecontent]

I been thinking about this post because I see numerous people interested in moving to Denver because of the great bus system and the expanding mass transit system. Many of these people have said that they desire to use their cars less and find neighborhoods that would support a more care free lifestyle.

I have lived here for 28 years and I have used the RTD (Regional Transportation System) extensively from commuting downtown, commuting across the metro area, and in daily use. I am now retired and I still use the system to have a simpler lifestyle and to be friendly to the environment. These are my suggestion to use this system and to minimize the use of your car:

1. Become very familiar with the RTD system, their website is located at The Regional Transportation District Home Page You can download all the maps and schedules and become familiar with the new systems that are being proposed.

2. Locate yourself in Denver near a major bus route that you can walk to; this would be a bus route that overs 7 days of services and operates well into the evening. That would be a bus route along Sheridan(51), Wadsworth(76), West Colfax(16), for examples of some routes. In addition the new commuter lines would be great but even greater if they have good feeder routes and are along a major bus route as defined.

3. Look at the Call and Ride services which have been expanded and a bus can pick you up at your house and take you within the area or a main transit connecting point. Consider living near an extensive park and ride which can provide many transportion options.

4. Find an area along these routes that have to necessary shopping---a grocery store, drug store, hardware store--essential a little neighborhood that is self sufficient and can be easily got to by walking and medical, dental can be accessible with one or two buses.. There are many older neighborhood that have existed for years that fill these requirements. In Denver, 38 and Sheridan, South Pearl, Downing and Evans, Alameda and Broadway. Remember RTD has always had great bus transportation into the suburbs so consider areas, in Arvada, 80th and Wadsworth., The Applewood area of Wheat Ridge that is near 38th and Youngfield, areas in Aurora, and the southtowns and near regional malls. Flatirons mall in Broomfield is near a bus rapid transit along highway 36 and has a free zip shuttle that connects, the mall and stores in the area..

5. Consider the new transit villages that are growing along the commuter lines--good examples would be the Englewood City Center and Littleton on the southwest lines. Do not forgot about the new lines that are will be built, you can acquire a house or a condo now, near the proposed stations which will appreciate substantially when the stations are completed. My house is within 1/4 to 1/3 mile of the a new station and I will gain, I believe, about 10-20% in the value

6. Know that RTD provides regional services, to Longmont, Boulder, Brighton and many mountain communities like Evergreen so you can get out of town for a day trip. In addition Boulder and Longmont provide good intercity routes that you will never need a car. Boulder is exceptional in providing numerous transportation options.

7. Find employment that fits a good car free transportation. Remember it is your choice--gas is not going to get cheaper and the highways are going to continue to get more congested. Simplify and make your live easier.

8. There are some skills that are needed to use public transportation. These are patience and tolerance of others. I have always enjoyed my commutes where I met many people and became friendly and I looked forward to the relaxed return from the stressful office.

I am sure that the members of the forum have more and better suggestions of neighborhoods that are wonderful car free areas to live and the transit routes that they use.

[vegaspilgrim]

Living without a car in a city like Denver is definitely unorthodox, but if you plan it right it can be done. The biggest problem I can think of is when it snows. I know that in Aurora at least, last winter, the busses continued to run all the routes, but all the dirty snow was plowed onto the sidewalks-- including the areas right next to the bus stops! It was a truly pitiful sight seeing the poor people who ride the busses having to walk knee-- even waist-high through the black gunk, just to get to the bus stop. There is no way you could show up to work in an acceptable condition after going through that. Also, having to wait for a bus when an afternoon thunderstorm is coming in would be scary! I definitely agree that planning where you live so you can get around with less driving would make life simpler-- but I think it would still be better to at least have a car for those times it really comes in handy, even if you don't drive that often. But great post!

[Katiana]

I think livecontent's suggestions are wonderful.

It is still possible, sometimes, to not be able to get where one wants to go very conveniently. We lived in the Sloan's Lake area at one time and I worked on South Federal. You would think you could get a direct bus, but no, you had to go through downtown (this was 1980-82, it's possible it's different now). My DH worked on W. Colfax out in Golden and had no trouble getting a direct bus. In fact, I think the bus went in to his office park.

When my DD was in middle school, she took the bus. It honestly took 45 min from the time school got out till she got home, a distance of 1.6 miles. And she had to walk the last quarter mile! Still, it saved me time and sanity, and I figured she had less to do with her time than I did with mine.

