Job in Westminster - Need to pick a neighborhood

[Fuzz]

While most of the Denver suburbs have sidewalks, that does not necessarily mean they're "walkable" in the true spirit of the word. Walking from strip-mall to strip-mall with a gargantuan parking lot on side and a zooming 4-lane highway on the other is not really my idea of "walkable".

Also, certain parts of a neighborhood may be walkable, but it may still require you to drive there in the first place. For instance, Lakewood has the new Bel Mar area -- a pretty nice walkable "downtown" area with shops, restaurants, movie theater, bowling alley, etc. But it's surrounded by 6-lane highways and strip-malls on almost all sides. While Bel Mar itself is walkable, it's not really a pretty/easy walk TO Bel Mar (unless you live right next to it). You drive, park in one of the mammoth parking lots and then walk around. Again, not my idea of a "walkable" neighborhood.

Again, let me reiterate what I said at the beginning -- while you could walk everywhere/most places in the suburbs, they're not necessarily "walkable" in the true sense of the word.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

While most of the Denver suburbs have sidewalks, that does not necessarily mean they're "walkable" in the true spirit of the word. Walking from strip-mall to strip-mall with a gargantuan parking lot on side and a zooming 4-lane highway on the other is not really my idea of "walkable".

Also, certain parts of a neighborhood may be walkable, but it may still require you to drive there in the first place. For instance, Lakewood has the new Bel Mar area -- a pretty nice walkable "downtown" area with shops, restaurants, movie theater, bowling alley, etc. But it's surrounded by 6-lane highways and strip-malls on almost all sides. While Bel Mar itself is walkable, it's not really a pretty/easy walk TO Bel Mar (unless you live right next to it). You drive, park in one of the mammoth parking lots and then walk around. Again, not my idea of a "walkable" neighborhood.

Again, let me reiterate what I said at the beginning -- while you could walk everywhere/most places in the suburbs, they're not necessarily "walkable" in the true sense of the word.

Yes you are correct, Belmar is not walkable if you do not live there and many areas in the suburbs has huge parking lots along busy streets that make walking to them difficult and not enjoyable. However, across the street near the library and city center is nice condos that one can live and have walkable access, not only to the library, but to King Soopers, restaurant and shops. Originally the king Soopers was south of the old Villa Italia, easily walkable from all the condos and apartments that you see south of Belmar, the reason why many of them were desirable to live was foot access to the grocery and the mall. So in times past in the suburbs--walkable areas were developed.

Many of businesses do not have sidewalks to the entrances, just sidewalks along the road --I guess the minimum required by the code and then one must navigate to the front entrance; we need new code requirements to remedy this situation.

What I say you can choice to live where the businesses are more accessible and you can live closer to those areas and there are many areas in the Denver Metro Areas that have these type of walkable areas.

What really makes you look---if you are old and/or disabled. Then you think how it is to get to a grocery market/drug store without too much effort. There are many senior citizen complexes that are next to shopping, so it is a easy walk. An example would be the Senior Housing behind the Safeway on West 58th and Ralston in Arvada; Many seniors are seen there shopping every morning. However, there are many that are just isolated and I would not choose these to live.

Some new Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) have housing over retail business---a good example would be the Englewood City Center and this movement to have denser development around good shopping and transportation is wonderful for seniors and the disabled. There are going to be many such areas as the commuter lines and stations are built out in the area.

There are older neighborhoods that originated from old trolley lines which had shopping and housing densely around the trolley lines. These are now being redeveloped in great neighborhoods-- as along Tennyson, near 38th Ave. in Denver and the redevelopment of the old Elitch's Park. Check out the new Sunflower Market--great prices.

There are intersection in the areas where major businesses developed and have close in housing. A good example would Wadsworth and 38th with Safeway and many senior housing nearby which were built because of the proximity of Lutheran Medical Campus.

I would be writing forever if I mentioned Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, Littleton, Wheat Ridge (Applewood area one of my favorite)etc. where many of these neighborhoods exists. I would suggest if you are young and looking, it would be wise to think ahead when you may not want to drive or cannot drive a car or the unexpected illness happens.

[Katiana]

Not every grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc is located on a busy 4 lane highway. The Louisville Safeway is located on S. Boulder Rd. Granted, SBR has 4 lanes, but it has a speed limit of 35 miles/hr around the Safeway, and it is adjacent to several residential neighborhoods. I have walked to it many times. The Lafayette Wal-Mart is on the same road, a little farther east. I have seen kids arriving there on bikes. Unfortunately, the WM is being replaced with one that is off busy Highway 287 with a 55 mph speed limit and not in a residential neighborhood. It all depends. I think Westminster (the OP's concern), has many stores like the above, where one actually can walk w/o crossing a superhighway.

[PDX2colorado]

Great suggestions & responses!

