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Where to live if working at Denver Inernational Airport.
My husband works for a Major airline & may be able to transfer to Denver International Airport. He makes $70,000./yr. We would be renting to begin with. We are looking for a good school district in a safe neighborhood in the suburbs, close to shopping, Wal-mart, & childrens activities. But also a short drive to Denver Airport (less than 30 mins).
Is that possible? What cities?
If you live near Smoky Hill & E-470 or Quincy & E-470 and are willing to take the toll road, you should be able to get to the airport in just about or under 30 min. This area is the textbook definition of Wal-Mart and little kiddie-ville. Or you can take Buckley or Gun Club and then it would take ~45-50 minutes (with no snow).
Another suggestion is Brighton. You won't find many here promoting it, but I've lived here for 8 years and it's served us well. It's definitely within 30 minutes of DIA by both toll road or public roads (aka free).
The Reunion neighborhood in NE Commerce City is something to consider as well; it's much closer to DIA than Brighton or SE Aurora. It's in the Brighton School District, which is thought to be much better than many nearby districts, and the developer (Shea Homes, who are also behind Highlands Ranch) has a good reputation. I would venture to say that Reunion is probably one of the very few quality newer construction neighborhoods in close proximity to DIA. One thing to check, however, is property taxes. Many newer subdivisions in the outer Metro Denver have extremely high property taxes because of "make growth pay its own way" type sentiment.
Another option would be Stapleton. Though it's in the city of Denver and likes to market itself as "urban" -- I think it might be appealing and it's certainly safe. Schools within Stapleton are quite good, despite it being within DPS. I suspect that you may find prices there a bit on the high side relative to other areas, but on the other hand that neighborhood is popular enough that its prices held up well even during this economic downturn. An additional advantage of Stapleton is that it's very well connected to DIA via transit. It would also easily be within your 30 minute radius by car.
Edit: Just wanted to conclude after the fact by pointing out that historically NE Denver has been known as the less desirable side of town and I do find it interesting that that perception tends to impact neighboring suburban areas as well. Once you go WAY out, say, to Brighton, things are fine but in the middle you'll see lots of blight. That makes it challenging to find something within easy reach of DIA.
My husband works for a Major airline & may be able to transfer to Denver International Airport. He makes $70,000./yr. We would be renting to begin with. We are looking for a good school district in a safe neighborhood in the suburbs, close to shopping, Wal-mart, & childrens activities. But also a short drive to Denver Airport (less than 30 mins).
Is that possible? What cities?
My husband works for the airport and we live in SE Aurora. We rented for a year in Green Valley Ranch (which is about 15 minutes from the airport) while we searched for a place to live. I would not recommend GVR to you (see a previous thread for that one). Despite all the flag waving for Stapleton, I wouldn't recommend you move there either. Sure, it's shiny and new, and the prices of homes are holding up "well", but you are literally surrounded by not-great areas. Where do you think those living in those areas go to shop? Who do you think your kids will get to go to school with? Stapleton may be a great place to live once it's built out and can justify all the planning it's been doing, but moving there right now means you are in the infant stages of it and with Montbello immediately to the North, Commerce City to the Northwest, eating out, shopping and going to the movies means you and your family will be surrounded by the exact same people who live in those places and therefore make it dangerous and "ghetto" (by the way, Denver's version of "ghetto" is not nearly what it is in other cities, but that doesn't mean they don't have crime and violence).
We decided on SE Aurora because it takes 25 minutes from our driveway to the parking lot at his office for him to commute. It's in the Cherry Creek School District which is one of the best in the state (though you will hear from others who like to nitpick...it's the truth), and is definitely suburbia. We have the Southlands Mall less than a mile away and there you will find Wally World, restaurants, shopping, Barnes and Noble, etc. The amazing Smoky Hill library (complete with children's story times and more importantly, a coffee bar) is down the street. Our neighborhood is considered a "walking neighborhood" which mean that the 2 elementary schools, junior high and high school are a reasonable walk. I love it because with the exception of the days when it's really cold or snowing, everyone makes the pilgrimage to school. It's a great way to meet your neighbors. Speaking of neighbors, my daughter's elementary school boasts it has the same demographics as the US. I did not want to live somewhere "lily white." I love that my daughter's class is full of kids from all different backgrounds as well as the neighborhood. With very few exceptions, we have all moved there for the same reason...a great place to raise kids. We take care of our yards, know most of our neighbors and voted in a school bond during the last election despite the economy.
I would highly recommend looking in our neighborhood. It's called Saddle Rock Ridge. Technically we are in zip code 80015 but it's closer to 80016. Be careful when looking AROUND this area because we are at the edge of Cherry Creek School District. One the other side of the road is Aurora Public Schools, which I don't recommend. I know for a fact that there are rental properties as well as homes for sale (though I would be careful about buying a house right now, especially with your husband's line of work). The Saddle Rock Ridge neighborhood is HUGE so you will likely find something in your price range and your taste.
You can IM me for more info but it sounds like you are looking for something similar to what we were looking for and since our husbands are going to be working at the same location, I can definitely vouch for the commute time.
I don't know if this is allowed on this site, but here is a house for sale on my street. COhomefinder | 5291 S Shawnee St Aurora, CO 80015 - MLS #744706 - Home for sale at Colorado HomeFinder. It's the same model as ours but without the basement. It backs to the same open space we have (a bike/walking trail which you can take to the elementary, junior and high schools). Though you aren't looking to buy, the site can give you an idea of what's out there as well as give you the map. You should drive through the neighborhood and look for some "for rent" signs. I know for sure there are a few, though I can't vouch for their condition.
