Moving to north Denver and need help locating a nice neighborhood (Boulder: co-op, homes)

[zdma]

We are moving to Denver from Albuquerque in June and are already looking for a home to purchase in the north Denver area. My husband will be working in Thornton very near 120th street and I-25. Here are some of the criteria we have so far:
We would like to have over 2 acres and horses allowed.
We are looking for a good Christian church.
We homeschool our kids, both middle school and high school and would like to find homeschool sports leagues and co-op classes.
Our girls are violin players and we will need a good teacher.
My husband would like to commute no more than 30-45 minutes one way.

Areas that we have looked at so far are north and east of Thornton, in what is considered Brighton or Thornton. Also we have looked on the west side as far north as Berthoud. We don't want to spend more than 500k on a house.

Things that are important to us are things like safety and having a sense of community. We lived for a couple of years in the north Colo Springs area and felt very safe and we felt it was a great place to raise kids.

I would especially appreciate any input, with reasons to support it, regarding areas that we should avoid.

We would love to find a small town feel but are wondering if that is possible in such a metropolitan area.

thank you

[Count David]

You pretty much nailed it.

[zdma]

Not sure what you mean.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by zdma

Not sure what you mean.

...

Originally Posted by zdma

Areas that we have looked at so far are north and east of Thornton, in what is considered Brighton or Thornton. We don't want to spend more than 500k on a house.

[tfox]

It's hard to find large lot and equine properties really close in. I'd say you're already looking in the right places. Clearly east of I-25 will be much closer to your range than west, as Boulder County is quite expensive. Berthoud is just outside of Boulder county, but it contains many people who commute to Boulder county, so my guess is that it also might be a bit on the high side as a result.

Your price range (500k) is ample I think to find what you're looking for, as long as you're not to concerned about being close in or west. Thankfully, your job at 120th and I-25 is at the north end of town, so you're not likely to have to commute too far, though I'll warn you that traffic can be very bad on I-25 from about mile marker 240 all the way into Denver in the morning. Still, I think a 30-45 minute commute is doable.

As for homeschooling and Christian churches, both are very common here and you should have no problem finding other homeschooling families and an ample number of churches.

[mic111]

Not sure if this is of interest but there are two homes under $500K in Broomfield right near the 144th I-25 exit so about 10 min. to your husbands work.
REcolorado.com - brought to you by Metrolist Inc. (http://recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=838379 - broken link)
REcolorado.com - brought to you by Metrolist Inc. (http://recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=846454 - broken link)

These are on the west side of I-25. There are similar neighborhoods on the east side but I'm not sure how to search their subdivision names.

On the east side there is a nice looking newer neighborhood called Todd Creek. Here is one home offered there that is zoned for horses.
REcolorado.com - brought to you by Metrolist Inc. (http://recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=827043 - broken link)

However I would check out their current water situation as when we were looking (8 years ago so my info. may be out of date) they had problems with their water supply.

For any home you are serious about make sure you understand what water system they are part of and whether they have senior water rights and good water. Some neighborhoods in the foothills have well water. Some flatland neighborhoods (but I'm only familiar with the ones south of Denver where I used to live) are off of underground water supplies which may not last all that much longer.

Best of luck.

[SheridanL]

Berkeley!

[lindaylou]

I love that website, too! Todd Creek is nice, Wadley Farms is really close to 120th/I-25. I'd prefer Boulder County, Adams 12 school district to Brighton.