Aurora question (Denver, Palisade: apartment complex, foreclosure, for rent)

[pcollins22]

Hey, thanks so much for the info. I have to say I am pretty bummed to hear the bad news, but I figured it was coming. I would like to live in a Southern neighborhood like you mentioned, but I just really have to be close to the campus. I cant afford to have to drive 20 and 30 minutes to get to school, especially in winter.

I am from Tucson, AZ where I go to Univ of Arizona, and I can say that it has its share of homeless people and crime around the campus where I live. I guess I might just have to take a visit to Aurora and see for myself. I would love to go to school there, but in no way am I willing to go out of my way to put me or my girlfriend in danger.

If anyone else has any other comments on this area/issue I would really appreciate it!

Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Originally Posted by lovethebigcity

Well I wouldn't live in that area if I were you. If you want to live kinda close to the school you can find nice & safe places to live when you go farther south- towards Parker Rd (& even on Parker Rd. they are building homes/apts, etc- head south on it towards Arapahoe Rd). I work part time in that area (the other half of the week I'm downtown) & I get out of there by sunset if I can. Its fine during the day (at least for me it has been). I just make sure I take normal precautions (drive with my doors locked- a habit I got into when I lived in NC). Even a co-worker of mine (who has been working there for 14+ yrs) has said not to stay after dark if you can.
As for weather....it snows (obviously)...so be aware of that. I just moved here & it hasn't been too bad driving in it (knock on wood). Except for on Friday. I was in Aurora & it took me 2hrs to get home.

[lovethebigcity]

Well the reason it took me so long (other than the weather) was I live about 20 miles from Aurora. On a good day in the morning I can make it in 30mins (give or take) & on the way home it takes a little longer like 45mins. I don't do straight interstate anymore either. That backup on I-225 is a pain. I would say if you looked in Centennial you could make it in less time (but that's just a guess)

Originally Posted by pcollins22

Hey, thanks so much for the info. I have to say I am pretty bummed to hear the bad news, but I figured it was coming. I would like to live in a Southern neighborhood like you mentioned, but I just really have to be close to the campus. I cant afford to have to drive 20 and 30 minutes to get to school, especially in winter.

[livecontent]

I like living in the Denver Area but the idea of putting the medical school and all those nice hospitals out in the old Fitzsimons grounds is just not ideal. So, the federal government gave the state the land--I would have put a prison on the property.
Well what is done is done.

They are moving all these hospitals that are needed to serve the city, Children's, University and the VA. Plus all the public support clinics of the medical school. They put them way out, so it is difficult to get there. It is just not convenient for the medical needs of the whole area. Sure it is near a highway but what about the people who do not drive, cannot drive, or do not own a car?? The only bus that goes there is a overpacked route 20 and a difficult to walk to, if you are sick, the 15 and 15L.

In addition, the neighborhoods around Fitzsimons is not the safest or nicest area, especially up on Peoria, toward Montbello--and also down on Peoria toward Del Mar. I could live there but I could live anywhere and find some good in where I live.

Maybe they assume putting this huge project, in this area, will transform it into a nice, tidy and safe area, so maybe it is a good idea??? However, it was a big prestigious Army hospital and the area around still fell into decay.

I dread the day the VA hospital moves and I have to go all the way out there. One good thing, there will be a commuter rail station on the property and that will make it more convenient.

Livecontent

[tccat63]

Just kidding! Aurora however has a very bad spot, Colfax! and I would stay clear from it.
But even so, the city of Aurora seems to be stepping up into some major improvements that some times people are overlooking or completely ignoring and I want to mention some of them.
-The light rail reaching parker rd, and maybe will go further one day!
-Lots of improvements to 225 and access to other roads.
-Improvements around Aurora mall, nicer commercial buildings.
-The super hospitals with the most modern technology!
-busy roads
-huge rental demand
-easy access to Dia and Dtc
-Easy access to anywhere especially I25 and I70
-Location Location Location
-more vigilant Police force

So I believe in Aurora and I think that in time it will clean up almost completely due to its location and being surrounded by lots of jobs keeping a very high rental demand at a fairly high cost.

In 80011 approximately 31 % of homes are rented, and 69%owned
Lots of properties on the market at competitive prices are a result of a high rate of foreclosures pushing the price down for other homes around them.
How ever the rental market seems extremely strong and on the up, I have purchased some real estate in Aurora in the last 10 months and know plenty of real estate brokers and investors that are doing exactly the same thing as me.

