Potential Relo to Golden (Denver, Lakewood: sales, rental, townhouse)

[AirborneVespa]

I will be interviewing at the end of the month for a position located in Golden. It is just my wife and myself (though my brother and father live in Longmont). We currently reside in Butte, MT so the weather there is a non-issue (I walk a mile to and from work every day, including -35 degree days). Similar climate to Butte as well - hot and dry, or cold and dry, but nice and sunny much of the time.

I've lived in DC, SoCal, etc, so I understand that while housing costs in the Denver area are high, they are nothing like the DC or SoCal area (of course they are much worse than Butte, where we have a 3500 SF Victorian mansion built in 1905 that is in perfect shape and cost less than $125,000.

Of course it is also Butte and while we both like it here, there isn't much for my wife (who is European and has a PhD in design) to do.

Add to that I'd likely take a small pay cut with the new job in CO, though we'd be able to add to our income by her working.

I see, however, that we could not afford to buy in Golden. Our price range is about $350k tops. I also abhor a commute (see above re: walking to work). I could commute 30 minutes I guess and deal with it.

We looked at some homes (online) west on Hwy 72 and in that area that claim a 30 minute commute to Golden. Feasible? Even in winter?

What about reverse commuting from Denver to Golden?

The sales tax (gotten so used to having none in MT) will be a hit, too.

The job is a dream job (on paper at least, will meet and interview later this month) and the added bonus of the wife being able to work in her field (potentially) is a plus - and we have visited Denver and like it a lot. But the COL is a definite concern, as is the commute and places to live.

I would also like to try to buy almost immediately, as finding a place for two people plus two dogs plus ....well....a house and garage and shop full of crap to rent and then be in a rental situation for some time is a detractor as well.

Yes I'm rambling...but thoughts? Advice? My job here in Butte is perfect but after 2 years and my wife finding absolutely nothing in her field it's starting to wear on her happiness.

Thanks

[mic111]

I would go for something like this:
17203 W 16th Pl, Golden, CO 80401 | Zillow

There are pockets of Golden that fit your budget.

If you want to look further out I would look south into Lakewood near Green Mountain. Something like this:
http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale...3_zm/?view=map
or
http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale...3_zm/?view=map
Nothing worse than driving east in the morning into the sun or west in the evening. Try for a north/south commute if you have one.

[2bindenver]

Golden or Lakewood, maybe Wheat Ridge - is work close to light rail? RTD

[Mike from back east]

IIRC there's a light rail line serving the Golden area, might obviate some / much of your commuting issues, and her's as well.

[ALStafford]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

IIRC there's a light rail line serving the Golden area, might obviate some / much of your commuting issues, and her's as well.

There is kinda-sorta-not really light rail to Golden. There's a stop at the Jeffco County Government center, but that's it. If the job isn't with county government, it is possible to take light rail then a bus to wherever the job site might be. Even then, there's very few buses, and using the Golden Call and Ride would be best. Since the OP was asking about living up Coal Creek Canyon (OP, that's Highway 72), there's a regional bus that also stops at Highways 72 and 93 that goes into Golden.

[AirborneVespa]

Thanks.

I really don't want to take light rail, or a bus. After living in DC for 15 years I'm done with public transportation (though it's great! Go Public transportation!). I really prefer to drive (since I can't walk), or motorbike it, but would prefer keeping that under 30 minutes (a true 30 minutes, not the realtor's 30 minutes).

I appreciate the replies so far.

[2bindenver]

Stay within 10 miles of work.

p.s. I had no idea that Realtor time was different than anyone else. After 26 years of service, I learned something new!

[AirborneVespa]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Stay within 10 miles of work.

p.s. I had no idea that Realtor time was different than anyone else. After 26 years of service, I learned something new!

Ha. I saw a house listed and asked a buddy who lives near it actually. The realtor time was 30 minutes to downtown Golden. He said sure - at 2 am, on a cloudless summer night, with the entire Denver metro area evacuated for the plague and no cars on the road. Otherwise it's an hour.

[2bindenver]

I have a lot of posts here. So I do not recommend looking at all of them. But nobody here would ever suggest I exaggerate on commute times. I am most conservative. I embrace the work to live, rather than the live to work lifestyle.

DC's transit subway system may be bigger, but Denver's light rail is nicer. I know because I was born and raised there.

[Claire S.]

Lakewood is going to be your best bet and provide the most options under $350K. Arvada is also nearby and has some options in your budget. Both of these options keep your commute short and provide your spouse a solid home base for her job search.