Communities for 30-somethings withOUT kids? (Denver, Colorado Springs: bank owned, apartments, condominiums) - (CO) - City-Data Forum

Brian_M · 12-26-2008, 05:51 PM

I've been searching this forum for awhile now and have yet to find a thread about areas for folks who don't care for the "family" feel. Sorry, no slight on those of you who enjoy kids, we just don't.

Work isn't an issue as I work from home and my wife works contract stuff in Alaska from time to time, thus no worry about commuting. We have a dog, desire a SFH and want to keep it cheap (cheap being up to $150k-ish purchase price... we're not limited to that, it's just that price would allow us to continue living as we are now...)

We want someplace that is quiet (seriously, this is the most important), has a nice local community of similar-aged individuals, isn't too criminally active (I understand that this is something you deal with everywhere and can only manage rather than eradicate), and unique looking homes would be a plus.

I'm handy, so places that need work are absolutely acceptable (and pretty much expected to keep our price point). I also want and sorta need workshop space (the size of a 2-car garage is fine), but I can build one on a larger property.

Anyway, this is clearly not a common situation... just wondering what opinions would be tossed out.

libbyann721 · 12-26-2008, 06:20 PM

My husband and I are in the same (or similiar) situation. We're going to be living in the Baker District. Not sure how kid-infested it is, but it's the closest we could get to downtown without breaking the bank. Hope this helps!

libbyann721 · 12-26-2008, 06:21 PM

PS - I got a pretty hefty lashing for asking a smiliar question on here a few months ago.

DenverLawGal · 12-26-2008, 06:53 PM

Colorado tends to be very family oriented, IMHO. I am in my 30s, married, no kids. It's one (tiny) reason we'd like to try life elsewhere --- to try to find other communities that are more suited for us. Downtown is definitely more adult-oriented than the burbs, especially the burb I'm in (Thornton).

tfox · 12-26-2008, 09:24 PM

The obvious answer is to point you to city neighborhoods -- but, even most of the city neighborhoods are kid oriented, believe it or not. The typical names you here mentioned on city-data like Stapleton, Highlands, Park Hill, and Congress Park, have lots of kids.

Capitol Hill doesn't have AS many due to the fact that it's mostly condominiums and apartments, which aren't too conducive to kids. Cheesman Park, also, does have some kids but it's one of the less kid-oriented areas -- being largely singles and couples. Cherry Creek does have some kids but not nearly as many as some of the surrounding neighborhoods. Ultra-wealthy compounds like Belcaro also don't have lots of kids either as most families can't afford it. You can also live in LoDo or the Central Business District -- few kids not named Hickenlooper have ever lived there.

lalahartma · 12-27-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libbyann721

PS - I got a pretty hefty lashing for asking a smiliar question on here a few months ago.

How disappointing! I think child-free living is not as rare as one might think!

FYI: search on google for child-free

Edit: and while Colorado Springs is definately family-town, we are doing ok here.

2bindenver · 12-27-2008, 10:10 AM

I think the 2 car sized workshop is going to be your biggest problem. There is probably not enough space on a normal city lot, but you could park outside and use your garage for a workshop.

A house for $150,000 is doable. Not easy, but doable.

Kids are everywhere, they are not regulated. There are a over 55+ communities, but you can't live there yet.

steveindenver · 12-27-2008, 10:37 AM

People in their 30's generally have kids. It's a fact of life I suppose.

150,000 excludes anywhere near Denver with the exception of the East Denver / Aurora (80010 zip) neighborhood.

I looked at a place on 13th and Elmira a while back that would have been perfect for you; huge lot, huge 2+ car detached garage, enough space for a workshop to be built to boot and 140ish asking.

There are plenty of bank owned properties in that area going for 65-85.

DenverLawGal · 12-27-2008, 11:00 AM

Yeah, I think child free living is heavy in certain parts of the country, just not Colorado. Glad to hear you are ok in the Springs. I was down there this summer and was surprised at how much that town has grown. I absolutely love Manitou.

I noticed that in some areas of Miami, downtown, Coconut Grove, are very much more oriented to people like me. Even here in Denver there is a ginormous difference between the Village Inn in Thornton and the Denver Diner. More urban areas seem to be less family oriented.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lalahartma

How disappointing! I think child-free living is not as rare as one might think!

FYI: search on google for child-free

Edit: and while Colorado Springs is definately family-town, we are doing ok here.

DenverLawGal · 12-27-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Kids are everywhere, they are not regulated. There are a over 55+ communities, but you can't live there yet.

Sure, but surely even you can admit that there are certain pockets in certain parts of this country that are more geared for the 30s couples with no kids vs. the 3 children, mini-van lifestyle.