Reunion or Buffalo Run? (Denver, Commerce City: jobs, housing, subdivision)

[rvtsahm]

Need a somewhat easy commute for hubbie to his job (225 & Colfax) but want a nice clean safe family area (we have 2 small children). He doesn't mind using the toll road. I was looking at Reunion, Buffalo Run area (around 112th & Chambers) but I have not been there in person. What's it like? What other areas should I consider that would be a reasonable commute for my husband? I am not familiar with the NE suburbs, only the very south ones.

[jwiley]

Reunion and Buffalo run are basically the same area, they are both considered the new area of commerce city (which has never had a good reputation). Overall they both seem to be safe neighborhoods and decent suburbs, however if you go to that area make sure you are in the Brighton school district as it is much better than the commerce city district.

A couple of areas you should look into are Bennet (which is a smaller town that has plenty of growing subdivisions and decent schools) they are about 20 minutes from 225 and Colfax, and I would look real hard at the Brighton area.

[rvtsahm]

Originally Posted by jwiley

Reunion and Buffalo run are basically the same area, they are both considered the new area of commerce city (which has never had a good reputation). Overall they both seem to be safe neighborhoods and decent suburbs, however if you go to that area make sure you are in the Brighton school district as it is much better than the commerce city district.

A couple of areas you should look into are Bennet (which is a smaller town that has plenty of growing subdivisions and decent schools) they are about 20 minutes from 225 and Colfax, and I would look real hard at the Brighton area.

Yeah, I haven't heard too much good stuff about the new Commerce City. Oh well, scratch that from the list. Funny you should mention Bennett- I was just thinking maybe that might be an option. Could maybe get some land there. I will add Brighton to the list too. Thanks.

[2bindenver]

I-70 past the airport road will be closed several times a year due to snow and blowing snow.

Bennett is a very small town.

Reunion and Buffalo Run are nice subdivisions in an up and coming suburb. Don't let its past, as farmland and industrial, history dissuade you from investigating further. Unlike other suburbs, there are "jobs" in Commerce City, it is not solely a bedroom community.

[slowlazygc]

rvt,

reunion is a well designed community, but the bad is ... it is in commerce city. not the brightest of ideas.

[tfox]

I have a friend who moved to reunion. They absolutely love it, and seem to have tons of friends in the neighborhood. From what they've said, it seems quite friendly, which is atypical these days.

From my perspective, it seems WAY out there (and it is), but, on the other hand, I-76 is not all that crowded, so one can make it there from downtown in 30 minutes if traffic isn't bad.

Being in Commerce City doesn't seem to bother anyone. It's very far from the old industrial parts of commerce city, with a huge wildlife refuge in-between. Reunion is far closer to DIA than it is to the refineries.

[jwiley]

Originally Posted by tfox

I have a friend who moved to reunion. They absolutely love it, and seem to have tons of friends in the neighborhood. From what they've said, it seems quite friendly, which is atypical these days.

From my perspective, it seems WAY out there (and it is), but, on the other hand, I-76 is not all that crowded, so one can make it there from downtown in 30 minutes if traffic isn't bad.

Being in Commerce City doesn't seem to bother anyone. It's very far from the old industrial parts of commerce city, with a huge wildlife refuge in-between. Reunion is far closer to DIA than it is to the refineries.

It is not the fact that it is in commerce city that concerns most people I know in the area, it is the fact that it is in commerce city school district that many of them have the problem with, several of the families I know use their friends addresses across the school district lines to get their kids into Brighton School district.

overall I would agree with you that the area is friendly, and seems to attract young families, I personally lived across I-76 from that area for several years at 112th and highway 85, and loved it, but we were in the Brighton school district.

As for Bennet, they do close I-70 along that stretch a couple of times a year, however it is usually due to the area further east, and the lack of facilities that many of the small towns have in the case someone were to get stranded.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by jwiley

It is not the fact that it is in commerce city that concerns most people I know in the area, it is the fact that it is in commerce city school district that many of them have the problem with, several of the families I know use their friends addresses across the school district lines to get their kids into Brighton School district.

My Reunion friends are also in Brighton school district and seem to think that it's a good district, but I don't have any real info about that.

[COImmigrant]

I live in Reunion. It is closer to living in Brighton than to living in Commerce City (The Commerce City that has a bad reputation is just as far away if not farther than Brighton). Reunion is a wonderful place for children and families. It also has some of the last affordable new housing options in the Denver Metro area. The area doesn't have a grocery store yet (the nearest is in Brighton 7 miles away), but Reunion is starting to get the infrastructure to support more retail developement. It already has some fast food, a gas station, and a few other small business. It is in the Brighton area 27J school district. Many of my neighbors like the schools out here, but he school district has poor standardized test results. Reunion has a new charter school that many of the parents in the area are very excited about. You pay higher fees living in Reunion than in many of the nearby subdivisions, but there are advantages. Living in Reunion, you have a community recreation center with a summertime pool, lots of nice parks close enough to walk to, the new charter school is in walking distance, and many free seasonal parties that the builder hosts for the residents. My kids love to go to these. Unfortunately, the 27J school district (Brighton, parts of Commerce city, and nearby ares) constantly ask the tax payers in the area for more money (to solve overcrowding) and we have some of the highest taxes in the Denver metro area because of it. If we lived in another area, we would likely pay half as much in taxes. Overall, the neighborhoods are great, the people are great, the new housing is still affordable, there are some wonderful neighborhood perks, but the taxes are high and the school district is not very good. Everywhere you look at will have some disadvantages. You just have to decide what you are willing to live with.

[gek]

I live there too.
Yep, high taxes and the 27J schools are awful. And you'll have to drive a ways to get to any amenities. But home prices are very low right now.

Adams-12 has better schools just a few miles to the west.