Arvada, CO

Meadowglen is snuggled up against Pomona Lake to the south, and 88th Ave. to the north, with Club Crest and Pomona on its west and east border. That puts it at Arvada's northern border, about in the east-west center.

People like Meadowglen because of the lake, tennis courts, community pool, and heavily-treed, winding streets. Meadowglen has the feel of an out-of-the-way neighborhood, but it's near grocery stores, trails, a national wildlife refuge, bus route, bike paths, and several parks.

There is a homeowner's association, which keeps the community areas pristine and enforces the bylaws. One of the negatives about life in Meadowglen is that many people feel the homeowner's association is overbearing*.

The homes in this neighborhood were built in the late 1970s to early 1980s, which makes them five to ten years newer than the nearby communities of Pomona Lakes and Lake Arbor. Right now, there are only two homes for sale in Meadowglen, priced at $279,000 and $349,000. There are none currently under contract. Four have sold in the past year, ranging from $210,000 to $265,000.

Meadowglen kids attend Weber Elementary , Moore Middle School, and Pomona High School.

*In Colorado, home buyers have the right to inspect HOA documents and financial records, and can terminate a contract to buy based on what they find, at their sole discretion.

Arvada is a historic town about midway between Denver and Boulder in Jefferson County, Colorado.

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Olde Town Arvada's historic neighborhoods sprang up in 1870 along the tracks where trains passed through twice a day. Back then, life was all about gold and farming. These days, people love Arvada's town center for its historic flavor, and long-established neighborhoods.

Beautiful homes built just before and after the turn of the century - many of the old Victorians are now zoned commercial, and enjoy a new life as businesses such as shops, restaurants, and the Arvada Historical Society. But people looking for that historical neighborhood without the hassle and expense of living in Denver can find many farm houses and cottages, and even a Victorian will pop up every now and then.

Olde Town Arvada residents enjoy proximity to arts, entertainment, shopping, future light rail (expected in 2015), farmer's markets, and parks. Many people fall in love with Olde Town when they come out to one of the many events planned by the Festivals Commission, and many others want to return to the neighborhoods where they grew up.

Arvada's Urban Renewal Authority has some big plans, and the train overpass was recently completed. This has reduced the traffic congestion on Wadsworth Parkway due to the many train crossings, plus provided a really nice-looking welcome to the Olde Town area. (I voted for this project, even though I rarely vote for tax increases. But the time that I was stuck on Wadsworth for nearly an hour with a car full of teenagers that I used to transport home every day is a memory I won't soon forget!)

However, Arvada's suburbs do offer some things that Olde Town doesn't - such as lakes, more and larger parks, and (some would say) better schools.

Most Olde Town homes sell in the $100,000 through $200,000 range, although the remodeled beauties fetch prices will into the $300s.

The historic center of Arvada is roughly bordered by Ralston Rd., Teller Rd., Grandview Ave., and Yukon St.

Arvada is a historic town about midway between Denver and Boulder in Jefferson County, Colorado.

Find homes for sale in Arvada.

Check out my website.

The Village of Five Parks is located in the northwestern quadrant of Arvada, Colorado. It is bordered on the west by Indiana St., on the north by 87th Parkway, and on the south by the Union Pacific Railroad.

People like the Village of Five Parks because of its five parks, community events, main street-style small retail shops, and views of and proximity to the mountains. Negatives include some isolation from major shopping amenities, relatively high homeowner's associaton* fees, the high prices for the homes themselves, and the lack of tree canopy due to the newness of the neighborhood (building started in 2002).

The Village of Five Parks has a mix of home styles, but still mainly single family detached (94%). Over half of the residents identify themselves as 'married with children'.  The average income in the Village is $143,165 for those households with children, which is the 96th percentile for the state.  The average age of residents is 37.

Yes, residents do hear the trains, which is a common sound to Arvadans. The homes south of 86th Parkway are closest to the tracks.

Right now, there are twenty-six homes for sale in the Village of Five Parks, asking prices start at $310,00 and go up to $650,000. There are three homes currently under contract, priced from $375,000 to $438,000. In the past six months, seven have sold, ranging from $293,000 to $450,000. It's still a tough market in the Village, read my post about it here.

