SW Lakewood Vs North Lakewood? (Arvada, Englewood: apartment, rental, crime)

[parks71]

I am trying to find a place to rent, moving to CO in 2 weeks. I am doing a ton of research on the internet but nothing beats peoples opinions. Can people compare these two areas of Lakewood? Around the bearcreek park area vs the Union north area of Lakewood. How do the schools compare? Crime? Things to do?

I know Green mountain is good but I cant find a rental there and am running out of time.

Also, if there is any area of Arvada that is as good or better than the two areas I mentioned. Schools need to be taken into account because I have 3 kids.

Working downtown and want to be able to get fast access to the mountains. Cant find a decent rental in Golden either! Thanks for any help!

[Mach50]

Bear Creek will have better schools. Bear Creek K-8 is a 9/10 and the high school is a 7/10. Crime is really low in this area, close to Morrison, Red Rocks...of course the BC park is amazing.

Union will be more accessible to hwy 6 which will take you into the city in about 10 min. Union is younger, more lively and close to Belmar, closer to more things to do imo.

[davidv]

In my opinion, SW Lakewood is more kid friendly. The schools are better in SW Lakewood. The Bear Creek K-8 school is excellent and BCHS is pretty good. Both schools have new (within the last 5 years) facilities. The area is also near D'Evelyn Jr-Sr High which is a college prep magnet school. It is one of the best schools in the state.

In the things to do department, if your kids are into sports, the BC junior sports association has many sports for boys and girls. There is also a YMCA a short distance away. Moving into an apartment south of Hampden also puts you into the Foothills Parks and Rec Dist. which has several pools (including indoor pools), children's programs, ice rink, etc. You can use the facilities at a slightly higher rate if you are not a resident of the parks and rec district.

Southwest Plaza mall is a short drive away. There are several movie theaters (regular and discount)within a short drive from the area. It is also close to Fun City and Jumpstreet.

There are several (mostly chain) restaurants on south Wadsworth.

The area has excellent access (not quite as good as north Lakewood) to the mountains via US-285 and I-70, and is close to Bear Creek Reservoir.

Access to downtown is not as easy, but you can take Hampden (US-285) to the Englewood Light Rail station.