relocating!!

[ehirsch83]

So excited! DF(dear fiance) got a new job in Thornton and they are covering all relocation costs :)

but... we have to be there for a 9/4 start date- so need to find a place to live ASAP and I need to find a job once we get there.

but yay- moving back to colorado:)

If anyone has a good source out there for rentals,let me know(we have 2 dogs, so looking for a townhouse or a house with a fenced in yard but not looking to spend a fortune) and stay between Thorton and Erie. Looks like we are going to have to be brave and sign a lease sight unseen due to moving company having to meet us with our possessions.

[Artista]

I don't have any suggestions on rental homes but wanted to say welcome back to CO. I think that this is the absolute best place in the country to live. The only thing that CO is missing is an ocean but we've got everything else!

[bmccasland]

Maybe a real estate agent could help?

Just a general thought, can't give you any suggestions for who to use. But real estate agents do help with rentals as well as properties to purchase.

[jessmarimba]

Thornton to Erie is a pretty big stretch. If he'll need to be driving on I-25 to commute, you'll probably want to be as close to the job location as possible...that stretch of highway gets clogged up pretty badly.

I'd also say to look for a realtor - the lady I bought my house from manages properties as well as selling them. She doesn't have any in that area though (she tends to specialize more in the furnished student apartment area)

[CommuterChick]

Great Denver area bike trails start up in Thornton! And they're in the process of extending my east Boulder County trail system out to Erie, welcome aboard! I live in Louisville and work on the east side of Boulder (bike commuting 7 miles 1-way) and some of my co-workers drive in from Thornton, it is a longish commute but doable. A ton of them live in Erie. When we first moved here in '91 and my husband worked at 120th and Pecos we rented in Westminster for 9 months til we figured out where we wanted to live, so I think your plan is a good one.

Don't overlook Craigslist. A quick look at the Denver slice in the apts/housing section, searching on Thornton, turns up a bunch.

But since you're jobhunting, ehirsch of Winter Park, tell us about yourself if you're willing. Or feel free to link to me on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/marciarodney

[VeganBikeChick]

Congrats, ehirsch! I'm moving to Denver myself and will be there this Thursday. We should have a TE meetup for all the locals :)

[shootingstar]

Best of luck with the move, ehirsch. And more cycling adventures in the Denver area and nearby.

[solobiker]

Welcome back!! We have been out here for 16 years and love it. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. We used to live in Longmont (north of Erie) and made the commute to Denver and like Jess said it does get backed up pretty good. But living up there gives you more options for riding. What I have found is that once you get down near Thornton the riding will get pretty crazy due to traffice.

As for places to live/rent like any town there are some sketchy spots in Thornton..like Washington Street near 88th and the surrounding area Also some areas of Federal Heights which is kind of close to Thornton is not the best. Do you think you can find a short term rental place just to get you a place to stay until you find a place that will meet your needs? What I mean by short is week to week that way you will not have pressure to find something quick and you will not be tied down to a lease in an area you don't want to be in.

Wow...you have a lot to do in a little time. Good luck!!

[ehirsch83]

Thanks everyone :)

I lived in Boulder for 3 years previously and the fiancé grew up in Aurora and moved to Ft. Collins when he was 16(and then went to CSU).

We are thinking of doing a 6 month apartment rental in Broomfield or Louisville while we get settled and decide where we want to be, house wise.

We are both big cyclist(he has his UCI license) so we would prefer to be a little out of Thornton( he will be working off 120th).

I work in flight operations for private aviation company and also teach horse back riding, thinking of using this to try and make a career change and move out of aviation and into a different field. We will see though!

[amb]

Welcome back!! I second whomever said get a one week "extended stay" place so you can look yourself. I lived in Thornton for a few years not far from 120th/Washington. It was OK but I'd never go East of I-25 again. Just my preference. And yes, there are definitely sketchy parts of Thornton & Federal Heights! We live in Broomfield (120th/Sheridan) now. The (road) cycling from Broomfield up to towns like Erie, Longmont, Niwot, etc is great - lots of low traffic, "country" roads and/or roads with good shoulders. The routes also offer great views of the Flatirons and foothills. :)

Traffic in the greater Denver area sucks!! Another reason we live West of I-25 is so we can avoid it at all costs. My husband and I work downtown so we take Federal to work and 36 home. They are a little bit better but it still takes us 35+ minutes to go 16 miles. If you can live close to work or even work from home, do so!!

