Arvada Info -- aka Does anyone live in Arvada?

[aeh]

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.

This part of Arvada sounds ideal, livecontent. Isn't it interesting how many of us on this board ask about a cute little downtown with all of the other usual amenties (parks, good schools, access to town) and yet, there are so many suburbs lacking this one attribute? I always think of Banff in Canada here which is such a neat little town, and granted, is very tourist-y but has unique architecture, has that mountain appeal (granted, it's IN the mountains) but has really made the most out of a neat little old town. I wish more towns would look like that and have that charm.

Since DH will be working near DTC, it sounds like Littleton is the only place that has the little "town" area that appeals to me, but I think we have mostly decided Castle Pines might be the "different" kind of thing we are looking for. I know Lone Tree sounds like it has great amenities, transportation options, close to DTC, shopping, etc, but from looking at the houses, I just don't get it.....(I know they are nice, but I don't know, doesn't do anything for me AT ALL!!!)

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by aeh

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.

This part of Arvada sounds ideal, livecontent. Isn't it interesting how many of us on this board ask about a cute little downtown with all of the other usual amenties (parks, good schools, access to town) and yet, there are so many suburbs lacking this one attribute? I always think of Banff in Canada here which is such a neat little town, and granted, is very tourist-y but has unique architecture, has that mountain appeal (granted, it's IN the mountains) but has really made the most out of a neat little old town. I wish more towns would look like that and have that charm.

Since DH will be working near DTC, it sounds like Littleton is the only place that has the little "town" area that appeals to me, but I think we have mostly decided Castle Pines might be the "different" kind of thing we are looking for. I know Lone Tree sounds like it has great amenities, transportation options, close to DTC, shopping, etc, but from looking at the houses, I just don't get it.....(I know they are nice, but I don't know, doesn't do anything for me AT ALL!!!)

Welcome to the States. I grew up in Western New York, near Ontario; my mother is from Hamilton, Ont.

Castle Pines is very nice area. It is very upscale and consequently with large homes on large lots, you are not going to see the interaction as you would see in the towns where many people have a express "desire" of living but do choose other areas, as you have said.

In order to enjoy the authentic real time old towns as in "Mayberry", "Andy Hardy" etc.--you have to be willing to live near the poor, and a less economically advantaged area--or you have to go to these areas to shop and recreate.

I am not talking about these faux new urbanism with their fancy expensive "gourmet" shops' with expensive housing nearby. I am talking about the authentic neighborhoods with reasonably priced basic commodity shopping. So when people dream and talk about the areas of their parents, grandparents or their own youth, mostly these areas are where new immigrants got their start. You will see the grocery store, the butcher, the baker in small shops and many times the residences is in back, or upstairs. That is what I remember.

Area of Authenticity do exist but not in the desirable neighborhoods for the new rich. You will see these stores mostly, in the newer immigrant neighborhoods of Hispanics and Asians. In my time and area where I grew up, it was mostly the Italians, Polish, German etc.

There are pockets in the Denver Metro Area. South Federal and Alameda for Asians. Aurora for Asians, especially Koreans. Old town Westminster for Vietnamese and Hispanic Markets. In Arvada, there are Russian markets. There are shop in Commerce City, South Broadway on Denver--many areas.

Arvada still has some older established stores--like Rheinlander Bakery in Old Town, where the owners live on the second level.Rheinlander Bakery

Unfortunately, as we redevelop older areas and build new urbanism, the cost of putting in a business is expensive, for rent or ownership. They are built beyond the finances of these authentic businesses and we get chains of expensive gourmet shops or individual owned by the absentee rich.

I would suggest finding these areas; get out of your car; walk around and buy products like your ancestors. It may be a little old with people and buildings; it may of different smells of food, but do as I do--I follow where the immigrants shop--that is where I get the best values and a wonderful experience. and I
Livecontent

[winnc]

Originally Posted by lonel71

Any tips on public elementary schools in Arvada? We are moving to the Denver area from North Carolina. I'm a Second Grade teacher (but won't be working next year) and have always had the inside scoop on the schools and teachers wherever we've lived, but won't this time. Our daughter will be a First Grader next year. We don't know anything about the area and would appreciate any advice.
Thanks!

I am also considereing a move from NC. I checked out the school report cards.