Best mountainous area near Denver? (Westminster, Thornton: homes, schools, living)

[Susannah Noll]

Hello there,
My husband and I are trying to decide on a place to relocate. He is in restaurant mgt. and can pretty easily move sideways. We are from Chatt, TN and dying to get out.

I have read Denver itself is great, but does not have the gorgeous scenery associated with CO. But slightly on the outskirts do. Westminister? Golden? The more dramatic the Mtns, the better (ie WY)

We would like to be reasonably close in. Please give me some ideas to look at when we fly over there! Also, which of the suburbs you list are most affordable/safe etc. Schools do not matter. We do not have children. We are young 30 somethings.

Can't wait for our visit!

[Mystery123]

Close:
Genesse.
Indian Hills.

Little further:
Evergreen.
Conifer.

[sunsprit]

Any particular reason(s) why Denver metro area?

If your husband has the restaurant management credentials and experience ... there's job opportunities awaiting in the mountains, especially in the resort areas.

You don't have to live in the heart of the high dollar tourist areas, but can live a nominal distance away more reasonably yet still take advantage of the mountain living experience for yourself. There are areas like this that are within a 100 mile distance West from Denver. Even the Idaho Springs area would be a possibility, and pretty close to Denver.

[alliern]

Do you want to be in the mountains or just have dramatic views of the mountains? Conifer and Evergreen will have areas where you can get gorgeous mountain views from many homes and both areas are situated in the foothills. The landscape is full of pines and aspen. Conifer will be the more affordable of the two and both are very safe.

If you want dramatic views of the Rockies, but don't want to be in the mountains, then I would suggest areas like Westminster, Thornton, Broomfield. The views of the Rockies are very beautiful from those areas, but you are very much in the "flatlands" of metro Denver looking west at the mountains.

Golden is a great area, but the views are of the hogback which is pretty barren and brown for most of the year.