Picking a Denver-area neighborhood?

I've decided it's time to get out of NJ and have put in at work to transfer to Denver which has been approved. I'm looking at moving out sometime in May-ish, give or take 2 weeks.

I was hoping the fine MP community could give me some local living beta and suggestions. Generally speaking, I'm looking at West Denver (Lakewood-ish), Golden, Evergreen, Morrison, etc. Points north like Arvada/Westminster might also be nice, I just don't know anything about them.

• Generally want to be closer to the mountains for easy access to climbing (trad/ice/alpine preferred). A lower priority is backcountry ski touring. Even lower than that is resort skiing. If I ski 10 days a year that's a lot, I prefer to be ice climbing in the winter.
• I mostly work from home so my commute is a non issue. I just need reliable, high speed internet (Is this a problem for Evergreen?) My girlfriend will be looking for teaching jobs to start in September for next academic year. We won't know where she will be working until we move in and she starts the job hunt though.
• Despite working from home, I fly pretty frequently. Usually once a month, sometimes 2-3 flights in and out in a month. So for convenience and cost savings I'd like to be under 1 hour from the airport.
• It would be nice to be within 15 minutes or less from a gym. I suppose I'm spoiled cause I lived walking distance from EarthTreks Rockville for the last year (not counting this brief stay in NJ).
• The GF is an accomplished yogi and yoga instructor, so we'd like to have a couple studios in close proximity if at all possible.
• No kids, none in the immediate future, so schools aren't important. Definitely looking for a nice, low-crime, quiet community though. Prefer independent retailers to big box stores and cooking at home over going out to restaurants.

I could obviously write more but I don't want to bore anyone to death with my first world problems. Would love to get some input or feedback though!

Thanks!

You my good sir just gave the textbook description of Golden Colorado. The largest climbing community in Colroado outside of Boulder, closest to the mtns you can get without getting into the foothills and has all and mroe of the lifestyle requirements you listed. Also with the new light rail to the airport opening next year you have a light rail stop right in town and a direct line to DIA.

i'm digging capitol hill.

+1 on Golden

I moved to Denver (Congress Park) from Queens 3 years ago...if you said you wanted urban diversity and lots of restaurants I'd suggest Denver proper, but your list literally describes Golden to a T.

great decision to move, you'll love it, good luck!!

Look to the suburbs for affordability.
I live in the Highlands area, and had I to buy
now, there's no way I could afford it. (But it is nice,
close to I-25/I-70, nice architecture, some good places to
go, close to downtown and the like.
(Maybe look to Wheatridge, Lakewood, Littleton, for
more house for fewer bucks, and not bad areas either).

I live in Boulder. But with your priorities, I think Golden fits perfectly.

Golden blows. The coyotes will bite you, and between Woody's and GCB you'll be 200 and flailing on 5.7's in no time at all. Seriously.

Earth Treks just opened up in Golden a month ago, so you can remain spoiled. It will help balance out all the pizza and beer as well.

Andy Novak wrote:Golden blows. The coyotes will bite you, and between Woody's and GCB you'll be 200 and flailing on 5.7's in no time at all. Seriously.

This is my dream.

On a serious note, thanks all. We're actually flying out on Wednesday to check the area out. We'll pay pretty close attention to Golden, obviously. I'll almost certainly pop a visit in to ET to do some climbing and hi say to all my buddies who transferred from the Rockville gym. Anyone want to climb and or show us around for an afternoon?

Definitely check out Golden. But if you think that the cultural aspect is lacking (live music, arts, performing arts, variety of restaurants, etc.) or if it's too far from where you'll be working; check our Capitol Hill in Denver, or the Washing Park or City Park neighborhoods. I drove from wash park to Boulder yesterday in about 35 minutes. It usually only takes about 20 to get to Clear Creek. Movement Denver should be opening later this year. But until then, your only option in Denverfor a good gym would be the DBC. Or RNJ if you're willing to drive.

Congrats on your transfer!

Congrats, CO is a serious improvement! ;-)

+1 for Golden, I love it here.

Jon H wrote:I've decided it's time to get out of NJ and have put in at work to transfer to Denver which has been approved. I'm looking at moving out sometime in May-ish, give or take 2 weeks. I was hoping the fine MP community could give me some local living beta and suggestions. Generally speaking, I'm looking at West Denver (Lakewood-ish), Golden, Evergreen, Morrison, etc. Points north like Arvada/Westminster might also be nice, I just don't know anything about them. * Generally want to be closer to the mountains for easy access to climbing (trad/ice/alpine preferred). A lower priority is backcountry ski touring. Even lower than that is resort skiing. If I ski 10 days a year that's a lot, I prefer to be ice climbing in the winter. * I mostly work from home so my commute is a non issue. I just need reliable, high speed internet (Is this a problem for Evergreen?) My girlfriend will be looking for teaching jobs to start in September for next academic year. We won't know where she will be working until we move in and she starts the job hunt though. * Despite working from home, I fly pretty frequently. Usually once a month, sometimes 2-3 flights in and out in a month. So for convenience and cost savings I'd like to be under 1 hour from the airport. * It would be nice to be within 15 minutes or less from a gym. I suppose I'm spoiled cause I lived walking distance from EarthTreks Rockville for the last year (not counting this brief stay in NJ). * The GF is an accomplished yogi and yoga instructor, so we'd like to have a couple studios in close proximity if at all possible. * No kids, none in the immediate future, so schools aren't important. Definitely looking for a nice, low-crime, quiet community though. Prefer independent retailers to big box stores and cooking at home over going out to restaurants. I could obviously write more but I don't want to bore anyone to death with my first world problems. Would love to get some input or feedback though! Thanks!

