Homes in Denver vs Grand Park: Where’s More Value?
The state of Colorado is quickly becoming well known as one of the greatest places to live in the country, and this is causing loads of people to relocate to the sunny weather and beautiful views of the Centennial State. This is good news in many respects. For example, it’s bringing an ever-increasing sense of diversity, as well as a steady stream of new ideas and skills into the state. However, the negative side of such popularity is that housing prices are increasing as supply starts to give way to demand.
A lot of people head directly to the capital city of Denver since it has the largest population and the most things to do. This is a good choice in many cases, but there are other areas that are a much better fit for those with different desires in life.
One of the hidden gems of Colorado is the mountain playground of Winter Park. But, how does it differ from living in Denver? We’ll compare the housing and living situation in each.
Home Prices in Denver
It’s hard to pick out generalizations about housing prices in the Mile High City because they fluctuate significantly depending on the size of the house and the neighborhood where it’s located. For the sake of comparison, the average price for single-family homes in Denver was $447,838 in March of 2017. The square footage varies for this price, of course, and you can obviously get more space for a lower price in less desirable areas. Also, there has started to be a shortage of homes that are less than $400,000, so the market for purchasing those is very competitive.
Types of Homes in Denver
Another main trend in Denver is that even with all of the new development in the city, many of the houses in the more central areas are quite old. They tend to be a mixture of historical buildings that were preserved because of their unique character, and newer residences that aren’t brand new, but not old enough to need to be completely replaced. This gives a lot of character to the neighborhoods around the city, but it can also mean fairly expensive costs for maintenance and upkeep.
Geographical Size of Denver
Another factor to consider when thinking about moving to Denver is that the city covers a wide area. Looking at the $350,000 – $500,000 range, you can see that houses tend to be cheaper as they get further from the center of Denver. Also, not surprisingly, certain neighborhoods and areas have much higher prices than others. The Denver Metro Area has a population nearing 3 million people, and the spread-out size is increasing every day, so this means that choosing where you want to live is important. If you don’t live close to where you work, then your commute may just get longer and more crowded over time.
Denver Distance to Mountains
Another downside to life in Denver is its proximity to the mountains. Contrary to how it’s portrayed in movies and TV shows, it doesn’t actually sit within the Rocky Mountains. It has a nice view of the peaks, but it takes a bit of a drive to actually get to the outdoor playgrounds that define the state. Interstate 70 is a nice highway that acts as a direct gateway, but it gets quite crowded on the weekends.
Home Prices in Grand Park
Not surprisingly, the prices for homes in Grand Park are much lower than in the capital for what you get. You can get a brand new, one bedroom house with a garage and more than 2,000 square feet for as low as $389,000. Or, you can up it to 3 bedrooms for less than $100,000 more. While these prices are comparable to some houses for sale in Denver, the value that you receive in Grand Park is exponentially better. These homes come with a lot more square footage, they are brand new, and they have views that can’t even be compared. The overall value you get for your dollar spent in Grand Park is much more than if you purchased a home in Denver for a relatively similar price. Also, around the $400,000 price tag in Denver, you are inevitably going to be living in a very residential suburb that’s probably a considerable distance from the center of Denver. In Grand Park we are situated right between the historic town of Winter Park and the world class ski resort.
Types of Homes in Grand Park
Another perk of life in Grand Park is that the houses are all new. Not only does this cut down on the likelihood of costly repairs and maintenance due to wear and tear, but it also helps you end up in the exact home that you’d like to have. Rather than trying to make an existing older house fit to your wants and needs, in Grand Park we have a number of floor plans and options to choose from. This flexibility means you will be happier with your home in the long run.
The Mountain Lifestyle
Living in the mountains means you’ll have less access to the wide range of cultural and shopping activities available in a major city, but that’s in exchange for an overwhelming amount of great outdoor activities. Hiking, skiing, camping, fishing, and many other options are literally right outside the front door, and the peace and quiet are only made better by the beautiful views. Grand Park is a fantastic place to raise a family or as a second home to support your mountain sports lifestyle.
A Lifestyle for Everyone
In the end, there’s no right or wrong answer about the best place to live in Colorado – it really depends on your lifestyle choice. But, before moving to Denver just because that’s what everyone else is doing, take a trip to the mountains. You might be one of the lucky ones who realizes how much better life is at high altitude!
