Arvada Info -- aka Does anyone live in Arvada? (Denver: extended stay, to rent)

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by livecontent

I have lived in Arvada for 25 years. It has many quiet areas with minimal traffic. It varies from older homes, near old town in the east to newer homes in Westwood to the west. Arvada is defined by Ralston Creek which runs through the area.

The older area in the east has a huge meandering treed park that goes along the creek. Old town Arvada is being developed with dense housing with lofts and row homes. This will be built around the new commuter station which will be built along the Gold Line.

As you go west into Arvada, the homes get newer with many parks. Going further will take you into Ralston Valley with the creeks and parks running from the foothills. West of Indiana is defined as the Westwood area, because of the golf course, has many newer homes.

There are very nice homes, shopping along 80th and Wadsworth and near Lake Arbor. I once lived in that area and it has great amenities, golf courses, parks, good shopping. This area would border Westminster.

Arvada does not have the excitement or uniqueness of Boulder or the newness of the South towns. Retail development has not been hugely established. Because of this less traffic. It has more trees, water,creeks and bike paths that go through the area and connect parks and recreation centers. Great place to raise a family, being elderly and secure and safe newer homes for singles in a community that has its' own space, close to the mountains with good views.

If you are looking for the excitement of bar scenes, this is not the place. However, Arvada has one of the largest Performing Arts Center in the Area. It is a nice place to come home to and have easy access to the mountains, Boulder, Golden, and very close to Downtown Denver.

I am trying to think of areas that I would avoid---there are not any real slums or defined bad areas. There are small areas that would be less liked, but more for the changing gentrification homes that need some repair. The area in the Northwest Part of Arvada is more of this nature but is changing so rapidly with newer infill developments. Arvada has many affluent and higher income areas next and mixed with other lower cost areas that boundaries are not always that clear---but very high crime areas--it does not come to me.

I grew up in New York and my elderly parents live here in west Arvada. It feels to them like a small town where they can easily shop and get a fast bus to gambling in Black Hawk and Central City. It is one of the few areas in the Denver Metro that developed as a small farming community and it can feel like a little community.

I also had a house in West Arvada when it was less developed. There are still many horse stables, some cattle and farms. My parents home sits on a greenbelt to the mountains, on Ralston creek, and there are horses in the back, some deer roam down the mountains, seen hawks owls, once a bear, a couple a times mountain lions(but many years ago-but where deer go, they follow)--I even seen some people pannig for gold in the creek--as it was the first place gold was discovered in Colorado. If they ever found any, I am sure they would not tell.

The table top mountain around Golden can be seen clearly from West Arvada and it is a short trip, through county country roads to the center of town and Coors brewing and the uniqueness of Main Street.

I like it because it is easy to get to downtown with good bus transportation and the prospect of the Commuter Line Being Built. It is just south of Boulder and it is a great drive along the front range and you can easily go up Eldorado Canyon , where mountain climbers practice their skills.

The parks and bicycle paths are great. It is very close to the newer growth areas in Northwest Denver, as in Highland and Berkley, I live just on the east side of Arvada, near Denver and I can drive to downtown in 15 minutes but I generally take a bus.

I like to go to Old town and walk around the antique stores, eat some lunch, go along the creek, go to the new downtown library, watch the fountains in the square. In the West there are large ballfields and soccer fields and it is a pleasure to catch a local game. After, there are many long established, local owned restaurants to go and argue about who was the best players.

I live near the performing arts center, I take some classes, attend musical performances. There are many classes for children and adults.

Oh, I am retired and I just spend my day, relishing and not measuring time.

Yea, I am meandering in my thought about Arvada--I hope this helps.

I really enjoyed reading your comments about Arvada. I to am looking at both Arvada and Westminster

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by Ignatz

Wow, livecontent, what a great posting. Not rambly-just comprehensive!

