ATL to Denver - family friendly, urban neighborhoods (Center: condos, sex offenders)

[Yogiluci]

My husband is accepting a job in downtown denver and we are looking for a family friendly yet urban places to live. We live in Atlanta right now less than 5 miles away from downtown in a single family house. We can walk to several parks, cafés and restaurants. We'd like to find a similar area in Denver and hopefully buy a house. We have a 15 month old so schools aren't an immediate need but something to consider - we're hoping to have more kids, too. My only thing is I would like a Spanish preschool. We also have a dog so nearby dog parks are a plus.

Assuming our house sells quickly we should be there the first of march. What are some neighborhoods to check out/avoid? Our budget is max $300k. Our neighborhood right now is family friendly but also has it's fair share of crime so we're used to that and know to be aware.

Also, I teach yoga - any studios to recommend? (Hatha/alignment style)

I'm super excited!

[davebarnes]

wheat ridge

[Claire S.]

Hi there,

I was going to say Stapleton, but a max budget of $300K is going to be tough in that neighborhood - there are a few SFD homes that start at $300K and rowhomes and condos for that price. It is close to downtown but has lots of parks, a dog park, great schools, and tons of young children. You might consider the eastern portion of Park Hill, which has 3 bedroom homes available for under $300K and is part of Stapleton schools.

However, if you want to send your children to a Spanish immersion school, you could essentially live anywhere within Denver. The Denver Language School (https://sites.google.com/site/applytodls/) is on the east side of town are there are a few urban neighborhoods nearby like Mayfair Park, Virginia Vale and Virginia Village that provide some affordable options. DLS doesn't offer pre-school, but we used to send our son to a nearby preschool that offers a Spanish program - it's called the Crestmoor Learning Center.

Good luck!

[Tekkie]

Cheesman Park, Congress Park, Washington Park, City Park, Highlands all seem to have what you're looking for. They're all urban neighborhoods within Denver and are close to the amenities that you're referring to.

[billiken]

Originally Posted by Tekkie

Cheesman Park, Congress Park, Washington Park, City Park, Highlands all seem to have what you're looking for. They're all urban neighborhoods within Denver and are close to the amenities that you're referring to.

All good ideas, but next to nothing exists in these areas at their price point for single family homes.

I would consider looking south and west of Highland to areas that are more affordable.

[Yogiluci]

Thanks! Looking on Zillow and there seem to be some houses in East Denver. I've read mixed things about neighborhoods near East Colfax I think going towards aurora but those were on old threads. Any improvements? Thank you Claire!!!

[billiken]

Colfax itself gets a bit sketchier as you go east of Colorado Blvd, I'd say. I've got a bunch of friends that live in Hale, Hilltop and Montclair without issue though. There are some sketchy motel/hotels on Colfax that I wouldn't want to live near, otherwise things seem to clean up quickly as you remove yourself from that main road. There are also some interesting ethnic restaurants in that area (try Phoenician Kabob, on of my favs).

[Claire S.]

East Colfax (the neighborhood) is improving and home values are appreciating, but I haven't seen any positive redevelopment take place on Colfax east of Quebec Street yet. I think it will come as the residential mix improves and businesses look further east. The last five years has seem some significant improvement along Colfax between Colorado and Quebec, w/ a number of new businesses coming in like Ace Hardware, Marczyk's, and the soon to arrive Fiction Beer Company. I think the best part of this stretch are the great ethnic restaurants - Queen of Sheba, TacoMex, and Phoenician Kabob are my favorites. I would definitely follow billiken's advice and try to avoid areas close to the motels. But there are definitely some streets that I'd consider living on within a block of Colfax.

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by billiken

Colfax itself gets a bit sketchier as you go east of Colorado Blvd, I'd say. I've got a bunch of friends that live in Hale, Hilltop and Montclair without issue though. There are some sketchy motel/hotels on Colfax that I wouldn't want to live near, otherwise things seem to clean up quickly as you remove yourself from that main road. There are also some interesting ethnic restaurants in that area (try Phoenician Kabob, on of my favs).

Not to mention all the registered sex offenders on Colfax, check 9news dot com TS.

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

wheat ridge

Agreed.