Stapleton: Whats the downside? (Denver, Ken Caryl: crime, houses, neighborhoods) - Colorado (CO) - City-Data Forum

brambletri · 07-31-2010, 05:22 AM

We are considering a possible relo from DC and Stapleton seems like the ideal neighborhood for us. We have 2 small kids, currently live in another massive planned community which we love, and love the fact that Stapleton has close-by shopping, a new rec center being built, and plenty of family activities. So for those who live there, what are the downsides to the area? Also, is it easy to get some great cycling routes- we are pretty serious cyclists (and love triathlons) so this would be important for us. It appears to be, but I can't be sure without spending some time there first. Is Verizon FIOS available?

Few other facts: Housing pricing is roughly 20-30% cheaper than where I live so that will not likely be a concern for us. DC has some of the worst traffic so our commutes will likely be slightly better.

2bindenver · 07-31-2010, 09:14 AM

I was born in DC, stayed 22 years. I have been here for 21. Cycling can be found all along the front range.

Where is work? Just forget a long commute. We have more snowstorms than in DC, but it does not stay for long.

cityboy2010 · 07-31-2010, 06:13 PM

Crime, location. The crime isn't too bad but because it's surrounded on 3 sides by neighborhoods that range from sketchy to "hood", the crime occasionally ventures in. But of course, if you've lived in DC, I'm pretty sure you know all about that haha. Stapleton is a good area and I'd recommend it. Have you considered any other areas? What are you looking for in a neighborhood?

woob · 07-31-2010, 06:50 PM

Stapleton residents battle rising groundwater - KDVR (http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-stapleton-groundwater-txt,0,1386969.story - broken link)

denverian · 07-31-2010, 08:35 PM

I've lived in Stapleton for 5 years, and by far it's the best place I've ever lived. Only down side for me is that they haven't built the town center on the east end, but it'll come eventually. I know many serious bikers and triathletes, so I assume it's fine for that. Lots of parks, trails for walking and running that I uses.

The high water table is a negative, but we have no issues with it. It's very hit or miss, so if you buy here, just have it checked out before making an offer on a house. One house can have the sump pump running all the time, and the houses on either side don't. I think they said 60 some houses were identified with the problem out of thousands.

Lookingatdenver · 07-31-2010, 10:17 PM

Just spent a few days staying at a family members Stapleton home. Lots to like: varied architecture, coffee, bagels, beer, food, groceries all walkable. Understand light rail is coming which is very appealing. Have heard good things about schools. Anyone know average class size numbers? Also like that MLS stadium is 4 miles away. Didn't love the grocery store (Kings Sooper) .Hard to believe Denver has no Trader Joes or something similar near Stapleton.

sjde · 08-01-2010, 06:47 AM

People who live there seem to love it but I personally don't love the location and surroundng areas. Just my opinion. I prefer Castle Rock, LoneTree and Centennial, Ken Caryl.

Sue

denverian · 08-01-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lookingatdenver

Just spent a few days staying at a family members Stapleton home. Lots to like: varied architecture, coffee, bagels, beer, food, groceries all walkable. Understand light rail is coming which is very appealing. Have heard good things about schools. Anyone know average class size numbers? Also like that MLS stadium is 4 miles away. Didn't love the grocery store (Kings Sooper) .Hard to believe Denver has no Trader Joes or something similar near Stapleton.

They're supposed to build another grocery store in the Eastbridge town center, whenever that gets built. And I've heard a rumor about Trader Joe's... according to a manager at a store in the Cherry Creek mall, Trader Joe's will finalize a deal to build one in the Cherry Creek North shopping area in November, break ground in early 2011. That's strictly a rumor though, and I don't know how credible it could be.

denverian · 08-01-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjde

People who live there seem to love it but I personally don't love the location and surroundng areas. Just my opinion. I prefer Castle Rock, LoneTree and Centennial, Ken Caryl.

Sue

Well, it suppose it depends on whether you prefer a more urban setting or not. I love the location because I'm within 15 min. of everything urban Denver has to offer. I wouldn't like being so far out away from the city in the 'burbs.

NYSD1995 · 08-01-2010, 11:14 AM

We love urban settings but did not like the surrounding areas, at least from our cursory scouting trip. We are very familiar with the fluidity of urban neighborhood boundaries and we know from experience that in a nice area next to a bad area, the bad (usually in the form of property crime) will always bleed in a little bit... especially at the interfaces of the neighborhood. Stapleton is an island of brand-new housing in the middle of a very run-down area. Loved the housing styles, trails, and pocket parks, did not like what you had to drive through to get there. I think the location is really the achilles heel of the area, especially for squirrely parents like me :-) We also didn't feel it was all that convenient, when you could live in an older,smaller house in a better area like DU and still be basically 15-20 minutes away.