apartment recommendations in north denver, (Westminster, Thornton: to rent, loan, neighborhoods)

[jackyskis]

Moving to Denver for job in October; work will be near 16570 Washington St, Thornton, ie just east of I 25, in north of city; would like to rent one bedroom apartment ( $700-900 ) in Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville. Perhaps someone could actually recommend a complex and make some observations about distances, travel times etc. Westminster looks nice too, but maybe too long a commute? So many seemingly lovely complexes to choose from, but no idea whether they are actually good to live in or not! No idea which neighbourhoods are OK and which to watch out for.
many thanks

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by jackyskis

Moving to Denver for job in October; work will be near 16570 Washington St, Thornton, ie just east of I 25, in north of city; would like to rent one bedroom apartment ( $700-900 ) in Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville. Perhaps someone could actually recommend a complex and make some observations about distances, travel times etc. Westminster looks nice too, but maybe too long a commute? So many seemingly lovely complexes to choose from, but no idea whether they are actually good to live in or not! No idea which neighbourhoods are OK and which to watch out for.
many thanks

Jacky, THANK YOU for posting specifics; our regulars on here will be able to give you GREAT advice.

Best of luck to you in your move. You're gonna love Colorado!

[jackyskis]

Mike,
Thanks for your wishes; yep, we're going to have a ball!

[robertzimmerman]

But if you're going to move here, you'll have to learn that "North Denver" is not where you think it is.

[livecontent]

Yea, "North Denver" is really a specific area term that is ingrained in the Denver Mythology for Natives. It is the area that is centered around West 38th, to the City Line at 52nd. to the north; and the city line to Sheridan Blvd. to the west; and to about, and give or take, to West 25th to the south and not including Sloan's Lake; and to Central, just west of I-25, to the east.

Now that is my perception of the area, after living here for 31 years and talking to many people in the area. It is an area that people are real proud to talk about and indicate that they grew up there. They talk about North High, the old Italian Neighborhood and now more Hispanic. It has the same emotions to residents as if you were talking about the "South Side" of Chicago or the "Lower East" of New York City.

"North Denver" is really the northwest side of the City of Denver. That is what is confusing to newcomers, and for me for years. I just found out that there was a incorporated municipality around Tennyson Street, which was called North Denver. It was absorbed into Denver and now is called the Berkeley neighborhood of Denver. I think that is the reason the name "North Denver" became in use. Denver developed toward "North Denver" and after it was absorbed the name stuck and became in use. It was after this, that the High School was built and took the name after the area--North Denver High School.

Now the area is becoming the new "in place to live" with many neighborhoods going through gentrification. However, the area never really deteriorated; it just got old. We talk now of West Highland, Highland (Potters Highland), Berkeley and now a term in coming into fashion by the hip crowd of Lower Highland or "LoHi" which is the area off of Zuni. Today in the Denver Post, there is article about this area Home prices in Lower Highland go up - The Denver Post Very interesting article but I dispute that it is similar to Brooklyn, as I am an ex New Yawker...no way.

Livecontent

[jackyskis]

OK guys; that's why we newbies to a town ask you experts; I get it; if anyone lives in a really nice apartment community that is well run and happy and would suit a young professional, in say, broomfield, louisville, or lafayette, please let me know; many thanks