Golden, Arvada, Lakewood (Denver, Boulder, Wheat Ridge: apartments, house, transfer)

[zman0457]

We're thinking of relocating from the Tampa Bay area, but are tired of cookie cutter suburbia. Could someone help us with some general info on what these suburbs have to offer and their differences such as Culture, avg education level, dining etc. We would like Boulder, but would rather have more house for the money.

Thanks

[Ghostgecko]

I went to visit a friend who lives in Lakewood, and I was impressed with the distance from the city (not too bad) but also the connections with the foothills. Jump on C470 (I think) and you were at a great Falcon Point or something like that place in 20 minutes...

From what I could see it was great. I had just bought a truck in San Diego and I was roadtripping all the way back home to Key West, stopping by in Denver to see my friend. There seemed to be enough stores, gas stations, restaurants, auto service, and the like. I was impressed, but then again I live on a 2x4 mile island...

Hope that helps at all with Lakewood

[gooberlx]

I lived in Lakewood, basically at Morrison Rd and Kipling. I'll reiterate what Ghostgecko said, I loved having that fast access to the mountains and the commute in to the city wasn't too bad either (about 30 minutes taking Kipling to 6th Ave).

The area itself was really calm and nice. Not a whole lot of diverse restaurants in the immediate area, but we were easy driving distance to a mall with all the surrounding standard chains (Olive Garden, Chilis, etc...)

[zman0457]

I'm leaning toward Golden, Applewood, Wheat Ridge. Any thoughts?

[ktk9]

There is a new community called Solterra in Lakewood. Price ranges of homes are $500k-2.5mil. What was your price range? This has access to C-470 in approx 1 min. Downtown access (non-busy hours) 15-20 min.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by zman0457

I'm leaning toward Golden, Applewood, Wheat Ridge. Any thoughts?

Keep this a secret---we do not want everyone to know how about the great Amenities of Applewood.

You are very smart to pick this area. I have written much on this area. Applewood has such great assets. It has the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt which is one of the nicest and certainly, I think, the most heavily forested park, along Clear Creek, in Denver--and that is a rare gift in the semi-arid plains. You can take the path along the greenbelt and go all the way west to Golden or east; it connects with the Arvada paths along Ralston Creek or you can go directly and connect with the Platte Greenway. The Wheat Ridge Greenbelt connects to big parks, Prospect and Reynolds, along West 44th with lakes, playgrounds, pools, ballfields--great area to take kids and have a picnic. shhh, shhh, don't tell......

Applewood sits on the convergence of Wheat Ridge, Golden and Lakewood. It has a nice shopping center with good basic commodities and some newer restaurants. It has one of the largest liquor stores in the area. In addition, it has good bus transfer station with easy access downtown. Also it has excellent expressway access. Going South on Applewood, you will go into a very nice area of Lakewood--with shopping along West Colfax or you can access the Denver West Park and shopping, going west on 20th. This is a beautiful route and passes a private club with a sand beach.

The homes surrounding the area are the upscale homes you would have found in the 1960s with great looking apartments and senior citizen centers. It has modest priced homes in between as well as newer homes. It has lakes and parks interspersed in the area. It has nice country private country clubs toward Golden. It is real close, down West 38th, to Lutheran Medical Center, a good hospital with a nice pastoral campus.

The churches are extensive in the area with many well known baptist and a unitarian congregation. As an atheist, I always appreciate nice looking churches--I go occasionally to get some free food--I just love mac and cheese, nothing makes a good potluck than a bunch of god-believers.--also nice pleasant woman--ah, I digress....

Let us not forget that you are close to the parks and open space along the foothills. Oh, I did not mention West Arvada which is just up the road and the amenities it offers.

Now, do not tell anybody about this area. This is a well kept secret of Colorado-born and long term residents who appreciate real authentic neighborhoods. Let the other newcomers go to the "in" places like Highland Ranch, Stapelton, Centennial etc.--they do not have to know about this area.

Livecontent

[zman0457]

Thanks for all that reaffirming info livecontent! We are looking in the 450k-550k range.

[jwiley]

I agree that Applewood is a great area, in fact me and the wife were just talking about possibly moving into that neighborhood next year.