How long does it take to get to Boulder from different parts of Arvada? My husband is a service tech whose work is mainly in Boulder and Longmont. We're looking to move somewhere a lot closer to his work than Greeley, where we are now. Boulder itself is out of the question because of price, of course, and I'd rather live closer to Denver than Longmont. So I'm thinking Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield, Wheat Ridge??

Driving from West Arvada up 72 to 93 takes about 15 minutes to Table Mesa. Areas from Arvada near Wadsworth can take about 40 minutes.

[livecontent]

I do not want to give the impression that Arvada breathes excitement all the time. It is mostly a very conservation suburbs that is near many attractions along the front range. It does have the largest recreation center in the metro area, the Apex Center, on West 72, past ward road, great schools, nice parks, many equestrian centers on the west side.

It is mostly a quiet nice suburbia of Denver. It does have many older homes that break up the newer developments and it has many long term Colorado Residents.

It does not have the greatest shopping and that is a severe problem for the town because Arvadans leave the city to shop and give taxes to other areas. It has never developed a mall. Plans for it were blocked many years ago.

It has just opened the first hotel about 60 days ago. It has no motels. Think about that in a city this size.

It does not have a hospital--nearest is Lutheran in Wheat Ridge and St. Anthony, which is closing on West 20th in Lakewood. I think this is a serious deficiency and as Arvada grows west, it will become more of a problem.

This city has over 100,000 people, you can see how development was stifled in the past by a stubborn populace. It failed terribly to acquire new lands to the Northeast that were grabbed by Westminster. So all main shopping is in Westminster.

I70 was built for many years but the city, only about 10 years ago developed Kipling to access the highway from the north. Before, one had to go through side streets to get to this nearest highway.

It has just recently got pass a stubborn populace and built more east and west access roads--west 72 and the extension of Ralston to Sheridan. For years it wanted to be left out of the flow of commerce.

This has caused problems in developing white collar offices and industrial parks because of the cities failure to become more aggressive in development and building access to the town.

I know some of you would say that is why Arvada is so charming and has little traffic--and you would be right. But it has a cost and that is the reduction in tax revenues. The city is trying very hard to change course and attract more development and at the same time maintain the characteristics that make it Arvada.

You guessed it Arvada does not have a Walmart--I can hear the cheers but a new one in being built on the edge of the city in Westminster and that is where the people of Arvada will shop and give up the taxes.

I just wanted to be realistic about this town and give you some of the negatives.

[DannyBanany]

I know Arvada is a suburb north of Denver, but is it considered to be generally nice like Highlands Ranch and Broomfield? Or is it more of an industrial, dirty town? I'm looking for the classic "suburbia" setting for a neighborhood and Arvada seems like it is in a nice location. No major highway runs through it like most other towns. It is between Boulder and Denver, which is very nice because I want easy access to city and mountains. Also, a view of the Rockies is a BIG PLUS!

Can someone give some details and opinions on Arvada?

Thanks!

[FoRuMRideR420]

check this thread
http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...ve-arvada.html

[DannyBanany]

On the above thread, someone mentioned the "Gold Line" station being built in Arvada. Is this similar to the light rail that goes into downtown Denver from the South Metro?

If so, I may be able to work downtown while living in Arvada!

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

On the above thread, someone mentioned the "Gold Line" station being built in Arvada. Is this similar to the light rail that goes into downtown Denver from the South Metro?

If so, I may be able to work downtown while living in Arvada!

You are probably referring to me, I am a big advocate of public transportation, you will see my comments al over the forum.

The Gold Line going into Arvada will not be a light rail line, it will be heavy commuter rail, specifically, Electric Motorized Units (EMU). That is because there are newer requirements for safety since the original light rail was built in Denver and in order for it to have a separate track, running along freight lines, the cars must be heavier to resist accidents.

See FasTracks Home for all the information about the built out of the transportation system in the Denver Metro Area.

Go to The Regional Transportation District Home Page for information on all current bus routes and light rail lines.

