What is the Oak Park of Denver? (Highlands Ranch, Littleton: apartment, renting)

[tfox]

I do sometimes give this poster jjacobeclark props because he/she knows his/her stuff, generally. However, it's clear that the poster doesn't like Denver, and I suspect that that dislike occasionally leads to overstating the points. I think that's what happened here.

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

In Denver highly educated does not equal liberal. Most well-to-do families in CO are very conservative.

It's certainly true that neither political party has a monopoly on educated people. However, Denver proper leans pretty heavily Democratic, so think the conservative well-to-do families mentioned probably don't live in the city.

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

Country Club is all million dollar homes, not affordable for most.

It does seem that way, but Country Club (north) does have quite a few more modest homes as well.

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

Park Hill is pretty terrible as far as crime is concerned.

These posters are talking about South Park Hill. Sure, there is a lot of crime in the outer reaches of Northeast Park Hill, but that is far away. Park Hill itself is fine.

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

Denver Public Schools are beyond awful.

No, some schools in DPS are beyond awful. Others are as good as any in the state. You just have to pick the schools carefully.

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

Denver is a big city for people who love the outdoors and the proximity of the city to the Rocky Mountains is the only real appeal the city has. People tolerate living in Denver so they can escape to the mountains every single weekend. Even on Friday and Saturday nights the city doesn't feel alive because most residents are in the mountains.

I agree halfway. If you hate the outdoors and the mountains don't excite you, this probably isn't the right place for you. There are a lot of other great cities in this country.

However, to say that Denver residents care nothing about their city and live only to spend time in the mountains is certainly not true for everyone, and I'd guess not even most. Anyway, you'd be far better off living in the western Jeffco suburbs or some such place if all you care about is proximity to the mountains. In this day and age, you pay a premium live in Denver, even if it is further from the mountains than many of our suburbs. Why pay that premium if you don't plan on enjoy what Denver has to offer?

[Katarina Witt]

I agree with tfox's post, and would like to add that not everybody is crazy about outdoor activities. I never was *that* into camping, hiking, etc, and do less as I get older, e.g. no camping for years. I do still enjoy going to the mtns for a "Sunday drive", but I prefer some of the other offerings that Denver/Boulder has including arts and education.

The only prominent, wealthy conservative family I can think of is the Coors family.

[EastSideMKE]

Originally Posted by Sockeye

The city of Denver is mostly Democratic. The neighborhoods mentioned are highly educated. Those with $$, which would be most (just like Oak Park) send their children to private schools like Regis, Graland, or Kent. Their is a nationally recognized performing arts center here, museums, a great local music scene, and many ethnic restaurants, i.e., plenty of things to do for the non-outdoorsperson. Lower Downtown is a HUGE draw on the weekends and during sporting events. Moreover, more and more folks are choosing to live in or near downtown.

As far as nightlife is concerned, LoDo is a joke. Last call is at 1am and when you leave the bars you are greeted by the Denver SWAT Team, which means no time for mingling and meeting up with friends afterwards.

[Hivebee]

I would seriously say that you are not going to find an Oak Park in Denver. The best thing to do, is just bite the bullet and deal with the change. The suburbs there are great. My friend lived in a place called Highlands ranch. It was awesome. The best new type of community I ever seen. I wish I could move there.

[vegaspilgrim]

jjacobeclark, I also share tfox's observation. I remember not too long ago it used to be you disliked downtown and Capitol Hill but liked SE Denver and Aurora (which is my favorite sector of town too, btw), but now it sounds like you're spewing hatred towards Denver as a whole, without any real morsels of insight like what you once had. You have got to be kidding me if you think Denver the city doesn't have anything to offer beyond access to the mountains. Denver is a full blown city in its right, chock full of things to do that don't involve going to or looking at the mountains. In fact, I wish the tourist promotion and real estate development sectors would quit promoting Denver as a city in the Rocky Mountains, because it's not; it's a city on the high plains, and there's nothing wrong with that. I just can't imagine why somebody would leave Denver just because of the time of the last call. As if Denver lacks options when it comes to beer drinking. Well actually, I know people who left Denver to move to Las Vegas because Denver get too old and boring for them, but Denver to Milwaukee? I'd like to see a contest, pound for pound, to see which city can outdrink the other! Of course, there's always a thing to be said for going back to one's hometown.

[Keystone]

Thanks, everyone. My husband's work will be in the Littleton area so Boulder is out of the question. Wish we could live there, but we can't. I'll look into the areas mentioned.

[EastSideMKE]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

As if Denver lacks options when it comes to beer drinking. Well actually, I know people who left Denver to move to Las Vegas because Denver get too old and boring for them, but Denver to Milwaukee? I'd like to see a contest, pound for pound, to see which city can outdrink the other! Of course, there's always a thing to be said for going back to one's hometown.

