Moving to Denver from Seattle (Colorado Springs, Lakewood: apartments, condos, job)

[alainnamo]

I am moving to Denver from Seattle next July and I'm wondering if anyone in this forum has made the same move. I love Seattle but want to move closer to family in Colorado Springs and Denver seems somewhat comparable to the city living I'm used to.

I live (rent) in a very safe Seattle neighborhood (Ballard) about 20 minutes from downtown that has everything you need either a walk or bus ride away (movie theaters, grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurant/bars, etc). The neighborhood is safe enough to walk around day or night (within reason of course). I'm also looking for a neighborhood with a good mix of young/old but preferably on the younger/single side (I'm in my early thirties & single).

Is there a neighborhood in Denver that comes close to this?

I'm hoping to get a job in the downtown area so I can take public transportation. I don't currently have a car and would like to go as long as I can without one.

Sorry to be so longwinded but the more info the better right? Any ideas/input would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[2bindenver]

there are lots of neighborhoods that fill that bill; Lowry, Stapleton, Highlands, Wash Park, LoDo...

[karenbataglia]

If you don't have a car, it is a bit tough to get around Denver, because it is extremly spread out. The best thing is to live in Denver proper rather than any of the suburbs. Capital Hill has allot of young people but also is a high crime area. The north end of Washington Park is a great place to live, lots of young people and safe. That is the north end.

[livecontent]

I think it is very easy to get around Denver without a car; it has a great bus and train system---and you are in luck, a new and the largest expansion of the light rail system is going to open on Nov. 19, 2006. This new line, from the south and southeast will connect to downtown. Check out the Regional Transportation District home page for info: http://www.rtd-denver.com/. It will include new buses and new call and ride, from your home, to the rail stations. This is a big project and has been planned for many years called T-Rex.

In addition voters have approved a even more significant improvement to the transportation system which is planned to open in about 12-15 years. It will be rail expansion on the west, north, northwest and to the airport. It is called Fastracks.

There are many good new areas for the young single around these new stations with new apartments and condos built and planned for transit oriented development. I would suggest areas around the Denver Tech Center south to lone tree for exciting new areas or older developed areas along the light rail to the north . Also Denver Downtown is resurgent with new housing and entertainment.

I have been in for 27 years and I came from New York by way of Texas. Not only does Denver have a great transportation system but it extends very far out to the suburbs, Boulder, Longmont etc. As I get older, I do not like to drive, as much, and I use the public transportation frequently.

[Bluesky]

I would suggest checking out the Belmar area in Lakewood www.belmarcolorado.com. Zip 80226. I am a native of Co and have lived all over metro-Denver and am also 30's/single. I just moved into The Falls in Belmar and finally feel like I'm home. I would not suggest moving to Capitol Hill if you are used to a safe area in Seattle. Also, I work downtown and take public transportation and have no problem. There is a bus station right in Belmar and also several small bus stops all around. This area has everything you mentioned (and more) within walking distance. It is a hip-urban area that has loft/condo/apt complexes and lofts-over-retail. It is all new (re-developed space where shopping mall used to be). It has a pretty good mix of young professionals and retired folks. It is surrounded by establised residential neighborhoods and is very safe in my opinion. Check it out. Hope this helps.

[Gina23]

i live in the highlands... i'm 27, not married, no chirrens... best 'hood EVER!