Work downtown, live where? (Denver, Aurora: for sale, apartment, rent)

[SusVelo]

Will be moving with our dogs, and I'd prefer to keep commute down, but I'm not sure what is considered a reasonable commute time for downtown workers. Kids will most definitely be on the way, I could look at using the rail/bus system as well and have seen maps linked in the other threads.

Access to mountains I guess everyone would mostly like. I have family in Loveland, however I would rather focus on where we live and deal with visiting them occasionally when it comes.

[shukertj]

What type of neighborhood do you like? Style of house/apartment? What would be your criteria for a "dream neighborhood?"

[SusVelo]

Housing I'd like 3-4 bedroom, 2-3 car garage, 1500 sf or so with a fenced yard for the dogs, some room to run. Most of the areas seem to have dog parks, but I'd like that and green space as well. I fly fish, but I doubt my wife cares about that.

Either moderate to nicer suburb, I'd prefer a smaller sized town/city close to it all but realize that would be difficult heading downtown. I'd live in Loveland if I could!

[2bindenver]

Buying or renting? Budget?

I'd suggest Wash Park, Capitol Hill, Highlands, Berkeley or Sloans Lake to start.

[SusVelo]

Buying, $275,000-$350,000 range.

How does Arvada compare to Berkely?

[2bindenver]

There are 77 homes for sale from $275-350 from Highlands to Arvada, at least 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 2 car garage 1500 sq feet not including the basement or bigger.

[Davros]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Buying or renting? Budget?

I'd suggest Wash Park, Capitol Hill, Highlands, Berkeley or Sloans Lake to start.

Those aren't suburbs.

[Davros]

Originally Posted by simply1

Housing I'd like 3-4 bedroom, 2-3 car garage, 1500 sf or so with a fenced yard for the dogs, some room to run. Most of the areas seem to have dog parks, but I'd like that and green space as well. I fly fish, but I doubt my wife cares about that.

Either moderate to nicer suburb, I'd prefer a smaller sized town/city close to it all but realize that would be difficult heading downtown. I'd live in Loveland if I could!

Commuting to downtown ? Many suburbs will be fine, north, south, east, and west. Arvada is north. You can try Littleton south, Lakewood west, and Aurora east as the major suburbs in each direction. Southern Aurora is probably more to your liking than northern Aurora.

If you're willing to live in the city of Denver (why not?), the places mentioned by 2bindenver are good. You might consider renting in the areas mentioned by 2bindenver during your first year, so that you can learn the city before making the big commitment of buying a home. Are you sure you're going to like your job ? Also, why get stuck in some neighborhood you know nothing about and end up not liking when you don't have to. You can also rent in the suburbs.

[cowboyxjon]

If you don't mind older suburban homes from the 50s, 60s and 70s, you might want to give the Green Mountain section of Lakewood some consideration. You can commute to downtown via the 5X express bus from the Cold Spring Park-n-Ride and since the bus doesn't stop between the Park-n-Ride and downtown, the commute is quick, barring any sort of traffic accidents or snow. There are open space parks and it's near the foothills.

[2bindenver]

I tend to take posts literally. Most people say they would like a suburban setting, but not necessarily mean suburbs.

I find the city of Denver to be very suburban outside of the downtown area.

So a person who has no knowledge of Denver might say they prefer a suburban setting and find what they want and need within the city limits.