New job in Applewood; where to live? (Lakewood, Arvada: short sale, house)

[Hobie1026]

Hi,

Was hoping someone could give me some ideas on areas to look for a house. I just accepted a position in Applewood/Lakewood just off of I-70. Below are some of my wants and circumstances. If anyone would be willing to provide neaighborhoods or towns or good web sites for house hunting I'd really appreciate it!

Stats:

Would prefer older neighborhood.
No kids so no concern about school.
Prefer rural living - willing to drive up to 45 minutes in good weather.
Foothill areas okay; drove in mountains snow for years. No worries.
Allergic to HOAs, gated communities, and cookie cutter suburbs.
Budget is price under 225k. A short sale or BO property would be fine.
2br 2 ba is plenty for me. 1500sq ft seems to be my happy spot.

Golden looks too expensive for what you get and Arvada is a little too suburban. Any ideas on cities or villages to look at would be great. Thank you in advance for all the help!

Hobie

[livecontent]

You have taken a job in a great area. There are many rural areas and semi-rural areas that are near and about that would fit your desires. There are pockets of older areas that are not apparent to a cursury look.

First off, do not assume that Arvada is all suburban. There are many areas that fit rural areas in the west and even in pockets of the south and southwest. These areas are surrounded by open space and there are equestrian, farms and cattle raising still to be seen. Just go north to Ward, Road, north of West 44th, and you will find some semi-rural areas just west off of Ward, in the area off of West 52nd. to West 58th. In addition, if you go north on Indiana and past west 72nd. you will see areas that you seek--to the west in the area of Leyden and west all the way to Cold Creek Canyon and east on the edge of Stanley Lake.

Wheat Ridge being a small old suburbs that does have some semi-rural areas with big lots that border the huge open space along Creek Creek, which is north of West 38th and South of West 44th. You will find many unique and older residences that area reasonably priced.

Between Golden and Arvada, just north and northwest of North Table Mountain--there are many areas that you will find semi-rural. I would take a ride up Mcintyre.

Of course, there are many more real remote rural areas just to the west of Golden, up and around Clear Creek Canyon and Golden Gate Canyon; if you do not mind the miserable drive then they would work.

Livecontent