The finding employment compatible with the bus may or may not work. As a nurse, I have had to work odd-ball hours, and health care facilities aren't always located on the bus lines (though most in Denver are close). Whatever your job, you may have to transfer once or twice, and you may find that a big time waster.

The other thing I would say is, if possible, have a car to get out of town. You can take the RTD bus to the airport, but there's no RTD much farther into the mtns than Evergreen and Nederland. You will want to get out at times, maybe go somewhere the bus doesn't go.

[MobyLL]

livecontent -- those are really great suggestions. I think your post should be made a "sticky" that remains at the top of page 1.

[yukon]

Wonderful post and info on the routes! THANK YOU! I lived in Dallas for years without a car (and that was BEFORE light rail), and Denver is on my very short relo list because of their transit system. Thanks again!

[formercalifornian]

I would love to get down to one car, and we have been working hard to make this happen for our family. One car is a necessity because my spouse is a consultant, who sees clients in the Springs and the DTC, but we could definitely live without the second vehicle, even with kids.

I would have thought it would be impossible for us, because we live in Castle Rock, but I have discovered a free shuttle that takes us to many of the places we go on a regular basis. It's clean and comfortable and not even that crowded for most of the year (the summer is different, because the teenagers are out of school).

Thanks for the further inspiration to continue down this path!

[dj32]

Livecontent. Great suggestions. we live in wash park and just this week decided to sell one car and see how long we can live with just one car. It is very liberating and I agree, Denver is getting better and better with light rail. I work at home and rarely have a need to use my car. My family and i also try and consolidate as many trips as possible. I'm a big proponent of living close to your workplace as well. I see so many people come here wanting "isolation" and a 'large lot".. well what is the point if you are commuting 45-1hour each way to work?!

[livecontent]

When I go someplace in Denver, I feel liberated because I know my car in safe in my garage. I have no worry about parking and the stress of driving.

I made a commitment that I would not use my car at least one day a week, many years ago. Either I walked, biked, took the bus or decided to stay home or in the neighborhood. This was when I was working. I live in Arvada and I worked in Inverness Park. I would even try one day a week to use the bus to Inverness and that was over 10 years ago, when the buses to that area were more limited with no commuter lines. In addition when I drove, I intentionally avoided the highways and took the local roads to and from the office. This gave me a chance to explore different areas of the city, through different streets, I would stop at parks. restaurants and different shopping areas on the way home. I become very familiar with all the little gems that are Denver and the Suburbs.

Today, I am retired. My commitment still stands to not to use my car but it is now for at least 3 days a week. Last year, I drove my car 2,300 miles. I have only driven on the highway, one time, in the last year.

At times I pick up a bus route and go to the end of the line--I know, you are thinking that this guy needs a life---but the end of the line has been sometimes out of town: Evergreen, Conifer, Nederland, Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Boulder, Longmont, Brighton, etc. And I have been to every station on the light rail in the Metro Area---I have seen places that I would have never seen by car.

Many years when I had a job downtown. I decided on friday to leave early, about Noon, and walk home to Arvada--About 7 miles. (This was about twenty years ago when some areas were a little tough.) I needed some exercise and needed to lose weight. So, on my way home, I stopped for some pizza and beer at Gaetanos, then I stopped for burritos and tamales and went to the park and had a snack. Further up the road, I stopped for some stuffed pumpkin pastries at a Mexican Bakery. Talked to fishermen at Berkeley Lake, watched basketball players in the park. I got home about 10:00 PM.--On the scale next day--I gained 2 lbs., I do not know why!!!!

Today the area, from Downtown to Arvada, is a beautiful safer area with many shops and restaurants. I think I should trying walking from Arvada, to Downtown, slowly, so I do not miss any of the delicious sites, and I hope to lose weight.

I know that giving up a car is very difficult for many people, especially young families with children and job demands. However, I believe, one can minimize their auto use and just try a day and have a carless holiday for you family. Get on the bus, take a commuter line, take a picnic lunch, stop in park and relax for a slower lifestyle or bike, or walk.

[springsboy]

Hello,
Can anyone point me to information on new stations south of Lincoln? I looked around the RTD website and only came up with some blurry pictures. I'm looking for construction timelines and where the station will be located.

Thanks,
springsboy

[.gif]

it would be very difficult to live in the denver area without a car. i guess it could be done. the mass transit system here isn't very good but i'm sure there's worse.