Where would you consider? (Denver, Westminster: for sale, rent, new house)

[davebarnes]

Slavens K-8 school district in the City & County of Denver.
You must live within the boundary.
You have plenty of money for a good house.
Wellshire for golf.

I also agree with Bow Mar.

[2bindenver]

Most of Denver is "suburban" in feel. Denver's Country Club, Observatory Park, University Hills, Congress Park, Bonnie Brae, Crestmore/Hilltop, Sloan's Lake, Capitol Hill, Cory-Merril, Park Hill (does the Governor still live there?)

Real suburbs Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village (John Elway lives here) Highlands Ranch - specifically Back Country, Castle Pines, Willow Springs in south Jefferson County, Pradera in Parker, Foxfield.

You can have urban, modern, rustic, traditional, a ranchette...and a golf course nearby.

[JWEvergreen]

OP - don't be so quick to turn your nose up at Evergreen. You have the budget to afford it. The temps here don't vary much from the lower front range communities and the views and outdoor activities are abundant. The schools are excellent and the community is very involved in making it so. It took us no time at all to meet friends up here.

Since commuting is not your concern, let me tell you anyways that you can make it to the airport in about an hour. Denver in about 25 minutes. The quaint downtown area and the lake are always alive with activity and special events.

The crime is very low or non-existant. Just an FYI - check the National Sex Offender Registry - Family Watchdog site since you have kids. Better safe than sorry.

[step33]

My usual pitch:

Look at the west side of Lakewood. Soltera might be what you want, though there are only a few houses with bigger yards. (Big yards are a liability here, too hard to water, too hard to keep alive, etc). But, many of the houses have great views - many also do NOT and are right on top of each other in that development - amazing difference from house to house.

Look around Morrison Road between Kipling and 470. Wide variety there and a there is a private men's golf course there (Bear Creek Country Club I think). Also a few good public courses in the area - I like Fox Hollow though it can get crowded.

I'd also say go west a little. The idea of Ken Caryl Valley was good, as is going just north of there off of C470 and Bellevue. That's Morrison, and there is a country club there called Red Rocks Country Club. Good golf course, good swimming pool for the kids in the summer, heck, even have a private fishing lake. It's 5 minutes from C470 and about 10 to the grocery store. You can get FANTASTIC views in your price range, though a couple days a year the snow will make the drive a little less than perfect. Stay down the hill a little and it won't be much of an issue either way.

And you could get a great house for less than your budget in that area. If I was going to spend $1mil I'd go there over Soltera any day, but some people really like Soltera and I like that it's close to my house.

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Most of Denver is "suburban" in feel. Denver's Country Club, Observatory Park, University Hills, Congress Park, Bonnie Brae, Crestmore/Hilltop, Sloan's Lake, Capitol Hill, Cory-Merril, Park Hill (does the Governor still live there?)

Real suburbs Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village (John Elway lives here) Highlands Ranch - specifically Back Country, Castle Pines, Willow Springs in south Jefferson County, Pradera in Parker, Foxfield.

You can have urban, modern, rustic, traditional, a ranchette...and a golf course nearby.

Ditto these Denver suggestions, some of which have been mentioned by PP's as well.

But, from what you've said, I still think Boulder seems to be the best fit.

[alliern]

I, too, think you should seriously reconsider Evergreen. North Evergreen more specifically. It really is not rural at all and has all of the items on your checklist.

There are great paved walking/biking paths that connect many parts and you can walk to the grocery store, Elk Meadow Open Space Park and even the elementary and middle school from many neighborhoods in your price range.

There are tons of families and all kinds of activities to take part in. It does not have a feeling of isolation and will give you a wonderful backyard for your kids to grow up in.

If you are using a real estate broker, make sure they are local to the areas you are looking in and live, work, and specialize in the places you would consider living. Mountain/foothills transactions are unique! Good Luck!

[Lost Roses]

I third Bowmar.

[Grover73]

Got back from a 3 day busy trip to Denver/Boulder a few days ago. Here's where we are at:

(1) Boulder

Loved Pearl Street Mall.
Loved some of the parks (Foothills Community Park, Wonderland Lake Park).
Liked having mountains and foothills nearby.

Most everyone we talked with seemed normal enough. Sure I saw a couple of freaky looking people here and there, but so what?
The roads and layout of Boulder in general felt a little congested, but not a deal breaker.

The biggest problem with the housing selection. Not only were prices extremely high, there wasn't much selection and virtually no houses that we liked. The lots were all small; the houses were mostly old and run down, and the ones that weren't will still surrounded by near tear downs

Also, my wife didn't like the fact that there weren't many neighborhood walking-distance types parks. In Denver, there were large "pocket parks" near most neighborhoods. Maybe Boulder has more than we saw. But driving from house to house, we saw few.

If we could find a house that we liked and in a neighborhood that we liked, I think we'd be good with Boulder. But right not the market isn't there .... maybe things will pick up in the Spring.

