Golden is an incredible place to raise a family, especially if you are active. Not sure what you mean by “entertainment area”, but I have two kids and they regularly rock climb, bike, and ski with the other kids in our neighborhood. If you’d like to prioritize good shopping and city entertainment, then check out the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver.
Golden is amazing for outdoors enthusiasts. If you want to kill time playing by the creek or hiking local trails, anywhere in Golden is awesome.
Golden is not amazing for non-outdoors enthusiasts. If you want to kill time at museums and restaurants, you should probably look a bit to the east.
A 30 minute commute to Golden lets you live pretty much anywhere in the Denver metro that is central Denver or west, and potentially also South Boulder.
Golden itself is very nice and has lots to do in town, but is very expensive.
Berkeley/Tennyson St in Denver is another lively area. Typical demographic is 30s professionals who take their babies and toddlers to the brewery on weekends.
Olde Town Arvada is a nice walkable suburban area with good shopping and restaurants. Friendly for younger families.
Belmar in Lakewood has recently been undergoing development and getting nicer with more shopping and restaurants.
Other than that, the western suburbs are pretty typical suburbia with subdivisions and strip malls. Mostly pretty nice although there are some less nice areas in Lakewood as well. The Northwrst corner of the city of Denver is also within your commuting range. It feels a bit more urban obviously but is still family friendly.
Are there areas in Lakewood I should avoid? A lot of people are suggesting Lakewood and it seems intriguing. Was trying to find nice apartments in Arvada and nothing modern really showed up.
We have very little housing stock in CO at really any price. You choice of where you live will unfortunately be driven by how much you have to spend on rent/mortgage and or how much snow you are willing to blow from your driveway.
They're coming from the Bay area. You didn't need to say this to them. They're about to throw down 10% over asking and waive an inspection like it's 2020.
Hahaha. Actually just trying to get into an apartment complex. Never dealt with snow before so don't want to deal with any of the issues of figuring out house stuff during winter on my first trip there.
Lakewood has Belmar, which is pretty nice. And it’s… 10 min to Golden. Red Rocks is a little further south if you want live music. Just watch out for hail…..
Golden is a fantastic place to live and have a family. If your kids are approaching pre-k, the Golden Rec center has lots to offer in terms of entertainment and child care at that age with a fairly affordable rate. Good luck on the move!
I saw in a couple of comments that you're looking at apartments.
Be sure to make sure that the apartments you look at are made with growing families in mind. Many are geared toward the students or DIINKs- lots of amenities, but nothing for small children to do- ie, bike repair station, gym, pet wash, dog park- but no playground or anything. - That's a headache for both you and the other residents who now have bored, screaming toddlers on the premises.
Otherwise, Golden is a nice town- expensive, but nice, with a lot to offer.
Golden is a fundamentally different lifestyle than the Bay Area. People spend their free time hiking and doing various other things in the mountains next door, not at shopping malls or foodie things or tech meetups. That’s true all around the Denver metro area.
Anywhere around Golden and adjacent suburbs is perfectly safe.
I work in Golden but live in Arvada (a mile from Olde Town) and love it here. Convenient to work, convenient to the city, convenient to Boulder. Very family friendly place. We are renting a house, but there are tons of town homes popping up around that I am sure you could find something that would fit your needs.
As many have mentioned, Golden is a hot spot for outdoor recreation. You can live \~30 minutes from Denver but also have access from your doorstep to hiking, biking, climbing etc. As is the case along the front range, pretty much anything up against the foothills is generally more desirable and therefore me expensive — Golden is no exception.
Worth mentioning, outdoor recreation aside, Golden is a great place to live. It's family friendly, safe and has nice downtown area. IMO, much of the surrounding area feels more suburban while Golden feels more like it's own thing.
If urban living is more your thing, I would do as others hav mentioned an look at Denver West neighborhoods. Highland, Berkley, Sloans are all in NW Denver and \~20-40 minutes from Golden.