I'm going to look at some of the areas you've suggested within the Westminster area, but would still like one slightly more urban suggestion to look at and here's what I mean by that:

My sister bought a home in a neighborhood here in Portland that had a block party this weekend. This blockparty was not like any other I've ever been to. There were probably about 80 people in attendence, all agents, lots of kids, live bands, kegs, activities for the kids, ect. This neighborhood is so friendly that they all know each other and pull together like a little fun community.

In my experience they don't do as much of that type activity in the suburbs. Is there anyplace not as suburban that still is kid&school friendly within 30 minutes of westminster that you can suggest?

Don't worry- I don't expect grand block parties, but friendly communities where people talk would be fabulous for a new comer like me!

Thanks again!

[Katiana]

My neighborhood has block parties. No kegs though, we make people "BYO".

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by PDX2colorado

Great suggestions & responses!

I'm going to look at some of the areas you've suggested within the Westminster area, but would still like one slightly more urban suggestion to look at and here's what I mean by that:

My sister bought a home in a neighborhood here in Portland that had a block party this weekend. This blockparty was not like any other I've ever been to. There were probably about 80 people in attendence, all agents, lots of kids, live bands, kegs, activities for the kids, ect. This neighborhood is so friendly that they all know each other and pull together like a little fun community.

In my experience they don't do as much of that type activity in the suburbs. Is there anyplace not as suburban that still is kid&school friendly within 30 minutes of westminster that you can suggest?

Don't worry- I don't expect grand block parties, but friendly communities where people talk would be fabulous for a new comer like me!

Thanks again!

Westminster is a very large expansive city and where your job is would determine which is within 30 minutes.

Westminster borders on Arvada to the South and Southwest. This area is more established with older homes. Arvada is very nice and quaint and has a distinctive old town area and has a recognizable identity. You would see the friendly neighborhoods you are looking for in the older area because many of the residences been in Colorado, their whole lives and have family contacts in the older Northwest area of Denver.

Also, Westminster sits in two counties Jefferson and Adams county--Jefferson being the more preferred for school systems. Areas west of Sheridan are Jefferson County

The Northwest is border by the nice city of Broomfield with nice housing and neigborhoods but not quite a unique identity as Arvada.

The area east and northeast are: Northglenn, which originated as a built out from the old northglen mall which has been redeveloped into big box stores; Thornton which is a good example of expansive subdivision which were rapidly built for the growth of the last 30 years.

My vote for you would be the older established neighborhoods of Arvada from about 52th going up to 92nd and West of Sheridan, in Jefferson County and as far west as maybe Ward Road (but longer commuter). 80th and Wadworth in Arvada is a very nice area with Grocery (King Soopers, Target) Target, Big indoor Pool (Meyers) and nice parks and access to good bus transportation. Very safe area, not too far from the Westminster Mall shopping on 88th. Homes were built about 1960-1975. Pomona is a nice area nw of intersection and Lake Arbor is a great neighborhood and Park ne of this intersection.

[Bradburn1]

I know there are social neighborhoods in Denver suburbs, but I think it's probably hit or miss. One of the best ways I think to find out is to walk around a neighborhood you are interested in and ask people who live there--best way to get the inside scoop.

Where I live now, Bradburn Village, is by far the most social place I've ever lived. I was at book club last night, have playgroup today, and tomorrow night we have our weekly Friday night park party which involves around 20-60 people, tons of kids and dogs running around, and a guy who brews his own beer and carts 4 kegs of different spectacular stuff in a special portable beer cart. I know all my neighbors here and it can take 1 hour for what's normally at 10 minute walk to the mailboxes because I stop so frequently to talk to them on the way. I do something with neighbors socially several times a week, and talk to different ones every day.

The design of our community--with front porches, frequent small pocket parks, wide sidewalks, and an interconnected street grid--encourages people to be out in public, so you meet all your neighbors and as a result, have a real community.

However, I'm sure it's not the only place that's this social, I just don't personally know of any others. The others here have had some great suggestions to check out, especially Louisville, which is a GREAT place to live, especially near its downtown which has great fun shops and restaurants.

[dj32]

i too have heard great things about bradburn and given its location, you may want to consider it.

[Charmcomm]

Try Park Hill, central to everything, easy commute to Westminster, and schools are excellent...

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by Charmcomm

Try Park Hill, central to everything, easy commute to Westminster, and schools are excellent...

I agree that Park Hill is a very charming Denver neighborhood and has much to offer. However, in no way, is it an easy commute to any area of Westminster, either by car, public transit, walking or biking. It is just to far, and out of the way, to this suburbs.

Park Hill is certainly in a central area for commuting to many parts of Denver and Aurora. It would be a great neighborhood for commuting to the Health Sciences Center in Aurora. In addition, the eastern part of Park Hill has become more desirable with the redevelopment of Stapleton and has given Park Hill residents more options for shopping.

Livecontent