Move to Arvada (Denver, Aurora, Boulder: real estate, rent, home)

[Karla Barnett]

Hi, I am a single lady in my 50's who has twins going off to college (hopefully) this upcoming fall. We live in a suburb outside of Los Angeles and I am seriously considering moving by myself to possibly Arvada. I have lived here for 20 something years but was raised in CO until the age of 6 and though I don't ski or snow board - love animals, nature and hiking. It will be a huge transition with my children leaving (they will be in school out here in CA) but I so want to find a home. My rent out here is so high it is unbelievable, it is so dry and I have a job that I can do anywhere - though I doubt the pay in CO will be equal to what I get out here. My best friend has moved out of CA, and I do have one relative in Denver I am very close with. It's going to be very hard for me to have the kids off to school - but was thinking of just doing it all at once and finding somewhere to call home that they can come stay with me or live at some point. Is this crazy? Was thinking of Arvada cause of the closeness to both Denver and Boulder and the light rail. Thanks so much for your help!

[cowboyxjon]

As others have mentioned in other threads, the housing market is out of control here just like it is in parts of California. But, in terms of Arvada itself, I think it’s a good choice. I like the Old Town part of Arvada quite a bit although I haven’t been there lately due to the pandemic. Most of Arvada is very suburban in nature, and maybe bland compared to where you live now.

I lived in LA for a couple years before moving to Metro Denver and it is different here for sure. Not as crowded (even though it’s getting more crowded here) but it does lack the hustle and bustle. Like for example, I can’t think of anywhere in Denver that is like downtown Manhattan Beach on a Saturday morning, with lots of people out and about. But, overall, my quality of life in Colorado is a lot higher than it would have been in California.

I guess we can’t help you much beyond that; you’ve gotta make the decision for yourself with regard to how you feel about your kids going to school, and being farther away from them.

[davebarnes]

Purchase or rent?
Budget?
Where do you think your work location would be?
What type of job?

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Karla Barnett

Hi, I am a single lady in my 50's who has twins going off to college (hopefully) this upcoming fall. We live in a suburb outside of Los Angeles and I am seriously considering moving by myself to possibly Arvada. I have lived here for 20 something years but was raised in CO until the age of 6 and though I don't ski or snow board - love animals, nature and hiking. It will be a huge transition with my children leaving (they will be in school out here in CA) but I so want to find a home. My rent out here is so high it is unbelievable, it is so dry and I have a job that I can do anywhere - though I doubt the pay in CO will be equal to what I get out here. My best friend has moved out of CA, and I do have one relative in Denver I am very close with. It's going to be very hard for me to have the kids off to school - but was thinking of just doing it all at once and finding somewhere to call home that they can come stay with me or live at some point. Is this crazy? Was thinking of Arvada cause of the closeness to both Denver and Boulder and the light rail. Thanks so much for your help!

Welcome to City-Data. Give us some details as Dave mentioned and we'll hook you up with excellent ideas. IMO you should go for it, full bore.

Is your job one you can do from home? Regardless, being on/near a light rail stop is a big plus. IIRC Arvada has a small "old town" area.

[sheerbliss]

Will your kids still be eligible for in-state tuition if you leave and they stay with you during the summer?

Also--Denver is dry, too.

[Lopez9569]

I can’t speak with in Arvada, I’ve always lived in south Denver or Aurora, but I hear nothing but good about the city. In fact, I’m born and raised here in Denver and can only count the amount of times going to Arvada on my 2 hands. Real estate prices are rapidly increasing in the metro, and Arvada is one of the hottest areas in the metro, so there must be a reason why....

[COcheesehead]

Arvada is an older suburb consisting of mostly urban sprawl with
pockets of new development and an old town center. It’s not bad, not great. Depends what you want and what you want to pay.
The metro area has better...and worse, areas.