family of 4 considering move to Denver Area (Colorado Springs, Lakewood: transplants, low crime)

[finsfan21]

Hello everyone!

I will try and get to the point and give as many details as possible. I have an opportunity for a promotion with my company that would take me to the Denver area. I would be a muti-unit manager with most of my stores surrounding Denver.

We are a family of four. Two boys aged 11 and 15. My wife is a stay at home mom. We would be moving from Eastern Idaho. We are looking forward to leaving the brutal winters behind as well as the isolation of not being LDS in the heart of Mormon country. After living on 4 acres right on the Snake river, we are ready for an easier to take care of house and property.

I am looking for suggestions on what areas you would want to live. Smaller towns are better than cities. I would have to visit my stores often, so not too far out of town. Cost of living will be a major factor in deciding whether to take the position. I would not want to take a promotion and end up with less income.
Any incite, advice, or other places to look for info would be so appreciated!!
Thanks again!
Finsfan

[2bindenver]

Colorado is a pretty big state. What's your budget? What do you want in a new community?

Horse people? 4-H?

[finsfan21]

Thanks for your reply.

No horses. I am tired of maintaining a 4 acre ranch. My current home is $300k. I know houses will be significantly more, but do not want all of my raise to be going to housing. Do not want to be responsible for plowing my own road anymore in the winter. Do not mind having neighbors, but at least .25 acre lot. Bigger is better. My youngest son plays football and loves sports. My oldest is not into team sports, but of course friends will be important. Optimum would be smaller community, but work will take me to Denver area most days. We have lived comfortably in cities from 5,000- to 80,000 people. On off time, we very much enjoy hunting, fishing, swimming, shooting, etc.

Thanks again!
Finsfan

[2bindenver]

I think what you are talking about is suburban and not rural.

Can you plot your store locations and determine north south east west or all of the above?

Suburban schools have "better" sports teams than rural locations.

Colorado has grant money available to help with closing costs. You could be in your new home in 45 days, just as school is starting. But you'd also have to sell your property where you are now.

[finsfan21]

My stores would range from Lakewood and Littleton to Broomfield and Westminster, to as far north as possibly Grand Junction. I would need to sell my home before purchasing another. If I take the position, it is very possible my wife and kids would stay here until our house sells.
Optimum for me would be a home no more than an hour from the majority of my stores and no more than 2 from any of them except for Grand Junction. Close to fishing and camping for quick weekend get a ways. Small town community that likes to support local high school sports and activities. Low crime is a must as I will soon have 2 teenage boys.
I'm just looking for some suggestions on where to start looking and where to avoid.
Thanks again!
Finsfan

[NorthDenverGirl]

Hi There!

We made the move to Colorado from St Louis 5 years ago and it has been the best move we ever made. I have a 9-year-old son and he gets to enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing. All of the usual sports are also covered well through the high schools.

If you are looking for land closer to downtown you may want to check out Brighton/Thornton border, one neighborhood is Todd Creek and the surrounding area, many of the lots have land, however, they are more in the $450+ range. Brighton has a smaller town feeling though. It is about 20 minutes north of downtown Denver.

Watkins is closer to the Kansas border, maybe 45 - 1 hour from Denver but is East, it still has that small town feeling though and you could find a property with a bit of land at a more affordable price than the suburbs closer to town.

Areas south between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs may also offer what you are looking for in terms of land without feeling too isolated. However traffic can be a bit of a headache when commuting to downtown Denver or Broomfield, yet it is closer to Littleton area. Traffic is not all that fun no matter how you roll here in Denver.

Lochbuie, Fort Lupton, Meade and Platteville may also be worth looking at. They are north/east or north/west of downtown Denver but will offer you better affordable than other areas while giving you the smaller town feel.

[2bindenver]

Grand Junction is west. Lakewood, Littleton & Broomfield are all on the west side. So I would start looking in Jefferson County.

[davebarnes]

I would look in Iowa.
Everyone is leaving Colorado.

[finsfan21]

Wow, thanks so much!
That is super helpful

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by finsfan21

Wow, thanks so much!
That is super helpful

You are welcome.
Any transplants considering elsewhere because front range is too crowded