Visiting this weekend (Denver, Aurora, Boulder: for sale, rentals, new home)

[mic111]

I think something like this in Erie fits the bill.

138 Bonanza Dr, Erie, CO 80516 is For Rent - Zillow

There is fracking near the elementary schools so if that concerns you then Erie might not be a fit but it is in your price, schools are rated well, shopping is close enough from your criteria and the shopping infrastructure is newer. If you zoom out you can see where Larkridge Mall is. Costco, Sears, Home Depot, some restaurants etc. Just south of that is Orchard Town Center with everything (restaurants, movies, JC Penney, Macy's, Target, REI, Staples etc.)

[otterprods]

If he gets the job, where will he actually be working on a day to day basis? Start your search directly across the street from wherever that is and then work your way out slowly until you find what you need. You can't put a price on not having to commute. You can save that mileage for doing fun things together as a family with all the extra time you'll have because your husband won't be stuck in a car for hours each day just to give you the house of your "dreams". (which never lasts long anyways).

Of course if his work is transitory by nature, or if he has regular WFH options then you're free to target neighborhoods based on other family needs and preferences. I think several suggestions have already been made along those lines. I personally would never live in one of those planned out, manufactured neighborhoods where every house (and perhaps every person?) is the same. But I seem to be in the minority there. Most people seem to prefer it, which is why there's so dang many of them these days.

[Bitofhonee]

Hi everyone for the replys. I am not sure exactly where he will be working day to day he is applying with the Boulder County Sheriffs Office. Highlands Ranch was one of the places we were really looking at but I do not want him to have a 90 min drive each way so that stinks. I did see there is alot of new builds in Erie and that did appeal to us but I will have to look into this fracking as I dont really know what that is. The reason I liked the MPC's is bc they give alot of options for activities for the families and kids as the one I live in here does and I do like that.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP look at the thread titled "fracking your future" in the general Colorado forum. There are 333 posts, so you should be either well-educated or well-confused about the issue by the time you've gone through there.

No need to apologize about wanting to live in a MPC. Some people like them and some don't.

[lucylinus]

I would look in Fort Collins.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by lucylinus

I would look in Fort Collins.

Fort Collins is as far away from Boulder as Highlands Ranch is (Both are about 55 miles one-way)

Try Longmont (15 miles), Lyons (17 miles), Lafayette (11 miles), Louisville (9 miles), or Superior (7 miles).

[LisaBoulder]

Originally Posted by lucylinus

I would look in Fort Collins.

Why? That commute would be longer than coming from Highlands Ranch. If I were the OP, I'd start by looking in Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Superior, Broomfield and maybe the northern part of Thornton. They all have MPC options. I'd focus on staying in north of about 120th ave and west of Colorado Boulevard.

[Bitofhonee]

Thanks everyone I will read the fracking post. So Erie does sound like a place we would be interested in so I was actually looking into an area called Vista Ridge. Is there a fracking issue in that area? I read a little bit about it already and it doesnt really sound like something I care to live around. I havent looked yet in Superior, Lafayette or Longmont. I will look into those as well. I appreciate the help

[Bitofhonee]

Wow Im seeing to find things about alot of places dumps, fracking, phlutomium or something like that. To make it a bit easier what city meets my requirements but dont have any of those issues?

[mic111]

Definitely take Vista Ridge off your list. They built on and next to a land fill. Unfortunately Erie is a poorly managed city. Their city council makes extremely questionable decisions such as approving a residential development on/next to their land fill and approving fracking next to the elementary schools. It is the reason it makes it affordable to you and meets your requirements. The market out here is relatively efficient. If there is something that makes an area attractive the price goes up. The negatives bring the price down. So the question goes back to you. Which of your requirements are you the most flexible on?