Incoming Dental Student at Anschutz Campus (Denver, Aurora: apartments, rentals, neighborhoods)

[Panzer12]

Hey all,

I got a lot of good help from this forum when I moved to Phoenix 2 months ago, so I thought I'd come back now I've found out I'm moving here for dental school in December/January.

I'm looking to live in a 1br in a walkable neighborhood with grocery stores, bars, etc. Probably not going to have a car though that could change.

I was originally looking at Hale/Montclair and surrounding areas but it looks like the commute could be a bit long - how reliable are the buses for public transport? Hoping to keep commute to a reliable 30 mins,. I'll get a bike but don't want to rely on it all the time.

I like that Aurora seems to be more diverse (I'm Asian and from the UK), but I can't quite figure out which areas to look at. I'm guessing nowhere is as walkable/developed as the neighborhoods I mentioned in Denver, and I don't see any good areas along the
light rail to Aurora which are closer.

Am I stuck with getting housing pretty much on campus?

Thanks!

[bluescreen73]

Aurora is pretty diverse, but it's largely suburban. The city isn't very walkable, and it doesn't have a real downtown. I'd look at Capitol Hill. It's close to what you're looking for, and it's a straight shot down Colfax Ave to the Anschutz campus. Good luck!

[Panzer12]

Thanks. Cap Hill looks like it might a bit far to commute, and I could have late evenings etc. Google puts it at 47 mins by bus.

Though it seems, as is normally the case here (US), I'm really limiting myself by not having a car......

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Panzer12

Though it seems, as is normally the case here (US), I'm really limiting myself by not having a car......

Very much. One of the best things about Denver is the proximity to the mountains. You need a car.

[emm74]

I am assuming dental school is pretty intense. Personally I would prioritize an easy commute even if that means a somewhat less interesting neighborhood, because I'm operating on the assumption you are going to have fairly limited time to just hang out anyway.

I would look into Central Park (formerly Stapleton) where a lot of people who work at Anschutz live, but also grad students too. Or the Fitzsimmons area (where Anschutz is) or one of the surrounding neighborhoods. I can't speak specifically to public transportation but you may be able to find something that keeps your commute walkable, maybe with the occasional Uber ride if it's particularly late or bad weather.

And if you are open to the possibility of living with roommates, then you end up not just saving money but having more options to choose from. And you might end up with a roommate with a car, which may not change your daily commute but you could perhaps do shared grocery shopping and things like that.

https://offcampushousing.ucdenver.ed...88503853026117

[daprara]

transportation and living around Aurora / Denver is going to be rough w/o a car.
RTD is expensive and medium reliability.
about RTD:
continue to look at lite rail stop locations near your school / work. These locations tend to attract mid rise apartments and shopping.

Zillow.com still works for rentals too.

-Fitzsimmons area / Anschutz is all new, limited infrastructure.
-You will not be able to sign a lease, December 2021 is too far out, to sign a lease just now and reserve a spot.