good areas in N. Denver? (Thornton, Broomfield: apartment complex, big house, neighborhoods)

[ld86]

We are considering a move to Northglenn -- currently we're in Indiana. Any advice on areas to avoid? We are looking for housing around $250K, hopefully in a newer suburb. Thanks!

[Katarina Witt]

Northglenn is a pretty old suburb, though there might be some new areas. You could meet your price there, I think.

[b.adams]

Perhaps you would want to check our the reunion development in commerce city.

Its pretty new and has some pretty nice amenities. Its north of the older commerce city and its actually got some views ... but still pretty convienient to lots of things.

[denverian]

I was driving around Northglen the other day (hadn't been in Northglen since '96) and I was shocked by how dumpy it seems. Thornton and Federal Heights too. I went into the grocery store and everyone seemed middle-aged to old, in wheelchairs, on oxygen or if they were young, looked like drugged losers. The other weird thing about this area is how slow it's seemed to develop. For instance, neighborhoods with small houses from the '60s, then a trailer park, then an open field, then a new apartment complex, another open field. And a lot of the strip malls have gone downhill with check cashing places, dollar stores, tattoo parlors, etc. This whole part of town just seems depressing to me.

[oberon]

People have to live somewhere.. and for now the north metro, especially east of I-25, is cheap. But some areas would probably benefit from renewal programs.

Is there really anything wrong with having small houses from the 60s?

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by oberon

People have to live somewhere.. and for now the north metro, especially east of I-25, is cheap. But some areas would probably benefit from renewal programs.

Is there really anything wrong with having small houses from the 60s?

No. We need diversity in our housing stock.

[tfox]

North Metro is pretty affordable, but I'd personally stay away from much of Adams county south of about 104th, down to the Denver line. (Although this doesn't apply to aforementioned Reunion and the other new subdivisions on the far side of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal) Jefferson County is good (that's to the west), and Adams County north of 104th is all right. The newer stuff in Adams County is around 136th.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by oberon

People have to live somewhere.. and for now the north metro, especially east of I-25, is cheap. But some areas would probably benefit from renewal programs.

Is there really anything wrong with having small houses from the 60s?

There is nothing wrong with houses from the 1960's or 50's 0r 40's 0r 30's etc. These type of houses served a basic housing need and still serve that quite well.

It is curious that in these small houses, bigger families were raised, and in the bigger houses today, smaller families are raised.

Many people do not need big houses. Oh, they think they do because they want to keep up with everybody else. You do not have to keep up with your neighbors.

A small house requires less energy to heat, less land and serves the needs of those who need, who want a smaller property to maintain.

Today in many cities, people are returning to these small type bungalows and smaller houses in different eras. That is good that these smaller older homes are being maintained, remodeled and fine a use in a new generation.

A renewal program is not just about tearing it all down and putting up expensive housing for the new rich. It is also about giving incentives to people of modest income to upkeep and maintain the older smaller housing.

We are building many new large homes and we need to maintain smaller homes for diversified needs.

Livecontent

[wannakatana]

Originally Posted by denverian

I went into the grocery store and everyone seemed middle-aged to old, in wheelchairs

What exactly bothers you about middle-aged or senior citizens? Maybe if and when you need a wheelchair or oxygen, you will see things differently.

[ld86]

Thank you all for your input. We are looking at the area this weekend. We have no problem with the smaller, older areas, but are hoping to find newer housing simply because it is easier for upkeep. I am leaning towards Thornton or Broomfield, but we'll see. Any other insights would be appreciated!