(2) Denver - Washington Park area

Of course, we love the idea of being close to Washington Park and the area has some walkable restaurants as well. Being close to all of Denver's amenities (zoo, gardens, stadiums) is a big plus.
But we only had time to look at a few house near the park and they were both very old, run down. And of course the lots are generally tiny. Yes, you don't need a huge lot near the park, but still nice to have some space to BBQ and have a drink outside in your own yard.

Also, my wife noted that you really forgo the mountain views when you live in the city.
And we'd probably want to do private school if we lived there.

Washington Park or surrounding area is a maybe.

(3) Greenwood Village

We still need to look more closely here. The houses are nice and the lots size is just about perfect. 0.80 - 1.3 acres.
Homes are newer and many are in good shape. South Glenn offered some convenience and Wash Park, Cherry Creek Mall were still close enough for me. A little on the edge to too far for my wife.
Still, we need to get a better feel for the layout of the area (parks, restaurants, etc.)
The public grade school in the area we looked was not good. But there was a supposed to be a good private school nearby.
I think it has a lot of potential. My wife is less optimistic.

(4) Littleton and Surrounding Areas

Littleton was a much less preferred than south Denver and Boulder as far as the city itself.
That pretty much lead us to rule out much of the surrounding areas, like Ken Caryl and probably Bow Mar. We did like the lake and views in Bow Mar. But push come to shove, I think my wife is not really ready to leave the amenities behind.

(5) Unexplored Areas

We haven't looked at Fort Collins or Colorado Springs yet. I think we'll start researching those areas next.

Too summarize, we are looking for something:

(1) Prefer 0.5 - 1.3 acres lots. Could go down to 10,000 foot lot if the area has good night life and is close to lots of things to do.

(2) Prefer to be 10 minute drive from a good number of city-like amenities. Restaurants, good parks, etc.

(3) I prefer newer homes in good condition. My wife doesn't seem to care as much about that.

(4) A few things in walking distance is a big plus. Neighborhood parks, trails, coffee shops.

(5) Excellent schools, either public or private.

(6) Good views of some sort, at least in the town. Not necessarily from our house, but something we could appreciate while in town on a daily basis (e.g. Boulder)

Sorry for the long reply.

[mic111]

I kind of hesitate to suggest...but you may want to check out Spruce Meadows in Broomfield but homes might be too big for your taste.
Spruce Meadows Custom Estate Homes

Another option is Toll Brother at the Preserve. Lots max out at a half acre but a number back to a wide walking path
The Preserve at McKay Shores: luxury new homes in Broomfield, CO
A tricked out brand new home would be at the bottom of your price range. Mountain views to die for over McKay Lake but all the homes backing to the views are sold. There might be some lots with angles of views still available.

Lots of trails and neighborhood parks in walking distance of both. Toll Brothers has more in walking distance like grocery, bank, restaurants etc but it isn't a big commercial area. You've got all the basics within a mile or so because of Orchard Town Center which is like the Streets of Southglenn but to me feels more like I'm on a holiday. Walking distance and certainly biking distance.
The Orchard Town Center :: 14697 Delaware Street, Suite 850, Westminster, CO. 80023 :: 303-450-8600

To get your old town type fix Highland is 20 min drive and same for Lousiville. Boulder 35 min. Longmont 35 min. Denver 35 min. But the area is way more rural than your used to. As in you can also walk to see the lama, longhorn bison, sheep, goats, visit with the local farmer who will chat with you while his dog brings the sheep in etc. Still can walk to many restaurants and a movie if you want. Also McKay lake where we see bald eagles, great horned owls, lots of hawk, coyote etc.

Public schools are very good.

A link with some pictures.
//www.city-data.com/forum/denve...a-suburbs.html

I only chimed in because you seem to really want newer homes on larger lots close in. From your OP I think Boulder is a good fit and you should wait for the right house to come along.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Grover73

(2) Denver - Washington Park area

Of course, we love the idea of being close to Washington Park and the area has some walkable restaurants as well. Being close to all of Denver's amenities (zoo, gardens, stadiums) is a big plus.
But we only had time to look at a few house near the park and they were both very old, run down. And of course the lots are generally tiny. Yes, you don't need a huge lot near the park, but still nice to have some space to BBQ and have a drink outside in your own yard.

Also, my wife noted that you really forgo the mountain views when you live in the city.
And we'd probably want to do private school if we lived there.

Washington Park or surrounding area is a maybe.

Thanks for the follow up. Sounds like you had a good visit.

Regarding old and run down in Wash Park, that should not be an issue in your price range. You could have a new home built for 1.3-1.5M. Just need to find the lot. The custom builders who are most active in the neighborhood are Forte and Larson. They are buying up a lot of the potential scraper lots. Might be worth calling them to talk. They'll give you an excellent viewpoint on the neighborhood. Forte just tore down the house next door to me.

Most of us don't see a need to go private school. Elementary school in the neighborhood is outstanding. One of the best in the city. It gets a little tricky in middle school, but the Denver School of Science and Technology is opening a campus in the neighborhood soon. It is DPS and very highly rated.