Housing/Commute from Central Den to SW Littleton. (Denver, Aurora: relocating, apartments)

[colorado_native]

I am relocating to Denver from the Front Range later this summer for work. I am looking for an apartment to rent within a reasonable commute (<35 min) to my job site which is 1 mi southwest of C-470 and S. Kipling, just SW of Littleton. I really like what I've seen of the apartments located in Capital Hill and the surrounding areas, really nice restorations for a decent price. How bad would the commute be both during or slightly before/after rush hour traffic? Or would I be better of looking for an apartment in South Aurora/Centennial Area and taking 470 west? I'm under 30 and single, so I still want to be near culture/social scenes, more museums/coffee house than bar/club. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[tfox]

Maybe 35 minutes on a good day, but it's probably longer, maybe 45 minutes or worse on a bad day. The good thing is that it's a reverse commute. You have two options, Santa Fe to C-470 West or 6 to C-470 South. The latter having fewer lights but a bit longer. Fortunately, reverse commuting on either route helps since few commuters are going to that area. Also, since you headed so far west on C-470, you can avoid the mess on the more eastern part of C-470 which is permanent gridlock -- avoid C-470 east of Santa Fe at all costs.

I doubt moving to Aurora will help your commute much if at all, but moving down along Santa Fe in the DU/University/Platt Park area might shorten it considerably while maintaining something of the lifestyle you're looking for. Check out Old South Pearl -- a nice neighborhood center and a fun area. Not quite as lively as Capitol Hill, but a good option nonetheless.