Help me with a Denver suburb! (Aurora, Lakewood: mortgage, refinancing, house)

[leosmama]

Well, we thought we had narrowed our suburban home search down to the Green Mountain area of Lakewood, but then we stumbled upon Ken Caryl and then Standley Lake. I suppose it's a good thing that there are so many nice areas to choose from, but I feel overwhelmed!

I've posted before but I'll ask again, this time more specifically

What is your favorite?

Here are things we are looking for:

-Good schools
-A nice, newer (or updated) home between $250 and $299k
-Less than 30 minutes to Denver
-A centralized "downtown" area - ie, not just strip malls of big box stores
-Proximity to Boulder is nice, just for variety, but not necessary
-Access to good parks and trails
-An area that is growing and increasing in value/desirability
-Lovely views of the mountains or Flatirons

FWIW, I work in the Standley Lake area but I'm a teacher so I don't have to stay at my current school, and my husband works in Lowry. We have 1 son, who turns 1 next year. We are liberal-minded and would prefer a community with others similar to us, ie not a well-known Republican neighborhood...that said, we get along with almost anyone.

[steveindenver]

Unlikely if not impossible to hit all of those in that price range.

You were considering Green Mountain with a husband that works in Lowry? Wake up and do that drive during rush hour one morning.

[Katiana]

Shockingly, I agree with steveindenver. Find something closer to your DH's job. Don't worry too much about school districts. There are good districts all over the metro area.

[livecontent]

-Good schools
-A nice, newer (or updated) home between $250 and $299k
-Less than 30 minutes to Denver
"-A centralized "downtown" area - ie, not just strip malls of big box stores
-Proximity to Boulder is nice, just for variety, but not necessary
-Access to good parks and trails
-An area that is growing and increasing in value/desirability
-Lovely views of the mountains or Flatirons"

To me, all this describes Denver. You will have good public transportation and a walkable neighborhood. Denver has a variety of good neigbhorhoods. You can easily choose many of the more suburban style neighborhoods in South/Southeast Denver proper. Also, Aurora is a suburbs and has some great areas. You would then be closer to Lowry.

Stanley Lake area in Westminster lacks good public transit and is not a good walkable area. Stanley Lake recreational value is questionable as it has very limited access at 88th for a fee, which get terribly congested with the boatable crowd. It has very limited trail access, as it main function is a water storage reservoir.

Certainly, Green Mountain in Lakewood is a better area for public transit and a new commuter rail station will be opening nearby at the Federal Center. Also, it has better public access parks. But I agree, driving to Lowry would be hard.

Livecontent

[leosmama]

We are currently in Denver and looking for a suburban house in order to lessen our mortgage payment.

[2bindenver]

where in Denver are you?

Have you considered the cost of refinancing vs moving?

[leosmama]

We've already refi'd, yes. We didn't know I'd want to go part-time after having our baby, and my husband has been on a salary freeze now for a year. We're not looking for our "forever home," necessarily, just one that will be comfortable for another five years while we get our feet back on the ground financially.

We're in the Highlands area. It is going to be VERY hard for us to leave. We love it here, but we are basically chained to our home, as after paying mortgage and bills there's nothing left over.

[leosmama]

Thoughts on Broomfield??

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by leosmama

Thoughts on Broomfield??

I like Broomfield and it's a very "family" area. Not too close to Lowry, though.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by leosmama

We've already refi'd, yes. We didn't know I'd want to go part-time after having our baby, and my husband has been on a salary freeze now for a year. We're not looking for our "forever home," necessarily, just one that will be comfortable for another five years while we get our feet back on the ground financially.

We're in the Highlands area. It is going to be VERY hard for us to leave. We love it here, but we are basically chained to our home, as after paying mortgage and bills there's nothing left over.

You already live in an area that has less expensive homes that fits your price range, that you stated. If you like it there. then stay and find another house that you can afford. However, most importantly, learn to live within a budget, even if it requires some compromises on your lifestyle. Also learn that you must save money for future expenses that WILL happen--like having a baby, illnesses or a job lose/reduction in salary.

Livecontent