Getting discouraged in Aurora (Denver, Littleton: apartment complexes, to rent, condo)

[patrickmich]

Initially I was planning to live near my work place. I work in the area of
Chambers and I-70. I also wanted to be near a gym. Bally's is the only gym
on this side of Aurora. So I have looked at numerous apartment complexes
in the area around the Aurora mall, and outward in a circle radius. It seems
all of them are occupied by less than desirable people, lots of skinny little
dudes with their ball caps on backwards, lots of dudes wearing panty hoses
on their heads. Parking in these complexes is also bad. There is no
room. I have a new car, and need a place to park comfortably, not wedged between two other cars. I am beginning to think
that Aurora is a less desirable location overall then other areas in the Denver
metro. As nice as it would be to have a short commute, I do not want to
live in an area whose apartment complexes are populated by punks, and
whose parking lots are overcrowded. How does the
North Metro compare to Aurora? One of my coworkers said the reason he
likes Thorton is that it has better people and more room. He did not elaborate. Is there a different class of people in places like Thorton? Initially I thought Aurora
was the cat's meow because I was finding 1 bedroom apartments with
fireplaces and central air for around $550. How does rent in Aurora compare to rent in Thorton? I am considering Thorton because it seems the North
Metro would be an easier commute than the South Metro (e.g. Littleton).
Thanks for your insight and input.

[kwk722]

As they say... "You get what you pay for" You chose one of the least desirable parts of the east side.
Try going south past Iliff if you want a nicer part of Aurora
Aurora mall used to be (or still is) central gang banger hangout

[NU97]

Try going south -- to Southeast Aurora (they're trying to call it the Southlands area). Things are bright, new, and relatively affordable. From where I live (near the Southlands shopping/lifestyle center at Smoky Hill and E470) it would take me about 20 minutes to get to I-70/Chambers. SE Aurora has plenty of gyms (like 24 Hour Fitness) plus several developments have fitness facilities on-site.

If you can afford it, Stapleton or Lowry (in Denver) would be relatively close. There is a very cute neighborhood called Montclair just west of Lowry. Their property values seem to be appreciating. Lowry has a HUGE Lance Armstrong 24 Hour Fitness.

Good luck!

[patrickmich]

Well those are some great ideas. I did not know that Southeast Aurora was
newer. And who would have thought that a shopping area as big as the
Aurora mall would be gang banger central. I mean that area has just about
any type of shopping or restaurant one would ever need. What is Lowry?
Is that the name of a neighborhood? I have heard that name many times.
Can you give me some boundaries? After dozens of miles of searching around the Aurora mall, I have given up on it. i am expanding my search elsewhere.
Thank God! Or thank you guys, I should say.

[livecontent]

Lowry is the name of the former Air Force Base that was closed and has been redeveloped. The web site is Lowry It will give you all the information you need.

I agree with previous posts that the South Part of Aurora is very different from the north area and I would look in that area.

[vegaspilgrim]

Tons of middle-of-the-road, decent apartment complexes around Chambers & Quincy, Hampden & Chambers, Smoky Hill & Chambers, Parker & Orchard. Those areas are all south Aurora. Also check the area around Iliff & Peoria-- not exactly "South Aurora," but not too bad of an area if you're going to be living in an apartment.

[LoveBoating]

Certain parts of Aurora (like Colfax/I-225) are like certain parts of Denver (Federal Blvd area).......you always seem to be hearing about some type of crime happening there. AND, the wife and I sure wouldn't go into those areas at night. We have been to E-470/Smoky Hill area and, if you can afford that type of area, it is very, very nice. Fortunately, we can afford to live where we do in central Parker right behind the Police Dept.. Very little/to NO crime when the police department is that close.

[LiveinDen]

You said you work at I-70 and Chambers. Have you looked just Northeast of your work? There's some complexes off 40th and 48th near Pena. Also, there's some condo complexes off 56th that people rent out, but those would be more expensive than an apartment.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by patrickmich

Initially I thought Aurora
was the cat's meow because I was finding 1 bedroom apartments with
fireplaces and central air for around $550.

You thought it was a great place because it was so cheap? That should have been a warning sign. The same rule applies in any city in America. Too cheap = there's probably a reason why.

[dj32]

I think we had this discussion last week and Stapleton was recommended by myself and others. Did you check it out? Thoughts?