Denver, Boulder, Jobs and Schools (Lakewood, Arvada: renting, home, neighborhoods)

[pontoon22]

Hi all. Here's my situation:

- My job prospects will be in Louisville (most likely)/Boulder (2nd most likely)/Denver (not aware of anything but there may be something). I'm looking at big tech companies.
- My girlfriend's job prospects will likely be in Denver or near there. She's in historic architecture.

We're looking for a place with good schools since we'll probably want to have kids. I want a place where I can have a garage. We both want a place with good walkability (a real city) and to not rely on driving between big box stores. Boulder to Denver would be a long commute for her. Denver to Louisville would be a somewhat long commute for me. Are there any cities with decent density (e.g. a downtown area) and walkability near Louisville or Denver? Does Boulder have any work for a historic architect?

We would probably start by renting and then maybe buy in a few years.

[davebarnes]

1. Don't focus on schools. You are 6+ years away from your first child entering kindergarten.
2. Walkability is not easy in greater Denver as so much of it was built around cars. For example, both Wheat Ridge and Lakewood lack "downtowns".
3.
a. Consider the Berkeley neighborhood in Denver. Her commute will probably be trivial and yours to Lousiville will be acceptable.
b. Consider Olde Town Arvada where she commutes via the G Line and you have medium drive north.
c. Other possibilities could be downtown Golden or downtown Louisville.
You need to visit (after you get your jobs) and do some reconnaissance.

[reed303]

Originally Posted by pontoon22

Hi all. Here's my situation:

- My job prospects will be in Louisville (most likely)/Boulder (2nd most likely)/Denver (not aware of anything but there may be something). I'm looking at big tech companies.
- My girlfriend's job prospects will likely be in Denver or near there. She's in historic architecture.

We're looking for a place with good schools since we'll probably want to have kids. I want a place where I can have a garage. We both want a place with good walkability (a real city) and to not rely on driving between big box stores. Boulder to Denver would be a long commute for her. Denver to Louisville would be a somewhat long commute for me. Are there any cities with decent density (e.g. a downtown area) and walkability near Louisville or Denver? Does Boulder have any work for a historic architect?

We would probably start by renting and then maybe buy in a few years.

Can you cite an example of a city ( and neighborhood) you've lived in that met these criteria ?

[pontoon22]

Originally Posted by reed303

Can you cite an example of a city ( and neighborhood) you've lived in that met these criteria ?

Uptown, Minneapolis
Oakland, California
Berkeley, California

[pontoon22]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

1. Don't focus on schools. You are 6+ years away from your first child entering kindergarten.
2. Walkability is not easy in greater Denver as so much of it was built around cars. For example, both Wheat Ridge and Lakewood lack "downtowns".
3.
a. Consider the Berkeley neighborhood in Denver. Her commute will probably be trivial and yours to Lousiville will be acceptable.
b. Consider Olde Town Arvada where she commutes via the G Line and you have medium drive north.
c. Other possibilities could be downtown Golden or downtown Louisville.
You need to visit (after you get your jobs) and do some reconnaissance.

If I were to move to somewhere like Arvada (which does seem nice) is there any real likelihood the schools would be much improved in six years? Right now I’m seeing Arvada K-8 rated a 2 of 10 and 9-12 rated a 3 of 10. By the numbers that sounds like it wouldn’t work. I’m curious if reality is the same.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by pontoon22

If I were to move to somewhere like Arvada (which does seem nice) is there any real likelihood the schools would be much improved in six years? Right now I’m seeing Arvada K-8 rated a 2 of 10 and 9-12 rated a 3 of 10. By the numbers that sounds like it wouldn’t work. I’m curious if reality is the same.

Greatschools lists 32 elementary schools in Arvada, ranging in ratings from 8 to 2 (out of 10). They also list 15 middle schools, from 7 to 2, and 11 high schools from 8 to 3. You need to know that parents, who do these ratings, rate middle/high schools lower than elementary. It isn't the schools as much as it is kids of that age. You have to have an address to see what attendance area your home is in. Another thing to know is that Colorado has open enrollment statewide, which means you can enroll your child in any public school that will take them. I always caution people not to count on OE because some schools are quite popular and often don't have many/any OE slots, but that is an option. All charter schools are OE.

https://www.greatschools.org/colorad...Levels%5B%5D=h

[pontoon22]

Thanks for the tip. I had no idea there could be so many elementary schools there.

I misspoke earlier. Her work would be in Lakewood, not Denver proper.

[brown_dog_us]

Once you add in good schools the hip/dense/urban neighborhoods generally fall off the list. If you check out the schools in the neighborhoods you listed above you will see this. Places like Berkeley, like Boulder, can fit your wish list, but you will pay a very high premium. I'd suggest renting in a cooler location until it's time to have kids.

btw, What's your budget?

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by pontoon22

Thanks for the tip. I had no idea there could be so many elementary schools there. .

Where are you coming from? Hopkins, MN?

Where did you grow up?

If you are trying to find something similar to Main Street, then your choices here are very limited.

[pontoon22]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Where are you coming from? Hopkins, MN?

Where did you grow up?

If you are trying to find something similar to Main Street, then your choices here are very limited.

How did you know I lived near Hopkins at one point? I went to Hopkins schools including Hopkins High (in Minnetonka, which is where I lived).

Hopkins MN downtown is another good example of a place I would be ok living near.

As for budget since someone asked, I don’t want to overspend. I haven’t done the math on what I can afford. Let’s say under a million with mega bonus points for cheaper for sake of this exercise. I’m coming from CA... Please don’t hate me. I’m originally from Minnesota.