Thoughts after 2 months living here (Denver, Lakewood: new home, employment, gated)

[Count David]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

David--My kids are both 8, and no, I didn't live in Compton. I lived in Covina, which actually has a reputation for being kind of small-town and an O.K. place to live. However, after having spent my entire life in the area, it became apparent that it was becoming a much scarier place to live as gangs were/are moving in. What used to be concentrated mainly in Los Angeles, Compton, Pomona, etc., has become more prevalent and I was sick of reading about shootings in the area, kidnapping attempts near the kids' school, and graffiti sprawled all over the neighborhood park on an almost daily basis (no exaggeration). I realize there are snotty, bad kids anywhere you go, just as there are deadbeat or flaky parents anywhere as well. However, where I live now is a far cry from what I left behind. Maybe it was overprotective of me to have watched them like a hawk in California, but I didn't know a parent there who didn't do the same. The risk was just too big.

My stepson is 8 as well, and we let him pretty much wander (not really) our neighborhood here in Aurora, and let him walk to/from school. Myself, living in a shadier (gangy) part of Corona at age 8, my mom didn't let us venture much further than our own backyard, and would watch us walk to/from school across the street. What she couldn't protect us from, was dealing with them as we got older, seeing as we'd grow up with them/go to school with them, etc. I believe that there are bad kids to deal with no matter whether they are in gangs or not, hence I don't worry much about gangs, to me all kids are scary

I've always held a good opinion of Covina, I actually looked to live there before I moved out of So. Calif.

While I can't agree with everything you said, I can't fault you for any of it, but I believe this next line says it best:

Originally Posted by rebagirl

However, where I live now is a far cry from what I left behind.

Seems like no matter what, us Californians can leave wherever we are from, and find better here in CO, at a better price. To me, that is awesome.

Originally Posted by rebagirl

I personally don't understand the attraction to it, and I think it does give off a certain impression of rebellion and a level of hardness (particularly on a woman). That's just my opinion, but I didn't mean to offend anyone personally.

I don't understand the attraction either. My woman's ex was heavily tattooed, (she thinks it's so hot on guys) and I don't have a one. She might be with the wrong guy.

My reason for not having them: I don't feel the need to have my interests/opinions worn on my sleeve (pardon the pun). My interests/opinions are subject to change, not subject to laser surgery.

[steveindenver]

Did you move to Denver Colorado or to Highlands Ranch (name another psuedo L.A. exurb here) ? From your post I figure the former....

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

...What I don't necessarily like about Colorado:

1. In order to run any type of errand, I am forced to travel on major streets that usually have 4 lanes and are congested. In California, I could weave through side streets to get most anywhere (around town), avoiding the main thoroughfares. I miss that....

This caught my eye. I have noticed that areas in the new more upscale areas you see very wide streets. For example Lonetree, Centennial, Highland Ranch; along County Line Road, Arapahoe etc.

I live in east Arvada and my aged parents, in their 80s, live in West Arvada. We have discussed this problem, as I have other relatives who live in Lonetree. My parents and I like Arvada because we can get to stores by going down very little traveled side streets. Most of the older suburbs, on the west side are like that. When I drive my parents to Lonetree, they do not like the busy roads and are happier in Arvada.

Part of the problem in these richer areas, there are many gated communties, cul de sacs that force people onto the busier roads. In addition, the area being newer, does not have the older type roads, that are quieter through smaller enclaves.

Many of these newer areas are crossover areas with people going back and forth among different suburbs and the area has bigger stores and businesses that attract people, from other areas, 7 days a week.

Many Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Lakewood neigbhorhoods are not a destination for shopping, or working during the week, and are not in the middle of cross through traffic. You may be surprised that Arvada is the only major suburbs that has no expressways running through the city---I-70 is on the South, through Wheat Ridge.

Actually, most of Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater and some parts of Lakewood, have nothing that would attract outside residents--they are just boring, nice quiet suburbs. We do not want to be exciting; we do not want to be the "in place" to live or shop; we just want peace.

See most people who move here want to live in the showy, expensive, newer areas. That is too bad for them, good for me, because in my area you can really
Livecontent

[bullfish15]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

What I don't necessarily like about Colorado:

1. In order to run any type of errand, I am forced to travel on major streets that usually have 4 lanes and are congested. In California, I could weave through side streets to get most anywhere (around town), avoiding the main thoroughfares. I miss that.

2. Way more people smoke here, including high school age kids. Total turn-off to me, especially from a state that has a healthy, outdoor-living stereotype.

3. More people with tattoos than expected. I don't care how nice a person you are, but if you're covered in tattoos, it does give a certain impression--not a positive one, in my opinion. At least most tattooed people here don't seem to be affiliated with some sort of gang, which is a relief.

4. The same restaurants reappear over and over again. I am so sick of seeing Chipotle everywhere. I really miss the family-owned little restaurants and wish I could find a few here.

5. I miss my friends!!!! Thank God for email and the phone. Hopefully, in time, we'll develop new friendships.

This is interesting. Two of your gripes about the area are about people and their personal choices. Come on, smoking and tattoos? Give me a break. I don't look down upon people who have tattoos and smoke. That is pretentious to say the least. Two more of your gripes are displays of your inexperience with the area. Cities here are newer and planned. The main thoroughfares are designed as such to keep people from weaving through the side streets. And as far as I am concerned the main roads are very free flowing.

I have dined at a number of smaller non-chain restaurants. They are out there, you just have to look for them. Though you won't find them in brand new areas. Yet.

I'm glad that you like Colorado. I hope you will enjoy your stay here, but leave the stereotypical Cali attitude back there. Don't get so hung up on what everyone else is doing to themselves and stay clear from the side streets.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by bullfish15

This is interesting. Two of your gripes about the area are about people and their personal choices. Come on, smoking and tattoos? Give me a break. I don't look down upon people who have tattoos and smoke. That is pretentious to say the least. Two more of your gripes are displays of your inexperience with the area. Cities here are newer and planned. The main thoroughfares are designed as such to keep people from weaving through the side streets. And as far as I am concerned the main roads are very free flowing.

I have dined at a number of smaller non-chain restaurants. They are out there, you just have to look for them. Though you won't find them in brand new areas. Yet.

I'm glad that you like Colorado. I hope you will enjoy your stay here, but leave the stereotypical Cali attitude back there. Don't get so hung up on what everyone else is doing to themselves and stay clear from the side streets.

Don't speak for all of us Colorado natives, dude. Nice, clean people like rebagirl and her family are exactly the kind of people we WANT moving to Colorado. I'm a 3rd generation Colorado native, born and raised in Aurora, in the middle of a short 11 month stint in LA right now for school, and I f***'n HATE smoking. Right now I have a next door neighbor in my apartment who smokes who I want to kill sometimes-- my place smells like you just walked into the Imperial Palace casino at times. I think tattoos are gross too, but at least someone wearing tatoos is their own problem, it doesn't get in my face personally like smoking does. The thing that puzzles me though about rebagirl's post is I don't think either or those two things are any more common in Denver than in LA. Of all the places I lived, I think Phoenix has the most smokers and tattoos. I think Denver overall IS a place where healthy living is a way of life. At least the south/ southeast metro is like that-- I'm not too familiar with the north side, so someone can fill me in if things are different up there.

And rebagirl, I think you have to realize that you're not really comparing the state of Colorado with the state of California, you're comparing Covina/ San Gabriel Valley to was it Broomfield?/ north Denver metro suburbs. As livecontent said, parts of the metro area like Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, NW Denver would be more in line with the style of development where you're from. Where you're living is basically something like a Santa Clarita or a Thousand Oaks. Interestingly, I know someone from Encino who visited her relatives in Broomfield and Surprise and she told me how she thought Colorado was nice, but way too boring and suburban for her. Well... maybe that's because those particular areas of the Denver metro area are boring and suburban-- but that doesn't mean the whole, or even the majority of the Denver metro area is like that. As for independent restaurants, especially different international cuisines, drive down Parker Rd/ Leetsdale Dr sometime and you'll have your pick of at least one or two dozen of cuisines from all around the world to try out.

[frisbiec]

I have lived her three months now and I too have noticed that smoking is more prevalent here than in many other areas. I have lived in central New York, DC Metro/MD, and Redmond/Bellevue/Seattle, WA & I would say that smoking is far more common here. As far as the tattoos go, I would also agree that there are a lot of people with BAD tattoos, the key point is BAD (one's that are either poorly done or just don't look good). I personally don't mind tattoos, but anyway.

I posted a lot of negative things about Denver when I first moved here and some of my thoughts have changed, but I still would say the area is not for me and I will relocate as soon as I figure out how to get out of my lease (from an awful property manager that used false advertising).

