Suburb Question (Denver, Lakewood, Arvada: rentals, house, neighborhoods)

[bigj_16]

We are moving to Denver in November. We will be renting until we settle in. I will be doing some househunting here in a couple weeks. I already have some areas picked out to look at that I feel I have enough initial info about to at least take a look. However, there are some other areas that I have not picked up a vibe about. Could some one in 10 words or so per area give me a thumbs up or down on whether or not to even consider a drive by ?

Thornton
Westminster
Arvada
Broomfield
Lakewood
Wheatridge
Fruitdale

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanx!

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by bigj_16

Fruitdale

You can always tell when someone is over using The Google.
Fruitdale is "NOT A REAL PLACE."
It is part of Wheat Ridge.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by bigj_16

I already have some areas picked out to look at

Why did you pick these?
Where is YOUR work location?
Where is your SO's work location?

[mic111]

There are good areas all over. Pick a place to live that is close to your job so you can walk or bike there.

If you post a job location and desired rent or eventual house purchase price range more helpful information can be provided.

[bigj_16]

I will be working at the Union Pacific shop in the Lincoln Park area of Denver. I haven't picked these areas yet. I would like to know if I need to look at them. Some of the areas I WILL be looking at are:
Centennial, Golden, Littleton.
Rent range up to about $1600

[mic111]

Hmmm, that is a tough location. Even though I'm a die hard suburb person I'd look at Washington Park if it were me. It is an older area but very nice and close by. If that were unacceptable I'd concentrate on the routes with the best and fastest public transportation. This is more in the realm of LiveContents area of expertise so perhaps he will chime in. Something on light rail or an express bus route would be the best choice. Alternatively you could look at the RTD site and study the routes and commute times yourself. Then when you come out here focus on those areas that will allow you to have a good quality of life because your commute doesn't ruin it.

[infinitylove]

If you are already looking at Golden, look at Wheat Ridge and parts of Lakewood (closer to Wheat Ridge and Golden) then too. These areas are pretty easy to get downtown from although where you are working is not quite downtown.

I think Centennial and Littleton are also very nice areas. I think Thornton, Westminster, Arvada, Broomfield might be too far from your work.

Good Luck!

[Mike from back east]

I'm a believer in rail transport, was in the biz as a large shipper (Dept of Defense) most of my career, have ridden UP steam excursions. NOT a foamer hanging out trackside.

I'd suggest you look at a map of Denver's growing light rail system, for at least two reasons:
- You may not want it now, but it could be good for getting to work, downtown, etc
- Resale value down the road. I saw values exploded in the DC area when their heavy-rail subway went in, it truly transformed areas along the lines; many people got huge prices for their properties.

Once you have a map of current and future rail lines I'd make areas along the right of ways my initial search criteria.

Rentals are found on many sites, try padmapper.com and/or others.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by mic111

Hmmm, that is a tough location. Even though I'm a die hard suburb person I'd look at Washington Park if it were me. It is an older area but very nice and close by. If that were unacceptable I'd concentrate on the routes with the best and fastest public transportation. This is more in the realm of LiveContents area of expertise so perhaps he will chime in. Something on light rail or an express bus route would be the best choice. Alternatively you could look at the RTD site and study the routes and commute times yourself. Then when you come out here focus on those areas that will allow you to have a good quality of life because your commute doesn't ruin it.

You can see this Rail Yard and Shop from the Osage Station but you cannot get there from there; perhaps railroad employees have a secret way to cross the tracks. There is only one option by public transit to these Union Pacific Shops that one can take. There is Route 8 which runs a few trips back and forth for the Day Shift for Denver Water and the stop is walkable from the train shop. If you are not a Day worker then using public transit is not for you. I would not walk through this area and biking would be hazardous.

I would not live anywhere near this area, so pick the best area that can give you the easiest commute by car. If you want a suburbs, I would live in Lakewood to the West and take 6th or find many of the side roads, through west Denver, direct to the yard. That will give you options when 6th is congested. You can find many nice places in Lakewood, especially west of Wadsworth or you can look at Wheat Ridge. For city living, I agree Washington Park or neighborhoods of Central Denver would be good; from that I would also suggest the Baker Neighborhood around South Broadway.

Livecontent

[blackmet]

Lincoln Park is OK enough if you're really young or really artsy with no children. But definitely a hard "no" otherwise.

Lakewood and Wheat Ridge are your best bets...decent schools and rentals in your range. I wouldn't completely rule out Olde Town Arvada either, but once you go further north it gets harder to find things in your price range and your commute gets long.