wanting to move to Littleton (Denver, Colorado Springs: apartments, renting, job market)

[mhurst11]

Hi there ~
I've read several posts about renting and all were just a little (understatement) out of my price range.
I am looking to move while the weather is nice in Littleton, that way I can acclimate to the cold when it arrives, whether it be this summer or next. Come to think of it, I actually have two questions:
1) is it possible to find a decent apartment/garage apt less than 800/mo that is pet friendly, and
2) what is the job market like for administrative work ie is it a tight market right now or plentiful?
I am not assuming Littleton has problematic neighborhoods like here in Houston so please forgive me if I sound jaded by using the word 'decent' - guess I've been a city girl too long!

[Snikt]

Where in Littleton? Littleton is pretty huge if you count the unincorporated areas

$800 is probably the bare minimum you can find something for, at least that I personally would consider decent. I would say 900-1000 is more reasonable

[mhurst11]

Thank you for the reply, Snikt. My goal is to attend Bel-Rea next spring/summer. I wanted to live south/southwest of Denver. My only knowledge of Colorado is skiing there (Copper/Breckenridge/Keystone) and visiting Colorado Springs. I am open to any information I can get my hands on.
800 is about the 'decent' going rate here in Houston as well though if you look hard enough you are able to find acceptable apts just shy of 700. Jobs are tight here, both for the young and mature job seeker.

[Snikt]

That's where I currently live, I'm moving in a couple days to an even more southwest Littleton location (Kipling and C-470).

Apartment rates have been on the rise here pretty drastically due to demand. I would recommend buying, but I understand that can be hard if just moving and you don't want to put down roots yet. I would say 800-900 a month for an apartment is doable.

Bel-rea looks like it's in south-east Denver. Just FYI that would probably be a pretty sucky commute, right now taking traffic into account Google say 50 minutes. That's also while dry, not snowing, etc.. For bad snow conditions you can double, or triple the time, so that could be a 2+ hour commute on bad snow days

Depending on where, you'd have to do something like C-470 to I-25 through DTC, to I-225. Those are some of the highest traffic areas during rush hour.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Are you talking about the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology? That's nowhere near Littleton, so curious why you are asking about Littleton. Personally I love Littleton, but it would be a bit far to commute and I bet you could find decent places in your price range to live closer to school.

[Chaser199]

I've lived the Littleton area and I lived in the Houston area. No neighborhood in Littleton will come near to being "bad" by Houston standards. I'd venture to say that you'd be safe anywhere in Littleton.

I onced lived in an apartment near Hampden Road and Kipling (Denver mailing address but near Lakewood, Englewood, & Littleton). Forgot the name, but really nice apartments.

[mhurst11]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Are you talking about the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology? That's nowhere near Littleton, so curious why you are asking about Littleton. Personally I love Littleton, but it would be a bit far to commute and I bet you could find decent places in your price range to live closer to school.

Good morning, Dreaming of Hawaii, and thank you for your reply. Yes, I am talking about Bel-Rea in Denver. This is good to know that Littleton might be a little further out than I realized. I understand it is a nice place to live and it appealed to my senses as far as what I look for in a community. But, I hate driving! I appreciate your input. Thanks!

[mhurst11]

Originally Posted by Snikt

That's where I currently live, I'm moving in a couple days to an even more southwest Littleton location (Kipling and C-470).

Apartment rates have been on the rise here pretty drastically due to demand. I would recommend buying, but I understand that can be hard if just moving and you don't want to put down roots yet. I would say 800-900 a month for an apartment is doable.

Bel-rea looks like it's in south-east Denver. Just FYI that would probably be a pretty sucky commute, right now taking traffic into account Google say 50 minutes. That's also while dry, not snowing, etc.. For bad snow conditions you can double, or triple the time, so that could be a 2+ hour commute on bad snow days

Depending on where, you'd have to do something like C-470 to I-25 through DTC, to I-225. Those are some of the highest traffic areas during rush hour.

Wow - well, I did not take into account driving in snow. I Googled from Denver to Littleton and it indicated 20 mins in good driving conditions so I counted on it being at least closer to half an hour's commute (with good driving conditions). Going on your comment along with the others, I am thinking it would work out better for my stress level to live as close to Denver as possible.
This may sound too accommodating but I do revolve a lot of my time around my pets, especially the dogs. I don't like leaving them alone for long stretches. Maybe Littleton After I complete schooling!
Thank you so much for your insightful input.

[mhurst11]

Originally Posted by Chaser199

I've lived the Littleton area and I lived in the Houston area. No neighborhood in Littleton will come near to being "bad" by Houston standards. I'd venture to say that you'd be safe anywhere in Littleton.

I onced lived in an apartment near Hampden Road and Kipling (Denver mailing address but near Lakewood, Englewood, & Littleton). Forgot the name, but really nice apartments.

I will be travelling to Denver this summer - I will definitely be looking around for suitable apts - I'll check this out too. Thanks, Chaser199!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

You should look at a map to see where Bel-Rae is located. Hampden and Kipling is even further than Littleton. also, you said you Googled the distance from "Denver" and it said 20 minutes. Did you use a specific address in Denver for that search?

Anyway, look at a map and see where in Denver Bel-Rae is located (it is way east) then do a padmapper search for apartments in the adjoining neighbors. That way you'll have some idea of where to start looking when you arrive.