Working in Centennial near DTC at least three times a week. Where to live close to the best Denver has to offer. (Home Depot, school)

[Owain1]

I have to admit I am not opposed to a residential/suburban setting. Keeping in mind that I consider Brooklyn residential. We live in 500 sq foot 2 bedroom, which was a massive upgrade on the 200 the wife and I had before. Something with a backyard, two floors, and that isn't a fourth floor walk up is going to feel immense.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Owain1

I have to admit I am not opposed to a residential/suburban setting. Keeping in mind that I consider Brooklyn residential. We live in 500 sq foot 2 bedroom, which was a massive upgrade on the 200 the wife and I had before. Something with a backyard, two floors, and that isn't a fourth floor walk up is going to feel immense.

Good grief, 200 sq ft? 500 sq ft?

When you get here you're gonna think you've found the promised land. My Jewish buddy in FL grew up in Brooklyn in the 40s and 50s; he calls it the "old country." Emigrate from there and come live decently, breath CLEAN air, see the mountains, and enjoy the vastness of the west.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by davidv

I am not a fan of DPS. Some of the elementary schools are good, but those darn kids just keep growing up and before you know it, they are in middle school.

Infant son.
Slavens is K-8.
They buy and then have to move in 13 years! OMFG! They can't spend more than 13 years in the house before the cooties take over.

[Dorthy]

If schools are top priority and walkability is also high on the want list, I'd suggest living in or near downtown Littleton. It will be much quieter then anywhere in NYC but it does have a walkable downtown with direct light rail access to downtown Denver as well as excellent schools, K-12 and it's more affordable then many, if not most of Denver's walkable neighborhoods.

I agree with what others have said about DPS. There are some great options for Elementary in DPS but once the kids get to middle school the list of good options drops off to just a few and that makes getting into those few schools very difficult so the option then becomes to risk it or move. You never know though, a lot could change between now and when your child starts middle school.

[Owain1]

Hi, I see that there are town homes that seem affordable in Cherry Creek. Will it be hard to get my child into Steck? That area seems great for public transit, shops, etc.

Originally Posted by davebarnes

This should be easy as you are the only people in greater Denver who want these attributes. Just kidding.

1. Walking distance to restaurants and shops means (in descending order of affordability):
Cherry Creek North (way too expensive)
Wash Park
Congress Park
Platt Park (South Pearl Street)
West Highland
Hampden South
Downtown Littleton
Downtown Englewood (the schools are weak)

2. Locations south of these are all auto-dominated.

3. I would give up walking to restaurants and look at schools first. Colorado has state-wide choice, but preference is given to those students who live within a school's boundary area. This is really important for highly-rated schools. If you pick a house because of a school area, then contact the school before making an offer. Just to be sure. And, don't trust a real-estate agent to know.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Owain1

Hi, I see that there are town homes that seem affordable in Cherry Creek. Will it be hard to get my child into Steck? That area seems great for public transit, shops, etc.

Neighborhood Applications must include:
Current lease and Notarized Steck Elementary School Resident Renter / Lessee Registration and Verification of Residency form (Click Here) – only for new applicants to Steck Elementary
OR
Current mortgage statement with property address and Notarized Steck Elementary School Resident Owner Registration and Verification of Residency form (Click Here) – only for new applicants to Steck Elementary
AND
Current utility bill (Comcast, Xcel, Denver Water) with service address (no phone bills)

Enrollment » Welcome to
Guaranteed IFF you live in the Steck area.

[Owain1]

Ok Folks, I've lurked on here for months now. I have one last question that may be qualitative though I think some of you will have a quantitative answer.
-As a healthcare\insurance finance guy which is a better bet career wise, Washington DC or Denver, Co?
Thanks for all the advice I have received on this forum!

[2bindenver]

What are your goals? Do you like fast paced or medium? Do you like mountains or Ocean? Do you like a large vibrant city or a small city that sleeps after 2 am? Do you enjoy the high pressure, or would you like to take a snow day in the mountains?

[Owain1]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

What are your goals? Do you like fast paced or medium? Do you like mountains or Ocean? Do you like a large vibrant city or a small city that sleeps after 2 am? Do you enjoy the high pressure, or would you like to take a snow day in the mountains?

-I've lived 'fast paced' my entire life. I could deal with medium for once. My HBP might thank me.
-I like to think I am an ocean person but I spend more time in the mountains (or what we call mountains on the east coast).
-This one is hard. I want to be at the top of the food chain which has always meant high pressure.

[Mike from back east]

DC has a lot more high income folks than does Denver, also higher prices, serious road gridlock.