Yes, you can easily go to Downtown from Arvada on public transportation, there are numerous local routes and many express routes that run from neighborhoods and park n' rides. I have lived in Arvada for many years and I have worked downtown for years--I have always taken public transportation. When, the new commuter rail will be built, there will also be an increase in feeder bus lines to the stations and it will make commuting much easier. Fastracks is not only about building rail lines, it is also about increasing local buses, bus rapid transit, increased park n.ride and more call n,ride services. The Gold Line to Arvada is expected to be completed by 2015. There is a strong possibility that it will be completed a few years earlier because it has been designated a test route for a private built out by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Definitely go to the thread that ForumRider has suggested, http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...ve-arvada.html. You will find my outspoken comments about Arvada.

For further information on Getting around without a car, go to this thread that I started http://www.city-data.com/forum/denve...ng-denver.html

Arvada is not Highland Ranch. Arvada has been established for years, it was the first place gold was founded in Colorado. It has a tradition of a separate algricultural community. It has one of the few Old Town section in the Denver area. You will see new housing, old housing, mixed with algriculture and livestock. It is noted for extensive parks and trails. It has never been a heavy industrial area--it is home to some light industrial areas.

You are right to notice that many highways have not gone through Arvada. This has helped it to maintain a somewhat quieter and rural feel but at the expense of commerce and shopping. You can read about this in the forum that was mentioned.

I hope this help,

Livecontent

[DannyBanany]

Thank you livecontent!

I would be interested in a somewhat newer area of Arvada near some conveniences like a bank, grocery store, etc. I do not need to live next to a mall and a theater. I don't mind driving to Flatirons or even Denver for all that stuff. I just want to live in a quieter, friendly setting of the Front Range that is not right next to a Turnpike!

I will definitely keep Arvada under consideration!

[steveco.]

I think every thread like this should be referenced to the colorado barbie thread

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by livecontent

I do not want to give the impression that Arvada breathes excitement all the time. It is mostly a very conservation suburbs that is near many attractions along the front range. It does have the largest recreation center in the metro area, the Apex Center, on West 72, past ward road, great schools, nice parks, many equestrian centers on the west side.

It is mostly a quiet nice suburbia of Denver. It does have many older homes that break up the newer developments and it has many long term Colorado Residents.

It does not have the greatest shopping and that is a severe problem for the town because Arvadans leave the city to shop and give taxes to other areas. It has never developed a mall. Plans for it were blocked many years ago.

It has just opened the first hotel about 60 days ago. It has no motels. Think about that in a city this size.

It does not have a hospital--nearest is Lutheran in Wheat Ridge and St. Anthony, which is closing on West 20th in Lakewood. I think this is a serious deficiency and as Arvada grows west, it will become more of a problem.

This city has over 100,000 people, you can see how development was stifled in the past by a stubborn populace. It failed terribly to acquire new lands to the Northeast that were grabbed by Westminster. So all main shopping is in Westminster.

I70 was built for many years but the city, only about 10 years ago developed Kipling to access the highway from the north. Before, one had to go through side streets to get to this nearest highway.

It has just recently got pass a stubborn populace and built more east and west access roads--west 72 and the extension of Ralston to Sheridan. For years it wanted to be left out of the flow of commerce.

This has caused problems in developing white collar offices and industrial parks because of the cities failure to become more aggressive in development and building access to the town.

I know some of you would say that is why Arvada is so charming and has little traffic--and you would be right. But it has a cost and that is the reduction in tax revenues. The city is trying very hard to change course and attract more development and at the same time maintain the characteristics that make it Arvada.

You guessed it Arvada does not have a Walmart--I can hear the cheers but a new one in being built on the edge of the city in Westminster and that is where the people of Arvada will shop and give up the taxes.

I just wanted to be realistic about this town and give you some of the negatives.

Are there any plans to build more shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, etc. in Arvada? Are income and property taxes high due to lack of sales taxes?