Downtown Denver to DTC commute? (Glendale: appointed, rental market, transfer to)

[danadian]

Hi all. I currently live in Arizona. I am considering a job offer in Denver. I want to live in downtown Denver, near Union Station. My job would be in the DTC area. How is the commute southbound on I-25 in the morning and northbound on I-25 in the afternoon? Yes, I know light rail is an option but I prefer to drive since the Bellevue station is quite a walk/bus transfer to where I would work in the DTC area. I was recently in Denver and noticed all the I-25 construction going on/completed so I hope it's not as bad as a few years ago (when this question was asked).

[Willy702]

That route will be pretty bad, especially between 4-6pm going north. Quite often the entire drive will be slow and the middle part will be really slow. Its not really construction driven, the road is just overloaded even on Saturdays.

[RonAriba]

LoDo to Denver Tech average around +/-45 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hour and 1:30+ during snow storms. The only construction on I-25 is at 6th Avenue. Depending on where you live in Downtown you can avoid the construction by taking Broadway and Lincoln.

[jamesdenver]

Yes, it will be bad. However Belleview is the far north side of the tech center. If you choose to live in Baker, Wash Park, or anywhere a bit SE of downtown/Union Station you can take surface streets (Broadway, Downing, University) to I-25 and your commute would improve significantly.

[davidv]

Where exactly will you work?

RTD's Call n Ride is an option.

[danadian]

Thanks for the responses on traffic expectations. I would be in northern section of the DTC area. Still thinking about the move. I have a verbal offer but still waiting for the formal offer so time to think. I am really tired of my job but like Arizona (despite the heat). I know I would enjoy the seasons in Denver.

I might change my search area in Denver since I was a bit disappointed with downtown Denver (thought it would be more vibrant), and was surprised how expensive it was compared to the rest of the area (pushing 2K for a one bedroom?), but I come with high expectations on downtown areas after living in downtown Seattle and growing up near San Francisco.

The rental market seems especially tight.

[2bindenver]

Try looking near light rail either DU area, Southmoor, or Dayton. You can ride the rail to downtown.

I would avoid Colorado. But if you have to Glendale and Hale/Mayfair are other places to look.

[m0nster2]

Originally Posted by jamesdenver

Yes, it will be bad. However Belleview is the far north side of the tech center. If you choose to live in Baker, Wash Park, or anywhere a bit SE of downtown/Union Station you can take surface streets (Broadway, Downing, University) to I-25 and your commute would improve significantly.

Agree that this may be a better option... as long as you get lucky with the lights. Broadway, especially, is one of those streets where if you get stopped at one red light, you'll catch all red lights. But if it's green, it will stay green for almost all lights.

Bottom line, it's doable but it's not going to be a fast or easy commute. Hope you like podcasts or audiobooks