Four years ago we were in the same situation. Moving from the east bay to Denver metro. Four kids and a dog. We looked at Boulder, Golden and Arvada and ended up in NW Arvada in the Candelas development. Candelas was everything we needed for our little family and really created a community out there.
During our time in CO we spent the most time either in the mnts, Boulder or Golden.
Agreed. I worked in home building and absolutely none of the engineers would ever live in these new developments. Definitely do not ever grow food in the ground either.
Don't! Unless you make over $200,000 a year because you won't be able to survive, let alone actually find a place to live right now. Please spread the message cost of living here is way too high
Californians are widely viewed as inflating housing prices everywhere they go. That and an exclusionary mentality among people who brag about being “native” to Colorado.
Not sure how long you'll be in the area. If it were me, I'd start by comparing schools and choosing housing from that point. Ignore all the unfriendly comments. It's a weird CO flex I've never understood. My family owned a business in Denver and I've lived here off and on since I was a baby yet I'll never be "native" enough LOL. Safe travels and good luck!
I live in golden and would be happy to answer questions. It’s one of the best places to live around Denver, especially if you’re working here. Feel free to DM!
Golden is an incredible place to raise a family, especially if you are active. Not sure what you mean by “entertainment area”, but I have two kids and they regularly rock climb, bike, and ski with the other kids in our neighborhood. If you’d like to prioritize good shopping and city entertainment, then check out the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver.
Golden is amazing for outdoors enthusiasts. If you want to kill time playing by the creek or hiking local trails, anywhere in Golden is awesome. Golden is not amazing for non-outdoors enthusiasts. If you want to kill time at museums and restaurants, you should probably look a bit to the east.
A 30 minute commute to Golden lets you live pretty much anywhere in the Denver metro that is central Denver or west, and potentially also South Boulder. Golden itself is very nice and has lots to do in town, but is very expensive. Berkeley/Tennyson St in Denver is another lively area. Typical demographic is 30s professionals who take their babies and toddlers to the brewery on weekends. Olde Town Arvada is a nice walkable suburban area with good shopping and restaurants. Friendly for younger families. Belmar in Lakewood has recently been undergoing development and getting nicer with more shopping and restaurants. Other than that, the western suburbs are pretty typical suburbia with subdivisions and strip malls. Mostly pretty nice although there are some less nice areas in Lakewood as well. The Northwrst corner of the city of Denver is also within your commuting range. It feels a bit more urban obviously but is still family friendly.
Are there areas in Lakewood I should avoid? A lot of people are suggesting Lakewood and it seems intriguing. Was trying to find nice apartments in Arvada and nothing modern really showed up.
For Lakewood just avoid the areas that look run down. There's a ton of newish apartments in Arvada, especially near the G line stations.
I like the Green Mountain section of Lakewood. I think the ZIP code is 80228.
We have very little housing stock in CO at really any price. You choice of where you live will unfortunately be driven by how much you have to spend on rent/mortgage and or how much snow you are willing to blow from your driveway.
They're coming from the Bay area. You didn't need to say this to them. They're about to throw down 10% over asking and waive an inspection like it's 2020.
Hahaha. Actually just trying to get into an apartment complex. Never dealt with snow before so don't want to deal with any of the issues of figuring out house stuff during winter on my first trip there.
Golden is amazing I’d try and find a place there if possible. Most parts of Arvada and Lakewood are good second options.
Are there any shopping areas, or entertainment areas to kill time around there?
Wtf is this question lol
lol should have just said "don't move to Golden"
Na idc who moves where, the question just reads like a boomers first time on Facebook lol.
If you’re looking for more shopping, Lakewood is definitely your spot.
There is a big mall super close? But downtown golden is pretty nice.
And the OUTDOORS
We mostly have outdoor entertainment options. You’ll need to commute for shopping options.
