Jobs in Aurora/Lakewood - Where to Live? (Denver, Westminster: townhomes, neighborhood)

[mc3den]

Hi there - my wife and I are relocating to the Denver area and our jobs happen to be split between Aurora and Lakewood. We're trying to locate a reasonable compromise for the commutes but are having a difficult time.

We're active people in our late 20's and don't currently have any children. Our housing budget puts us around $300-350k. We're looking for something suburban and somewhat low density with easy access to trails in a neighborhood that will at least hold steady or increase in value after this slump. We're fine with a basic HOA, but are not interested in the heavily covenant controlled areas like Highlands Ranch. We don't have any particular affinity for the north or south suburbs.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[Augie Daugie]

Stapleton

[mc3den]

Thanks for the link! My first Google maps search threw me out about 400 miles outside of the city so I thought you were joking

I'll take a look!

[Augie Daugie]

No joke...it's a nice neighborhood within Denver City Limits. Lots of trails/walking spaces. Steady prices even in this slump. Should be an relatively easy commute to Lakewood and Aurora.

[Katarina Witt]

A lot easier to Aurora than Lakewood, which would require traveling across the entire city. Where in Aurora? Where in Lakewood? Both encompass a large amount of land.

[mc3den]

West Lakewood, toward Golden and U of C Hospital (SW of I-225/I-70 junction) in Aurora.

Thanks!

[steveco.]

Traveling on I-70 thorugh to 25 is a nightmare at almost every minute of the day.

[Bradburn1]

Stapleton is an excellent suggestion but be aware, it's not "low density". It's higher density to promote social interaction among neighbors, to make a more pleasing streetscape, and to conserve resources. Homes there will have small yards, and if you don't want to ever talk to or see your neighbors, I wouldn't suggest it--look for a standard sprawldivision instead (of which there are many).

There are lots of single family homes, townhomes, flats etc.. there to choose from, but your neighbor will be close (I personally like this and live in a subdivision similar to Stapleton only smaller), lot sizes in Stapleton run around 4000-7000 sq feet (a standard subdivision would run around 6000-10000 to give you an idea, about 1/3 of that for a large front lawn and a huge setback from the street).

Stapleton does have an excellent location for the Aurora commute (20-30 minutes) but honestly sucks for west Lakewood (40-50 minutes), so that could be a concern. But, if you decide to have kiddos in the future, it's excellent for that.

You might have a look at my neighborhood, Bradburn Village in Westminster, that would split the commute a bit better. West Lakewood from here is 40 minutes, Aurora is around the same. Also might have a look at some of the more close in areas around downtown, not as suburban as you might like but the Highlands is a nice neighborhood with lots of character and a decent commute to both places (estimate around 30 minutes for each).

Good Luck!

[vegaspilgrim]

Uhhh, you could live in central Denver???

[Katarina Witt]

I'd go with vegas' suggestion. I would also suggest taking a good look at a map and getting an idea of some of the communities that might work for you, including parts of Denver. My DD lives near the University of Denver campus; it's about 15 miles from her apt to the health sciences center in Aurora. I'd say it's probably about that distance, give or take a few miles to West Lakewood. Stapleton is pretty far from west Lakewood. The homes there may be a stretch for your budget, too.