Areas without Fences? (Denver, Aurora, Broomfield: house, neighborhoods, subdivisions)

[aprilfk]

My husband has received an offer from a company in Colorado. We're talking and considering the move from Ohio. Here, homes have yards without fences and it's kind of nice. Are there areas or neighborhoods anywhere in the Denver area that don't fence in properties? Just curious.... Also - which neighborhoods/suburbs tend to have larger lots (I've got kids who LOVE to play outside). Thanks! This venue is truly a Godsend!

Thanks!

[txp]

Most of the homes in the Anthem neighborhood in Broomfield don't have fences. Some do, but the only kind that can be put up are 4 foot split rail fences so you still get the feeling of open space. Lots in this neighborhood are mostly 1/4 to 1/3 of an acre which is as big as or bigger than most other neighborhoods. There is also a lot of open space, parks and trails for kids to play outside.

[Katarina Witt]

It seems to me the older homes tend to be the ones with the big old six foot privacy fences. My dad used to say it looked like a cattle stockade! (He was from Pittsburgh.) It used to be considered desirable to have a privacy fence. Some of the newer subdivisions are not so fence happy. Big lots are not common here.

[ryanek9freak]

Wow you know she's right, I never really noticed that.

I came from Ohio, and yeah, I had a big yard, with no fence.

The lots are really irregular and large, so fences are uncommon.

(I don't miss mowing near an acre of grass though)

[2bindenver]

There are some communities where fences are rare, others where only a 3-4 ft split rail are allowed.

In most subdivisions, privacy fencing is the norm.

You might look to backing to open space lots - most have spilt rail fences that lend to the illusion of having more space, but not having to mow or water.

[Count David]

If you don't like fences you probably wouldn't like Aurora. It seems as though all major arterials are lined with sidewalks and back yard fences.

I'd venture as far to say Aurora should be called "The City of Fences".

[aprilfk]

Thank you everyone! I'll keep ALL of that in mind. We're excited about Denver, but sad to leave our large beautiful yard. But, I think the mountains will make up for it!
aprilfk

[denverian]

I never understood subdivisions with no fences. My parents live in one in the KC area. So you go out on your deck and you're looking across a sea of grass at the back side of all your neighbors - no privacy at all, and way too much grass to mow. I don't think that's common in the Denver suburbs though.

[Katarina Witt]

In the Pittsburgh and Albany, NY areas, homes are built on larger lots, so you're generally not looking right at your neighbors. We have a fence, b/c we have a pool (will be in there today, for sure!), and we can still see what our neighbors are watching on TV, especially when the leaves are off the trees, which is about 7 months a year.

[FiftyFiftyAboutCO]

I really dislike the look of fences (except maybe split rail type), but what if you have a dog? With no fence, you have to walk the dog(s) on a leash or hope they don't stray, but I wouldn't trust the neighbors to keep their dog from pooping in my yard. I don't want other people's pets in my yard, especially cats. I live on the Western Slope. In some neighborhoods around here, they only permit wood fences -- they decay and look miserable after a few years if not maintained with preserver or stain. Just go to Austin, TX, and see the blight down there from all the broken-down privacy fences. The white plastic fences last forever, but they are, well, plastic, plus they glare like the dickens when the sun hits them. I had a north-backing yard at my last house, and I needed sunglasses in the house when that southern sun overhead hit that shiny white plastic...just ridiculous. The bottom line is: if you have considerate neighbors who won't allow their kids and dogs onto other people's property, then there's no need for a fence, but that's not the real world, sad to say.