Golden is ranked as EXCEPTIONALLY LIVABLE (Denver, Lakewood: real estate, crime rates, how much)

[Katarina Witt]

^^I have lived in Colorado since 1980, moved to Boulder County in 1982. I would say there was that mindset in Boulder (but not Louisville) in the early 80s among some people. It's still that way today for some. However, there are a lot of people in Boulder who work in Denver and the burbs, and were even then. My spouse worked at the Denver West office complex, which even in 1980 had a Golden address. Later, he worked at 6th and Indiana, which also was called "Golden". I know neither of these places is within the Golden city limits. I was a visiting nurse for Lutheran Medical Center (now Exempla Lutheran, I believe) in Wheat Ridge in the mid-80s (approx 1985-87). I had patients in Golden. They all had doctors on staff at Lutheran, most of whom were in Wheat Ridge, Arvada and Lakewood. Golden was never *totally* cut off from the rest of the metro. Yes, patients usually used "Mom and Pop" pharmacies in Golden rather than the big chains a few miles away in Lakewood, but it's common for people to use the closest drug store.

[Good Red Road]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

From Golden you have good access to all the I-70 ski areas, and you don't have to drive across Denver. You'll be up in the foothills in a few minutes, then on into the mtns shortly thereafter.

I'll second this. OP, don't underestimate the heavy weekend traffic into the mountains in both Winter and Summer. Living in Golden gives you a huge head start. Good Luck.

[Good Red Road]

Originally Posted by pikabike

Boulderites back then, as well as Goldenites, made a clear distinction between themselves and the Denver burbians. Of course, the sprawl was blurring the lines even then.

Boulder and Golden didn't start out as suburbs but have clearly ended up that way. The war is lost, time marches on!

I imagine Nederland, Lyons and Evergreen are next on the hit list. jk

[pikabike]

I never said Golden was cut off from Denver metro, only that residents tended to identify as "from Golden" even when talking to people from outside of the area. Not as "Denver area". This held true for both in-city-limits residents and those outside the city limits. Similar situation with Boulderites, some of whom considered themselves superior for living in Boulder. No joking.

[cowboyxjon]

It really depends on what you are looking for and what is important for retirement.

Pros:
* Small(er) town feel
* Relatively safe
* Somewhat walkable if you live near downtown
* Minimal traffic (within town) unless it's a weekend
* Nice views of the foothills and north/south Table Mountain
* Nice bike paths, walking trails, and Clear Creek flows through town

Cons:
* Transit access, though it might also be a "Pro" depending on who you talk to since there are bus and rail options; I'm disappointed that the light rail line doesn't end in downtown Golden, though there is a Call and Ride that services the light rail station, which is outside of downtown Golden.
* The cost of housing is expensive compared to other areas
* It's not in the mountains and not adjacent to skiing, though skiing is not THAT far away
* Sometimes there is an odor from Coors brewery
* Nearest hospital/ER is in Lakewood, near the Federal Center (I think? Correct me if I'm wrong)

I'm one of those folks who has a Golden mailing address, but technically I live in Unincorporated Jefferson County, just east of the City of Golden boundary. I shop, hang out, and visit Golden proper very often.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by cowboyxjon

It really depends on what you are looking for and what is important for retirement.

Pros:
* Small(er) town feel
* Relatively safe
* Somewhat walkable if you live near downtown
* Minimal traffic (within town) unless it's a weekend
* Nice views of the foothills and north/south Table Mountain
* Nice bike paths, walking trails, and Clear Creek flows through town

Cons:
* Transit access, though it might also be a "Pro" depending on who you talk to since there are bus and rail options; I'm disappointed that the light rail line doesn't end in downtown Golden, though there is a Call and Ride that services the light rail station, which is outside of downtown Golden.
* The cost of housing is expensive compared to other areas
* It's not in the mountains and not adjacent to skiing, though skiing is not THAT far away
* Sometimes there is an odor from Coors brewery
* Nearest hospital/ER is in Lakewood, near the Federal Center (I think? Correct me if I'm wrong)

I'm one of those folks who has a Golden mailing address, but technically I live in Unincorporated Jefferson County, just east of the City of Golden boundary. I shop, hang out, and visit Golden proper very often.

The #16 bus runs all the way from downtown Golden to downtown Denver. When I used it, there was a standard 16 (mostly on Colfax and made lots of stops), a 16L (with fewer stops, "limited"), and a 16X (express route that picked up Sixth Ave. Freeway and therefore had no stops except at the ends).

I lived both in the unincorporated Jeffco part of Golden and within Golden city limits, in different years. Even in the unincorporated part, houses cost more than Green Mountain (Lakewood) houses just over the line.

[PepperDenise]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

It would be an understatement to say Golden has an interesting history to it!

I like Golden, always have. Do a Google search on Golden, Colorado pictures and you will see the big sign that is over the main drag when coming into downtown--"Howdy Folks! Welcome To Golden!" You won't see anything like that in the Denver suburbs. Speaking of which, don't ever refer to Golden as a suburb of Denver to one of the locals because they will set you straight regarding its history. And it's a colorful history dating back to the mid 1850's. They were originally one of a group of mining camps during the "Pikes Peak Gold Rush" days.

They have three very notable employers in Golden. 1. One of the top engineering colleges in the United States is there-Colorado School Of Mines. 2. They are home to the National Earthquake Information Center. 3. Home to Coors Brewery, which employees thousands of people.

Local tourism? A short jaunt to I-70 brings you to the Mother Cabrini Shrine and also William "Buffalo Bill" Cody's grave site. And just down the hill from there is the road that leads you to Central City, one of the most noted mining towns in Colorado. Casinos rule there now.

I haven't been through Golden in some time as I live on the western slope so I'll let the other posters weigh in on housing costs, schools, etc.

Wonderful information..and yikes, the last thing we want is to be in a "suburb" of anything

[PepperDenise]

Hmmm

[PepperDenise]

Originally Posted by pikabike

Yes. I lived in Golden for about 9 years. Even when it was a sleepy little town, it still wasn't exactly cheap. Once massive development infested the city, there was only one way prices were going to head overall. The quality of life went downhill, too. As long as access to skier highways is the top priority, that might not matter. But the character of the city changed from being a standalone small town with its own identity (i.e., not a Denver suburb) to being a commuter suburb. Not entirely, but far more than it was earlier. Sounds like the OP wants a suburb near a ski resort area. Maybe Dillon or Frisco.

Hmmm

[PepperDenise]

Originally Posted by Good Red Road

I'll second this. OP, don't underestimate the heavy weekend traffic into the mountains in both Winter and Summer. Living in Golden gives you a huge head start. Good Luck.

Ok, I think I get it...Golden, still appears, to me, to be "Golden". Thank you all.