Commuting questions (Denver, Highlands Ranch, Englewood: houses, neighborhoods, schools)

[Orghiplove]

I believe I may have gotten a bit ahead of myself in our search for a town. So let me start over. If work is in HR but needs to fly out of DIA twice per month, what towns would be in optimal location?

Edit to add: ideal commute would be under 30 minutes and max budget for minimum 3 bed/2 bath sfh would be $800,000

[davebarnes]

Cherry Hills Village.
Lone Tree.

There are 2 best ways to DEN from "down south":
E-470, an expensive toll road
I-225, free

There are 2 best ways to Highlands Ranch from "up north"
Broadway, surface street
C-470, free/toll to Broadway

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

One thing about Denver is that there really isn't much of a clear delineation between towns that surround the city of Denver. All the suburbs and neighborhoods in Denver itself seems to blend into each other and, without a sign stating such, it sometimes is hard to know when you've gone from one city limit into another. And add onto that is the fact that there are many areas that aren't incorporated into any town. We used to live in a subdivision in unincorporated Arapahoe County and we were bordered by Greenwood Village and Centennial. And our mailing address was Englewood!

I think that instead of looking for a specific "town", you should focus your search on what houses in the southeast part of the metro area meet your criteria -- price, size, schools, commute time to DIA, etc. You mentioned needing to go to the airport only twice a month; that doesn't seem like that should be a major factor in your search.

[Orghiplove]

I suppose what is difficult for me to calculate, because I do not yet live there, is how traffic plays a role in commute time. I can certainly Google distance and time from one town to the next, but that won’t give me realistic info that I’m seeking.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

We don't live in Centennial anymore, so I can't give you first hand knowledge. But Google Maps does have a function where you can enter in an address, ask for directions to the airport, and then set a date and time for an estimate of travel time in that time period. OR, you could find an address, then check the traffic times on various days that you think your husband might be travelling.

[Augie Daugie]

Parker.

[mic111]

What am I missing? Highlands Ranch is the optimal location for someone who works in Highlands Ranch. Preferably walking or biking distance to the work location.

The commute to the airport 2x a month doesn't really matter because it is so seldom compared to a daily commute. Making it 10 or 15 min. closer to the airport doesn't even compare to adding that on to your daily commute both ways.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by mic111

What am I missing? Highlands Ranch is the optimal location for someone who works in Highlands Ranch. Preferably walking or biking distance to the work location.

The commute to the airport 2x a month doesn't really matter because it is so seldom compared to a daily commute. Making it 10 or 15 min. closer to the airport doesn't even compare to adding that on to your daily commute both ways.

This. Try to live close to work. Additionally, try to live east of work so you're not commuting into the sun. Sun glare gets so bad here at times that it causes accidents.

[Orghiplove]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

We don't live in Centennial anymore, so I can't give you first hand knowledge. But Google Maps does have a function where you can enter in an address, ask for directions to the airport, and then set a date and time for an estimate of travel time in that time period. OR, you could find an address, then check the traffic times on various days that you think your husband might be travelling.

Very cool! I never knew that existed-will try it out. Thank you!

[Orghiplove]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

This. Try to live close to work. Additionally, try to live east of work so you're not commuting into the sun. Sun glare gets so bad here at times that it causes accidents.

Interesting! Thanks for the heads up.