Family of Four moving to Denver area in January (Aurora: apartments, rentals)

[Gr8pApe]

We currently live in AZ and are moving to Denver at the end of January. We have 2 kids, 3 and under 1. We are moving there so that I may attend the Colorado Film School and finish my degree. I am looking for a great area to live to raise our kids. We will be renting for the first couple of years and are looking to pay no more then $1000 per month. Any ideas?

[cdsfloors]

Where exactally is the Film school? And are you looking to rent a home? Or apartment?

Terri

[Gr8pApe]

The Colorado Film School is a combined effort of CU and Community College of Aurora. First 2 years at the CC level and the next 2 are at CU Denver. I have extensive experience in the film industry but am unaware where in their program I would fit.

We are preferably looking for a home but a town house or an large apartment will suffice.

Thanks

L

[cdsfloors]

For a CCA commute, SE Aurora would be good. Finding a home under $1000/month could be challenging though. If you are looking in the Aurora area I would (personally) stay south (like south of Hampden). You can probably find cheaper rents in central/north Aurora, but there is a reason for that.

I am in SE Aurora, and it's a very nice area. You can check into some rental listings on craigslist...they have alot.

I don't know if you plan on staying in one place the whole time you are in school or not. If so, it will be a bit of a commute to CU Denver from here. But on an upside, the school district here is excellent (Cherry Creek schools), and with kids, I am sure that will factor into your decision at some point, depending on how soon you want to move again.

Terri

[Carrie_Blair]

Hi! I'm sure you and your family will love Denver. There are lots of great options for schools. Since your children are young, I'm assuming you are looking for preschools until school will start in a couple of years for your oldest. The great thing about renting is it gives you the opportunity to get to know the city and neighborhoods before you are ready to buy a home. After a year or two of renting you can then look to buy in a neighborhood that might have better public schools. I would suggest looking in Park Hill, Congress Park, Washington Park and in zip codes 80246, 80222, 80224, 80206, 80209, and 80220. In these neighborhoods you will be around schools that have scored high on CSAP testing and you will be centrally located between Aurora and CU Denver.

Craigslist is a great resource for rentals. There are also lots of resources like housinghelpers.com. Many rentals are only listed by signs in the yard. As you get closer to moving, if you can spare a weekend, I would suggest visiting, driving around different neighborhoods you have researched, and then finding a rental available then.

[Jerry Bckr]

I would look at east Denver or west Aurora. That way you're kinda half way between the tow of them. If you don't mind moving after you finish with the first school, then I would suggest finding a place as close as you can to each school. That way you could cut down on the driving, which may allow you to spend more on the rental if you need to. I agree, finding a home to rent in your price range will be tough. You'll mostly see two bedroom apartments or condos for that price. There are online rental sites for the established rental communities. You may try the Breakes, where you can get a two bedroom for just under $1,000. It's also a true gated community with many ammenities.