|   Anyone out there live in Denver? | mountaincruiser
Jan 23, 2003 9:42 AM | | This isn't really bike related, well I am a biker and have some questions about Denver. I am possibly getting transferred out there, and have only been there once before. What is the best relatively inexpensive place to live, preferrable with the best access to trails and a cool part of town? I have heard there are bike lanes on almost every road, that would be a dream come true. Any help about the area would be appreciated, especially from fellow bikers. Thanks in advance. |
| I don't get into Denver much, but if I worked there I would..... | BBOC
Jan 23, 2003 2:09 PM | | probably live in Golden. Close to all the Jeffco trails. Cuts time off of trips to the ski resorts/mountains (last area before I-70 hits the Mtns.). Relativly inexpensive (I live in Boulder though....pricy). I'd recommend Boulder, but that commute to Denver would be a beeatch.
Bill |
| I live in Golden (15 minutes from downtown Denver)... | Schmed
Jan 23, 2003 8:11 PM | | You are welcome to email me w/ questions gordonm3@rmi.net
West side of town has quick access to trails and mountains. East and North is less expensive, though. Boulder is a great bike town, but WAYYYY expensive (move my house to Boulder doubles it's price and I'm only 20 minutes away).
There are lots of bike trails. From my house, I can hop on a trail (paved, not dirt) and get to downtown. From there, you can take a trail another 20 miles south. There's also a long trail that runs a good portion of C-470 (see a map - C-470 is like a beltway around the entire metro area).
Weather is great - average temp in winter is 10 degrees warmer than Chicago w/ about 300 days of sunshine. Summers get up into the 90s fairly often, but with hardly any humidity.
If you want to live west, check Arvada, Golden, Lakewood, Louisville, etc. Average house costs about $250k these days, but location is everything.
Doug
'92 Turner O2 (finally built and awesome!) |
| check that sig - should be '02 O2 | Schmed
Jan 23, 2003 8:13 PM | | |
| I live in Golden (15 minutes from downtown Denver)... | mountaincruiser
Jan 24, 2003 6:26 AM | | Thanks for all the help. I should be in town next weekend to check things out. Unfortunately, I will have to leave my 2 baby Kona's at home. My little boy is named Unit and the girl is MokoMoko. Doug if I have any questions I will shoot you an email. I am going to check out Golden and Lakewood.
Thanks again,
Tim |
| Downtown Denver cheaper than anyplace listed so far | pixelninja
Jan 24, 2003 11:47 AM | | If you're looking for the most inexpensive area in Denver to live, as well as wanting to be in a "cool" part of town, forget about any places that have been listed. Here's the lowdown:
Arvada: Suburbs, strip malls, moderately priced for area
Lakewood: Suburbs, strip malls, moderately priced for area
Golden: Nice small-town downtown, super close to trails, more expensive than Arvada or Lakewood, but nowhere as expensive as Boulder
Louisville: Suburbs, halfway between Boulder and Denver with a very nice small-town downtown. Is located in Boulder county so its almost as expensive as Boulder city.
The two areas that will give you the most bang for your buck with housing are City Park and the Highlands (NOT Highlands Ranch). Both these areas are in the city of Denver. Some parts are sketchy, but VERY up-and-coming. City Park actually has the highest rate of appreciation in the area. My wife and I bought a house in the City Park area a little over 2 years ago, and our house just appraised for 65K more than we paid. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to get to the trails in Golden, and about 5 minutes to get to LoDo (Lower Downtown, where most of the trendy bars and restaurants and clubs are). I would be unconfortable for my wife to walk the streets alone at night around our area, but I don't think twice about it when I do. Also, I'm a 10 minute bike ride from the same trail that Schmed mentioned (the one that he can take downtown), and a 5 minute drive to the best damn diner around (Petes Kitchen).
As far as bike lanes on every rode, nada. Whoever told you this was thinking of Boulder. |
| We live in Aurora | RickC5
Jan 24, 2003 2:02 PM | | I must disagree with pixelninja on one point. There is some really affordable housing in Aurora, but you might not want to live in those neighborhoods.
Yes, unless you're independently wealthy, you'll quickly learn to avoid Boulder and Boulder County. We lived in Louisville and Lafayette before moving to Aurora three years ago. We sold our old, funky house in Lafayette for so much profit that we no longer have a mortgage (YAY!). But, doubtful we could move back to Boulder County without getting another big home loan (boo!). Probably couldn't afford (or wouldn't want ) to buy our old house back.
I would only look in the downtown Denver area if I were going to rent. Home prices in that area have skyrocketed in the last few years, but lots of the homes are older and unique, rather than the "cookie-cutter" houses in the 'burbs. Your choice. Yes, we have a cookie-cutter, but its in a great area, Our back yard looks out on a nature preserve and natural park. Coyotes, foxes, lots of birds, etc.
On trails: A good, paved trail system exists in the Denver area, but bike lanes are few and far between. Narrow roads and way too much traffic (IMHO) for bike lanes or bikes. Street riding sucks. |
| Arvada not Aurora | pixelninja
Jan 24, 2003 2:53 PM | | I was speaking of Arvada, not Aurora. I agree that you can find affordable housing in Aurora, but I still believe that there are plenty of deals to be found in downtown Denver if you know where to look. Case in point: Five Points. Not every area is Washington Park (thank goodness) |
| Thanks for all the help | mountaincruiser
Jan 27, 2003 10:36 AM | | I will check out downtown Denver this weekend. Are there specific areas to avoid that are high in crime? I may have my girlfriend coming to live with me in a couple of weeks, and I want to live somewhere that is safe for her as well. I live in St. Louis, and north and east sides are kind of rough. Thanks again. |
| Small world! | pixelninja
Jan 28, 2003 11:54 AM | | Wow, I grew up in STL! My wife and I moved out here to Denver back in May 2000. As far as high crime areas, there is NOTHING here that compares to East St Louis (or the north side either). If you talk to anyone who's lived here all their life, they'll tell you that Five Points is a baaaaad neighborhood. They have no clue. I wouldn't be comfortable with my wife walking around Five Points at night by herself, but I'd do it. I also wouldn't be comfortable with her walking around our neighborhood at night by herself either (north City Park). That said, when we walk together to the corner store at night, in the 2 years that we've had our house we've NEVER been (or even felt) threatened by the locals that hang out in front. Asked for money? Yes. Threatened? No.
If you want more details on Denver city living, feel free to drop me a line at pixelninja5000@yahoo.com |
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