Should I move to the DTC? (Denver, Englewood: apartment, renting, condo)

[Chi2DenverLady]

I am considering a move to Metro Denver ASAP. I have been overwhelmingly surprised by the cost of living!!! Y'all need to stop it with these prices. I currently live in a suburb about 30 minutes from downtown Chicago with great schools, safe neighborhoods and activities. For what I pay for a 3,100sq ft, 5/3 home... it looks like I'll be getting a 2/2 condo or apt. I've actually accepted that. The big house in the suburbs is getting a bit old anyway. I've made a few trips to Denver recently and had my eyes set on DTC, (is this also considered Centennial?). I really can't even say why I like DTC. I stayed in a pretty quiet, fairly new area during my stay and even made use of the light rail which impressively did not smell of pee. DTC seemed relatively close to downtown but felt a little more like home to me. A place you could relax on your patio without a ton of foot traffic unlike the feel I got from the Highlands and lower downtown. Which I like, but may be a little too trendy for me.


Some things that may help you guys help me. I would be working in Englewood and I do have a desire to live a community that is safe. I have a car, but like the option of using public transportation so I'd like an area that offers accessibility to the light rail or similar options perhaps unknown. I do not do that 420 thing. I have yet to finalize a salary but, I hope to find an apartment between 1200.00 -1600.00/month. Does anyone recommend any apartment hunting apps or services? Any feedback or recommendations about anything helpful would be appreciated greatly. Thanks everyone!

[davebarnes]

What is your work address?
Englewood (postal) is HUGE.

You wrote both "2/2 condo" and "apartment". I am confused. Buying or renting?

Everywhere is safe.

Padmapper.com
Use the filters

[Chi2DenverLady]

It's in the proximity of 24hr fitness, 11798 Oswego St, Englewood 80112. I'd be searching for an apartment/rental, looking for a house is a bit daunting and I'd like to get to know the metro area a bit better before making such a permanent decision.

[davebarnes]

Not Centennial.
Not really Englewood.
Not even close to the DTC. DTC is just south of intersection of I25 and I225.

Is "greater" Lone Tree.
Look there.
Very car dependent.

[Chi2DenverLady]

Thanks Dave! The info has been helpful. I'm using the site you provided as we speak and will certainly consider Lone Tree.

[Chi2DenverLady]

After doing a bit of hunting in Lone Tree, which also returns Englewood when apartment hunting I'm wondering if parts of Englewood are considered Lone Tree and again, the difference between DTC and Centennial. Access to public transportation is pretty important to me. I've heard Denver traffic can be a bit crazy.

Does anyone know if the area of Englewood I'd be working is assesable using the LR or something else?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Just for clarification, the address the OP gave is on the north side of Lincoln Avenue, east of I-25.

The thing about Denver and postal addresses and city limits is that it is really screwy. The address of the 24 Hour Fitness is Englewood, but the location is nowhere near the city limits of the City of Englewood. It's just the city name that the post office used for that area. Neither Lone Tree nor DTC have postal addresses, so that's why your search shows returns Englewood. Centennial does have postal addresses and its city limits are closer to your location, but it is a fairly new city and perhaps this already had Englewood assigned. When we lived north of here in unincorporated Arapahoe County, we used either Englewood or Centennial and our mail would be delivered as long as we used the correct zip code.

Light Rail goes from Lincoln Avenue stop into downtown Denver.

[Chi2DenverLady]

That makes perfect sense DOH. It seems like it can be quite difficult to get your bearings if you're not familiar with the area. Your explanation gives a better prospective. Are there any areas outside of Centennial, DTC that you recommend looking? I'd like to have a list of a few neighborhoods to tour before settling. Also are you saying, you wouldn't bank on the use of the LR if you were me. I have a friend who used it to commute to work from DTC to Downtown when I was visiting and the notion kinda stuck with me. I'd be working in Englewood and I use that phrase loosely given your explanation. Does this mean I'll need to give up my dreams of public transportation?

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Chi2DenverLady

Does this mean I'll need to give up my dreams of public transportation?

The address you provided in Lone Tree is 1.5 miles from the closest rail stop, Lincoln Station. You could bike to a stop near your house and then bring your bike on the train and bike the mile and a half to the office if this is important to you. Otherwise you are looking at a 30 minute walk from the train station every day.

RTD Light Rail Map

[Chi2DenverLady]

Thank you Sky! The link was super useful, it'd be less than a 6min bike ride with good weather; not too shabby. There's also a ton of info on other options like the train, parking, and schedules so I'll make use of that and do some homework for sure! The links have been tremendously helpful guys. Can anyone recommend additional areas I should include in my search. I've heard a few people mention Parker, what are your thoughts on that area compared to Centennial and Lone Tree. Another concern I had was my commute out of the DTC. If I chose a place within such a heavy business district, would I have issues commuting out in the morning on days a walk or biker ride aren't realistic? Would you recommend living in Englewood?

I stayed at a Hyatt property in DTC over the summer and liked the access to restaurants and the feel of a business crowd during the day. In the evening you still get the architecture, clean streets but minimal traffic and few people...great for walks and semi city exploring. I asked the staff of it'd be safe to walk around at night and everyone assured me that I'd be fine. It was kinda nice but that was the tourist in me and that could grow old quickly.