Moving to Denver- neighborhood suggestions (Greenwood Village, Evans: apartments, for rent, how much)

[3lly]

I am a young-20s female moving to Denver. I have a job located in the Denver Tech Center, but would like to rent an apartment in the city. I have read other threads with suggestions for people moving to Denver, but I wanted to see if anyone had specific neighborhood suggestions for me. I'd like to pay under $1000/month. Is it unreasonable to find an apartment in a safe neighborhood with this budget? If not, what neighborhoods would you suggest looking at?

[davebarnes]

1. Where do you live now? City and neighborhood?
2. What do you mean by safe?
3. What attributes of a neighborhood are important to you?

[3lly]

I currently live in a college town, but am originally from a suburb of Chicago.
By safe I just mean I haven't lived in a city for many years, but I know every city has "rougher" areas. I want to be able to walk home alone in the dark without being too worried.
I'm honestly pretty flexible and can make the best of most places, but being in a young neighborhood would be nice. Somewhere I can easily find something fun to do on a weekend.

[davebarnes]

How much per month for rent?

[3lly]

$1000 max if possible

[ab_13]

Capital Hill. Easy freeway access, young neighborhood, walk or bike to downtown. And you should have no trouble finding a place within your budget

[davebarnes]

[quote=3lly;24261888 job located in the Denver Tech Center, but would like to rent an apartment in the city[/quote]1. You will spend a lot of time on I-25 commuting.
2. Live as close to I-25 as possible.
3. Some neighborhoods:
Baker
Platt Park
Highland
Jefferson Park
Sunnyside (west of Pecos)
4. PadMapper.com

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by ab_13

Capital Hill. Easy freeway access, young neighborhood, walk or bike to downtown. And you should have no trouble finding a place within your budget

My first thought as well.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

1. You will spend a lot of time on I-25 commuting.
2. Live as close to I-25 as possible.
3. Some neighborhoods:
Baker
Platt Park
Highland
Jefferson Park
Sunnyside (west of Pecos)
4. PadMapper.com

This is a ridiculous choice for a person who is going to work at the DTC. Some are other side of town and require a longer car or public transit commute. Baker and Platt Park make good sense with good public transit and walkable neighborhoods.

The best place to live is not thinking about living so close to I-25 and having to drive, but living close to one of the light rail station on the Southeast Line. The DTC is well served by the rail, with many stations, and buses. You can even take a bus right to your door from the station with the local Call-n-Rides.

With the money you have, you can easily find a nice apartment near one of the rail stations. I would suggest living in and around Denver University at University and Evans. That would give you the excitement and venues of living near a younger crowd of of the University and being in the City of Denver.

You can even consider living in and around the DTC. Some young people consider that the best option with a very short auto commute or by a local bus. There are expanding amenities all and around this area. DTC is a big place and parts are actually in Denver and parts in Greenwood Village. So, where you work within this complex can best decide your place of residence.

If the City of Denver is not your only choice, you could find nice places to live south of the DTC, near one of the those rail station, in Centennial or Lone Tree.

Just this past week, I spend some time at the Street of SouthGlenn in Centennial, at University and Arapahoe, http://www.shopsouthglenn.com/, one of these new urban villages in the suburbs. I was pleasantly surprised by the people walking from different venues--it was safe and exciting. There are apartments located in and around this area. In addition the southern part of the DTC, down Arapahoe, is a quick trip.

Livecontent

[vegaspilgrim]

I second livecontent's suggestions. There actually is a pretty substantial number of mid 20's young professionals who live right in DTC. Downtown will always be there, when you want to go out at night or weekends. You could live in an apartment within walking distance to the light rail station, and use that when you want to go downtown-- but also have a short 5-10min drive to work.

You can definitely find apartments in DTC for $1000/mo. However, with rents going up, that's beginning to be just about the average price for "luxury" apartments in the area, so $1000/mo for both DTC as well as newer buildings around downtown is realistic.