Looking at Denver real estate - a little torn between the city and the burbs (Lakewood: apartment, rent)

[davebarnes]

Do not consider the "Berkely area" or you will wind up in a horrible part of unincorporated Adams County.

Take a close look at the Berkeley neighborhood in Denver.

There are numerous units on Tennyson Street for sale.
See https://www.zillow.com/berkeley-denv...false%7D%7D%7D

[daprara]

where ever you end up, locate near a RTD lite rail station. The stations have free park & ride but some fill up early. Lite rail can be expensive. get the maps and rates at RTD *(303) 299-6000‬

freeways are mostly grid locked here.

there is fiber internet to select neighborhoods.

Wash Park or Platt Park have single family homes but still in the city

[katharsis]

I think you are smart to check near the edges of Denver. (However, although this might not be a concern for you, too close to the city, and the areas are usually rundown with the population to match -- although, of course, this is my opinion. The further from downtown Denver a community is, the more it will be like a family-oriented suburb and it will probably be TOO quiet for your liking -- and if you go even further out, it will probably be much too rural for you. Based on your post, I am another person who would suggest the Highlands area for you.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ture=emb_title

Btw, the zip codes for Highlands are 80211 and 80212 if you want to check out possible homes.

[ORLguy]

Thank you all, this has been very helpful for me. I am locating other areas I will search here and learn about.

City Park, University Park, Lincoln Park all have some real nice townhouses that I like too.

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

Look into the West Colfax neighborhood. New townhouses are going in south of Colfax/south of Sloans Lake. There is a trail system there. The Lakewood Gulch trail that goes all the way to the river. The W Line is also there. There is a small section I would consider. Stuart Street, maybe one street to a little past Quitman. Don’t look closer to Sheridan than that and don’t look at anything on Perry (way too busy) and not the best area east of that.

We live on a park so for us, lots of trees and greenery and along the gulch it’s very green as well. We have unobstructed views of the mountains and also views of downtown from our rooftop. Our situation is rare but you can probably find Mountain View’s from rooftops in this general area.

It’s generally quiet as far as city goes. And easy access to downtown. We can ride our bikes on the path all the way to downtown. During non pandemic times we hop on the train to go to the Pepsi Center, or downtown for shows and dinner. We can walk to Broncos Stadium.

It’s an up and coming area so be aware of that. It does have its issues. But overall it’s a great area and sounds like it might be a great fit.

[ORLguy]

Originally Posted by WhereTheSidewalkEnds

Look into the West Colfax neighborhood. New townhouses are going in south of Colfax/south of Sloans Lake. There is a trail system there. The Lakewood Gulch trail that goes all the way to the river. The W Line is also there. There is a small section I would consider. Stuart Street, maybe one street to a little past Quitman. Don’t look closer to Sheridan than that and don’t look at anything on Perry (way too busy) and not the best area east of that.

We live on a park so for us, lots of trees and greenery and along the gulch it’s very green as well. We have unobstructed views of the mountains and also views of downtown from our rooftop. Our situation is rare but you can probably find Mountain View’s from rooftops in this general area.

It’s generally quiet as far as city goes. And easy access to downtown. We can ride our bikes on the path all the way to downtown. During non pandemic times we hop on the train to go to the Pepsi Center, or downtown for shows and dinner. We can walk to Broncos Stadium.

It’s an up and coming area so be aware of that. It does have its issues. But overall it’s a great area and sounds like it might be a great fit.

Thanks for bringing this up. I actually found some spots there as well and was wondering about that area. Appreciate the specifics on the streets too. Sounds like you found a really nice townhouse! It definitely sounds like something I would like. quiet, trails, riding bikes, walking to spots. I love those things.

[vunderbar]

Check out Edgewater and Sloan's Lake neighborhoods

[Phil P]

I wouldn't move right next to downtown, you won't like it in the long run. I am similar to you in the love for outdoor rec. I am able to enjoy it a lot more now that I'm not near downtown Denver.

There's several issues being next to downtown

1. You always have to drive 30-45 minutes to get outside activities, any of the greenspace within Denver proper and the immediate foothills is well beyond overcrowded. It's not an issue on weekends but it kind of rules out weekday activity, especially with traffic on the highways from 4-6:30 PM if that picks back up
2. Noise, well it's always noisy there
3. Air pollution sucks and the whole downtown area smells like dead cats 2x a week
4. Downtown sucks now. It's really tanked. The homeless are out in full force worse than ever, everything's shut and many things won't come back. For long term investment, you might not want to pay that $200,000 premium to be close, cause you might not get it back in resale.

Sloans lake is different. It's up and coming, but where it came from is a grungy, just weird area. Just west of Denver around Federal Blvd, there's this big donut of unattractive grunge. It's gentrified to some extent, but not completely.

[himain]

OP-I come from Pinecrest and am currently living in West Littleton in suburbia, lol. Denver is definitely different than Brickell. Weather is a ton nicer but it's just as expensive to live here. Do your research and speak with a well rated real estate agent

[StealthRabbit]

Your interests seem primarily outdoor, perfect for North (West) Colorado Springs.

*Work from home, come to Denver once in a great while when traffic is light(er) (if you must)

in COS, you won't be fighting with 10 zillion Denver folks trying to race to recreation.

If you are a family soon. Suburbia is OK, but I prefer 'walkable city' if I must live in a city (which I have not while in USA, but no choice when in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. While working in Barcelona I found a very nice smaller community (monastery from 1700) within commute distance. There are a few gems (small towns) within reach of Denver or COS.
They have their own identity / interests / events, / way to be 'community', but Denver suburbia is miles and miles of identical / mirror image houses & privacy fences (that blow over in the wind (good PT business to do fencing). You will seldom know your neighbors (+/-).

Working from home takes on a whole new meaning when you have a great view. COS has many! You can reside in the NW Tech area near Garden of Gods and venture out on your bike often during the day and bike through the park.

If you must live in Denver... keep it close to work and if you want to 'get-away' for the weekend, leave on Weds morning!