Please tell me about Denver neighborhoods! (Lakewood, Arvada: for sale, homes, new construction)

[kcmama]

We are considering relocating to Denver, but we don't really know anything about the different neighborhoods! We need a 4-bedroom house, good schools, safety, and would really like to have a walkable community with a nice *core* to hang out. Our budget is $400K. any ideas? TIA!

[2bindenver]

Where is work? What would be tolerable commute? Are you thinking urban core? more suburban? Rural?

There are hundreds of neighborhoods. What makes a school good?

What kind of community do you live in now and why?

[kcmama]

DH's work would be in the area of Denver Union Station. A tolerable commute would be 30-40 minutes. We are currently in the suburbs of KC and would like to get away from this lifestyle and find something less car-dependent. We would like something with a more urban feel. A good school would prepare my my children for college/career, provide excellent teachers, a safe environment, fair assessments, progressive curriculum, etc. I realize there are hundreds of neighborhoods, which is why I'm completely overwhelmed and have no idea where to even begin! I would love to get some good leads!

[2bindenver]

Would DH be open to light rail? Then your opportunities can be found west, south, southeast and southwest.

There are 73 homes for sale in and around Arvada, Lakewood, Denver, Centennial that fit your basic criteria.

I would point to Southmoore, Thraemoor, Ridgewood, Cherry Knolls, Heritage, Homestead, The Farm, Greenfield and Piney Creek.

[kcmama]

Yes, he prefers light rail. I will look into those. thanks!

[2bindenver]

start with recolorado.com

[Bradburn1]

Have a look at my neighborhood, Bradburn Village in Westminster. 30 minutes by express bus from our close park n ride to downtown Denver. It is in the suburbs north of downtown, but is a walkable neighborhood with excellent schools and our own downtown area, as well as walkable to another adjacent shopping area that has great restaurants and shops and the organic grocer Sprouts.

Bradburn also is adjacent to the Dry Creek Open space on our south side which has 50 miles of bike/running trails. Lots and lots of kids (most middle school to baby range) and the neighborhood is super social. If you however don't want to know/speak to your neighbors, it wouldn't be a good fit--Bradburn is a lot like a small village where everyone knows each other.

Currently there are resale homes on the market here with 4 bedrooms in the 400s, and also new construction by Century Communities in the 300-400 range, although I believe all their models are 3 bedroom. There are also some custom new 4 bedrooms, but they are in the 500-600 range.

We have great public schools and also a large variety of most excellent charter schools available to us including 2 charter schools for gifted students, a STEM charter, an arts charter, a core knowledge charter, a language immersion charter, and a charter for twice exceptional students (gifted but different learners). The charters are public but may require tests to enter and/or have a waiting list. Our home schools however, are also excellent.

You might also have a look at Stapleton, which is similar to Bradburn although much larger and closer to downtown Denver. These communities are both "new urbanism" communities which means new construction but walkable and mixed-use (includes shops/offices/restaurants/services and not just housing). There are lots of "old urbanism" places in Denver that might also have what you are looking for as well, Denver is great for that.