Upscale Apartments in Denver - recommendations? (Westminster, Highlands Ranch: apartment complex, for rent, lofts)

[coyoteloon]

Hey folks, I posted a question about finding a place to live a few months ago, which was, admittedly, vague and open-ended. But my cloudy future is starting to coalesce into something I can plan around. Looks like I'll be moving to Denver within a month to six weeks! Yes, I'm very excited. So I'm going to ask a follow-up question with some more specifics.

I'm looking for an "upscale" apartment complex (newer is better) in a neighborhood populated by degreed professionals. I have a decent job, and I'm not interested in living like a college student (been there, done that) I'm looking for a 1000 sq ft, one-bedroom apartment, and I expect it to rent for $1000-$1500 a month. While I'm looking to avoid overpriced places, I'd consider paying up to $1800 if I thought an apartment was exceptional. Upgraded gas appliances, covered parking, proximity to a good grocery store, access to light rail, a *real* workout room, and access to running/biking trails are big pluses. Walkability is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. Also, I'm single and in my early 40's, so I'd like it if there were 30- and 40-somethings in the area (as opposed to "college kids partying until 3 am", "Crips/Bloods recruiting officers", or "trailer families with five screaming kids running around in the yard").

I still don't know whether I'll be working in the DTC or the Westminster/Broomfield area, so I need options to cover either possibility. I don't mind commuting 20 minutes or so.

I apologize if I'm coming across as a hoidy-toidy stuck-up jerk, but I've learned to be picky about apartments, where every low-budget anthill is advertised as a "luxury apartment", and your neighbors play a huge part in how much you enjoy your new home. I know there will be trade-offs, and I won't find a "perfect" apartment.

So what places should I check out?

[bhcompy]

If it was just DTC I'd say check out Legacy at Highlands Ranch which is fairly new and pretty nice, but I may have a different view of a "luxury apartment" being a family man

[Willy702]

Too funny. Guess most of us live like a family man or a college student according to this.

[Mach50]

coyoteloon - You should move to coastal SoCal, you would fit right in with the single upscale wannabees. Let me guess, you drive a BMW?

Originally Posted by coyoteloon

I apologize if I'm coming across as a hoidy-toidy stuck-up jerk

Apology accepted

[denverkid]

Why are the people responding to this thread from California?

Anyway, I'd look at the Riverfront Park neighborhood. All the the buildings are new, nice, and the crowd is therefore a bit older and not the college scene. It's right by Union Station and its many light rail lines, close to the highway, extremely walkable, near bike and running paths. They'll be more amenities once the Union Station neighborhood starts to build out, but there are some restaurants and a Vitamin Cottage (small, upscale grocery store) right there.

Most of the building are condos, but a ton of the units were purchased by investors and are for rent. I'd try searching (craigslist perhaps) by building: Glass House, Creekside Lofts, The Manhattan, Park Place Lofts, Promenade Lofts, Riverfront Tower, The Station At Riverfront.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by denverkid

Why are the people responding to this thread from California?

Some of us have been househunting(or apartment hunting) in the Denver area, and that information could be helpful to people also looking to come to Denver

[denverkid]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Some of us have been househunting(or apartment hunting) in the Denver area, and that information could be helpful to people also looking to come to Denver

I was mainly referring to the other 2 responses on here: Willy720 (Vegas) and Mach50 (SoCal) who attacked the OP seemingly for wanting to live somewhere upscale and added absolutely nothing to the thread.

[coyoteloon]

Originally Posted by Mach50

coyoteloon - You should move to coastal SoCal, you would fit right in with the single upscale wannabees. Let me guess, you drive a BMW?



Apology accepted

Heh - yeah, I know this posting absolutely reeks of condescension. But I'm using the "aim for the stars, reach the moon" philosophy. My experience is that it's most important to price an apartment according to neighborhood and neighbors. The caliber of the apartment will take care of itself. In a way, I'm being a bigot - an *economic* bigot. I'd rather live next to Heathcliff Huxtable than Larry the Cable Guy.

I've just noticed that a lot of the "where to live" advice in these forums has been aimed at younger, fresh-out-of-college folks who need to stretch every dollar to its limit. And that's fine. I'm just in a different place in my life now, and I'm fortunate enough to have bumped up my standards from the days when I used milk crates and pizza boxes as furniture.

I also know that a lot of young folks want to live downtown in a vibrant, exciting, go-go urban area that doesn't go to sleep until the wee hours. And those days are *loooong* gone for me, unfortunately. So I'm going to be happier living a short drive away from the culture/restaurants/museums, than say, living in an admittedly-cool loft that's situated over top of a rave bar.

[Moonwalkr]

Not sure about apartments, most of the professionals I know who live communally own condos downtown, you can get a decent one around 300k.

[maciesmom]

The OP is explaining what he is looking for...I don't see a problem with that. I have kids and live in the burbs....I didn't find it condescending at all....