South Denver suburbs or Longmont? (Boulder, Greeley: condo, house, community college)

[Julia Garbus]

We're looking to move (from Greeley) and thinking of either Longmont or the south Denver suburbs--say, Littleton. We are liberal; have probably too much higher education for our own good; we have a seven-year old son. We probably can't afford more than about $220,000 for a house or condo (either would be fine). I'd like to be in a diverse area--racially, socioeconomically. And I'd like to be within driving distance of a Congregational/United Church of Christ church, my denomination. And we'd like to be fairly near good hiking and biking opportunities.
Ambitious agenda, yeah...but thanks for any input.

[2bindenver]

where is work? what else is important?

[Julia Garbus]

Husband works in Boulder (we can't afford it) but might get an offer with same company in south Denver. I'm a college English teacher by training-- not working currently, but being near Denver would mean better access to colleges and community colleges, so I could possibly adjunct.

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

I would wait until he knows if he'll be working in south Denver or not. He will not want to make the commute from Longmont if that's the case. We are in s.w. Longmont - which is a great location if working in Boulder (my husband did for years).

Any time he's had to go to south Denver it's been torture commute wise. He would always come back home saying he couldn't do that on a regular basis. As it is now, he works downtown Denver and takes RTD and it's still enough of a commute for him.

[Julia Garbus]

Good point, jkcoop.
Whether we'd enjoy living in south Denver might factor in to whether my husband takes the job, though. I think we'd like it down there. I'm apprehensive about housing costs, though. I know we can find a decent place to live for 220 in Longmont. But I hope we could find something in the South Denver suburbs.