Need safe area of city with suburban feel (Denver, Aurora: apartment complexes, condos)

[Augie Daugie]

Lowry is nice and that apartment complex is quite nice. It is right behind the Lowry shopping area, so you could walk to the grocery store, coffee shop, restaurants, library, etc. The commute to downtown is about 20 minutes by car.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by katenik

What are the communities north of North Capital Hill-City Park West-City Park-South Park Hill like? What about the westernmost strip of the city? No one has mentioned anything out there? Are they industrial parks, no-go zones, single-family homes only, or what?

Also, when you say "downtown," which communities does that capture?

What's downtown is debatable, but as a rough guide take the area bounded by Speer on the west, I-25 on the Northwest, Park Avenue West on the Northeast, and Grant or so to complete the shape.

North of North Capitol Hill, City Park West is 5 Points - Curtis Park, an area that was once a bit of a skid row but has now improved dramatically, but still has somewhat "edgy" -- I'm guessing it's probably not quite what you're looking for right now though.

When you say the "western strip" of Denver, I'm not sure what you're pointing to exactly, but you might be looking at the Auraria Campus, which is the host of three colleges and universities, a mostly commuter campus. South of there is another improving area called Lincoln Park, which is now the host of the Santa Fe artwalk, one of the more organized art districts around the city, though on the other hand it continues to host some public housing, so it's kind of a mixed bag on that side.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by tfox

What's downtown is debatable, but as a rough guide take the area bounded by Speer on the west, I-25 on the Northwest, Park Avenue West on the Northeast, and Grant or so to complete the shape.

North of North Capitol Hill, City Park West is 5 Points - Curtis Park, an area that was once a bit of a skid row but has now improved dramatically, but still has somewhat "edgy" -- I'm guessing it's probably not quite what you're looking for right now though.

When you say the "western strip" of Denver, I'm not sure what you're pointing to exactly, but you might be looking at the Auraria Campus, which is the host of three colleges and universities, a mostly commuter campus. South of there is another improving area called Lincoln Park, which is now the host of the Santa Fe artwalk, one of the more organized art districts around the city, though on the other hand it continues to host some public housing, so it's kind of a mixed bag on that side.

I'm referencing the map that Steveindenver linked supra, so I don't have street names, but I can pull up a Google map for detail. No, I'm not looking for edgy.

The strip I mean is along the western edge of the map, from north to south: Regis; Berkeley; West Highland; Sloan Lake; West Colfax; Villa Park; Barnum (West); Westwood; Mar Lee; and on down to Marston. I haven't heard anything about these places.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by katenik

The strip I mean is along the western edge of the map, from north to south: Regis; Berkeley; West Highland; Sloan Lake; West Colfax; Villa Park; Barnum (West); Westwood; Mar Lee; and on down to Marston. I haven't heard anything about these places.

I think you are referring to Sheridan Blvd.

Regis - quiet, lower-middle class college neighborhood
Berkeley, West Highland - gentrified neighborhoods, probably would suit you well
Sloan's Lake - a gentrified neighborhood surrounding a lake
Harvey Park/Harvey Park South/Bear Valley - middle class, 50's-60's era homes
Fort Logan/Marston - middle class 60's-70's era homes

Forget West Colfax, Villa Park, Barnum (both), Westwood and Mar Lee. They aren't what you are looking for, and probably would give you a more negative opinion of Denver.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I think you are referring to Sheridan Blvd.

Regis - quiet, lower-middle class college neighborhood
Berkeley, West Highland - gentrified neighborhoods, probably would suit you well
Sloan's Lake - a gentrified neighborhood surrounding a lake
Harvey Park/Harvey Park South/Bear Valley - middle class, 50's-60's era homes
Fort Logan/Marston - middle class 60's-70's era homes

Forget West Colfax, Villa Park, Barnum (both), Westwood and Mar Lee. They aren't what you are looking for, and probably would give you a more negative opinion of Denver.

I will put them out of my mind, then. I don't even like the sound of "gentrified," as it often signifies a work-in-progress and/or a questionable fringe, and that isn't what I want, either.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by katenik

I will put them out of my mind, then. I don't even like the sound of "gentrified," as it often signifies a work-in-progress and/or a questionable fringe, and that isn't what I want, either.

No, not at all. The gentrification of those neighborhoods has been complete for awhile now. Berkeley and Highland have plenty of "mature, single professionals", and aren't areas known to be particularly kid-centric, nor or they even close to being ghettos, or on the fringe of one.

Have you given SE Denver a thought? Try zips 80231, 80222, 80224, 80237, etc.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by denverian

These Lowry apartments are in a nice area -you could walk to the grocery store, Starbucks, restaurants, trails, a 24 Hr. Fitness, and other stores in the town center. The building is some old Air Force building that was converted into apartments, so I'm assuming they're reasonably new on the inside. Not sure about noise though, but the area is safe, nice, and no more than 15 min. from downtown by car. You could also take a bus downtown from here.

My nephew lived at Lowry for a while. The apt. was nice; new and very spacious.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Katiana

My nephew lived at Lowry for a while. The apt. was nice; new and very spacious.

Did he say anything about the noise level? I like the look of it, but I'm concerned about the size and potential for loud neighbors. Do you happen to know if either of the three complexes there is more mellow than the others?

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by katenik

Did he say anything about the noise level? I like the look of it, but I'm concerned about the size and potential for loud neighbors. Do you happen to know if either of the three complexes there is more mellow than the others?

Sorry, no to both your questions. He only lived there a very short time.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Sorry, no to both your questions. He only lived there a very short time.

I hope he didn't move because it was too crowded or too noisy. Wherever I end up, I know that it will be for no more than two years, so I'm willing to sacrifice a great deal in the short term, but I MUST have peace and quiet. I suppose that that is possible in a large complex if the other tenants place a premium on same, but the odds certainly decrease as residency increases.