South Aurora (Denver, Englewood: homes, neighborhoods, to buy)

[SDtoDENVER]

I am moving to Denver in July from San Diego. I've also been doing research on affordable areas with good schools. The South Aurora area just south of Hampden Ave seems to be affordable and it's also in the Cherry Creek School District. 80015 and 80014 I believe. Of course not being there I couldn't tell you what the community vibe is like. I know that's not Englewood, but close (I think). Any thoughts?

[vegaspilgrim]

Do a search on this forum for "Cherry Creek School District" and "Aurora," you'll get a lot of information. You're correct, CCSD begins south of Hampden (and even several miles north of that when you go a little bit to the west) and it's generally a good district, but it's not like the neighborhoods or schools change dramatically just because you step south of Hampden Rd. 80016 is better than 80015, and 80015 is better than 80014. Within 80015 there's a big range, some neighborhoods/schools are better than others. "Community vibe"? This is pure soccer-mom suburbia, with incomes ranging from lower middle class to upper middle class. What specific subdivisions are you looking at?

[SDtoDENVER]

I haven't actually been looking at any specific subdivisions. We won't be looking to buy until next year and my son is only 19 months old. I suppose just like anyone moving there for the first time, we aren't sure what we'll like until we get there. I have friends in 80011 off of the 25 and Arapahoe. They love it there and the area seems safe and quiet.

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by SDtoDENVER

I have friends in 80011 off of the 25 and Arapahoe.

We don't call our interstates *the* - you are sure to be tagged an out-of-stater saying that...

Arapahoe east of I-25 can get rather noisy from the airport. - West of I-25, not a problem.

[wilberfoss]

Originally Posted by SDtoDENVER

I am moving to Denver in July from San Diego. I've also been doing research on affordable areas with good schools. The South Aurora area just south of Hampden Ave seems to be affordable and it's also in the Cherry Creek School District. 80015 and 80014 I believe. Of course not being there I couldn't tell you what the community vibe is like. I know that's not Englewood, but close (I think). Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by SDtoDENVER

I haven't actually been looking at any specific subdivisions. We won't be looking to buy until next year and my son is only 19 months old. I suppose just like anyone moving there for the first time, we aren't sure what we'll like until we get there. I have friends in 80011 off of the 25 and Arapahoe. They love it there and the area seems safe and quiet.

Hi SD. We moved out here last August, with one child the same age. We settled in 80015, just south of (the ) Smoky Hill Road. We love our home - there are good schools - it's a bit more suburban than we would have preferred, but when you have kids you have to strike a balance between a hip city neighborhood (expensive homes + crap schools) and, well, the suburbs!

Arapahoe is not the best road to have in your commute, but it could be worse - and you can avoid most of it if you use the toll road (I find that the $1.75 is generally worth the less stress and an extra 15 minutes with my boy in the evenings!).

There are a whole mix of neighborhoods over here, but most are either $500k plus areas with power-jogging Stepford wives, brand new treeless subdivisions for around $2-300k for young people with limited taste, or in the $2-350k range there are some great older neighborhoods with beautiful homes, mature trees, and a great community vibe.

Feel free to PM if you'd like me to waffle on more about this area!