Thinking about moving from AZ to Denver (Aurora, Lakewood: real estate market, rent)

[bluesalad]

I am thinking (a lot) about moving from Arizona to Denver. After 8 years living in the desert, I am ready for a change. We are looking for a place with easy access to freeway, 10-15 minute drive to shopping, restaurant, etc. We have 2 small children, so school is important. I actually graduated from Cherry Creek High, but that was many many years ago. I sort of know the Denver area, but a lot has changed since the 1990's. The people posting in this forum seem so knowledgable. Any recommendations? Our budget is around $500k, prefer >3,200 sq ft house (>10,000 sqft lot). Prefer houses that are no more than 10 years old. Has anyone here lived in AZ before? I currently live in the city of Chandler/Gilbert, just wondering how some Denver towns compare. Thanks!

[Nea1]

I lived in Chandler , Denver doesnt compare, it is much nicer!! I am loving the weather here. We are now going to Broomfield or Westminster which has great views of the mountains!!!

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by bluesalad

Has anyone here lived in AZ before? I currently live in the city of Chandler/Gilbert, just wondering how some Denver towns compare. Thanks!

Sure, having lived in both, and going back and forth all the time, here's what I say compares:

Paradise Valley = Cherry Hills Village
Old Town Scottsdale = Cherry Creek Shopping Center
North Scottsdale = Greenwood Village
Tempe = Boulder
Chandler/ Gilbert/ East Mesa = SW, S, or SE suburbs of Denver (Jefferson, Douglas, and Arapahoe counties).
West Phoenix/Maryvale = Commerce City, North Aurora
Central Phoenix, Central Mesa = Older parts of Lakewood, North Aurora
Anthem = Castle Rock

And of course there are many areas of Denver that don't have an equivalent to anything in Phoenix. Most of central Denver consists of nice, early 20th century gentrified neighborhoods, whereas most of central Phoenix is 1950s era ghettos. Denver Public Schools, though, aren't the best. For a family with young children, the suburbs are your best bet, especially if you want them to attend public school.

[bluesalad]

What great insight, thanks so much. The comparison really helps. We are kind of thinking about Parker, but not sure about the commute, also the access to freeway. Highlands Ranch, I am afraid that it's like a big Anthem. We thought maybe an older house in the CCSD or Douglas school district, and we'll just remodel it. Are older houses (>10yr) in Denver mostly 8 ft celing homes?
Also, is the Denver real estate market following the national trend of being a buyer's market? In AZ, the bubble is popping, low ball offers are not unusual. Just wondering what I can get out there in the SW suburbs per sq.ft. Any thoughts?

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Sure, having lived in both, and going back and forth all the time, here's what I say compares:

Paradise Valley = Cherry Hills Village
Old Town Scottsdale = Cherry Creek Shopping Center
North Scottsdale = Greenwood Village
Tempe = Boulder
Chandler/ Gilbert/ East Mesa = SW, S, or SE suburbs of Denver (Jefferson, Douglas, and Arapahoe counties).
West Phoenix/Maryvale = Commerce City, North Aurora
Central Phoenix, Central Mesa = Older parts of Lakewood, North Aurora
Anthem = Castle Rock

And of course there are many areas of Denver that don't have an equivalent to anything in Phoenix. Most of central Denver consists of nice, early 20th century gentrified neighborhoods, whereas most of central Phoenix is 1950s era ghettos. Denver Public Schools, though, aren't the best. For a family with young children, the suburbs are your best bet, especially if you want them to attend public school.

Add to the list: Prescott = Ft. Collins

I totally agree with vegaspilram's post. A couple of observations I might add:

Phoenix is much larger. Much more sprawl.

Denver has some beautiful old established neighborhoods (think Encanto) with tree-lined streets.

Denver has a sense of history and some wonderful historic buildings. I was worried about Denver destroying it's downtown's historic past, but they seem to be preserving things now, and revitalizing many of the run-down areas (Larimer and Lo-Do, for instance) Phoenix definitely lacks that sense of history (probably because it's a much newer city), and Phoenix doesn't really have a "downtown" scene.

[2bindenver]

Denver is not following the trend of a buyers market. We are leading the trend...prices are flat to stable over the last 6 years...with signs of recovery in the lower price ranges in the better neighborhood...certain neigborhoods have not felt the slowdown at all.

Full recovery will depend on job growth, interest rates, and the Alt-A loan mess.

[bluesalad]

I agree that the sprawl is getting out of hand in phx and the builders are still building.
2bindenver - you mentioned that prices are holding well in certain areas, I was surfing the net yesterday and read somewhere that houses in Parker are approaching $400-$500 for sfh (for a newer home with appx 2,800-3,200 sq ft) that is much more expensive than I thought. Is that your impression as well?
I just received a relo package from a realtor and boy, by looking at the maps, colorado has changed a lot. I think if we decide to move out there, will probably rent first so we are not rushed to make the house purchase decision. Any ideas what homes/townhomes rent for approx. 2000 sq a month? Rent is cheap in AZ, I am afraid I am in for a sticker shock out here.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

And of course there are many areas of Denver that don't have an equivalent to anything in Phoenix. Most of central Denver consists of nice, early 20th century gentrified neighborhoods, whereas most of central Phoenix is 1950s era ghettos.

I agree, vegaspilgrim. From my recollection, the various suburbs of Metro Denver are very like their equivalent suburbs in Metro Phoenix (though much smaller, of course), but the central cities themselves are markedly different. To be fair, I think there are some sections of North Central Phoenix that are vaguely reminiscent of Central Denver or North Denver, but only on a miniature scale. In addition, some of Denver's post-WWII neighborhoods like Southwest Denver vaguely also look like Phoenix, but mostly the two central cities look quite different from each other.

[CareFreeAZ]

Originally Posted by bluesalad

What great insight, thanks so much. The comparison really helps. We are kind of thinking about Parker, but not sure about the commute, also the access to freeway. Highlands Ranch, I am afraid that it's like a big Anthem.

Thought I would add my two cents in from my time back and forth from Denver to Phoenix. Highlands Ranch = The entire Ahwatukee Foothills area, only Highlands Ranch has better access in and out of the community.

Also, Castle Rock from all the information, the building going on and the infrastructure improvements is suppose to double it's population in 5 years.

[yukon]

Any ideas what homes/townhomes rent for approx. 2000 sq a month? Rent is cheap in AZ, I am afraid I am in for a sticker shock out here.

You might check out the Denver craigslist. But you might be surprised - I've been checking out both PHX and Denver for relocation and so far, Denver rents are slightly lower than PHX.