Again, welcome back! If you need other info, let us know.

[amb]

It occured to me on my ride this morning that you might check out the apartments by Flatirons Mall in the Broomfield/Superior area. The Horizons at Rock Creek is huge and looks decent based on appearance and the vehicles in the complex. Plus, it's very convenient to good riding (as well as hiking in Spring and Fall). There are other complexes over there too. Just a thought....maybe that is too west of your target area.

[ehirsch83]

Thanks AMB!

Not to west at all, it is actually the area we were looking. We are looking at a couple townhouses and then a couple apartment complexes in the area where we could do a 6-9 month lease.

With the company paying for our relocation, we are waiting to hear from the moving company and how long it will take them to get out there- hopefully it is a few days longer then us and we can leave and pick a place in person- if not then we will go by feel and I will have some friends that still live out that way go look for me.

[solobiker]

Both Broomfield or Louisville are nice areas..although have grown quite a bit these past 16 years. Heck even Boulder has changed. I am not sure when the last time you were out here. I am very happy for you with your move back to this great state!! Just remember to close the door behind you. :-)

[ehirsch83]

It has grown! I haven't been back since 2005 and just looking online it has all grown a lot. I remember when living in Broomfield, Louisville, Lafayette, etc. was the cheaper option over Boulder. But now all these huge apartment complexes are there and they are all just about the exact same price, while the quantity of townhouses and houses that are for rent have diminished. I really wasn't expecting the rent to have gone up so much while the price to buy has stayed pretty decent.

[ehirsch83]

Alright- we are down to 2 places.

If you were to rent for a year in the Broomfield area would you rather be:
Just west of 36 in a townhouse in SaddleBrooke (so near flatirons crossings)

or

Over near w 144th Ave right near Broadlands.

The condo near Broadlands has a 2 car garage which is a big plus, while the townhouse in SaddleBrooke only has a 1 car.

Any input on one area vs the other? (and Saddlebrooke is really close to Jeffco Airport, which is where I will hopefully be working, so I understand it is probably under a flight path)

[ColoG8r]

Both of those sound nice. I love the Flatirons Mall area (nice views). The wind can be pretty bad (I live in West Arvada south of there). The Broadlands area is very nice as well. The two car garage would be a huge plus for bikes and car. Not having to brush/scrape snow is always nice.

I don't think you could go wrong with either of those areas. Good luck with your decision!

[thekarens]

I don't have any advice, but my sister lives in Broomfield and personally, I like it all. I guess living in Houston everything there seems relatively close. However, I would always pick closer to work if all things were equal.

[CommuterChick]

Hi Emily,

Just so you know my bias, I live on the N side of Louisville and ride thru old Superior all the time, and work for a company headquartered near Jeffco Airport, and a lot of colleagues live in/near the Broadlands. A lot of execs here for temporary longterm stay live in some of the Superior condos, they're nice. Broadlands are closer to Thornton. But either way, you are close to Jeffco, and you are close to Thornton, and you are close to trails. I like the two car garage myself.

If you want to be more plugged in to the Boulder trail system, then you're closer with Superior. However, I ride out Dillon Rd. a lot, which takes me out towards the Broadlands. But didn't you say this is a temporary place while you get your bearings? Sounds like you can't go wrong with either location.

marcy

[Kathi]

I don't know much about the area either although I've learned a little bit about it this summer, my wheelbuilder is at 114th just off 36. The Flatirons area has easy access to I-25 Denver and Boulder via 36. Also, closer to the mountains if that is a priority, it was ours. Not sure about the Broadlands area.

I checked the 2008 DBTC (Denver Touring Bicycle Club) map, and there were more bicycle routes near the Flatirons area. There is a newer map and the may be more routes now in the Broadlands area.

The Broadlands area looks halfway between Thornton and the Rocky Mtn (JeffCo) airport. When we visit my wheelbuilder I don't notice an abundance of airplanes, maybe it was the time of day.

The entire area looks to be pretty new construction, unlike my 1970's neighorhood.

As far as wind goes, we have it here in southwest Denver, it's just a part of living here. My 1st first experience with the wind made me worry we were having a tornado.

Hope this helps.

