Montbello

Montbello has long been synonymous with crime and poor schools. In recent years it has begun to change for the better although it still has a ways to go. Although it is constantly improving the schools here are still lacking in teaching academic standards. According to state testing standards, the schools here are rated from average to below average when compared to the rest of the state. The crime rate here is still higher than nationwide averages but it has decreased. The bizarre thing about this neighborhood is that if you're driving around it in the daytime you wouldn't have any idea about the crime rate. It looks like many other suburban areas

The neighborhood has average sized single family homes located on streets with older trees and is a relatively good looking neighborhood. There are some fast food restaurants but mostly these are located on Havana Street which borders the area on the west. There are some grocery stores here, but for bigger shopping trips there is the new Northfield Mall which is just west of the development and has a big mix of stores, specialty shops, restaurants, and bars. It's a great outdoor mall with big stores such as Bass Pro Shops which is almost like an indoor museum in and of itself.

Growing up, I remember that my mental association with Montbello was a neighborhood way out in the northeast with a bad reputation. It blurred together with Commerce City as a sort of no-man's land of industry and crime. Although my memories or childhood understanding of this neighborhood might be skewed, this neighborhood has undoubtedly improved tremendously. The low housing costs and more open spaces has made this a wildly popular area for people who are looking for a place outsite the central metro area. This is now known as a great place for families.

Many young couples ready to raise children have flocked to Montbello. It's a suburban neighborhood, although many of the houses here are not new. This is now a mix of older detached homes and new construction. There are established schools and parks. It is pretty out of the way, being closer to the airport than either the city or the mountains, but if you don't mind a commute this could be an option for you.

Probably the most standout feature of Montbello is its access to Rocky Mountain Arsenal. This used to be a weapons manufacturing area, but has been reclaimed as a nature preserve, and is a pretty cool open space. It's a popular spot for wildlife photographers and students of wildlife biology.

Montbello walks a line between an old neighborhood in an industrial area, and an increasingly popular area for suburban families. I think this gives it a bit more character than many suburbs, despite the rather flat feel of the northeastern edges of the city. For those who prefer to be in a suburban area, this neighborhood has proven to be a good choice.

Located in the arm of the City and County of Denver that reaches east, towards the airport, Montbello is a long commute down I-70 from downtown, and farther from the Tech Center. Aesthetically, the neighborhood looks like suburban Anywheresville: a mix of 1960s and ‘70s split level homes and ranchers with grassy yards, and a few large apartment complexes.

All the basic amenities are accessible: grocery stores, restaurants, and fast food joints. Commercial development is concentrated along Peoria and Chambers, where the large variety of restaurants (Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and soul food) hints at the area’s ethnic mix. This is a family-friendly neighborhood, and the preponderance of day-care centers, schools, and churches, and the relative lack of nightlife, is in accord with that. There are some pockets in the area that feel neglected, so prospective residents may want to make sure they check out the area on foot.

On the north, Montbello is bounded by the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, a former chemical weapons manufacturing plant closed in 1992 and now home to birds and roaming buffalo. The space is appealing, with large native cottonwood trees and tall grass, though unfortunately access requires a car – it would be lovely to have some access points accessible by walking, biking, or mass transit. Half a dozen smaller parks, however, dot Montbello’s winding streets.

On the whole, Montbello is low-cost, family-oriented, and feels more like a suburb than part of the city. Those looking to take advantage of the low housing costs may love the area, although those looking for accessibility to central Denver’s activities will want to stay further west.