I'm looking for opinions of the city of Sheridan and Englewood (Denver: renters, crime rates)

[Mirewin]

I'm starting a house search and while I drive by the city of Sheridan everyday and I remember someone telling me once that it wasn't a desirable place to live, I can't remember why it was bad. Englewood is the same way. I hear bad things but I would like to hear from people that are actually in the areas before I look around and eliminate houses just on the "someone once said ick". I'm looking for a house more on the west side of town and while I could probably afford a nice new townhouse in Littleton, an older fixer-upper house with a yard has appeal too.
Anyone have anything to say about these 2 places?

[yodi]

I live in the older section of Englewood and am very happy here. I like that it has it's own downtown area with restaurants and interesting shops. I like the library and rec center. I like being able to walk over to the light rail station and ride downtown. I like the mature trees and older homes.

Englewood has a high number of renters and generally renters don't take as good care of their property as owners so there are unkempt houses mixed in with well taken care of homes. Englewood varies block by block. I like certain sections better then others.

I have heard people refer to Englewood as "Englehood". While it is a blue collar area I would hardly call it a bad one. It's an affordable area that sits in a very desirable location. I can ride my bike to Platt Park, DU and Washington Park. Downtown Denver is just 8 miles away.

I'm curious to hear from others why this area gets a bad rap.

[DOUBLE H]

Yodi is right. Englewood does vary block to block. It is also more affordable than most of the other suburbs in the Denver metro area.My mom has lived in the same house for 44 years (down near the park on Inca and Belleview) and only called the law one time regarding problems.

I am aware that the Englewood area EAST of Broadway has its issues. When Cinderella City went under, they done a good job revitalizing the area. I still liked the mall, but I like what they have done to the area.

Most Denver suburbs has their iffy areas, Englewood is no exception.

[livecontent]

Englewood was the first Transit Oriented Development (TOD) done on the commuter rail lines and I think it is a success. Because around the station you have shopping, a library, a Walmart, King Soopers etc. You have multiple type of housing options. In addition, one the largest hospitals in the area, Swedish, is just down Hampden. All that is connected by a free shuttle, ARTS. In addition, you access to other areas of the Denver or the southern suburbs by the frequent bus, Route O, which runs along Broadway. You can easily live in this area and have that which you need, without owning a car. With the hospital and associated clinics it makes it an excellent choice for seniors.

Sheridan has now constructed a Shopping area, south of the Golf Course, within a walkable distance to the Oxford Station. It is called, River Point Miller Weingarten This adds a SuperTarget, a new Cinema, Barnes and Noble, Costco and numerous other stores.

Now if you take Englewood TOD together with the shopping at River Point in Sheridan, which is just one station away and very close, you have a great area to live in an urban environment with the stores you typically see in the suburbs.

It is helpful to think that when you live near a commuter rail station, all amenities that are near any station becomes easily part of your extended walkable neighborhood, even though they are a distance away. Having lived in Europe and New York City, I have seen this type of exciting urban environment and I think Denver is on the right track. Denver is now in the process of adding even more TODs along the southwest rail line, especially in the area of the old Gates Rubber Facility. Eventually this Southwest Rail Corridor will be even more desirable place to live.

I think the Englewood was given a bad reputation and probably somewhat justified, by the type of crowd that hung around the aging Cinderella City. Now, that it is no more, the reputation still has somewhat of an influence. Also, many people who look at old areas and think bad---well, those of us who know the urban areas of Denver, know that is not necessarity true.

Livecontent

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

You can find lots of older fixer-uppers in both Englewood and Sheridan. Englewood is larger and has more income, thus the government can do a better job of taking care of the infrastructure. Sheridan has some older homes on larger lots north of Hampden between Fedeal and Santa Fe Drive. Personally, I wouldn't live in either if I had kids because the schools aren't very good. Especially the Sheridan schools.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

You can find lots of older fixer-uppers in both Englewood and Sheridan. Englewood is larger and has more income, thus the government can do a better job of taking care of the infrastructure. Sheridan has some older homes on larger lots north of Hampden between Fedeal and Santa Fe Drive. Personally, I wouldn't live in either if I had kids because the schools aren't very good. Especially the Sheridan schools.

You have made some good points. Sheridan is indeed small. Yes, schools are always a concern, if you have children; I do not have any at home, so I do not look at that issue, as much as I should.

I do not think that viewing it is always a good assumption to have that, because an area is old, the schools are bad. In the same sense, viewing a new suburbs, and assuming the schools are the best. I am not saying you are making those assumptions. I am just stating a thought and observations from some of my experiences.

Urban older cities have some of the best schools in the nations, both public,private and sectarian. With the introduction of charter schools, parents also have more choices than before. I also believe that we gain some very smart, bright people whose acumen and intelligence has been sharpen by a varied environment of different people, different economic classes and perhaps the travails and turmoil from association with difficulties in early years.

Livecontent

[yodi]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Personally, I wouldn't live in either if I had kids because the schools aren't very good. Especially the Sheridan schools.

As a parent of a young child, I have been looking into the schools in Englewood for awhile now. Englewood Elementary schools are all rated as "average" based on their CSAP scores and that could definitely be a concern to parents. There are two options for Middle School, one is rated a 9 out of 10 (Englewood Leadership Academy) and the other is just a 3 out of 10. The high school is rated as average.

The Englewood School District is currently in the process of making changes to some of it's schools and the district at large. For example, Charles Hay Elementary uses an International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme curriculum, and they are working toward authorization as an IB World school. I have heard good things about this school from other parents in the community. One other thing that I see as a positive is that the schools are small and so are the size of the classes. That's really important to me as a parent.

There are so many different factors to consider when sending one's child into school, it can be overwhelming. It is nice that we have so many different choices.

[metroarea1]

Englewood and Sheridan have some of the highest crime rates in Colorado. Thier police departments are actually busier then both Denver and Aurora. They have some of the busiest Fire Departments in the state as well. Go to Littelton or Centennial...its safer.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by metroarea1

Englewood and Sheridan have some of the highest crime rates in Colorado. Thier police departments are actually busier then both Denver and Aurora. They have some of the busiest Fire Departments in the state as well. Go to Littelton or Centennial...its safer.

Oh, really??? I would love to see some statistics to back up your statement.

Thanks,

Livecontent

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Livecontent, I just saw the statement that you made in March following my post. You assumed that my comment on the quality of schools in Sheridan was based on "viewing" the area and that because it is old that the schools are not good. That is not a correct assumption. I have worked in Sheridan for many years and am familiar with the government, the school system, the demographics, etc. I also know a lot of people who live there and have experienced the schools firsthand.

It's very easy for anyone to check CSAP scores to find school's performance. Another factor is to look at the number of students on the free lunch program.