Are you serious??? Milwaukee was named Drunkest City In America by Forbes in 2006. Denver/Boulder only came in at #15 on that list. Milwaukee has the most bars and taverns per capita of any city in the U.S. Drinking to Wisconsinites is what skiing is to Coloradoans. It's our way of life.

As far as Milwaukee versus Denver is concerned, there is no comparison. The East Side of Milwaukee from the University to Downtown is much livelier and happening than any of the young neighborhoods in Denver. Imagine Capitol Hill combined with Highlands, LoDo, and Cherry Creek North and you would almost have a neighborhood as awesome as the East Side of Milwaukee. Here's the most amazing part, it's still affordable for students! I can rent a 4 bedroom house for under $1000 that's located within a few blocks of UWM, Whole Foods, Alterra Coffee Roasters, the Oriental Theatre, Riverwest Co-op, Atomic Records, Urban Outfitters, Hooligan's, Twisted Fork, and a plethora of other dining/shopping/nightlife options for young 20 and 30 somethings. Capitol Hill by comparison seems so run down and neglected. Highlands, LoDo, and Cherry Creek North charge an arm and a leg for rent. I much prefer urban living to suburban living but here in Denver that's not an option for me. I absolutely hate Capitol Hill. I can't afford to live in Highlands, LoDo, or Cherry Creek. Besides outrageous rents, LoDo is still missing all the normal neighborhood amenities like grocery and hardware stores.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

Are you serious??? Milwaukee was named Drunkest City In America by Forbes in 2006. Denver/Boulder only came in at #15 on that list. Milwaukee has the most bars and taverns per capita of any city in the U.S. Drinking to Wisconsinites is what skiing is to Coloradoans. It's our way of life.

Ok, MKE wins in this department.

As far as Milwaukee versus Denver is concerned, there is no comparison. The East Side of Milwaukee from the University to Downtown is much livelier and happening than any of the young neighborhoods in Denver. Imagine Capitol Hill combined with Highlands, LoDo, and Cherry Creek North and you would almost have a neighborhood as awesome as the East Side of Milwaukee. Here's the most amazing part, it's still affordable for students! I can rent a 4 bedroom house for under $1000 that's located within a few blocks of UWM, Whole Foods, Alterra Coffee Roasters, the Oriental Theatre, Riverwest Co-op, Atomic Records, Urban Outfitters, Hooligan's, Twisted Fork, and a plethora of other dining/shopping/nightlife options for young 20 and 30 somethings. Capitol Hill by comparison seems so run down and neglected. Highlands, LoDo, and Cherry Creek North charge an arm and a leg for rent. I much prefer urban living to suburban living but here in Denver that's not an option for me. I absolutely hate Capitol Hill. I can't afford to live in Highlands, LoDo, or Cherry Creek. Besides outrageous rents, LoDo is still missing all the normal neighborhood amenities like grocery and hardware stores.

This is a matter of personal preference and taste. Personally I wouldn't want to live in Capitol Hill either, but I have to admit it's a pretty neat neighborhood.

[tolife]

Oh,, well then why not live in Littleton? It is a fine community...

[SF>OakPark>Denver]

Hi, In 2001, I took a job that moved me from the SF Bay area to Oak Park. Even though the job was in the suburbs, I chose to live closer to the city to enjoy all they offer there.

Unfortunately, after less than a year there, that office was closed. Fortunately I was offered a transfer to the corporate office in Denver.

Because of the affordability, I thought it would be fun to live on Cap Hill, very close to downtown. I have been in Denver 7 years now, though I have since bought a townhome on the west side of Lowry (decommissioned AFB). Some other areas not mentioned that might appeal to an Oak Parker are:

East 6th Avenue Corridor (lots of interesting homes) - for more affordability, venture onto the side streets.

Hilltop (though it is more and more scrape-offs all the time)

The area around Cheesman Park, the Botanic Gardens, and Congress Park - some mansions, but plenty of more affordable homes mixed in.

The area between Colorado Blvd on the west, Quebec on the east, Colfax on the north, East 6th on the south. Some really cute neighborhoods, some scrape offs, but still some nice older homes with great lots.

And while I don't know it very well, the area around DU (University of Denver) probably has some nice places as well.

Maybe you can meet with a couple of Realtors in Oak Park to see if any of them can recommend a colleague in Denver.

About politics . . . I was very inspired by Denver's liberal leanings. But bitterly disappointed in the outcome of some of the elections. That was how I learned that Denver's population is outweighed by the rest of the state, though I'm sure Boulder leans with Denver. Colorado Springs is VERY conservative, I've heard.

As far as schools are concerned, the public schools offer LOTS of choice. You can apply to have your kids attend a school outside of your neighborhood. We have severals schools with programs for highly gifted students, as school for the arts, and dozens of good charter schools. For involved parents willing to spend some time and do the research and stay on top of what's going on, there are plenty of choices.

Additionally, Denver has great museums, a good recreation center program, and nice parks. And all the major professional sports within a close reach.

Maybe consider renting a home for the first year - there a lots on the market, both for sale and for rent right now.

Good luck!