How is Lakewood? (Denver, Aurora, Littleton: crime rate, employment, neighborhoods)

[wadefox]

Hello,

My wife, son, and I are considering a move to Lakewood. We live in Oakland, Ca, right now, but my wife is from Denver. Lakewood seems like a nice place, but I'd like to hear what people think who live there or have moved there. What are the pluses and minuses? Also, what are the areas with nice elementary schools and neighborhoods.

Thanks.

Wade Fox

[2bindenver]

I moved here from Sunnyvale, CA in 1989. Lakewood is much better than Oakland (are you going to be okay in Bronco Country?) as far as atmosphere, quality of life...

Define "nice". What are you looking for in schools and neighborhoods?

Belmar is the new hot neighborhood in Lakewood. New urbanism, live/work/shop/eat/bowl at Alameda & Wadsworth.

[Kramersbaby]

We moved to Lakewood in July of last year and after many hours on the internet it seemed that Lakewood is the best of a variety of everything Denver and the surrounding areas have to offer. The thing that made me happy when we got here was that we were 10 mins from everywhere. Wal-mart, k-mart, downtown Denver, Golden, and most important the wonderful Rocky Mountains. My husband is an industrial electrician, he had 5 job offers before we got here and 11 after we got here. (I think he has settled in to the one he is going to keep), It took me two weeks to find a permanent position in a different field than what I was used to. Nothing in my field but found a job that I really am in to. Lakewood has alot to offer and if you can't find what you are looking for just remember you are only ten mins away from a solution. LOL . I have to share a story about moving here, two weeks before we left I was watching COPS on Late night. Denver and Aurora was on. That could have been why I stayed away from Denver and South of Denver. Didn't want to be on Cops Good luck to you and your Family I hope you enjoy it here as much as my husband and I do.

[AnitaB]

Hello,
A San Diego transplant here!
My husband and I live in Littleton...but just a little bit south of Lakewood. Close to 285 and Wadsworth, zip code 80123. Its just wonderful we love it. The SW mall is within walking distance and there are lots of stores and resturants all around us. We have a beautiful view of the mountains plus we over look a golf course. The people here are very friendly and the crime rate seems very low in this area.
But no matter where you choose to live, I think you'll love Colorado.
AnitaB

[Flarider]

Hey Kramersbaby, I am also a Master Electrician looking to make the move to Denver. I am currently working at Kennedy Space Center, I have been there for 20 years and am trying to get back to Colorado.(I used to live near Steamboat Springs). If you have any good info on employment opportunities for an experienced electrician, give me a holler. It would be greatly appreciated. I will feel better about moving if I have a job when I get there. Thanks.

[wadefox]

Thanks for all your responses. It looks like we will be moving there in June.