I personally think SE Aurora is too far from the airport for one working there, I previously lived in 80015, and for me, the commute to the airport was far too long. And E-470 is way too expensive. The sad part is that there aren't any prototypical "safe"/goodschools/suburban/walmart neighborhoods within decent commuting distance. I would wave the flag for GVR, but I'll try and not start another one of those fights.
Quote:
Originally Posted by the3Ds
Technically we are in zip code 80015 but it's closer to 80016.
Why do you always say that? Does it make that much of a difference? You are in 80015, whether you like it or not. 80016 is technically more affluent, but there are plenty of very affluent areas in 80015 as well. 80015 is great, and anybody should feel more than good about themselves if they live anywhere within its boundaries. BTW, I'm in 80012, but my hood is more like 80247.
Quote:
Originally Posted by the3Ds
Be careful when looking AROUND this area because we are at the edge of Cherry Creek School District. One the other side of the road is Aurora Public Schools, which I don't recommend.
The furthest south APS goes is north of Quincy Ave, but only east of E-470. That's far enough away from you to insulate your hood from APS, isn't it? I don't think anybody (or very many) even lives North of Quincy/E of E-470. I think staying in zip 80015 (or 80016), would definitely ensure a Cherry Creek Schools address.
I personally think SE Aurora is too far from the airport for one working there, I previously lived in 80015, and for me, the commute to the airport was far too long. And E-470 is way too expensive. The sad part is that there aren't any prototypical "safe"/goodschools/suburban/walmart neighborhoods within decent commuting distance. I would wave the flag for GVR, but I'll try and not start another one of those fights.
Why do you always say that? Does it make that much of a difference? You are in 80015, whether you like it or not. 80016 is technically more affluent, but there are plenty of very affluent areas in 80015 as well. 80015 is great, and anybody should feel more than good about themselves if they live anywhere within its boundaries. BTW, I'm in 80012, but my hood is more like 80247.
The furthest south APS goes is north of Quincy Ave, but only east of E-470. That's far enough away from you to insulate your hood from APS, isn't it? I don't think anybody (or very many) even lives North of Quincy/E of E-470. I think staying in zip 80015 (or 80016), would definitely ensure a Cherry Creek Schools address.
I think a lot of people here about being unnecessarily territorial. What are we, a bunch of gangsters here? Personally I'm proud to have grown up in the "heart" of 80015 and having gone to Smoky Hill HS. Looking at that map, 3Ds must live in the Eaglecrest area, and just to the north of her attends Cherokee Trail, and a little bit south attends Grandview. Who cares? There are many good places to live. Some people have different tastes, different needs than others. 80015 is almost 100% built out, other than for a couple of mini slivers of development here and there. Some people enjoy being on the bleeding edge of development where the paint hasn't even finished drying yet, some prefer more established communities with mature trees and residents who have lived there for years.
The unfortunate thing with working at the airport is there really is no ideal place to live around there. This is perhaps one place where both the hardcore urbanists and the Babies-R-Us-ville suburbanites are equally unsatisfied. It just is plain located in BFE, so people have to make choices, giving up one thing or another.
You can find places to live that are within 30 minutes drive to the airport but you will have fewer choices of places to live because the airport is not close and many of the neighborhoods may not fit your needs.
There is another way to look at where to live and have better commuting options. That way is to work in reverse, look at the RTD public transit The Regional Transportation District Home Page and find a place to live that is close by to a Sky Ride Route to DIA http://www.rtd-denver.com/skyRide/skyRideMap.pdf (broken link) These are comfortable air-conditioned express buses to the airport. You will have much more choices of great neighborhoods and will not have to worry about the commute.
The airport is one of those places in the community where you know you can get reliable and consistent public transportation to/from, from early morning to late at night. In addition, most employers at the airport provide free or low cost passes for the buses. Many employees: pilots, stewards, mechanics, service personnel etc. take the bus to the airport; I have met all these people on the buses. Perhaps they may know something better, about commuting to an airport, that others do not know???
The airport destination is also part of the fastracks public transit improvement with a commuter line that will be built to the airport. This is one of the corridors that has specific federal funding for public/private partnership, so we are more assured of the completion of the line.
You may even find a good area to live where driving can also be convenient, but you will have the option for public transit; especially if the weather is bad. Also, in these days of uncertainty of gas prices, it is very nice to know that you can take a bus; with a fare that may even be paid by your employer.
I've seen you post the same question with the same salary in the Los Angeles and San Francisco forums. If cost of living and quality of life mean anything, I hope you strongly consider Denver. You'll need to make twice as much in coastal California vs. Denver for the same standard of living.
I've seen you post the same question with the same salary in the Los Angeles and San Francisco forums. If cost of living and quality of life mean anything, I hope you strongly consider Denver. You'll need to make twice as much in coastal California vs. Denver for the same standard of living.
Yes, I have, we are trying to decide where we would be able to live on the west coast, we have lived on the east coast for our whole lives & want to make a change. We are not sure about the cold weather & snow in Denver though. So we can use all the help & suggestions we can get.
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Where to live if working at Denver Inernational Airport.
Does it make that much of a difference?
Many employees: pilots, stewards, mechanics, service personnel etc. take the bus to the airport; I have met all these people on the buses. Perhaps they may know something better, about commuting to an airport, that others do not know???
