I will be moving to Denver in the a couple of months and need some
additional information about the area.  I will be working in Aurora,
so I'm looking to rent an apartment in the general vicinity of that
area.  I would like to have a commute time of no more than 20 minutes
or so.  I've been trying to learn some more about the different areas
of Denver and Aurora.  My main question is, what areas of Denver and
Aurora should I avoid because of safety concerns.  I would appreciate
it if you could be as specific as possible when specifiying area
(i.e., north Jonestown between West and Main Streets generally isn't
very safe).  I will also be happy to provide an additional tip for any
recommendations, information or ideas about neighborhoods than might
be particulalry good to live in or nearby.

Please let me know if you need any additional clarification.
Thanks!!

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 12 Jun 2005 12:49 PDT

Howdy needsomeinfo-ga,

I lived in Denver for over 20 years, so I think I am qualified to
answer your question.  Details on your needs would be helpful, and
some information about yourself would go a long way to answering
your question.

I do not want you to divulge things that make you uncomfortable, but
Denver, as most urban areas, has neighborhoods that are better for
singles versus couples, with or without children, people who are stay
at home types or those that like to party, etc.

Again, without going into detail that you might not want provide, a
good general (and detailed, if you feel like it) description of your
current lifestyle would help.  Housing budget would help as well, as
the price ranges for apartments can vary quite a bit.

Also, the main cross streets of the location of your new workplace
would be nice, as Aurora is rather large in itself.  Denver "runs"
into Aurora, so it is not as there is any real separation between the
two as an urban area.  For the most part, the Denver area is rather
tame, but there are indeed areas that would not be the best to wander
into at the wrong times.

Thanks!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by needsomeinfo-ga on 12 Jun 2005 14:10 PDT

I am single, no kids, and in my mid 20's.  I'm more of a coffee shop,
bookstore, art gallery, neighborhood dive bar kind of person than a
"hot spot" bar/club.  I'm looking at apartments in the 600 to 800
range.  As for where in Aurora I will be working, I'm not exactly
sure.  The agency has several offices scattered throughout and I will
likely be working at several different offices throught the week, but
in general, the offices tend to cluser more towards the West side of
Aurora.  So far, most of the apartments I've been looking at over the
internet are in what I think is in the Cherry Creek area (i.e.,
Colorado/Alamead/Havana/Hampden) and mid-Aurora areas
(Havana/Alameda/Buckley/Iliff), but I'm also looking at some in what I
think is the Park Hill and Lowry areas.  I'm trying to stay a little
bit more in towards the city than in far out Aurora, but, honestly,
that kind of an arbitrary thing.

Finally, please don't feel like you need to have internet citations or
references for you're information.  Honestly, what I'm looking for is
a native's expertise on the area and not necessairly information that
is readily available on the internet.
Thanks!!

Howdy needsomeinfo-ga,

Apologies on the delay of this answer, but I wanted it to be up to date.

The total area that you should be looking at for your apartment is bounded by
Colorado Boulevard on the west, Quebec on the east, 13th Avenue on the north
and Leetsdale/Mississippi, which runs diagonally from northwest to southeast
on the south side of this area.  This is east/southeast Denver/Glendale.

The Lowry area is fine.  The area used to be a military base, now torn down
and revitalized with houses, condos and apartments.  There is shopping, parks,
etc. nearby.

Lowry North Apartments
http://www.apartmentguide.com/Property/property.asp?wsv_psPropertyID=46221

8001 E 11th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
1-888-335-5234

Garden Court and Heritage Estates
http://www.apartmentguide.com/Property/property.asp?wsv_psPropertyID=44098
 
1150 Syracuse St.
Denver, CO 80220
1-877-420-3459

Along Leetsdale, off of Alameda as well as Mississippi in the same area,
there are all sorts of apartments.

Cherry Creek Club Apartments
http://www.apartmentguide.com/Property/property.asp?wsv_psPropertyID=1398

5001 East Mississippi Avenue
Glendale, CO 80246
1-888-605-1392

The Mayfair area (13th Avenue and south, around Monaco) might work nicely
for you as well.
http://denver.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/search?areaID=13&query=mayfair&cat=apa

"$700 - Recipe for Comfortable Living (Mayfair Park)"

I couldn't advise the Park Hill area, north of the above, as it is a bit too
far for your needs, and a bit too edgy when it comes to safety issues.

For social life, Cherry Creek is relatively close to the above area, and has
some upscale art galleries, coffee spots, etc. and a great neighborhood bar
to hang out.

The Cherry Cricket
http://www.cherrycricket.com/

2641 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-322-7666

There are some great ethnic, etc. areas in various parts of Denver that you
will want to visit on weekends, etc.

- Denver University (DU)/Gaylord (central Denver, fern bars and the such)
- Larimer Square (downtown Denver, touristy, but some good hangouts)
- E. 17th (east of downtown Denver, gentrified)
- Upper 15th (noerthwest of downton Denver, funky)
- West Alameda, and Federal, south of Alameda (west Denver, Asian and Mexican)
- 38th, east of Federal (northwest Denver, Mexican and Italian)

LoDo, or Lower Downtown, and downtown Denver itself, is full of brew pubs and
the such.

