Moving to Lakewood soon (Denver, Arvada: college, utilities, living in)

[Joe987]

Hey this June I'll be moving to Lakewood with my sister, who currently lives in Arvada. She's got a commute to Golden on weekdays. We're both college students (so our budgets are gonna have to be pretty slim!). Where can we find decent priced housing (looking at 500-700 a month rent, utilities included would be great)? Are there any parts of Lakewood to avoid? (I do recall the borderline of Denver/lakewood on Mississipi avenue was pretty shabby when i visited there)?

and perhaps a better question, should we just choose a different place entirely? Hows the cost of living in nearby areas (Arvada, West Denver, Wheat Ridge, perhaps even somewhere in Arapahoe or Adams county for that matter)

Thank you much

[danthach]

If you have to be in Lakewood, get something around the Belmar shopping center area. Easy access to restaurants, a few bars, and shopping. I used to live out there when I first moved here, it wasnt a bad choice, because I knew no one in Denver, so all my time was spent at home. But now that Im out and about meeting new people and hanging out around Wash Park, I am glad I dont live way out there anymore. You could easily find some thing 500-700 in Wash Park or Cap Hill area.