Tampa to Denver last week in March (Aurora, Lakewood: 2014, apartment complex)

[BleeHLH]

Hello, I am moving to the Denver area on the last week of March from Tampa, FL. Looking for a 3 bedroom with at least 1.5 bathrooms. My ideal place would have hardwood or tile floors, washer/dryer hookups and allows for 1 small dog. Must be a family friendly neighborhood with good schools. Having a lot of trouble finding something online and I am very leery of scams. I am willing to fly out if I'm sure I can get a place within the next couple of weeks. Would be great to get the keys to a place during my trip. Do not want to go over $1250 a month and I am open to the dwelling type. I will not send money via western union or any of the likes. Thanks!

[Snikt]

Keep in mind that's an extremely low budget for a 3 bedroom anything here in Denver. You could probably find that by buying a house (much cheaper than renting) and getting a good mortgage, but an apartment or rental might be real tough.

Before I bought I was paying $1100 for a 1-bedroom apartment in the suburbs (nice with garage), but that's not out of the ordinary. Rents are going up by like 5-10% every year too.

I was curious, I went back and checked the first apartment complex when I moved here in 2010. I paid like $850 for a 1-bedroom apartment at this place. Built in the early 90s, nothing fancy, in Littleton.

That same 1 bedroom 730sq-ft apartment now rents for $1,340. The cheapest 2-bedroom they have is about $1700/month.

[BleeHLH]

The thing is, I'm here in Tampa. When properties in that range come up they get rented in 2-3 days. I can fly there but not at that short of notice. I have to have a 4-5 day notice and of course they are going to rent to the first qualified applicant. The absolute most I would pay is $1300. The plan is to rent something for a year then buy a house. Might just have to eat it for a year.

[Snikt]

I moved here from Florida, Florida is extremely cheaper in the rent/housing department than here. It might be possible to get a 3 bed apt for $1300, but it will probably be very small, have no garage, not be in the greatest area, etc.

You also mentioned a pet, most places charge a $50/month or something similar pet fee.

Check padmapper.com

[davebarnes]

Colorado Division of Housing: Apartment Vacancies Rise With New Apartments in 2013's Fourth Quarter

"Average rents for all counties were: Adams, $948; Arapahoe, $995; Boulder/Broomfield, $1,198; Denver, $1,064; Douglas, $1,236; and Jefferson, $994."

A plethora of detailed data in the report

[scribd]205224714[/scribd]

[ktqtp]

You are moving here for a job, I assume?

What part of town is the job in?

FL is so much cheaper, no state income tax... Expect the rental market to be much more competitive around here.

[headingtoDenver]

The Denver area is sprawled out pretty good. Do you currently have a job offer? If so, where is this roughly? It will help narrow down the area and what things cost around there.

[BleeHLH]

Well, my wife has a job offer and I have a good lead on a job once I get there. Her job is on Colorado and Colfax. We have been looking in the south Aurora/Cherry Creek area, Lakewood, Littleton, Arvada, Englewood, etc. Pretty much everywhere except Aurora and north of that. Trying to stay west and south.

[Snikt]

So it's either the Jewish Hospital or the Museum/Zoo?

Keep in mind if you're looking as far as Littleton that would be a very sucky commute through the worst parts of the traffic 45 min to an hour maybe. Double or worse in snow conditions

[BleeHLH]

Yikes, really? And yes, it's the Jewish Hospital. I am flying in on Monday to secure a place. Gonna have to have keys to a place before I leave. It will not be easy...