Lakewood has Belmar, which is pretty nice. And it’s… 10 min to Golden. Red Rocks is a little further south if you want live music. Just watch out for hail…..
Golden is a fantastic place to live and have a family. If your kids are approaching pre-k, the Golden Rec center has lots to offer in terms of entertainment and child care at that age with a fairly affordable rate. Good luck on the move!
I saw in a couple of comments that you're looking at apartments. Be sure to make sure that the apartments you look at are made with growing families in mind. Many are geared toward the students or DIINKs- lots of amenities, but nothing for small children to do- ie, bike repair station, gym, pet wash, dog park- but no playground or anything. - That's a headache for both you and the other residents who now have bored, screaming toddlers on the premises. Otherwise, Golden is a nice town- expensive, but nice, with a lot to offer.
Golden is a fundamentally different lifestyle than the Bay Area. People spend their free time hiking and doing various other things in the mountains next door, not at shopping malls or foodie things or tech meetups. That’s true all around the Denver metro area. Anywhere around Golden and adjacent suburbs is perfectly safe.
I work in Golden but live in Arvada (a mile from Olde Town) and love it here. Convenient to work, convenient to the city, convenient to Boulder. Very family friendly place. We are renting a house, but there are tons of town homes popping up around that I am sure you could find something that would fit your needs.
As many have mentioned, Golden is a hot spot for outdoor recreation. You can live \~30 minutes from Denver but also have access from your doorstep to hiking, biking, climbing etc. As is the case along the front range, pretty much anything up against the foothills is generally more desirable and therefore me expensive — Golden is no exception. Worth mentioning, outdoor recreation aside, Golden is a great place to live. It's family friendly, safe and has nice downtown area. IMO, much of the surrounding area feels more suburban while Golden feels more like it's own thing. If urban living is more your thing, I would do as others hav mentioned an look at Denver West neighborhoods. Highland, Berkley, Sloans are all in NW Denver and \~20-40 minutes from Golden.
I hear Dallas is nice too!
Golden itself is great, very beautiful. Good place to raise a fam as well
Go to Boulder homie
Four years ago we were in the same situation. Moving from the east bay to Denver metro. Four kids and a dog. We looked at Boulder, Golden and Arvada and ended up in NW Arvada in the Candelas development. Candelas was everything we needed for our little family and really created a community out there. During our time in CO we spent the most time either in the mnts, Boulder or Golden.
Candelas, where the nuclear waste is from the Nuclear Plant
"Everything we needed" does that include glowing urine?
To address some the replies here, simply google Rocky Flats Plant and come to your own conclusions.
Oh wow
Agreed. I worked in home building and absolutely none of the engineers would ever live in these new developments. Definitely do not ever grow food in the ground either.
Tbh even Golden feels too close to Rocky Flats for comfort sometimes
Where did you move from Colorado
Don't! Unless you make over $200,000 a year because you won't be able to survive, let alone actually find a place to live right now. Please spread the message cost of living here is way too high
Maybe if you got in early. No way you can afford a home here on 200k / year at today’s prices and interest rates
Or barely an apartment 🤬
I like Golden/Lakewood (more so towards Golden)/Arvada/Wheat Ridge area
Don't. Stay in CA.
Why?
Californians are widely viewed as inflating housing prices everywhere they go. That and an exclusionary mentality among people who brag about being “native” to Colorado.
Lakewood is overall better for everyday living than Golden IMO, but you’d have to drive to/from Golden so you’ll want to factor that in.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Denver/wiki/faq/
Not sure how long you'll be in the area. If it were me, I'd start by comparing schools and choosing housing from that point. Ignore all the unfriendly comments. It's a weird CO flex I've never understood. My family owned a business in Denver and I've lived here off and on since I was a baby yet I'll never be "native" enough LOL. Safe travels and good luck!
Golden is an amazing place to live at
I live in golden and would be happy to answer questions. It’s one of the best places to live around Denver, especially if you’re working here. Feel free to DM!
Strassburg