Moving to Denver: DIA for work...help with areas. (Aurora: to rent, new home)

[excid182]

My family and I will be moving to Denver relatively soon (February). We live in socal now and unfortunately cannot afford a home here so I am trasnferring with my job. We are looking to buy a house somewhere in the Denver area. I will be visiting in the next month to take a look around. From looking on here, I have read several good and bad things about tons of areas. First, let me let you know what our desires in a house are:

1. something below 225,000
2. good schools
3. safe neighborhoods
4. 30 min or less commute to DIA.

From researching I like Parker, Castle Rock, Littleton. Those would be on the edge of my 30 min commute. I am wondering about some other towns I really don't here much about, specificially Lochbuie. What is going on with this city? Good, bad?? Also, how is Brighton, Northglenn, and Henderson.

We are probably going to rent first just to get to know the area and what not but will be looking to buy within the next 6 months. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[wankel7]

Watch out for picking an area where you have to use the toll road...its really expensive.

[excid182]

what areas do you not need to use the toll road from my list??

[2bindenver]

$225,000 gets an older house in southern Aurora in CC schools. or northern Parker. Castle Rock may be too far south and HR may be too far west.

There are "good" schools in every district. It depends on what you think is "good."

[OutOfSoCal]

Keep in mind when it snows you will need to add some time to your drive. If you're working near DIA I would look NORTH of Denver. We are looking Thornton area certainly has most of what you listed not sure about prices, we are looking a bit higher but I am sure you'll be fine.
We loved Parker too but a bit far from potential work, right now
Good luck

[excid182]

There are "good" schools in every district. It depends on what you think is "good."


well, anything is better than southern california. there is no way i want my kids going to school out here.

how is northern parker??
how old of a house are we talking in southern aurora? 5,10,15 years old??

[excid182]

Originally Posted by OutOfSoCal

Keep in mind when it snows you will need to add some time to your drive. If you're working near DIA I would look NORTH of Denver. We are looking Thornton area certainly has most of what you listed not sure about prices, we are looking a bit higher but I am sure you'll be fine.
We loved Parker too but a bit far from potential work, right now
Good luck

how is the thornton area?? i looked in there in founds some decent homes for my price range?? did you already go take a look at this area??

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by excid182

how is northern parker??

It's fine.

Originally Posted by excid182

how old of a house are we talking in southern aurora? 5,10,15 years old??

mid 1980's?

[gyhuji]

If you're looking for new, there are many new homes around S. Aurora/E-470/Hampden, Quincy, Smokey Hill area. Centennial in the same area is nice, too, but then, you're out of your price range and property taxes are higher. My personal opinion and advice is to stay south of Iliff generally, when you're talking about Aurora, but there are some nice pockets of neighborhoods that I've found West of the I-225 around Alameda and in between Iliff and Hampden. Other neighborhoods, I believe are going to loose a lot of value in this recession we're going through. Good market for buyers, but those are old homes that might be hard to resell in the future.

To check out the toll road (it's practically traffic-free) you can google "E-470 toll calculator".

Parker can get kinda far and then you're talking about taking Parker road, w/ lights and traffic or the toll road.

There is also a city called City of Commerce. Don't know anything about it other than it's affordable and north of Denver (close to DIA).

I have a friend who lives in Thornton and works at DIA. She likes it and it takes about 30-45 minutes to get home, depending on traffic. When it snows, it's more like 60-90 minutes.

Littleton is further. But, I lived there for a while and loved the older homes.

As far as school districts, depends on what you're looking for. Test scores: Cherry Creek district. Or are you talking about ethnicity? All the schools here are generally "good" schools. I think that the Central Denver school district had problems this year because they have no air conditioning in the older buildings. Like others have said, depends on what you're looking for. I like the private or charter schools myself.

[excid182]

good info. thanks gyhuji. it's all kind of happening quick for us with moving so right now i'm just trying to find a place to rent for about 6 months until we get up there and really look into where we want to buy. what is the going rent for a 3br house in any of these cities?? i'm sure it's less than we're paying here. keep the great info coming everyone, it's very helpful as we plan everything out.