Leaving Jersey for Colorado. That's just ridiculous.

Ridiculously AWESOME. I hate you, and wish you all the best.

As someone living in Aurora, not Aurora.

Golden.

Bought a house in Golden about a year and a half ago, never thought I could survive away from Boulder. It's been awesome. Love it here.

Golden Pros:

-Really close access to lots of good climbing. Clear Creek is right there, offering good quick-hit options. Golden is actually as close to Eldo (in driving time) as much of Boulder is.
- Lots of other outdoor things to do in town; good MTB, trail running, kayaking in Clear Creek, etc. The foothills start right above town.
- Centrally located within the FRange, so it is pretty easy to get to whereever you want to go. Being close to I-70 makes it easier to head up the hill for skiing or ice climbing (although this does not help with the heinous ski traffic)
- Brand new giant climbing gym in town
-Easy commute to Denver for when you need to go in to work; 15-40 minutes depending on where in Denver you are going.
- 45 minutes to airport
- Really nice small-town feel. Feels more like an independent town than a Denver 'burb. Walkable downtown. Easy, free parking all over town. A lot to do for a town of its size. Good microbreweries/brewpubs. Nice waterfront area next to the creek.

Golden Cons:
-Housing costs are higher than nearby suburb areas (still cheaper than Boulder, though).
-Not a lively urban scene (food, culture, music, nightlife, etc) like downtown Denver.
- Access to RMNP is a bit far and slightly inconvenient, due to having to drive right through Boulder to get there. This seems like a minor thing to gripe about (since it is), but it is worth considering if the climbing you are most motivated for includes winter ice/mixed and summer alpine rock in the Park (which sounds like it might be the case). In this case, one of the more northerly Denver/Boulder suburbs might provide easier RMNP alpine access.

More about Golden: I live right by the library and within a 15min walk from our house we have 4 breweries/taphouses (and a speakeasy opening in a week, and food trucks every night), two pretty fun climbing crags up to 5.11 (Canal Zone and Twilight Zone), Clear Creek tubing, mountain biking, and the rec center (and the awesome new Earth Treks gym is a 10min drive).

Not to mention Eldo, the Flatirons, Boulder Canyon, and all of Clear Creek are within a 30min drive, and ski areas and Lumpy/RMNP are <2hrs, Vedauwoo is <3hrs, Moab and Ouray are 7-8hrs, etc.

I think Golden has to have some of the best outdoor access in the country. I lived in Boulder for about 7 years, and I like Golden even more than Boulder, aside from the awesome restaurants in Boulder (although Indulge in Golden is pretty good).

You could also look around Genesee or Morrison if you want somewhere a little cheaper, more in the mountains and a little farther from Denver (but not too far).

I live in Boulder...

Boulder Canyon is 5 minutes away (trad and sport)
Flatirons are 0 minutes away (trad)
Eldorado Canyon is 15 minutes away (trad)
Rocky Mountain National Park is an hour away
Three climbing gyms
Good vibes, no urban sprawl
no crime
expensive rent :(
too many yuppies :(

and toooons of yoga

Golden has a lot going for it, as you're seeing. And even though you'll laugh out loud when you see what we consider rush hour traffic, it will bog you down drastically: getting to the airport means you drive all the way across town. But the local bus company, RTD (Regional Transportation District, a.k.a. Reason To Drive, to some of us), does offer SkyRide, a reasonable alternative that'll get you to DIA. They'll also get you to downtown (yoga studios, concerts, etc.) with ease, but good luck getting anywhere else in the metro area.

And if you're looking for a small-town feel, downtown Golden will give it to you. Plus you're gonna love Bent Gate.

Access to RMNP and Lumpy does route you right through Boulder, but if you arrive at Boulder before 7am, it won't be too bad. Highway 91 is the only route, and it can be crowded, icy, snowy, incredibly windy - or fine.

Whatever the drawbacks, it beats the tar out of New Jersey. Welcome and enjoy!

Abram Herman wrote:and a speakeasy opening in a week

Haven't heard about that one. Where, what, when?