Lakewood Personality (Denver, Golden, Center: apartments, house, established neighborhood)

[ekelunda]

My husband and I are planning on relocating our family as soon as humanly possible to Denver (for a multitude of very good reasons), and we're liking Lakewood. I won't rattle on about how we perceive it, but it seems like a good balance of things.

We're not sure what kind of commute he'll have, if any, and I won't have one, so we're really just looking for a cheap as dirt house near parks and schools with a bit of an art community (not arty art, just social opportunities for our dramatic daughter and my painterly self).

Anyone have the inside scoop on why this would be a good neighborhood for a large family with kids in every level of school? Why would it be horrible? Thoughts of any kind? I appreciate it. I've spotted an abysmal fixer-upper (just my cup of tea) in a great location, but maybe there's a "location" reason I should look elsewhere. Any humdinger spots in Lakewood?

I've heard mixed reviews, also, about the niceness of Denverites. It seems like anywhere has to be populated with nicer people than the ones we're currently hanging with. Cheers!

[elena76]

When my husband I first moved to Denver area (almost 3 years ago), we lived in Lakewood for the first year. We liked the proximity to the mountains and everyone is very friendly. If that's what you're looking for with a family oriented environment, then it's probably a good place for you. I will say that we met quite a few people from church with an overbearing friendliness to them and it was almost a little too much, but it doesn't mean it would happen to you - or that you would even mind! But yes, you will definitely find friendly in Lakewood. Good luck!

[livecontent]

Lakewood, ah, Lakewood, what can I say--I know it well because I have been to many places but I do not know it well because it is always changing...

Lakewood is a very large expansive suburbs that covers many different types of housing, neigborhoods and people. If you are looking into older established neighborhoods than the homes around the corridor of West Colfax is the answer. It is also the strip that hold establishments that bring memories for long term residents--example: Casa Bonita near Pierce and Dino's at Kipling and Colfax--yes, along the old cruise strip...

There are many neighborhoods up and down Wadsworth, Garrison and Kipling that go from older homes to the north and newer developments to the south and it is still expanding. One of my favorite areas are around Southwest Mall, yes, I know it is unincorporated Jefferson County but the boundaries of Lakewood go in and out and it has the same quality of place.

Another big burgeoning area is on Union, near Alameda, around the Federal Center which will see big changes as it will be the site of the new St. Anthony Hospital. This hospital is adjacent to one of the largest Park n' Rides, Cold Spring which in turn will turn into the light rail station on the West Corridor. That West Corridor Rail Line under fastracks will bring big changes to Lakewood. It follows the Lakewood Gulch and to Golden with many stations that will positively impact and change Lakewood.

You have many choices in Lakewood from new urbanism in Belmar to expansive old urbanism; you have a choice of known neighborhoods with good access to Dennver, expansive suburbs to the south and west; and in the future, the choice of new and upcoming changes that will make a Lakewood a good place to live.

What is the personality?? I would say many long term and native residents as many of the areas of the West side suburbs. It is very progressive in terms of growth, business development and some sprawl, if you consider that progressive. However, it does not ignore the old areas and has developed a city center around Alameda and Wadsworth. It has some difficult areas to the east that border some trying neighborhoods in Denver. However, many areas on this side of Denver are changing and improving and it is positively effecting this old inline suburb. It is also has some interesting areas of Denver that push into Lakewood near Bear Valley Park that I consider some of the great areas of the metroplex.

Livecontent

[BetterThanAliens]

Should I be concerned about "restrictive income" apartments in Lakewood? I'm looking for a central location and Lakewood seems to work, as does the price of their studios.

The Pines Apartments