Applying for a job in the Lafayette Area... (Denver, Westminster: for sale, real estate)

[rrdavis07]

Wife and I from Kansas...applying for a job near Lafayette. What can you tell me about this area? What are the other northern suburbs and what kind of drive would it be to Lafayette? What are the different school districts up there and does anyone know anything about them? Or links to info about them. How far (driving time) is Downtown Denver and southern Denver?

More info about us: early 40's, children 6 and 12. Schools very important to us. Might even be looking into a private school if the public ones don't measure up.

[Katarina Witt]

About 35 - 40 min. to downtown Denver, add 10 min or so to S. Denver if on I-25, from Lafayette. If you get the job, you might consider living in Lafayette itself. School district is Boulder Valley, well regarded. Boulder Valley School District - Home Page

[Bradburn1]

Lafayette is a wonderful little town with excellent schools, a fun downtown, and a great family atmosphere--I would encourage you to look there for housing and see what you like--BUT as Pittnurse mentioned, it is a bit of a drive to downtown (especially on Hwy 36 which is a parking lot during rush hours), however, I'm sure you could find public transit from there to downtown that would save your sanity, time, and money.

The whole north Denver metro area around Lafayette is great, you can't really go wrong school-wise (although check specific schools). So to narrow it down a bit,

1. Are you buying or renting?
2. If buying what is your price range?
3. What are the most important things to have in home for your family (sq feet/ size of lot etc..)
4. Most important characteristics in a neighborhood for you?

[rrdavis07]

You sound like an agent...

That's OK ;-)

We would be looking to buy. We are a family of 5. Currently living in a 2400 sq ft home (1400 on main floor, 1000 finished basement). It is a nice 4 BR/3 BA home, but we could really use an additional bedroom. We like newer homes as opposed to historic ones. Kids are 6 - 12 yrs. Would like a family oriented neighboorhood. Coming from very conservative KS, we'd like to not be the only Republicans on the block.

Price range for the house is another matter entirely. KS is known for real estate being very affordable. Denver area is much more expensive when it comes to housing prices, I'm told. Our very nice house in a popular west-side neighborhood--excellent suburban school district--appraises for about $160K. I would imagine such a house in a Denver suburb would be significantly more expensive.

[NickMan7]

Originally Posted by rrdavis07

You sound like an agent...

That's OK ;-)

We would be looking to buy. We are a family of 5. Currently living in a 2400 sq ft home (1400 on main floor, 1000 finished basement). It is a nice 4 BR/3 BA home, but we could really use an additional bedroom. We like newer homes as opposed to historic ones. Kids are 6 - 12 yrs. Would like a family oriented neighboorhood. Coming from very conservative KS, we'd like to not be the only Republicans on the block.

Price range for the house is another matter entirely. KS is known for real estate being very affordable. Denver area is much more expensive when it comes to housing prices, I'm told. Our very nice house in a popular west-side neighborhood--excellent suburban school district--appraises for about $160K. I would imagine such a house in a Denver suburb would be significantly more expensive.

Schools are very good (Boulder County); no real issues there. Lafayette is extremely family-friendly, so nothing to worry about there, either. The area is definitely more liberal than conservative, so you'll be just fine.

You won't find a newer home with 5 bedrooms for anywhere near $160k (not to be negative, but it won't happen). I don't know if there is much new construction in the Lafayette area (perhaps Pittnurse would know?), but whatever you find that is comparable to what you've got (sqaure footage-wise + 5 bed) will set you back at least in the high $200,000s.

[Katarina Witt]

I don't think there is much construction in Lafayette at the moment. Some new townhouses are going up near Centaurus HS, but I don't know of anything else right now. A realtor could give you a better idea. Agree with NickMan on the prices.

[Bradburn1]

I'm not an agent, but needed specific info to narrow down areas to suggest considering the north metro area covers a lot of ground.

When I look at the mls, there are 3 properties listed for sale in Lafayette between 160-180 K, they run 1000-1300 sq feet and are all townhomes. I looked for homes 2400-2600 sq feet with 4-5 bedrooms and there were two listings, one for 299, one for 599. I'm afraid you are going to have horrible sticker shock.

BUT, when I looked in Broomfield for 2400-2600 4-5 bedrooms there were a few nice looking listings, even one as low as 239 for a newer home with 5 bedrooms, so there is hope! Lafayette is a bit more expensive because it's Boulder County, so check areas close by like Broomfield and Westminster.

[jwiley]

Originally Posted by Bradburn1

BUT, when I looked in Broomfield for 2400-2600 4-5 bedrooms there were a few nice looking listings, even one as low as 239 for a newer home with 5 bedrooms, so there is hope! Lafayette is a bit more expensive because it's Boulder County, so check areas close by like Broomfield and Westminster.

Broomfield is a nice area and the schools where great 10 years ago, although I could not tell you how they are today. It is also a 15 minute drive to msot parts of Lafayette, so that may be the place to start looking.

[Katarina Witt]

I agree that Broomfield is great and have posted so many times. Lafayette also has many affordable homes. I think there is a fair amount of affordable housing in Lafayette as well. Lafayette has a number of new, high-end homes that skew the median and average prices. See this thread:

https://www.city-data.com/forum/color...ml#post2489577

[missingcol]

I heard that the "Peak to Peak Chater school" in Lafayette is very good. You may want to consider it.