The good:

-you can find virtually any chain store that you desire
-traffic is nothing compared to other cities of its size
-proximity to mountains
-cost of living is inexpensive compared to other cities that make "best places to live" lists.
-you have all of the major sports and fans seem to be accepting of those who don't root for the local team (much different than a city like Philly)
-Denver seems to get a decent amount of concerts, etc.

The bad:

-you can find virtually any chain store that you desire
-I may be weird, but I think 300 sunny days is overrated and I miss humidity. People always say dry heat is not that bad, but if it is hot, it is hot. Moreover, without extensive tree cover, there are days you can drive with sunglasses on, your visor down and visibility is still poor.
-school districts are not as good as other cities that make the "best places to live lists" (at least compared to the areas I have lived).
-The chain grocery stores are less than desirable (King Sooper, Safeway, Albertsons, blah!) I have been spoiled by Wegmans in the NE and QFC, PCC & Top Food in the NW.
-It may just be where I live, but sometimes it can smell "interesting" outside.
-my wife works in probation and there seems to be an epidemic of driving under the influence

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by frisbiec

The good:

-you can find virtually any chain store that you desire

except trader joes?

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Don't speak for all of us Colorado natives, dude. Nice, clean people like rebagirl and her family are exactly the kind of people we WANT moving to Colorado. I'm a 3rd generation Colorado native, born and raised in Aurora, in the middle of a short 11 month stint in LA right now for school, and I f***'n HATE smoking. Right now I have a next door neighbor in my apartment who smokes who I want to kill sometimes-- my place smells like you just walked into the Imperial Palace casino at times. I think tattoos are gross too, but at least someone wearing tatoos is their own problem, it doesn't get in my face personally like smoking does. The thing that puzzles me though about rebagirl's post is I don't think either or those two things are any more common in Denver than in LA. Of all the places I lived, I think Phoenix has the most smokers and tattoos. I think Denver overall IS a place where healthy living is a way of life. At least the south/ southeast metro is like that-- I'm not too familiar with the north side, so someone can fill me in if things are different up there.



And rebagirl, I think you have to realize that you're not really comparing the state of Colorado with the state of California, you're comparing Covina/ San Gabriel Valley to was it Broomfield?/ north Denver metro suburbs. As livecontent said, parts of the metro area like Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, NW Denver would be more in line with the style of development where you're from. Where you're living is basically something like a Santa Clarita or a Thousand Oaks. Interestingly, I know someone from Encino who visited her relatives in Broomfield and Surprise and she told me how she thought Colorado was nice, but way too boring and suburban for her. Well... maybe that's because those particular areas of the Denver metro area are boring and suburban-- but that doesn't mean the whole, or even the majority of the Denver metro area is like that. As for independent restaurants, especially different international cuisines, drive down Parker Rd/ Leetsdale Dr sometime and you'll have your pick of at least one or two dozen of cuisines from all around the world to try out.

Thanks for the first paragraph. My original post was referring to what I like or dislike about my own PERSONAL experiences thus far. Obviosuly 2 months is not a long enough time to accurately compare all of California with all of Colorado. That was never my intent anyway. All I was attempting to do was offer a few things I have noticed so far, and yes, I was comparing the San Gabriel Valley with Arapahoe County (more specifically, the area surrounding Arapahoe High School, which is neither new nor rich, from what I've seen so far).

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by bullfish15

This is interesting. Two of your gripes about the area are about people and their personal choices. Come on, smoking and tattoos? Give me a break. I don't look down upon people who have tattoos and smoke. That is pretentious to say the least. Two more of your gripes are displays of your inexperience with the area. Cities here are newer and planned. The main thoroughfares are designed as such to keep people from weaving through the side streets. And as far as I am concerned the main roads are very free flowing.

I have dined at a number of smaller non-chain restaurants. They are out there, you just have to look for them. Though you won't find them in brand new areas. Yet.

I'm glad that you like Colorado. I hope you will enjoy your stay here, but leave the stereotypical Cali attitude back there. Don't get so hung up on what everyone else is doing to themselves and stay clear from the side streets.

And I assume you know a whole lot about so-called stereotypical California attitudes. Um, yeah, O.K.

[ryanek9freak]

I'd have full sleeve tatoos if I could afford it. I look at the human body as a blank canvas, ready for someones work of art to be applied to it. It's sort of like an expression of who you are.

All of my tatoos are original designs and they all mean something. Pertiularly the portrait of my daughter.