"Feel" of Denver area and suburbs (Aurora, Westminster: rental, condos)

[expataussie]

I'm wondering if Denver is fairly homogenous, or do certain areas of the city and suburbs have different "feels" to them. For example, are there areas that feel really affluent? Do the suburbs North-West of Denver feel more part of Denver, or, more part of Boulder? Are there areas or zips in and around Denver to avoid completely ie. high crime? Do the South-West suburbs feel different to the South-East? It seems like quite a big area so I'm just trying to figure out what would suit us best.

[davebarnes]

And, you are seeking??

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Expat, there have been many threads already discussing similar questions to yours. After you spend some time looking through them, feel free to come back with your questions. Also, if you know where your work will be, then it will be easier for us to give you guidance on where to live. That, plus other criteria on what you are seeking, is a lot more important than the "feel" of a place.

[expataussie]

Ok, based on my experience of larger cities you can have different "feels" or "vibes". I'm from Melbourne, Australia and we have all sorts of different neighborhoods. For example, we have a grunge, art-house type neighborhood called Fitzroy. We have an Italian one called Carlton, we have beach neighborhoods and one called St. Kilda, that's also a little seedy. We have downtown which is full of office workers during the day but comes alive at night with its neat little lane ways lined with cool bars and restaurants. We have a Greek part of town and an Asian street (I'm talking restaurants here, not segregation!). Heading out to the suburbs we have some that are very affluent and upmarket, we have some that have seen gentrification over the years. We have outer suburbs that are a little more working class and some that are ethnic enclaves where new immigrants tend to congregate. We also have a region called the Dandenong Ranges that is on the outskirts of Melbourne and where people live on the mountain amongst the eucalyptus trees. So, based on all that - how does Denver feel to you folks?
*Are there areas that feel really affluent?
*Do the suburbs North-West of Denver feel more part of Denver, or, more part of Boulder?
*Are there areas or zips in and around Denver to avoid completely ie. high crime?
*Do the South-West suburbs feel different to the South-East? So you feel part of the mountain suburbs of Evergreen, or the SE suburb of Aurora?

I've gone through the boards and there's much talk of house prices, good school areas and safety but not so much about the vibe of different areas. For what it's worth, airport proximity would be good for us. We aren't skiing types but we enjoy going on day trips, rafting and a good beer. I'm not into small town living, I like the amenities of the city. Of course I want good schools because I have two kids ages 9 & 10. So Denver - whatcha got? Feel free to provide as much detail and description as you can muster.

[ChrisFromChicago]

Originally Posted by expataussie

I'm wondering if Denver is fairly homogenous, or do certain areas of the city and suburbs have different "feels" to them. For example, are there areas that feel really affluent? Do the suburbs North-West of Denver feel more part of Denver, or, more part of Boulder? Are there areas or zips in and around Denver to avoid completely ie. high crime? Do the South-West suburbs feel different to the South-East? It seems like quite a big area so I'm just trying to figure out what would suit us best.

What city doesn't have poor to rich areas? maybe Detroit (all poor) but if you keep going you still get to Ann Arbor.

Where you work will define where you live. How much money you make.


your questions are way to generic to give any real direction too. There are bad areas. . .but I'm sure no realtor would put you there

I like the denver tech center area (close to light rail, unique housing, bigger lawns for the most part, great playgrounds) to each their own.

[davebarnes]

1. Rental and/or purchase budget?
2. Work location? Exact address or cross streets.

[expataussie]

1. $400K
2. Airport

[2bindenver]

South of the airport - Southlands, Beacon Pointe, Tallyn's Reach > Cherry Creek Schools

Northwest of the airport Reunion.

Southwest of the airport Stapleton, Lowry.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by expataussie

1. $400K
2. Airport
3. two kids ages 9 & 10

You can afford it.
And, the public (taxpayer supported) schools are good.

Stapleton Denver

Just be prepared for the 3rd child as they put something in the water at Stapleton.

[mic111]

I get what your asking but here work location drives everything. After that it comes down to price and schools.

There are no neighborhoods in the metro Denver/Boulder area that I am uncomfortable in. The areas are pretty intermingled. You can find old homes on an acre adjacent to new subdivisions, across the street will be huge old mansions, next to post war small homes with a well kept trailer park nearby. That is why work location is the key item. You can find great neighborhoods anywhere in the metro area. If you move to Colorado you often want to have a change of pace and lifestyle. This usually means walking or biking to work, having time for recreation after work and not spending all your time in your car.

The exception to this is that there are some really large planned communities like Highlands Ranch for those who prefer that type of lifestyle.

The whole Denver area is on the plains. Once you get into the foothills you have wildfire issues. Boulder is too highly priced for your budget. There will be no homes in your price range.

For airport proximity you will likely want to be along the 470s, E-470 (Parker, south Aurora) or C-470 (north Thornton, Brighton if you want a couple of acres, north Westminster, Broomfield) if you like suburbs or country living. If you want to be more in the city then Stapleton is a good choice. Small lots and new homes are characteristic of the area.

For reference we live on over an acre, are 20 min. from downtown Denver, 30 min. to downtown Boulder, 30 min. to the airport on the toll roads (35 on free roads), walking distance to everything (movie theaters, restaurants, Lowes, Walmart, Target, 3 grocery stores, emergency room, soon to be built hospital, car repair, schools, fishing lake, horses, etc). It suits us as I don't like an urban feel. When we bought so close to the city I used to go there more for events at the performing arts center but now not so much. My spouse still goes in for games and occasionally we will go for special events at the museum or the zoo. Turns out we could easily be further out but we have a very rural feel where we live which suits us when out walking the dogs.

Here are some pics from my daily walk. Yes those are snow capped mountains in the background. We just had some spring snow up in the mountains.


The houses on the other side are in the $400Ks.


Shade is always welcome when walking around the lake. The little bit of red you see on the right in the trees is a man standing on the bank fishing. There are lots of big fish in the lake.


We enjoy seeing the horses.


The area has wildlife including owls, sea gulls, pelicans, hawks, golden eagles, coyotes, bull snakes and fish jumping at dawn and dusk.


Walking distance from this lake you can get homes from $150K to $2,000,000. There are new condos, older condos, homes on 3 acres with livestock, million dollar mansions, single family homes for $400K, middle class homes, upscale executive homes, and even just a bit further away a trailer park with their own little lake which is very pretty.

This is the trail to the King Sooper (giant grocery store).


Here is another view. Left is the grocery store. Right is the high school.


Here are the new homes being built in the area.


One development is from the $400Ks if you don't mind a smaller lot but want to be super close to the grocery and restaurants. You can also walk to Orchard Town Center for free concerts in the summer. They have a fake farmers market every weekend but I prefer to go to the ones in Lafayette or Erie. You can also walk to dinner and a movie. If you prefer your kids to have milk right from the cow there is a dairy farm 20 min. away where you can pick it up and they can visit with the cows (and pet the small ones). I go right to a farm to get my corn, squash and pumpkins in the fall. The very nice farmer recognizes me every year and always makes me take more than I paid for.

But! You can live a very urban life about 15 min. away in Highland. Or 20 Min. away in Denver.