Apartment between Louisville and Denver near public transit? (Arvada, Westminster: apartment complexes, to live in)

[Lipat]

My husband and I are relocating from Seattle for a job that is in Louisville, CO. Our conflicting interests make it difficult to find the ideal location: we prefer an urban environment, as in Denver, but also a reasonably short commute. We’d like to find a compromise for a location between Denver and Louisville that has a more urban feel (although I realize that area is mostly suburban) and is close to public transportation. As I would not be working, and our one car will be used by my husband for his commute to work, I need to be able to use public transit to get around, go to the supermarket, etc. and hopefully be able to get to Denver by bus as well. If groceries, restaurants, shopping, etc. could be within walking distance that’s even better. Our preference is for smaller apartment buildings, we don’t need pools, gym, meeting areas, etc., however we’re flexible in that regard. We are looking for a one-bedroom apartment, up to $1,500 per month. I’d very much appreciate recommendations and advice for specific communities, as well as apartment buildings/complexes meeting our needs. Thank you!

[davebarnes]

Tennyson Street, Denver
Olde Town, Arvada
Bradbury, Westminster

[2bindenver]

Boulder, Broomfield, Louisville...anywhere but Denver.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by Lipat

...job that is in Louisville, CO... prefer an urban environment, as in Denver, but also a reasonably short commute... one-bedroom apartment, up to $1,500 per month.

Denver is a long commute to Louisville, and Denver is the only urban area. This is like working in Redmond and wanting a short commute from an urban area.

If you want walkable with some nightlife and bus service, then Boulder is probably a good choice. You might not love what you get for $1500, but it's probably comparable to what you get for $1500 in Seattle.

If you could handle a suburban area with a downtown retail hub, then Louisville might work.

Another option would be to live in Denver and take the bus to Louisville. Google can help you zero in on times for different locations.

Will you eventually look for work and need to be able to walk or use transit to that job?

[reed303]

There are 2 RTD Park-N-Ride locations along the Boulder Turnpike (US 36) that have "transit-oriented" apartment complexes nearby. Both offer easy access to Louisville, Denver, Boulder, and nearby shopping etc

https://goo.gl/maps/ZALHE1JJ6wH2 = Broomfield PnR

https://goo.gl/maps/JUTJhHAEFXu = Flatiron Mall PnR

[mic111]

I like davebarnes suggestions.

He mentioned Bradburn in Westminster. Here is the link. Walkable to Walmart, Whole Foods, Sprouts and a large number of restaurants. Probably access to public transit.
https://www.bradburnrowapts.com/west...tments-closed/

[Katarina Witt]

^^I think Bradburn is highly over-rated, and is not what the OP is looking for because she says "Our preference is for smaller apartment buildings, we don’t need pools, gym, meeting areas, etc.,". Why is the OP's husband taking the car to work and leaving the OP to have to grocery shop, etc, on public transit?

[Quietude]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

^^I think Bradburn is highly over-rated, and is not what the OP is looking for because she says "Our preference is for smaller apartment buildings, we don’t need pools, gym, meeting areas, etc.,". Why is the OP's husband taking the car to work and leaving the OP to have to grocery shop, etc, on public transit?

I don't usually second-guess these kinds of inquiries, but looking at public transit for the commute and the flexibility of the car for the one doing all the shopping etc. makes better sense to me...

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Quietude

I don't usually second-guess these kinds of inquiries, but looking at public transit for the commute and the flexibility of the car for the one doing all the shopping etc. makes better sense to me...

You and I are on the same page with this. I thought about it a while before I posted. I mean, to each his/her own, but really...

A good question is where in Louisville? Some of Louisville is quite accessible to PT, and some is, well, not so much.

[Lipat]

Thanks, everyone.

Public transit is not an option for where my husband’s office is located. Obviously, I would have asked different questions in my OP. Also, I didn’t mention Boulder in my OP, I know it’s expensive.

I definitely don’t contemplate doing all the grocery shopping by myself, carrying stuff by bus. Of course, we’ll do it like most people, after work or weekends, using the car. But I would like to be able to run to the store to get a fresh baguette or some small things if I need to.

The main idea is that I don’t want to be in a place where I feel stuck indoors, without being able to go anywhere without a car. Many of the places I looked at with Google maps/street view seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, with nothing much around, and the streets not pedestrian friendly. I’d like to be able to go for a walk/run, go to a coffee shop, etc.

Thank you for the Bradburn recommendation, it seems like a good option, however they have no vacancy. There is another possibility nearby, Marquis at Town Centre. I gave up on the idea of a smaller complex, it seems all are big.

After a little more research and (re-)considering logistics, we’ll try to stay closer to Louisville, and not further south than Broomfield. The search continues…