moving from Bay area to Metro Denver (Aurora, Arvada: houses, neighborhood)

[JenUlasewich]

Since your husband's work is in GV, you might want to look in SE Aurora. I just saw one on Craigslist in Park View (which is actually in Centennial, that general area is a patchwork quilt of Aurora, Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County) that is advertising at I think $1295. You might also check out Saddle Rock.

I'm thinking the area you should check out, roughly, is Smoky Hill to maybe Hampden (north-south) and Himalaya/Reservoir to let's say Gun Club (or maybe a bit further east). The key will be to try to avoid 225, that highway is no fun. If you lived by Buckley he could take Buckley down, which would help, but I really think you could get closer for the rent you mention

[outside1]

Your money will go furthest in Aurora. If you want a single-family house, I wouldn't expect anything more than a lower-middle class neighborhood at $1200/mo (anywhere in Denver metro).

Sure but if work is further away automobile gas/insurance/wear and tear can eat through a couple hundred dollars in a month easily.

If the author is like most people from Novato they will be moving here with huge jacked up pick-up truck.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by JenUlasewich

Since your husband's work is in GV, you might want to look in SE Aurora. I just saw one on Craigslist in Park View (which is actually in Centennial, that general area is a patchwork quilt of Aurora, Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County) that is advertising at I think $1295. You might also check out Saddle Rock.

I'm thinking the area you should check out, roughly, is Smoky Hill to maybe Hampden (north-south) and Himalaya/Reservoir to let's say Gun Club (or maybe a bit further east). The key will be to try to avoid 225, that highway is no fun. If you lived by Buckley he could take Buckley down, which would help, but I really think you could get closer for the rent you mention

Is the key avoiding the non-SE part of Aurora as well? What's the reason for that? You're advocating living close, but you're also advocating walling off everything but SE Aurora.

The OP would have to commute down Hampden, Quincy, Smoky Hill, Orchard or Arapahoe, any of which could be 15 minutes just to get to Parker Rd from where you're suggesting. And the commute doesn't end at Parker Rd (be it I-225, Dam Road, or Arapahoe). Living out there makes "avoiding I-225" a wash.

If the OP lived closer to I-225, the only misery they would face would be between Parker and I-25. A 15 minute stretch on the worst days. I commute home to Tamarac St every morning from DIA. I-225 isn't as bad as you're making it out to be.

The OP will get much more for their money in the non-SE parts of Aurora. The OP could also live closer to and/or in GV if they're willing to live in something that's not a single-family house, by either renting an apartment/condo/townhouse, etc.

Originally Posted by outside1

Sure but if work is further away automobile gas/insurance/wear and tear can eat through a couple hundred dollars in a month easily.

That's why we're not recommending Thornton.

[bjosker]

You guys are funny. I am not too worried about traffic - we get our fair share in No. Cal. Snow will complicate things I am sure, but we'll figure it out. Avoiding 225 is proving very difficult so far. No, we don't have a pickup truck! A subaru, like most Colorado residents???

[Count David]

Originally Posted by bjosker

You guys are funny. I am not too worried about traffic - we get our fair share in No. Cal. Snow will complicate things I am sure, but we'll figure it out. Avoiding 225 is proving very difficult so far. No, we don't have a pickup truck! A subaru, like most Colorado residents???

You don't need to avoid I-225.

[outside1]

Well 225 slows down even in the middle of the day heading south from I-70 around Colfax because the number of lanes reduces. Rush hour sees back ups on 225 in both directions pretty much every day.

[JenUlasewich]

David, you are right about non-SE Aurora being more affordable, I was just looking for ways to avoid 225 and get into a single family house that would be close to GV. I'm glad that your commute works for you, I personally would go a little nuts if I had to drive it every day. Sounds like OP has a high tolerance for traffic, so maybe that is the way to go for them.

You raise an excellent point about non-single family in and around GV. I would like to add to that that the OP should take a look at single family rentals in Walnut Hills, Willow Creek and Homestead. For that matter, and to your point & location, Southmoor (in Denver) could be a great option. The trick will be finding something in the right range, they don't necessarily come available all the time, but one might pop up.

[bjosker]

What do you guys know about the area of Aurora with the 80013 zip?

[formercalifornian]

Originally Posted by outside1

If the author is like most people from Novato they will be moving here with huge jacked up pick-up truck.

That's an absolutely ridiculous generalization.

Originally Posted by JenUlasewich

You raise an excellent point about non-single family in and around GV. I would like to add to that that the OP should take a look at single family rentals in Walnut Hills, Willow Creek and Homestead. For that matter, and to your point & location, Southmoor (in Denver) could be a great option. The trick will be finding something in the right range, they don't necessarily come available all the time, but one might pop up.

You can give it a shot, but in WC, I think you're looking at $1800-$2000 minimum for a small, single-family rental.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by JenUlasewich

For that matter, and to your point & location, Southmoor (in Denver) could be a great option. The trick will be finding something in the right range, they don't necessarily come available all the time, but one might pop up.

Most definitely. I could walk to the GV border from here, but they won't find a SFR for rent at that price around here unfortunately.

Originally Posted by bjosker

What do you guys know about the area of Aurora with the 80013 zip?

Middle class. Check it out.