Housing in rural areas outside Denver advice sought. (Arvada, Westminster: real estate market, apartment)

[NatureLuvr's]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Name a few. Obviously you know nothing about it besides what you have "heard".

Yes I have heard a few bad things, but the main reason is it is simply on the wrong side of Denver, lol...

[NatureLuvr's]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

OK - well 1200-1500 would be considered small by recent standards ("average" square footage for homes is over 2200 sq ft although smaller than 5 years ago)...and if you are willing to look other than the foothills area you mentioned previously, you should be able to find something. Katiana has mentioned some good places to look. If at all possible, get the jobs lined up first so you can best determine a realistic commute. Best of luck to you.

Thanks! Well I was not sure what is classified these days as small or not. but we decided that with just us 2 (grown & gone children) we only needed and wanted about 1500 sf on average. Easier to maintain and cheaper to heat and cool. The foothills would be ideal, but other places mentioned may do just fine. Arvada didn't sound too bad.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by NatureLuvr's

Yes I have heard a few bad things, but the main reason is it is simply on the wrong side of Denver, lol...

Okay, just for the record, any of the bad things you've heard about Aurora don't apply to the entire city, just one teeny-tiny part of it, which isn't all that bad.

So you want to be closer to the mountains, I presume? Just make a note that parts of Aurora have amazing mountain views if you are simply looking for a view, as opposed to the mountains themselves.

There are parts of Arvada that have a semi-rural feel, with the mountains sitting there not too terribly far away. Far west down 88th Ave is good place to look.

[NatureLuvr's]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Okay, just for the record, any of the bad things you've heard about Aurora don't apply to the entire city, just one teeny-tiny part of it, which isn't all that bad.

So you want to be closer to the mountains, I presume? Just make a note that parts of Aurora have amazing mountain views if you are simply looking for a view, as opposed to the mountains themselves.

There are parts of Arvada that have a semi-rural feel, with the mountains sitting there not too terribly far away. Far west down 88th Ave is good place to look.

Great! Thanks!

[ms.rain]

Try realtor.com I go on it a lot. No signing up for anything!

[2bindenver]

I have been thinking about this for a couple of days now. I am puzzled.

I think I am not understanding the thought process.

If you know you are going to need glasses, do you seek out a qualified professional first or do you look at frames online?

If you know you are going to need back surgery, do you seek out the best professional/hospital/recovery for the best possible outcome first or do you take the first surgeon with an open appointment?

If you know you are going to buy a house, why don't people seek out a real estate professional? Why do people think it's only about the property and not the service that gets the best outcome for your specific situation?

If in interviewing agents, you connect with one, sign up and get specific property matches. Keep it real, give feedback. Modify your search. Communicate. Let them know that you have put your search on hold, or want to focus on a different area, or type of property.

We believe what you tell us. We don't know that you changed your mind. I can change your search anytime, but I can't help you buy a house that I don't know you want.

[HighlandsGal]

To the OP..........I don't know your family situation at all, but my fiance and I bought a flipped house in NW Denver (sunnyside neighborhood) with 1600 sq. ft. It has a huge yard, detached double car garage, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, 3 bedrooms, two full baths, and hardwood floors. We got it for $216,000 and love it!! I think you can definitely find something in your price range, as long as you aren't looking for a cookie cutter mega mansion in the burbs

Edited to add -- I realize you are looking outside of the city and even suburbs............ I still think you should be able to find something that suits your needs in your price range.

[maciesmom]

Wow HG - that is great! My friend bought a house in the northern part of Highlands a year or two ago and spent well over 300K for it...sounds like a similar home too....Good to know there are good deals to be had. That is a neat neighborhood....

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

Wow HG - that is great! My friend bought a house in the northern part of Highlands a year or two ago and spent well over 300K for it...sounds like a similar home too....Good to know there are good deals to be had. That is a neat neighborhood....

Thanks MM! We are in Sunnyside, just north of Highlands.......couldn't quite afford a house like ours in that neighborhood. We are happy where we are though.........close to 25 and 70, great shopping and restaurants and we have a double lot to boot.

[NatureLuvr's]

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

To the OP..........I don't know your family situation at all, but my fiance and I bought a flipped house in NW Denver (sunnyside neighborhood) with 1600 sq. ft. It has a huge yard, detached double car garage, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, 3 bedrooms, two full baths, and hardwood floors. We got it for $216,000 and love it!! I think you can definitely find something in your price range, as long as you aren't looking for a cookie cutter mega mansion in the burbs

Edited to add -- I realize you are looking outside of the city and even suburbs............ I still think you should be able to find something that suits your needs in your price range.

Thanks HighlandsGal! That is about exactly what we would be looking for. Yes, our first choice would be a little out...but that is by no means set in stone. There have been many subdivisions in cities we have lived in we loved! And for us... NO big cookie cutter type stuff, that we don't care for at all lol... Simple but nice, yet with charm and character, not ancient but not necessarily brand new and a garage would be preferred lol a 2 space one even better We do like unique. Thanks for that post!