Relocating soon, wanting rural community, but still close to urban (Denver: house, safe neighborhoods)

[kino1kan]

Me and my newly wed husband in our 20's are moving to denver area soon. Comng from LA. We are looking for at least 1 acre and house for inexpensive. I want to still be within an hour of denver. Were wanting to start a family soon, so we need those necesities of safe neighborhoods, and good schools. Any help would be great. Were coming next week to start looking around.

[gpraceman]

What is your definition of inexpensive? The Denver Metro Area is rather large. Where will work be? What else is important to you in a community to live in?

[LoveBoating]

Definitely Parker, where we live! Parker is definitely known as one of the "nicer" areas of Denver metro to live in. As far as the commute goes, I drive from Parker to downtown Denver ever day during the week.......no problems at all. Actually, the best commute I've ever had (living 28 miles from where I work). BUT, Parker isn't necessarily cheap to live in, but we can afford it. Highlands Ranch is very nice also, but is getting more and more populated and the evening commute (westbound) on 470 freeway going to Highlands Ranch can be really bad.
Prior to moving here, we were told to stay away from Aurora, Commerce City, Montebello, Westminister and Lakewood. To some people, those areas aren't even close to being nice.
The housing development where we live is so, so quiet it's almost amazing. And safe? By mistake, we have left the front door to our house completely unlocked for a week, nothing happened (thank God). We have left our garage door open all day (with the door from inside the garage to inside our house unlocked) and nothing happened......again Thank God. Now, when people (by mistake) can do that and everything is fine, that is what we call a "very safe neighborhood". Period!

[BenWolfe]

What do you consider inexpensive? It may be difficult to find what you described for under $400k.

I will second LoveBoating's suggestion of Parker, but most of the other areas suggested are not what most people would classify as rural and it is highly unlikely that you will find a 1 acre lot in those areas.

I would also suggest Larkspur, the Perry Park or Sage Port in particular. The vast majority of homes are on 1 acre with pine trees. During rush hour it will be less than 1 hour to downtown and less than 45 minutes to the Tech Center. Sage Port is a little closer and may save you about 10 minutes over Perry Park. Both neighborhoods are extremely safe and Larkspur Elementary, Castle Rock Middle and Douglas County High are all excellent schools.

Good Luck with your house hunting trip.