Young(ish) family of 5 moving from the Midwest - where to go? (Denver: sale, apartment)

[adri1079]

We are moving to the Denver area the end of the month. I had anticipated another month to move but it got pushed up due to the sale of our home here. So now I am scrambling to get things done and figured out.

We plan to rent for a year (or two or three?) while we get to know the area and save money for a nice home. We have three young kids (7, 5, 1). The most important things to me are a decent commute and good schools. We'd like to rent a house and pay about $1500/month or a little more if needs be. My husband will be working downtown on Wynkoop street (I think it is referred to as "lodo").

We have been looking at a few houses in Parker, but it sounds like that is not a good commute? When I google it, it says 33 minutes but am wondering how accurate that is with traffic, etc. Also I saw that there is some sort of light rail or public transport into downtown - is that a realistic option? We've also looked at Centennial, Highlands Ranch and Broomfield. Again, I'm not sure what the commute is like from these places.

I am heading out in a few weeks to rental house hunt and just have no idea where to start. Thank you in advance for any help. It is much appreciated.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by adri1079

We are moving to the Denver area the end of the month. I had anticipated another month to move but it got pushed up due to the sale of our home here. So now I am scrambling to get things done and figured out.

We plan to rent for a year (or two or three?) while we get to know the area and save money for a nice home. We have three young kids (7, 5, 1). The most important things to me are a decent commute and good schools. We'd like to rent a house and pay about $1500/month or a little more if needs be. My husband will be working downtown on Wynkoop street (I think it is referred to as "lodo").

We have been looking at a few houses in Parker, but it sounds like that is not a good commute? When I google it, it says 33 minutes but am wondering how accurate that is with traffic, etc. Also I saw that there is some sort of light rail or public transport into downtown - is that a realistic option? We've also looked at Centennial, Highlands Ranch and Broomfield. Again, I'm not sure what the commute is like from these places.

I am heading out in a few weeks to rental house hunt and just have no idea where to start. Thank you in advance for any help. It is much appreciated.

For $1500 a month, I don't think you'll get a house anywhere near downtown. Maybe a 2 bedroom apartment, but that's it. The commute from Parker, I'm guessing, would be near an hour each way in rush hour. Someone else may have better advice on rent, but maybe Wheatridge or Lakewood would be better for you. Those areas would be much closer to downtown, decent schools I believe, and maybe you could find lower rent there.

[adri1079]

Originally Posted by denverian

For $1500 a month, I don't think you'll get a house anywhere near downtown. Maybe a 2 bedroom apartment, but that's it. The commute from Parker, I'm guessing, would be near an hour each way in rush hour. Someone else may have better advice on rent, but maybe Wheatridge or Lakewood would be better for you. Those areas would be much closer to downtown, decent schools I believe, and maybe you could find lower rent there.

Yes, I wasn't necessarily looking for something downtown (in fact I probably want to avoid it), just something with a relatively easy commute. Thanks for the input!

[bhcompy]

Parker is a nice area that will fit that budget, as you've seen. There's a light rail from Parker as well, goes downtown(E line to lodo, iirc)

[denverian]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Parker is a nice area that will fit that budget, as you've seen. There's a light rail from Parker as well, goes downtown(E line to lodo, iirc)

I wasn't aware that LR went all the way to Parker. I had to look on a map to see where Parker was... way to far outside my urban realm lol!

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by denverian

I wasn't aware that LR went all the way to Parker. I had to look on a map to see where Parker was... way to far outside my urban realm lol!

And actually looking at it again I guess it goes to Lone Tree, not too far from Parker though given you're in the northern parts(which is the more affordable area last I looked)

[Katarina Witt]

Broomfield to LoDo wouldn't be too bad of a commute, probably about 30 min in all except horrible weather.

[adri1079]

Thank you. I've been looking at Broomfield and even Westminster more closely. I'm really overwhelmed.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by adri1079

Thank you. I've been looking at Broomfield and even Westminster more closely. I'm really overwhelmed.

Westminster would be a little bit closer, for the most part.

[2bindenver]

West Denver? Lakewood? Arvada?