[pcollins22]

Originally Posted by tccat63

Just kidding! Aurora however has a very bad spot, Colfax! and I would stay clear from it.
But even so, the city of Aurora seems to be stepping up into some major improvements that some times people are overlooking or completely ignoring and I want to mention some of them.
-The light rail reaching parker rd, and maybe will go further one day!
-Lots of improvements to 225 and access to other roads.
-Improvements around Aurora mall, nicer commercial buildings.
-The super hospitals with the most modern technology!
-busy roads
-huge rental demand
-easy access to Dia and Dtc
-Easy access to anywhere especially I25 and I70
-Location Location Location
-more vigilant Police force

So I believe in Aurora and I think that in time it will clean up almost completely due to its location and being surrounded by lots of jobs keeping a very high rental demand at a fairly high cost.

In 80011 approximately 31 % of homes are rented, and 69%owned
Lots of properties on the market at competitive prices are a result of a high rate of foreclosures pushing the price down for other homes around them.
How ever the rental market seems extremely strong and on the up, I have purchased some real estate in Aurora in the last 10 months and know plenty of real estate brokers and investors that are doing exactly the same thing as me.

Well Im glad you think there is hope! Im trying to hold on to some too, until I can get out there to take a look for myself!

[denverian]

I didn't read through all the posts to see if this was suggested, but Stapleton is near the Fitz campus (you could bike there) and is a very nice development with new homes. Price might be an issue though. The cheapest single family houses would be over $300K. Average houses are around $500K. You might find a 2 bdr. condo in the upper $100ks, not sure. There are a lot of Fitz. people living here too.

[pcollins22]

Originally Posted by denverian

I didn't read through all the posts to see if this was suggested, but Stapleton is near the Fitz campus (you could bike there) and is a very nice development with new homes. Price might be an issue though. The cheapest single family houses would be over $300K. Average houses are around $500K. You might find a 2 bdr. condo in the upper $100ks, not sure. There are a lot of Fitz. people living here too.

I would be more interested in renting a 1BR/1BA Apartment in a NICE and SAFE complex. Any of these around that area?

[denverian]

Originally Posted by pcollins22

I would be more interested in renting a 1BR/1BA Apartment in a NICE and SAFE complex. Any of these around that area?

http://realestate.yahoo.com/Colorado...64e5935bd38bcc

Here's a link to apartments in Stapleton. Overall, there aren't many apartments in the development - mainly houses and condos. This particular complex is just steps from restaurants/shops in a town center and maybe 3.5 mi. from Fitzsimmons. I know there are more apartments planned on the east end of Stapleton, closer to Fitz., but they haven't broken ground yet.

This complex is relatively new, nice, and I believe has security access. Also in a safe area.

[pcollins22]

Originally Posted by denverian

http://realestate.yahoo.com/Colorado...64e5935bd38bcc

Here's a link to apartments in Stapleton. Overall, there aren't many apartments in the development - mainly houses and condos. This particular complex is just steps from restaurants/shops in a town center and maybe 3.5 mi. from Fitzsimmons. I know there are more apartments planned on the east end of Stapleton, closer to Fitz., but they haven't broken ground yet.

This complex is relatively new, nice, and I believe has security access. Also in a safe area.

Hey thanks for that info! Those look very nice. $950 is a little higher than I wanted to pay but if it means me and my fiance will be safe then I guess we might just have to do it. Dig a little deeper into the student loans We will not be moving until May of 2009, so I am sure within that time frame, a bunch of new places will sprout up in that same area as well.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by pcollins22

Hey thanks for that info! Those look very nice. $950 is a little higher than I wanted to pay but if it means me and my fiance will be safe then I guess we might just have to do it. Dig a little deeper into the student loans We will not be moving until May of 2009, so I am sure within that time frame, a bunch of new places will sprout up in that same area as well.

By then I believe there should be a new apartment complex done on the east end of Stapleton where they're building another town center, so you'd be able to walk to at least a few shops/restaurants. The Stapleton development is where the old Denver airport used to be and is all "new urbanism", meaning traditional architecture on the houses with front porches, garages in back on alleys, etc. and lots of trails/parks for recreation and exercise. You can research it at Stapletondenver.com. Any apartments built here will be in a more urban style rather than sprawling suburban style complexes, but the parks give you space to be outside.

There are also condos for rent scattered around the development, but they're probably all at least 2 bdr. and over $1000 per month.