Help with specific neighborhoods (Denver, Lakewood: apartment complexes, leasing, condos)

[eagle06]

Thanks everyone for the months and months of reading you've provided as I've studied the Denver area. My wife and I are hoping to move to your great city sometime this fall.

We're flying back to Denver for the third time next week for my job application process and would like to narrow our home search down to some specific areas.

At this point we don't know specifically where my wife and I will be working so that doesn't help narrow it down. All I can assume is our jobs will be somewhere in the metropolitan area.

I've explored the city quite a bit in the two trips I've already made but this time I'd like some guidance as we look at specific neighborhoods. I've read tons of general advice on other threads about looking in Cheesman Park, or Capital Hill, or Stapleton, etc. This trip I'd like some specific suggestions from the forum, i.e, "drive a few blocks around this intersection to see what this neighborhood offers, etc."

Since we won't be moving until this fall it's too early to waste a landlord's time looking at specific properties.

We'll rent for the first year until we can find a condo to purchase.

We have broad tastes and likes so the main concern is to have an area my wife feels safe in while I'm working nights.

We'd be happy in a downtown loft, a suburban condo, an old home in the city, etc.

We love both Boulder and downtown Denver so I'd prefer to live west of the city offering a choice of entertainment options in either city. It's also important for us to be close to the mountains for recreation.

I'd like to keep rent under $1200 and would prefer 2bed/2bath but can settle for less for the short-term.

We need to be within a quick drive of a Whole Foods for groceries. (I know that makes us sound like the "yuppies" that many of you hate!)

I'd like to be within a short drive, or walk, of a park and ride.

I've found some nice apartment complexes to check out but I think we'd prefer a condo or a house.

Craigslist has some excellent options but I'm not sure based on the adds if they're in areas we'd like.

So...if anyone's up to the challenge, can you help us?

If you were to take us around in your car for an afternoon what specific areas would you go to give us a good feel for neighborhoods that might meet that criteria?

Really appreciate your help!!

[Katarina Witt]

As far as the "Yuppie" business, why do you think Whole Foods stays in business? Obviously, a lot of Coloradans shop there!

I don't think you'll have any trouble finding an apt in your price range. I would wait until you know where you'll be working before you get your heart set on a specific neighborhood. East to west across the metro can take an hour in good traffic, ditto north to south.

[eagle06]

Knowing where we'll work will certainly help. The problem is we may not have a chance to return to Denver until the actual move.

I'd like to have an idea of neighborhoods/cities in various geographic area so if I'm stuck leasing via the internet I'll have a good feel for the neighborhood.

I've found some places in Broomfield (specifically the Vantage condos but I'd like to see some cool neighborhoods in Denver, Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton, Wheat Ridge, etc.

Stapleton and Lowry sound neat but probably too far east.

The development around the Englewood station and Belmar looked promising when I was there but might be too expensive.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by eagle06

Knowing where we'll work will certainly help. The problem is we may not have a chance to return to Denver until the actual move.

I'd like to have an idea of neighborhoods/cities in various geographic area so if I'm stuck leasing via the internet I'll have a good feel for the neighborhood.

I've found some places in Broomfield (specifically the Vantage condos but I'd like to see some cool neighborhoods in Denver, Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton, Wheat Ridge, etc.

Stapleton and Lowry sound neat but probably too far east.

The development around the Englewood station and Belmar looked promising when I was there but might be too expensive.

you can for rental stuff, check out the Bradburn Village Appartments, they are in an absolutly beautifull sub-division (tooting my own horn here, lol I designed quite a few homes in that subdivision) There are plenty of markets nearby, and a wild oats up sheridan a bit.

[2bindenver]

I'd live in a hotel for two or three days, then get a place to call home.

Either that or do a house-hunting visit before.

[Dorthy]

Originally Posted by eagle06

The development around the Englewood station and Belmar looked promising when I was there but might be too expensive.

Around the Englewood development isn't expensive. The nearest Whole Foods or the local version (way cheaper then whole foods) "Vitamin Cottage" is 3 to5 miles away.

[steveindenver]

Why not live near Cheeseman park between it and Capitol hill proper, you can walk to Wild Oats and pay less than you would at whole paycheck.

[eagle06]

"Whole Paycheck"...that's funny.

Where would I take my wife if I wanted to show her the area between Cheeseman and Capital hill? I took her to "Hotcakes" for breakfast last time and I believe that was in Capital hill right? Can you give me some specific streets?

I looked at the Bradburn devlopement...looks cool. A little pricey but a one bedroom is affordable.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by eagle06

Knowing where we'll work will certainly help. The problem is we may not have a chance to return to Denver until the actual move.

I'd like to have an idea of neighborhoods/cities in various geographic area so if I'm stuck leasing via the internet I'll have a good feel for the neighborhood.

I've found some places in Broomfield (specifically the Vantage condos but I'd like to see some cool neighborhoods in Denver, Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton, Wheat Ridge, etc.

Stapleton and Lowry sound neat but probably too far east.

The development around the Englewood station and Belmar looked promising when I was there but might be too expensive.

Belmar is very expensive. However, there is secret that I will tell you. Before, Belmar was developed, it was a popular mall and had a King Soopers Grocery store, just to the south. What happen was that there were many apartments and condos that were developed just on the southern edge because it was a good place to live and be able to walk to stores and have a grocery nearby. This nice housing is still there and it is much less expensive. You can have the amenities of Belmar without the cost. You would be within easy walking distance, and Whole Foods is just on the Southwest edge of Belmar--so it is real close.

In addition, across the street on the Southwest corner of Alameda and Wadsworth is the Lakewood Government Center and Library. In Back of this center bordering on Belmar Park are many condos and apartments. Just on this same corner is a shopping area with King Soopers Grocery. All this area is dense and easily walkable. Again, it would be cheaper than Belmar proper.

In addition, this area is well served by Public Transportation with many buses giving access to all areas.

Livecontent

[eagle06]

Thanks Live Content. I used that bus station at the government center quite a bit on my last trip.

I'll just drive through there and stop in at some of the apartment offices.