Moving to Colorado - need advice on area

[mookie]

I posted this a week or two back on the community board, and got some wonderful responses. Because one of our main concerns with our move is our family, I thought the family board might have some insight, too. (Plus, I'm anal and would love as much help as I can get on this subject!!)

DH's company is based in Broomfield, CO. There is a possibility that he could get transferred there, so I will be heading out there doing some house hunting and area research at the end of this month. We are very excited about the possibility of moving out there, but also want to make sure it's the right decision for our family.

Some of the places that we have been looking at (actually one in particular) is in Erie, CO, just NW of Denver. We have also considered moves to Westminster and Broomfield, as well as anywhere in between. Ideally, we are looking for a somewhat younger family community, that isn't "big city" oriented. OUr daughter is almost 3, and we have one on the way, so family environment and schools are very important to us. We are willing to pay up to 425,000 for a house. Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions? Also, any suggestions on a realtor? Right now, the only community that I have interest in is a newer one in Erie, so we would build if we moved there, but I have no idea about other established neightborhoods in other towns.

Any info you all cold give on the area would be great...we've never left the Chicago area, so this is a biiiigg step!!

Thanks again!

 

[KristiA]

We live about an hour north of the Denver area. If you want a smaller community, you will want to look at Erie which will probably be closest to Broomfield. If your husband doesn't mind more of a commute to work, you could also look at Longmont, Niwot, Frederick, or Firestone. Longmont is a bigger town, definitely smaller than Denver, and Frederick and Firestone are smaller communities with (I think) the younger families. I don't know much about Erie except that we used to play their team in high school and hated them! But that was 15 years ago, so take that with a grain of salt. I am sure they have some nice communities going in their area.

We live in Windsor which is a great, small, young family community, but it would be about one hour to an hour and 15 minute commute to Broomfield.

Hope this helps a little.

Some of the big home builders out here are Lennar, Ryland, Richmond, and DR Horton. Maybe by typing in their names you could find some of their homes in these areas. You should be able to find a really nice home for what you are willing to spend.