Village of Five Parks kids attend Meiklejohn Elementary School, Wayne Carle Middle School, and Ralston Valley High School

*In Colorado, home buyers have the right to inspect HOA documents and financial records, and can terminate a contract to buy based on what they find, at their sole discretion.

Arvada is a historic town about midway between Denver and Boulder in Jefferson County, Colorado.

Find homes for sale in Arvada.

Check out my website.

West Woods Ranch is located in the affluent 80007 zip code of west Arvada, Colorado.It is between 64th and 72nd Avenues, and mostly west of Quaker. There's easy access to Interstate 70 (Colorado's main east-west route), and someday C-470 (Denver's bypass route, still missing the last leg after about 20 years).

People like West Woods Ranch because the western location affords a proximity to a more 'country' setting, rather than that 'lost in suburbia' feeling. It's an easy drive to the foothills and mountains (although watch your speed, as I found out while 'touring' with a friend in their new car!).

West Woods Ranch contains seventeen smaller communities, which are served by three homeowners associations*. Residents enjoy both mountain and city (Denver) views, trails, West Woods Golf Course, and the proliferation of new amenities such as the YMCA, restaurants, and shopping.

Currently there are seventeen homes for sale in West Woods, starting from $359,900 up to $799,500; six homes under contract priced between $375,000 and $845,000; and in the past six months fourteen homes sold between $295,000 and $412,000. There are mostly single family homes, with a small percentage of condos.

West Woods kids attend West Woods Elementary School, Drake Middle School, and Ralston Valley High School.

West Woods Golf Club lavishes views of both the mountains and the city of Denver on its players, and Ralston Creek runs through it. The club house has a popular restaurant with outdoor patio. There's also a pro shop and practice facilities. My hubby has golfed there several times, and here's what he has to say:

"Westwood’s Golf Course has 27 holes, the most pleasant to golf is Cottonwood (9-18), and the most challenging is Silo (19-27) with the fifth hole having a severely, uphill fairway. Sleeping Indian is the first 9 holes and it too has an uphill fairway on the fifth hole. There is a large putting green and two chipping greens. Views from any number of locations are amazing. Pro shop and restaurant are fully equipped and the food is very good. Special events can be scheduled."

The average income for West Woods households with children is $98,069, which is in the 91st percentile for Colorado.

*In Colorado, home buyers have the right to inspect HOA documents and financial records, and can terminate a contract to buy based on what they find, at their sole discretion.

Arvada is a historic town about midway between Denver and Boulder in Jefferson County, Colorado.

Find homes for sale in Arvada.

Check out my website.

Lake Arbor is one of the most popular established neighborhoods in Arvada, Colorado. The popularity is due mainly to the lake itself. Lake Arbor and its surrounding trails, grassy areas, playground, mountain views, and friendly folks hanging out to enjoy Colorado's sunny, clear days makes the neighborhood something special. There's also a public golf course by the same name.

There are over 1,000 homes in the Lake Arbor neighborhood. These range in style from ranch (one level), to bi-level, tri-level, and townhouses. They were built in the early 1970s. Home values in Lake Arbor suffered the past couple of years due to a number of foreclosures, and whereas you could find the occasional house for less than $200,000 early this year, it's rare to find anything less than $230,000 now. Right now, there are fourteen homes for sale in Lake Arbor ranging from $169,000 (for a townhouse) to $335,000; six under contract ranging from $224,000 to $279,000, and twenty-three have sold in the past six months from $153,000 to $272,000.

Lake Arbor children attend school at Little Elementary , Moore Middle School, and Pomona High School.

Lake Arbor Golf Course is just north of the neighborhood. It has been recently renovated with a new sprinkler system which keeps the greens in great shape. My husband golfs there, and he says it's a reasonably easy course, tee times aren't too difficult to get, and fees are mid to low-range. Annual memberships are available, there are tournaments and clubs.

Lake Arbor has a voluntary homeowner's association. They plan many fun activities for all to enjoy.

Arvada is located about midway between Denver and Boulder, in Jefferson County.  Lake Arbor is bordered on the south by 80th Avenue and on the north by 88th Avenue. Its western border is Wadsworth, and it extends about halfway to Sheridan.  There are many restaurants, stores, entertainment venues, and other lakes and parks nearby.  RTD buses make convenient stops nearby.

Find homes for sale in Arvada.

Check out my website.