Moving to Lakewood, CO...neighborhoods to avoid??? (Denver, Sheridan: 2013, to rent)

[mafaldinha]

Hi All!

My husband and I are moving to Lakewood in July from Austin,TX, we have found several houses that fit us but since we don't know the city we're wary of where exactly we're moving to. We found a house on W. Colfax and Depew, a few blocks away from Sloan's Lake; does anyone know how good or bad is this neighborhood? or does anyone know of neighborhoods we should avoid in Lakewood? Any comments or tips?

Thank you for your help!

[Cupcake77]

You'll be fine just pack your gun and buy some spray paint remover.

[mafaldinha]

Hahahaha, is it really that bad? Because that sounds like gang activity, and that's exactly what we want to avoid :S Any place in Lakewood where we can walk without our bulletproof vests? LOL
Thanks cupcake!

[BarryK123]

Belmar is nice, as is the western and southern parts of Lakewood.

[mafaldinha]

I see, I'll have to check Belmar, any places we should avoid? Lakewood seems to be quite large...
(Thanks Barry!)

[livecontent]

No, it is not that bad. It is a neighborhood that is going through tremendous transitions. In that area, there are been much redevelopment of retail. There will be a bigger impact coming because it is within walking distance of a new light rail station that will be completed in 2013, on the west line that will run through about 13th . We will see a price appreciaition of homes because good public transit is valued. Part of the area has been demolished for the building of the Sheridan overpass above the rail line and the installation of a parking garage. Land has been acquired by investors for housing and retail..

Colfax and Sheridan are major bus routes with fast bus service to Downtown Denver. Lakewood and Denver are making moniies available for this area. There is already big redevelopment that has happened on Colfax, west toward Wadsworth with many big box stores.

This areas borders areas of Denver that are seeing new interest in gentrification and redevelopment. This borders is very near the "in" neighborhoods of Denver of West Highland and Berkeley; Denver begins east of Sheridan. North of Colfax (15th) there has been redevelopment in Edgewater which borders Sloan Lake to the West.

This is a good area to live, near big parks, good public transit and access to shopping.

I have been through this area many times on foot, bus and by car. There is good safe recreational activity at Sloans Lake, which I have used often.

You could listen to me or posters who have no experience outside their protected elite little areas. Some people view any old buildings,less than rich housing, old people, people of color, the poor, middle class, any diversity beyond the "stepford" bland as dangerous but they have no experience to base their opinions. They use wise cracks to put out their opinions because they lack the wide experience and maturity to give them a more expressive speech.

I have been through this area over many decades. I am now a senior and I often take the bus down Sheridan to transfer at Colfax and I have never had a problem. This area still has a old Jewish community just west of Sheridan. St. Anthony Hospital, north of Sloans Lake will close this week and has moved to a new property west into Lakewood. The old property will be developed into a new development. Sloans Lake is the largest body of water, accessible to recreation, in Denver. The North area of the Lake has exclusive housing. The area is not decayed in and around--it has just got a little old. Now, it is being further appreciated by the creative and intelligent classes that are moving into this area of Denver.

We cannot all live in sterile wealthy environments. Reality gives more depth to living and adds much to our intellect, understanding and ability to strive as Americans and as Coloradans.

Livecontent

[Cupcake77]

Oh please, my hair dresser lived over there and joked about how she left a note telling them next time they need to use spell check. Yes it does happen out there.

The OP is moving from Austin which is pretty nice. They may be working in Lakewood but there are much better areas for them to live vs Lakewood. You been there so long you can't understand that.

[mafaldinha]

I appreciate your honest opinion livecontent, wrong tips may lead us into the wrong idea and thus into renting the wrong house in the wrong neighborhood but since I know NOTHING about Denver nor Lakewood, I will continue to keep an open mind!

I think I read something about the light rail being expanded to the North West by 2012 -now 2013, oh well- I'm sure that will bring more traffic to the area, that could be a good selling point in my opinion, easier ways to explore a new city

So, no neighborhoods to avoid in Lakewood? I've read in several forums about staying away from parts of Denver like Five Points or Montbello, but yet again, how to tell?

Austin is quite nice, some parts better than others, you can walk around during the day but once it's dark I wouldn't go out by myself in ANY city, it's just not those days anymore

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by mafaldinha

I see, I'll have to check Belmar, any places we should avoid? Lakewood seems to be quite large...
(Thanks Barry!)

Yes, it is large. Of course, you need to come here and look around, but I'd avoid the area bordering Denver, near Sheridan, and the Colfax area, which is very commercialized.

[tfox]

Is the house actually on W Colfax? I wouldn't live right on a busy street like Colfax. I agree with Livecontent that the area isn't too bad, but who would want to live right on a busy commercial street like that?