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Old 02-28-2012, 12:26 PM
 
2 posts, read 6,141 times
Reputation: 11

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We might be relocating to Denver and are trying to identify which towns/neighborhoods to explore further. We are looking for an affluent area near the mountains that is very family-friendly and not too far from the airport since we will need to travel frequently for work. Are there any such communities within a 30 mins drive from DIA that are also close to the mountains/hiking/etc? We have small children so also want to be near great schools. Are there good public schools, or is private better near Denver? I'd appreciate any input - thanks!
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Old 02-28-2012, 12:47 PM
 
Location: Berkeley Neighborhood, Denver, CO USA
17,705 posts, read 29,796,003 times
Reputation: 33286
Default More data please

Where do you live now?
What schools do your children attend now?
What are their ages?
How much do you want to spend for a house?
What is important to you besides living close to the mountains and close to DIA?
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Old 02-28-2012, 12:48 PM
 
Location: Berkeley Neighborhood, Denver, CO USA
17,705 posts, read 29,796,003 times
Reputation: 33286
Default Wishful thinking

Quote:
Originally Posted by saidfrog View Post
Are there any such communities within a 30 mins drive from DIA that are also close to the mountains/hiking/etc?
No, there are not.
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Old 02-28-2012, 09:14 PM
 
Location: Denver, CO
5,610 posts, read 23,301,938 times
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DIA and the mountains are located on the clear opposite ends of the city.

According to Mapquest, DIA is located 25 miles/ 36 minutes northeast of downtown Denver. The airport is so far away from the core of Denver (seems like it's in Kansas) that very few places are within 30 minutes. Like most cities, the areas close to the airport are some of the crappiest parts of town.

Golden (town right where the foothills begin-- closest access point to the mountains from Denver) is located ~15 miles/ 24 minutes west of downtown Denver.

Read up the forum archives about schools-- many, many threads debating public vs private, DPS vs Cherry Creek vs other districts, etc.

If you want to be in the city I'd start researching about Stapleton. If you want the suburbs, look at extreme southeast Aurora (the portion within the Cherry Creek School District near Smoky Hill Rd & E-470-- and if you want "affluent"-- check out Saddle Rock, Tallyn's Reach, Southshore, Rocking Horse, or Blackstone Country Club), Broomfield, Louisville (only if you're willing to take NW Parkway & E-470 toll roads) or Arvada. Either way you'll have probably have to compromise on commute times.
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Old 02-28-2012, 09:26 PM
 
5,089 posts, read 15,397,079 times
Reputation: 7017
Quote:
Originally Posted by saidfrog View Post
We might be relocating to Denver and are trying to identify which towns/neighborhoods to explore further. We are looking for an affluent area near the mountains that is very family-friendly and not too far from the airport since we will need to travel frequently for work. Are there any such communities within a 30 mins drive from DIA that are also close to the mountains/hiking/etc? We have small children so also want to be near great schools. Are there good public schools, or is private better near Denver? I'd appreciate any input - thanks!
Your requirements are impossible.

You must realize that the airport is out on the Plains.

To live within 30 minutes, you have to live on the Plains.

There are affluent developments and cities on the Plains. There are good private/charter schools on the Plains. People have money live on the Plains and they have the funds to buy or create what they need on the Plains.

You must also learn that there are extensive natural resources with parks, trails, open space, nature preserves, water resources that provide excellent recreational amenities on the Plains. The mountains are not the only resources, or the main resource, in Colorado as most people, live work and recreated on the Great Plains.

I would suggest looking at the area and you will see the highway 470. If you live near this highway, in Adams, Arapahoe or Douglas Counties you can get to the airport quickly. There are many new affluent development in this area on the Plains, or live in the affluent areas of Denver, or the affluent suburbs which are all on the Plains.

I hope I spoke Plainly enough!

Livecontent

Last edited by livecontent; 02-28-2012 at 09:42 PM..
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Old 02-29-2012, 12:07 AM
 
6,385 posts, read 11,877,389 times
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Broomfield and other burbs closing in on Boulder might be good places to look, but they are slightly more than 30 minutes away frm DIA. Hope your commute to the airport doesnt require you to head there in morning rush hours.
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Old 03-02-2012, 09:43 AM
 
143 posts, read 275,391 times
Reputation: 97
Quote:
Originally Posted by saidfrog View Post
We might be relocating to Denver and are trying to identify which towns/neighborhoods to explore further. We are looking for an affluent area near the mountains that is very family-friendly and not too far from the airport since we will need to travel frequently for work. Are there any such communities within a 30 mins drive from DIA that are also close to the mountains/hiking/etc? We have small children so also want to be near great schools. Are there good public schools, or is private better near Denver? I'd appreciate any input - thanks!
This is geographically impossible, since the mountains/foothills are west of Denver, and the airport is east. You're going to have to choose one or the other.
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Old 03-18-2012, 08:07 AM
 
5 posts, read 7,078 times
Reputation: 18
Here's another perspective....I supose it depends on what you consider "close."

You can easily live 30 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from the mountains. In fact, there are many areas that would give you easy access to the airport that are even closer than 30 minutes to the mountains.

We live in Highlands Ranch and can get to either the mountains or the airport in 30 minutes or less. Also have great hiking/biking trails, rec centers, etc.

Our kids go to private school...

Private Schools in Denver | Top Private Schools | Private Schools in Colorado (http://www.private-school-guide.com/private-schools-in-denver.html - broken link)

Like many areas, public schools have been hit by budget cuts and many are choosing private over public.

We have lived in our house for 18 years and love all the ammenities. We have great views of the mountains and are close to shopping and restaurants.

Good luck,
Shelly
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Old 03-18-2012, 07:07 PM
 
Location: Denver, CO
2,325 posts, read 5,507,013 times
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Plan on at least 45 mins - 1 hour if you want to live in the foothills. If you're willing to do that, definitely consider the Genesee / Lookout Mountain area in Golden. Houses start around $350K and it's one of the most beautiful areas in greater Denver.
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Old 03-18-2012, 10:11 PM
 
40 posts, read 82,009 times
Reputation: 55
We had this same dilemma, you can't have mountains AND DIA. Very frustrating. Your choices are Brighton/Barr Lake area that have a decent view of mtns, and proximity to airport.

Or Parker, CO, down south, -or- a cute development called Todd Creek north of Denver --both you can rely on the (expensive) toll road to get to DIA pretty quick.

We considered all of this then threw in the towel -said the hell with it. Bought in the City, and enjoyed the pluses of that.
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