Tips/advice for moving to CO

Moving to CO in 2017, looking for tips on areas/suburbs to live in. Will probably have school in downtown Denver, then my work most likely in Lakewood. Boyfriend will have work downtown. Looking for areas nearby parks and open space for outdoor activities like running, soccer, and frisbee golf, but also close to the RTD light rail system to access downtown Denver w/o the hassle of traffic. Would Lakewood be a good intro place or someplace like Arvada or Littleton be better? What's the renting market like in those neighborhoods (Lakewood, Arvada, Littleton), as well as any things I should be aware of for those areas. Any extra tips and advice or ideas in general is helpful too!