Lakewood vs Arvada, thoughts? (Denver, Wheat Ridge: apartment, for rent, condos)

[mnstrong]

Title about sums it up, hopefully you all can help us with the decision!

We just came back from a visit to check out areas, and have settled on these two areas. Our general needs are:

Family friendly (son will be 1 when we move in the summer)
Small-town type feel would be cool, but not necessary
Access to parks and mountains
Access to downtowns (local main streets & downtown Denver)
Rent around $1200 (looking at condos)
Commute is a non-issue, husband will be establishing business in the city we live in

I feel like both these cities meet these requirements, but I'd love to get opinions from the locals. Thanks so much!!

[davebarnes]

You could throw in Wheat Ridge also.
Toss up with:
child age
rent

The further west and north/south you go the longer it takes to get to downtown Denver

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by mnstrong

Title about sums it up, hopefully you all can help us with the decision!

We just came back from a visit to check out areas, and have settled on these two areas. Our general needs are:

Family friendly (son will be 1 when we move in the summer)
Small-town type feel would be cool, but not necessary
Access to parks and mountains
Access to downtowns (local main streets & downtown Denver)
Rent around $1200 (looking at condos)
Commute is a non-issue, husband will be establishing business in the city we live in

I feel like both these cities meet these requirements, but I'd love to get opinions from the locals. Thanks so much!!

I assume you want at least a 2-bedroom?

Aravda is more small town than Lakewood. I used to be a cop there. Lower crime rate than Lakewood due to Lakewood bordering Denver along Sheridan Boulevard.

Both have good parks and access to mountains.

Rent is your biggest problem. You will probably need to up your budget a few hundred.

[Count David]

Arvada. Lakewood doesn't fit your criteria as well.

You'll have to dig dig dig, and give up some of your wants/needs to get close to that rent number. I have a friend who just snagged an apartment at I-70/Kipling. A 2 bed for like $1050. It's close enough to Old Town I guess.

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Arvada. Lakewood doesn't fit your criteria as well.

You'll have to dig dig dig, and give up some of your wants/needs to get close to that rent number. I have a friend who just snagged an apartment at I-70/Kipling. A 2 bed for like $1050. It's close enough to Old Town I guess.

I-70 and Kipling is a shady area. There are a few motels there (particularly the "American Motel") where meth dealing is rampant and has a heavy transient presence. If you want to find drug paraphernalia in your room, then stay there.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by JohnnyDenver

I-70 and Kipling is a shady area. There are a few motels there where meth dealing is rampant and has a heavy transient presence.

It's off whatever they call Ralston down in those parts. Across from Lutz Fields.

I stayed in that Motel 6 once, for an undisclosed reason.

It was probably a lateral move, as my friend was living at Iliff/Peoria.

If anything, you're just proving the point. If you want to rent anything nice in this area right now, you better pony up the buck$.

[himain]

I agree-you're going to have to go up for rent by several hundred...

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I stayed in that Motel 6 once, for an undisclosed reason.

Did it involved JohnnyDenver?

[Count David]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Did it involved JohnnyDenver?

No, I did not know JohnnyDenver at the time of this occurrence.

[tcbelvis]

Originally Posted by JohnnyDenver

I-70 and Kipling is a shady area.

Changes are coming..... Natural Grocers opening in May right across from the classy Motel 6. Sprouts soon at 38th. Here come the hipsters, now we just need the bulldozers or organic meth.....