Single professional relocating to Denver - need advice on neighborhood (Highlands Ranch: apts, jobs)

[carolinahokey]

Hello!

I am planning on relocating to Denver in the next 6 months. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and ready for a change. I am ready for a more holistic, outdoors lifestyle and ready for a change of scenary. On the other hand, I do live a professional lifestyle and need to be close to professional opportunities. I am currently in financial services but can easily switch industries.

My question is what neighborhood best suits a 31 year old single professional female. Also, how easy is it to meet people in Denver? I am very active in triathlons, have a dog - so always in the park, not necessarily into the "bar scene" but totally enjoy grabbing a glass of wine and dinner or going dancing from time to time. I have heard that Cherry Creek would be a great place to find housing. I don't know anyone so I am very nervous but know it's time for a positive change.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

[2bindenver]

I would suggest Washington Park.

[mominco]

I think a lot would depend on where you are going to work.If you work in the tech center and live in the wash park area then factor in commute.I.25 can be a pain to drive esp during rush hrs.If you work in the north then think of wash park.I definately second wash park,very active singles life.Lots of parks etc.
tech center, inverness and south of denver the places to stay are lone tree,greenwood village,highlands ranch( very family oriented) but has lots of walking path,very open,excellent rec centers etc
http://www.highlandsranch.com/
I live in hranch,but then I am the typical stay at home mom
HTH you.Good luck.

[dj32]

where do you live in Charlotte- burbs or city? I think the city social scene is pretty similar (I used to live in charlotte, now in Denver) I would recommend Wash Park/DU area, or Highlands area for someone your age. Also, Lowry is not bad and pretty convenient. I would not recommend Highlands Ranch- it is definitely a family community and pretty suburban to the things you mention wanting to do. I'd also recommend downtown (Lodo, golden triangle) but coming from Charlotte (frankly, coming from almost anywhere) you'll find that pricey.

[carolinahokey]

I currently own a place in the city in Charlotte..so currently walk everywhere. Thanks for the recommendations. I will definitely check out the Washington Park area. I plan to rent for the first 6 months and if all goes well, buy. Eventually will want to get a yard for my dog, even if it's a somewhat small yard.

So dj32 - are you glad you moved to Denver? How easy was it to meet people and get settled.

Thanks for everyone for their input. I really appreciate the help!

[dj32]

Carolina- we've been here for 8 years. It has been great. People are very welcoming, similar to how NC is becoming now, it is a place of people who came here from elsewhere. Denver is great. The only place I think that is nice as Denver is NC! The reason I'm frequenting city-data so much now is Im missing NC quite a bit lately as my family is there. So you are moving from great place to another- different but still great.

[EastCoastgurl]

Hi Carolina, I'm a single woman (41), with a dog, and originally from the East Coast, (Boston 'burbs) but have lived in NYC, rural Maine, south Jersey, New Mexico and now Colorado. Been in Colorado two years, moved to Loveland, a small (60k) town an hour north of Denver for a job. I love Colorado but now after two years in Loveland am moving to downtown Denver for the lifestyle and changing jobs as well. I've been looking at neighborhoods in Denver and like Capital Hill for it's more urban feel (but parking can be tough and mostly apts. but cool old bldgs but not many yards for dogs), Cheeseman Park, (a mix of apt. bldgs and Victorian houses, some apts. some not, near one of the largest, most beautiful parks in the city, a few blocks from more urban enviorment with neighborhood bars, restaurants, shops, etc. parking is better, rents can range from $500 and change for a small one bedroom to $1,000 plus for the bottom floor of a Victorian duplex. Very dog friendly, landlords, buildings, park (but supposed to be leashed) and Highlands (NOT Highlands Ranch) or HiLo, more ethnic, sort of pre -or beginnings of gentrification, more "neighborhooody" feel, not as close to downtown as I think I want to be but pretty much right on top of it, rents again in the $500 and change range on up for something that I would want to live in.

I think I've found a place I want, on Williams St. 1/2 block from Cheeseman Park. Small one bedroom, living room has fireplace, decent kitchen and bath, building has public shared rooftop deck, (some apts. have own very large private rooftop deck, more money $675) rent is $545 plus utils which he said range from $50 in winter to $20 in summer. Free parking space this year, normally $25 a month. There's lots of places to choose from, the city is a pretty city with lots of green and parks and lots of "neighborhoods" with a "neighborhoody" feel. Hope that helps. Feel free to contact me when you get here and we can go walk our dogs in the park.

[carolinahokey]

Thanks for the input. I hope to head up in a month or so and check out some of these areas! I currently live in the city in Clt and my dog is very used to park life! Thanks again!

[mattreyuk]

Carolina, if you're a triathlete, you should check out the Rocky Mountain Tri Club (www.rmtriclub.com) they do a group run at Wash Park most Tuesday nights.

I live near Wash Park and it's a great place to run with a dirt path round the outside of the park. A couple of good races in the general area are the Bolder Peak (http://www.5430sports.com/) and Loveland lake 2 lake (http://www.lovelandlaketolake.com/) just remember to take it easy training 'till you get used to the altitude!

[StacyNY]

Hi Carolina, I think I'm in the same position you were in... now considering moving to Denver for a change, with my job/company. I'm a 36 yr old single professional woman from Long Island, NY. So... what do you think? Are you glad you moved to Denver? How's the social life? Where did you decide to move?
Thanks