Commute from foothills/mountain regions to DU area? (Denver, Golden: for sale, rental)

[WildandFreeAK]

Hello, all,

These are fantastic forums which seem to be filled with helpful folks and advice, so I figured I'd throw out another mundane question regarding commute times in hopes that some repetition-tolerant folks wouldn't mind throwing me a bone.

My fiancee and I will be relocating from Alaska to the Denver metro area in the summer while I go to DU for law school. Being genuine countrified bumpkins, we're not too keen on living in downtown Denver, and are holding out hopes that we can find a place with a little elbow room and topography with reasonable rents and a tolerable daily commute time to University of Denver (i.e. less than, say 45 mins or so). Any ideas as to where we might set out looking? I've been told Conifer is too far out, but Golden might be feasible. We're looking to spend less than, say, $1,200 a month in terms of rent, so the ritzy enclaves are obviously out of the picture. I'm sure we're not the only folks looking for this combination of affordable living and topography, but any and all insights would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!

[2bindenver]

the foothills in near/in Golden would certainly be an option...finding a rental may prove to be a challenge... Stay far away from properties in Nederland that have a Golden zip code.

How do you feel about gravel mtn roads and being snowed in?

[WildandFreeAK]

I've got a Subaru and a set of studs, if those are kosher for winter use down there. Gravel's no problem at all. However, getting snowed-in would definitely be a lot more of a hassle in terms of classes -- am I correct in assuming that various municipalities are fairly Johnny On-the-Spot in terms of getting roads plowed, or am I being too ambitious?

[2bindenver]

no plowing gravel roads. Roo would work.

[WildandFreeAK]

It's served me well over the past few years. Any ideas as to what sort of communities in the SW part of the metro region would share similar attributes to Golden while still being within commuting distance to DU? I hear there's a light rail running through the region that might also make the commute a little easier.

Thanks for all the help!

[2bindenver]

Light Rail runs both se and sw of Denver to the suburbs. Coming soon to a neighborhood north and west (soon being within your lifetime) of Denver.

There is a reason Denver's nickname is the "Queen City of the Plains."

Golden, Morrison...

[AtlantaCruiser]

What is the story with the properties in Nederland with the Golden Zip code. Tons of houses still for sale?

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

the foothills in near/in Golden would certainly be an option...finding a rental may prove to be a challenge... Stay far away from properties in Nederland that have a Golden zip code.

How do you feel about gravel mtn roads and being snowed in?

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by AtlantaCruiser

What is the story with the properties in Nederland with the Golden Zip code. Tons of houses still for sale?

No, the commute to DU would be long and aggravating, in my mind bordering on insane.

[galaril]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

No, the commute to DU would be long and aggravating, in my mind bordering on insane.

Would that also be true in commuting to DTC but in aslightly off hour time like after 900 am and before 430 pm?

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by galaril

Would that also be true in commuting to DTC but in slightly off hour time like after 900 am and before 430 pm?

From the foothills?

Traffic lightens up considerably after 8:45 am - but starts getting heavy again around 4 - 3:30 on Fridays.