Golden and Wheat Ridge (Denver, Lakewood: for sale, apartment, renting)

[wkumtrider]

Hello,

I am considering a move to the Denver area for work, my company has an opening that will cover the Golden and Wheat Ridge area. I've been researching the area, and man the housing cost is extremely high compared to where I currently live. I am looking at neighborhoods in both areas, and i prefer to live in either one or in between the two to keep the commute down. I don't have to worry about schools and I don't need a huge house, its just me and my wife. Any recommendations on good neighborhoods in the two areas?

Thanks for all the help!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Are you looking to buy or rent? What is your budget?

[wkumtrider]

Probably start out renting, looking at $2000/month. That may be in the low end but will start there.

[Wheatridger]

Both are good places to like. Golden is more costly, more scenic and more youthful. The only cheap or rural feeling area of Golden is Pleasant View. Wheat Ridge has a range of housing. For decades it's been the poorest and oldest-demographic town in Jefferson County. That's changing as young people move into the affordable areas of east Wheat Ridge. Northwestern Wheat Ridge is the only part of town I would avoid living in, mostly because the homes are tiny and highway noise is a problem, but in the NW corner you can get a new townhome with light rail access. Both cities have excellent park systems. Air quality is often poor in the deep valley of Golden. I've lived in Wheat Ridge for 21 years now. When I move, it will be out of state. I do find it very convenient to live halfway between downtown and the mountains.

[davebarnes]

Where do you live now?

[jweb29]

All are expensive. If I had to pick on where to have a house, I'd pick wheatridge, it's got some hip roads. don't expect anything under 500k tho.

Pleasant view is the ghetto of golden, it's fine I live there now. I bike up south table all the time.

Applewood is more or less exactly where you are talking about, and it's lovely.

Don't discount arvada to the north, green mountain/lakewood to the south. Be weary of colfax, especially from federal - kipling. It's fine but there's riff raff.

A lot of people end up in westminster, but I just feel like it's a total compromise. Englewood may not be close but i love it.

[himain]

Look into Lakewood. If you want a nice apartment look into Montrachet. We lived there for 5 years. Although you'll probably have to up your budget.

[cowboyxjon]

Originally Posted by jweb29

Pleasant view is the ghetto of golden, it's fine I live there now. I bike up south table all the time.

Haha, I live in West Pleasant View and I really like it. I love the rural feel of it and I love that it is an unincorporated community and not within the City of Golden (although it does have the Golden mailing address). But, with that said, it’s also expensive and housing inventory is low. There is at least one new condo building going up along S Golden Road, but according to the signs, the condos will be starting in the $400s once complete and ready for sale.

[wkumtrider]

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. I'm still looking at housing in the suggested areas and all are relativley close to my employer's facilities in the area which really helps with the commute.