Narrowing city choices - want opinions please (Denver, Aurora: foreclosures, renting)

[tomweh]

I am purchasing a house that will run between $200 - $250K. It will be built after 1992. I plan on being within a 45 minute drive to work. Starting at the imaginery 12 o'clock position in the Denver metro it looks like the bulk of these houses will be located in the following cities. Dacono, Firestone, Northglenn, Thornton, Brighton, Henderson, sourhwest Centennial near E470, Parker, Castle Rock, Littleton, Arvada, Westfield, Broomfield, Erie and Frederick.

If at all possible, we don't want to be in a city that still has a decreasing property value, We are not worried so much about the art cultural, parks, etc. We are homebodies that enjoy working on our home and lawns. We don't mind having a longer drive to go to a sporting event or concert. We love going to movies. A great library would be a plus!

We are within weeks of buying. I first liked the city of Centennial closer to I-25, but my spouse wants a newer home than we currently own (1983) and the ones in my price range were built in the 50s - 70s.

Thank you for your passionate answers.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by tomweh

..... will be located in the following cities. Dacono, Firestone, Northglenn, Thornton, Brighton, Henderson, sourhwest Centennial near E470, Parker, Castle Rock, Littleton, Arvada, Westfield, Broomfield, Erie and Frederick.

If at all possible, we don't want to be in a city that still has a decreasing property value, ....

How do school districts compare between these towns? All else being equal, choose the neighborhood with the better schools as a tie breaker????

[tfox]

You should probably figure out where your job is going to be. Many of these areas are pretty far out of town, some in fact are not really even part of the Denver Metro Area. Committing to one of these areas before you know where your job is will be limiting your options. Remember, some of your choices are nearly 60 miles from each other (e.g., Castle Rock to Frederick)

Housing values ARE falling in the Denver metro area, with just a handful of exceptions, most of which are in city neighborhoods. Most of the places you just mentioned are declining more rapidly than average. Prices will likely continue to fall until we hit bottom. You're probably better off renting for a year while you get to know the area, and see how things progress.

[dj32]

many of the exurbs you mentioned do have decreasing values do to the overbuilding and rising foreclosures. THE closer suburbs and city neighborhoods have remained stable and some are increasing. I agree, I would determine job location first and try and find a place which gives you a reasonable commute within your price range. IT can be found.

[tomweh]

The office I am being transferred to is at the intersection of I-70 and Pena Blvd. in Aurora. We're empty nesters and hopefully will be staying in the Denver area ten or more years. Arvada, Westminster, Thornton and Henderson, all have a Mapquest drive in minutes of 30 minutes or less. Thank you for your help so far!

[bhcompy]

highlands ranch is south of centennial and has some houses in your range and age.

south parker as well, and south parker seems to be holding some value based on that denver area chart that keeps coming up

pinery glen in south parker is an area that was built post 2000 and has homes in the range you're looking at

[hippitahoppita]

Yeah, I would check out Highlands Ranch. Values are actually increasing in this area and they are all newer homes.

[steveindenver]

Yeah, I would check out Highlands Ranch. Values are actually increasing in this area and they are all newer homes.

Higlhlands ranch looks to be losing money:

Interactive Graphic: Denver home prices - The Denver Post

Imagine the huge drops to come in such areas as gas prices continue to climb.

[bhcompy]

theres a need for such areas and they are mostly fairly priced, so i dont see anything major. they also have access to denvers light rail system. because of when a lot of these houses went up, they will be affected by the foreclosure crisis, but they are already pretty well priced, so inventory will keep moving along. and looking at that website, the highlands ranch area isnt nearly as hard hit as others

[2bindenver]

look at Reunion, in Commerce City