Family of 5 moving to Denver from NY - please help! (Lakewood: for sale, rentals)

[NYC fAMILY]

We are moving to Denver from the NY suburbs (Westchester County) in the next few months for my husband's new job We're looking to rent first, and then buy something once we have a better sense of the neighborhoods. My husband will be working downtown (near Union Station) and I will be home at first with the kids, then hoping to find new employment in the next year or so (I am a lawyer). I recently left my job in NY in anticipation of our move.

We have 3 elementary aged kids, so are looking for great schools, a nice, welcoming community, laid-back people, and an easy commute to the city. I was surprised by the nature of the suburbs we looked at on our recent trip out to Denver as they are so different from the NY suburbs - no towns, no walking to stores or parks, lots of big box stores. Is there somewhere different with an actual town that may fit our requirements?

We've looked at Greenwood Village (liked it best, but still felt very suburban/cookie cutter development), Centennial, Highlands Ranch, and Louisville (too isolated). We are also planning to look at Hilltop and Washington Park and Stapleton, but have concerns about the schools. I've also been told Littleton has a nice town, so being in Greenwood Village we wouldn't be too far from that.

I'm a city girl (lived in NYC with and without kids up until 5 years ago), and understand I won't be living somewhere urban, but just searching for a similar kind of lovely community vibe we currently have in our town and neighborhood (good schools, friendly community, walking distance to train and town, other nice towns nearby). Our family also loves to ski, and we plan to get more into hiking and take advantage of the outdoors.

Budget is around $3500 - $4500 to rent, and then probably around $750-850K to buy eventually.

I'd love any suggestions! Thanks so much.

[2bindenver]

I understand the 180 difference living in the city vs. highly suburban in nature, that is Denver. Maybe Bonnie Brae? Sloans's Lake, Berkeley? Also look west & northwest - Applewood (pastorial), Arvada (olde town or suburban), Lakewood (suburban & Belmar new urban), maybe Green Gables on the old Lakewood County Club site next year.

I grew up in DC. Both my parents were Bronx born & raised. I get the culture shock. But, it's a great place to raise adults.

padmapper.com for rentals recolorado.com for houses for sale, they do have a few rentals, too.

[davebarnes]

Bromwell or Steck elementary schools in Denver.
You MUST live within the school boundary. This is true for every good elementary school in DPS.
Cherry Creek North and Congress Park neighborhoods.
City vibe and good schools.

Edison Elementary
West Highland ( and Highland Square area)

Cory Elementary
Bonnie Brae

[emm74]

You mentioned Stapleton and concern about the schools.

There was a recent thread on that - bottom line is the schools there are all good.

//www.city-data.com/forum/denve...confusion.html

But Stapleton isn't really walkable in terms of having a village feel. Lowry might be a little better and worth looking at, if you find something closer to the Town Center. The elementary school there is good, the middle school is meh, the high school (GW) is in transition, but I know some families who are very happy with it. Hilltop has good elementaries, feeds into the same middle and HS as Lowry. Wash Park, I'm not specifically familiar with the schools off hand, I think probably good elementaries but middle schools are a weakness in most of Denver.

[NYC fAMILY]

Thanks very much. Any suggestions for a good rental agent, or company? The agent who showed us homes to buy says he cannot help with rentals.

[NYC fAMILY]

Also - any thoughts on Greenwood Village? We have heard from many people that we if we move to the South Suburbs, we must be in the Cherry Creek School District? Everyone we spoke to raved about it.

[step33]

Based on OP, I would think a look around Golden might be in order.

[hammertime33]

Have you considered living in Central Denver (Wash Park, Highlands, Hilltop, etc) and sending the kids to private school?

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by step33

Based on OP, I would think a look around Golden might be in order.

Yes, central Golden would definitely have that feel and is a pretty damn nice place.

[JWEvergreen]

I agree with step33. Sounds like Golden could be a good place for you. Jefferson county schools are good.