Any suburbs that aren't so desolate?

[JBPisgah]

There are some natural areas with trees right in Aurora. In some places there are parks, and in others the land hasn't been developed. Either way, there are some trees that don't have a planted look, and that may be enough to temper that tree-starved feeling. Aurora also has a hillier landscape in places than Denver, and that might give you more of the sheltered feeling you are used to from the Cinci area, instead of vast views of brown, which can be hard to get used to. Given where work is, I'd start there.

[TigerLily24]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Disagree with the above a bit. It's true the older neighborhoods have the trees, but those 'hoods are not just in Denver. Many suburbs have older areas with trees. Anything more than about 20 years old will have mature trees. Lots are small out here, for the most part. .25 acre is a pretty big lot in most of the suburbs.

Agreed. I live in SE Aurora in a neighborhood filled with trees including some massive pine trees.
A bit of perspective: I moved here from southern New Mexico and I have to say that compared to there, it is extremely green here in the summer, so much so, it sometimes seems like a terrible waste of water to keep the lawns so green.

And some of the older houses in this area do have larger lots and we are within 30 minutes of Buckley AFB.

An example:
http://m.trulia.com/property/3097873...urora-CO-80013

[dmiller91]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

It depends, do you want a close-up, or a panorama?

we are coming out for a real look, although I've visited many times. I'm just trying to focus.

Happiness is a view from afar, which is better than here!

although I will say that the rolling hills of WI are a bit underappreciated by some

[DenverBrian]

Originally Posted by dmiller91

I just think growing grass in a low water area seems lame. I personally wouldn't want to use my water that way. Here they regulate you and make you plant grass in certain subdivisions. It's nice to have the option to have a native yard = brown

We're a low rainfall area, not necessarily a low water area. The Front Range gets most of its water from mountain snowmelt runoff each season - some years that is low and we have a problem; some years there's more than anyone can use. It's different than in areas that depend on underground aquifers or consistent, steady rainy seasons each year.

But, you can have "native" yards in many, many colors besides brown.

[petedoty]

Surprisingly there are quite a few areas of south metro Denver that offer both large lots and trees. However, one has to be willing to accept a 1950 era home, and likely fix it up to get it.
So if your price range is 500k total you may be forced into the Pinery south of Parker(they are not new but 1990 is a lot newer than 1950).
You would be on the edge of your commute.
Just north of Parker on Inspiration Drive (closer to BAFB) you will find some 5 acre spots, but gravel roads.
It really depends on what you are willing to encounter.
If you can get a trip out here, there are a number of Realtors who could give you a quick tour of the town.

[zizozozi]

i am from Ohio originally. Southeast Ohio. I definitely miss those trees. Whenever I go back to Ohio I am just amazed by the amounts of trees and how tall they are. It really is beautiful. You will not see that out here. The tallest trees out here are relatively small trees to those in Ohio. You can't really go for a stroll through the woods here unless you go to the mountains, but the mountains are not the woods and you cant really take an easy stroll through them either. Denver scenery is much different than Ohio. The sky is much bigger out here because there are less trees and hills blocking your view. One has to really accept the beauty of Colorado for what it is worth. It is a beautiful place, but a lot different from southwest Ohio.