Possible move from Philly.... (Denver, Arvada: rental, loft, condo)

[Redddog]

Hey Guys...


So my wife and I are looking at a possible move from Philly for work. We currently live in Old City, which is literally the one of the oldest neighborhoods in the country. We absolutely love it here and are pretty devastated to have to move. The area has a fantastic bar/restaurant scene, boutiques and art galleries etc. We're late 40s and plan on retiring in Philly (going to keep our condo and rent it while we're in Denver).


We're looking for a loft style rental in a walkable part of town that has some historic feel to it - essentially trying to replicate what we have now. Our hope is to spend $1700 - $1800/mo. for a 1-2 bedroom. We have an older golden retriever and 1 car. I'll be working in Westminster so if my wife can walk to get essentials (milk, eggs, beer) it would be a huge plus.


Is this a pipe dream?


Thanks all.

[SkyDog77]

I have spent a little bit of time in Old City over the past couple of years. Here's my take:

Trying to recreate where you are coming from instead of embracing where you are going is setting yourself up for a major disappointment. If recreating Philly is the number one goal, don't move. You aren't going to do it.

With all that said, there are a number of reasons why Denver is seeing such population growth. There are a lot of things to like about this city and its surrounds. It's just not going to be exactly like where you are coming from. If you can get comfortable with that idea and look for the things that are great about Denver, which don't exist in Philly, you'll be in a much better place. Our weather is better, our music scene is better, our outdoor recreation is miles ahead of what Philly has to offer. The city is generally safer and easier to get around.

I think Lower Highland is probably the best bet for you. It's a gentrified, old neighborhood that is very walkable with tons of shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Maybe Berkeley as well. You should be able to find a 1 bedroom in either of those places at $1800. They are both close to downtown Denver, but on the northwestern side of the city so a better commute to Westminster. You do not want to live in Westminster. A little piece of you will die everyday if you do.

I also think you might look at downtown Boulder. It's not what you are describing, but it goes along with my "embrace Colorado for being Colorado and not Philly" advice. It is very walkable. About 30 minutes to Westminster.

Best of luck.

[Redddog]

Thanks Skydog.


Good points. I forgot to mention that we lived in Boulder back in 1993 and my brother still lives there. Oddly, while we were there, I never went to Denver. It's hard to imagine. At any rate, I have no real idea about the parts of town that may fit our aesthetic. Ill definitely look into those areas mentioned.


I'm also quite familiar with Westminster (lol). My brother moved there for a short while with a terrible girl and they subsequently broke up. That was the worst year of his life.


Cheers.

[SkyDog77]

Ha! That should simplify things a bit. Presumably you can give your brother an idea of what you are looking for and have him drive around Highland and Berkeley over the weekend to get his opinion.

Golden Triangle is another neighborhood worth checking out, but now you are moving further from your job.

[Wisertime]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Thanks Skydog.


Good points. I forgot to mention that we lived in Boulder back in 1993 and my brother still lives there. Oddly, while we were there, I never went to Denver. It's hard to imagine. At any rate, I have no real idea about the parts of town that may fit our aesthetic. Ill definitely look into those areas mentioned.


I'm also quite familiar with Westminster (lol). My brother moved there for a short while with a terrible girl and they subsequently broke up. That was the worst year of his life.


Cheers.

Ha, one of my good friends from HS moved to Denver for School and never returned to upstate NY and he said he never went to Boulder. I live in Philly area too, good luck.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Redddog

.... We absolutely love it here and are pretty devastated to have to move. ....

IMO you've answered your question with that statement. From Philly you have a stunning array of choices to enjoy with a short Amtrak ride, anywhere from DC to Boston. IIRC you are less than a 2-hour train ride from all the shows on Broadway in NYC, great seafoods, at least a dozen pro football and baseball teams, the ocean, shortest air flights from the USA to Europe and much more.

Why leave that variety for an land-locked city with primarily an outdoor culture of cycling, skiing, biking, etc.

IMO stay there and visit COLO from time to time to enjoy the better things in Denver/COLO.

[ajr1995]

Many of the above posters are right. Denver is much different than an east coast city such as Philadelphia. If you really don't want to leave Old city, and can stay, you should stay. That being said, I think Lower Highlands, Lower Downtown, Five points, Capitol Hill and maybe Baker would be the most similar neighborhoods in Denver to the one you described.

[Redddog]

Maybe I should have given the whole story....


We moved here 2 years ago as my group was expanding operations in a second city. Without warning, I was laid off after 13+ years. I don't know if I've aged out or what (49), but landing another job has been fruitless.


My brother has offered a job with his rapidly expanding company and the idea of getting back into that work (construction management) and leaving my current career (wealth management) is appealing and right in my wheelhouse. So, while we love it here and would stay if we could, we might not have that option.


If it were a "we love it here but are considering a change for the hell of it" type thing, we wouldn't consider leaving. I'm really just trying to build a case for it not sucking so my wife would stop crying.


Good job and leaving vs no job and staying. And if we stayed with no job, we'd ultimately lose our condo (which is awesome and we'd keep and rent as a retirement destination). Moving gives us the ability to come back at some point and resume life here.


Hope that gives some insight...

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Maybe I should have given the whole story....


We moved here 2 years ago as my group was expanding operations in a second city. Without warning, I was laid off after 13+ years. I don't know if I've aged out or what (49), but landing another job has been fruitless.


My brother has offered a job with his rapidly expanding company and the idea of getting back into that work (construction management) and leaving my current career (wealth management) is appealing and right in my wheelhouse. So, while we love it here and would stay if we could, we might not have that option.


If it were a "we love it here but are considering a change for the hell of it" type thing, we wouldn't consider leaving. I'm really just trying to build a case for it not sucking so my wife would stop crying.


Good job and leaving vs no job and staying. And if we stayed with no job, we'd ultimately lose our condo (which is awesome and we'd keep and rent as a retirement destination). Moving gives us the ability to come back at some point and resume life here.


Hope that gives some insight...

It definitely does. Sounds like you have a better opportunity here. I still think Berkeley and Lower Highland are where you should be looking.

[2bindenver]

I would add baker & lodo (lower downtown), olde towne Arvada, but, the costs may be higher to rent...