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.
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Arvada Info -- aka Does anyone live in Arvada?
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