[VeganBikeChick]

I'm here! And just got a call from the bike shop that my bike made it and is assembled, ready to be picked up!

Wishing you safe travels, ehirsch.

[amb]

You may have already decided BUT, I think either would be great. Based on the map, you can ride up 88th by Avista to head north or if you're in Broadlands, you can ride to Erie and north. If you don't mind roads (vs trails), you'll have plenty of options at either location. Plus, there is good hiking in Spring and Fall at Dowdy draw at 128/93 (it's too hot in the summer IMO). It's often windy here...just how it goes.

Good luck with your move!

[solobiker]

Welcome to Colorado!!:D

[ehirsch83]

Well been here for about 2 weeks and just started to ride the other day(we shipped the bikes, had to get them here then they arrived when furniture arrived, so it was hectic for a few day).

We ended up near the 1st bank center which isn't my favorite area but it is only for a year. Where did you end up VeganBikeChick?

Also if anyone wants to ride ever, let me know! I am working from home right now for my old company until I am employed here, so have a flexible schedule- I just have a huge fear of going downhill, so need to stick with rollers for right now(the turn onto Mccaslin from 128 scares the cr*p out of me!- such a flatlander I am)

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, your "Location" in your TE profile (upper right of your posts) still shows Winter Park, FL...time for an update! And congratulations on your move! After living near Orlando ourselves years ago, I definitely think you're in a better area now. Enjoy!

Another Emily :D

[Artista]

I just have a huge fear of going downhill, so need to stick with rollers for right now(the turn onto Mccaslin from 128 scares the cr*p out of me!- such a flatlander I am)
Good thing you didn't get transferred to San Fran:)

[amb]

Going north on McCaslin from 128 scares me too - I think I've reached 35 mph+ (while feathering the brakes bc I'm a sissy!). I've only done it once or twice ever. And I've NEVER gone up that hill!! :)

I'm at 124th/Sheridan...my "usual" loop is Lowell to Hwy 7, left (west) on Hwy 7, North on County Line (through Erie) to Hwy 52. East on 52 to Co Rd 5. South on Co Rd 5. Right on CR4 to Sheridan. Sheridan back to Lowell and home. 29 miles total which I can do in 1h:50m on a good day. Taking this route in reverse means having to ride up the slow grind on Lowell.

How far do you ride and what's your avg speed? Sadly, I don't get out much during the week, especially now that it's getting darker, earlier.

[VeganBikeChick]

Well been here for about 2 weeks and just started to ride the other day(we shipped the bikes, had to get them here then they arrived when furniture arrived, so it was hectic for a few day).

We ended up near the 1st bank center which isn't my favorite area but it is only for a year. Where did you end up VeganBikeChick?

Also if anyone wants to ride ever, let me know! I am working from home right now for my old company until I am employed here, so have a flexible schedule- I just have a huge fear of going downhill, so need to stick with rollers for right now(the turn onto Mccaslin from 128 scares the cr*p out of me!- such a flatlander I am)


Hey Emily!

I am in the DTC area - for now. I'd like to be closer to the city so am now researching the perfect place to buy. I'd love to ride with you but I've only got my steel Casseroll and am quite slow. I do miss the downhills tho!! :)

[ehirsch83]

Vegan, let me know if you ever want to even just meet up for coffee! I could use a friend here. Same goes to anyone else in the area :)


On the downhill issue- I'm getting better I did the Morgul Bismark loop today and now feel like I can handle a lot more

[CommuterChick]

Emily, I am totally impressed, I am a chickenliverweenie when it comes to downhills. I ride the 2009 version of the Jamis Coda Comp http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/12_codacompf_spec.html and I usually have it loaded with a ton of crap, I commute to work in Boulder, run errands, etc. Most of my friends ride the Boulder canyons, but I'm always hitting the country roads, you can find some of my routes on mapmyride under commuterchick. By all means friend me there, would love to connect with other people who are posting their routes. And if you want to connect with someone in Louisville, happy to meet anytime!

Marcy

[ColoG8r]

Emily...the Bicycle Village at 92nd and Wadsworth coordinates a women's group ride every Sunday. Jen, one of the employees, sends out an email every week outlining the ride for the coming Sunday. Anyone is free to join them. I haven't been able to make it to a ride yet but it sounds like they get a pretty fun group.