Celtic Tavern (Downtown Denver)
http://denver.citysearch.com/profile/11541425

1801 Blake Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-308-1795

My Brother's Bar (Northwest Denver)
http://denver.citysearch.com/profile/1822981

2376 15th Street
Denver, CO 80202-1112
303-455-9991

Zang Brewing Company
http://denver.citysearch.com/profile/1837221

2301 7th Street
Denver, CO 80211
303-455-2500

The following is south of downtown, but an interesting brew pub with good
pizza.

Heavenly Daze
http://denver.citysearch.com/profile/16110591

208 South Kalamath Street
Denver, CO 80223
303-715-1300

For a taste of Bohemia on a Friday night, you will want to first eat at the
Wazee Supper Club.
http://denver.citysearch.com/profile/1823031

1600 15th Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-623-9518

Then go further northwest for an opening at the artist's coop called Pirate.
http://www.pirateart.org/

3659 Navajo St
Denver, CO 80211
303-458-6058

There are several alternative art galleries in the area near Pirate's which
are usually open the night they have an opening.

Near these galleries are also some Italian restaurants, such as Pagliacci's.
http://www.ipagliaccio.com/

1440 West 33rd Avenue
303-458-0530

Satire Restaurant & Lounge (Mexican food)
http://denver.citysearch.com/profile/1831912

1920 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206-1302
303-322-2227

El Chapultepec (Jazz and Mexican food in near northeast Denver)
http://denver.citysearch.com/profile/1823085/denver_co/el_chapultepec.html

1962 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202-1420
303-295-9126

Chubby's (Mexican food and great burgers, near Pirate)
http://www.originalchubbys.com/

1231 West 38th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
303-455-9311

Various coffee houses I have enjoyed.

St. Marks Coffeehouse
2019 East 17th Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-322-8384

Market at Larimer Square
1445 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-534-5140

Paris on the Platte
1553 Platte Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-455-2451

Bump & Grind
439 East 17th Avenue
Denver, CO 80203
303-861-4841

Some restaurant listings which might help can be found on the Denver Fanatic
web page.
http://www.denverfanatic.com/?page=restaurants

Pick up the alternative weekly, Westword, for what is happening the coming
weekend, reviews and tips on the music scene.
http://www.westword.com/

Especially look out for their "Best of ..." issue.
http://www.westword.com/bestof/index.html

When in the Cherry Creek area, you will want to go to the Tattered Cover
book store.
http://www.tatteredcover.com/

There are all sorts of used book stores on Broadway, from Colfax going south
from downtown Denver.  Further south on Broadway, past the highway, are many
antique stores.

Southeast of the area that I have recommended, in the area of Parker and
Quebec in Aurora, there are all sorts of restaurants, night spots and bars
as well.  A bit too much "singles scene" for some, but hopping on Friday
nights.

There are very few places that you should avoid during the day, but at night
there are some places you might want to avoid when you are out by yourself.
These areas have some great spots to go to during the day and bit more
cautiously at night with a group.

- Five Points - 27th and Welton (northeast Denver)
- 38th east of Federal to the highway (north Denver)
- Colfax, east of Broadway to Aurora (central to east Denver)
- Federal Boulevard (west Denver)
- Larimer/Lawrence, northeast of Larimer Square

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.  After living in
Denver for so long, I can give you specific places to find most anything,
for instance.


Search strategy: personal experience.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by needsomeinfo-ga on 20 Jun 2005 21:11 PDT

This is great.  I'm wondering though if you could give me a quick
thumbs up or thumbs down to a few other areas.  I don't need a great
deal of information here, just your judgment as to whether or not
these might be good (and safe) areas to live.

Mississippi & Chambers in Aurora
225 & E 6th Ave in Aurora
Along Parker Rd between Monaco and Havana in Denver
Along Havana St between Alameda and Parker

Thanks!!

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Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 21 Jun 2005 20:01 PDT

My pleasure, needsomeinfo-ga.

The following areas are plenty safe, but are getting a bit too far from any
real culture scene, and are pretty hard core suburbia, not that there is
anything wrong with that.  The further east from Denver you get, the more
suburban it gets.

- Mississippi & Chambers in Aurora
- 225 & E 6th Ave in Aurora

The next areas, just southeast of the area that I outlined, are again, safe
as well, but too "singles" for some people (think "hot spot"
bar/clubs) and without much character, or even neighborhoods.  Havana,
north of Mississippi
to Alameda and beyond can be an "iffy" area.

- Along Parker Rd between Monaco and Havana in Denver
- Along Havana St between Alameda and Parker

Lots of apartments in your price range in all of the areas that you outlined.

If the office locations that you are going to work at are clustered along the
I-225 corridor, the Parker/Havana area could work for you, or I-225 at 6th
would be acceptable as well, but a bit of a haul to get to the scene that
seems to appeal to you.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Perfect!!!  My sincere thanks.

My pleasure, needsomeinfo-ga!

Much thanks for the kind comment, 5 star rating and nice tip.  Good luck
in the Mile High City!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher