That is not what CEO of Metropolitan Homes Peter Kudla envisioned for the Vallagio developments.
Kudla, who grew up in New York, used his big-city past as inspiration for Vallagio.
"When you're an urban kid, you're used to high density, you're used to action, you're used to just a lot of creative opportunities," Kudla said. "When I had an opportunity to come out [to the Denver area] 32 years ago, I thought it was a rainbow."
Vallagio is one of the 10 nominations in the Denver Regional Council of Governments' (DRCOG) Live Work Play 2011, which recognizes great places, events and projects in livable communities in the Denver Metro area.
The winner will be selected by votes on DRCOG's website. Anyone can vote as many times as they want.
Vallagio at Inverness is a neighborhood that is constantly growing.
"Vallagio, over a 10 year period will probably have close to 1,000 residences in all types and varieties," Kudla said.
In addition to homes and lofts, Vallagio, located at Interstate 25 and Dry Creek Road, is the home of various shops, restaurants, a golf course and District 475, a creative space for artists to develop their portfolios.
Vallagio residents have easy transportation access, via a $2.5 million pedestrian bridge and a Bike to Work Day station.
"The light rail was a blessing," said Kudla. "I think it was probably one of the most progressive decisions that Denver ever made and I recommend that we continue to move forward on the light rail throughout the entire metropolitan area."
Residents also are active in decision making at Vallagio. Every year, Kudla invites residents to roundtable sessions to talk about neighborhood planning and developing.
"It's about people, it's about connectivity," Kudla said.
So why should you vote for Vallagio at Inverness?
"I think we're seeing a whole new emergence of where people live, how they live, what they expect from neighborhoods they live within, and this is a perfect example of an opportunity for entertainment, culture," Kudla said. "It's a great blend between the young individuals all the way up to the mature adult. This would have never existed 10 years ago."
To vote for Vallagio at Inverness or any of the other nominees, visit http://www.liveworkplay2011.com.
(KUSA-TV © 2011 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)