Castle Rock vs Boulder
Oct 8th, 2004, 08:30 AM
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This reply is based on a friend's experiences, so take it with a grain of salt. In a few words, she loathed Castle Rock. They moved outside Boulder and she's much happier now. Her reasons-it's too far from everything, no real sense of community and hard to meet people. Nothing there shopping wise, etc.
Now, if you're a young family, apparently it is quite fine. As for Boulder, well it can't be beat. Great community, lots to do, wonderful infrastructure and lots of activities. Housing prices are high though. Prices in Castle Rock will be significantly lower. If you don't mind driving everywhere it has the same beauty.
Now, if you're a young family, apparently it is quite fine. As for Boulder, well it can't be beat. Great community, lots to do, wonderful infrastructure and lots of activities. Housing prices are high though. Prices in Castle Rock will be significantly lower. If you don't mind driving everywhere it has the same beauty.
Oct 8th, 2004, 10:09 AM
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Two COMPLETELY different places. Castle Rock is new for the most part, would involve a lot of commuting to work and shop, feels like suburbia, relatively conservative. Boulder itself is a college town, with a younger attitude, and a liberal approach. It is very expensive, though.
Oct 8th, 2004, 10:16 AM
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Bootlegger, like others have said Castle Rock is more suburbia, Boulder is "hip". Me I would live in Boulder if I could afford it, though Castle Rock has its expensive developments. Good friends live in Castle Rock and they love it. They in in a development called Bell Mountain Ranch. Large lots, large prices too. Very nice has horse stables, bike/running path.
Really very different places, pretty far apart, why those 2?
Really very different places, pretty far apart, why those 2?
Oct 8th, 2004, 11:59 AM
#6
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Bootlegger,
We live not far from Castle Rock, it is pretty suburban & conservative but there are positives. Also, the Douglas COunty Democrats have been very active in this election cycle if that is important to you. There is a large factory outlet mall & another upscale mall is not far. The school district is pretty good, growing & has money.
The biggest question is where would you be working because I-25 is currently a mess. If you are working in the Tech Center, Inverness or Meridien, Castle Rock would be closer.
We live not far from Castle Rock, it is pretty suburban & conservative but there are positives. Also, the Douglas COunty Democrats have been very active in this election cycle if that is important to you. There is a large factory outlet mall & another upscale mall is not far. The school district is pretty good, growing & has money.
The biggest question is where would you be working because I-25 is currently a mess. If you are working in the Tech Center, Inverness or Meridien, Castle Rock would be closer.
Oct 8th, 2004, 12:38 PM
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What do you enjoy doing? Do you have kids or plan to? How old are you? Two completely different places in terms of locations and attitudes. I've lived in Boulder since I was 22 and I'm much older than that now. If you're younger, I wouldn't look anyplace else. It's definately not suburbia. It's hip, fun, happening, and if you're bored, a mountain hike is about 2.5 minutes away. If you haved kids and want to know about stuff for them, write back and I'll give you more info....
Oct 8th, 2004, 01:47 PM
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I typed this big long post and had a computer malfunction so I will try this again (shortened). As everyone has said, they are polar opposites.
Boulder: Has some great companies in/around area, good shopping, maybe a tighter sense of community, nestled next to the mountains. Expensive and is more built up so there is less growth compared to Castle Rock. Benefit would also be how close you are to outdoor attractions like Rocky Mnt Park and Skiing.
Castle Rock: Very close to Tech Center, Inverness & Meridian which are all just north of Castle Rock. Also is close to good shopping. Has been and still is rapidly growing in and around Castle Rock. More rural feel vs. Boulder and more eastern plains but you aren't too far from the mountains.
If you give us more info about what you are looking for in a community, we can get more specific.
Boulder: Has some great companies in/around area, good shopping, maybe a tighter sense of community, nestled next to the mountains. Expensive and is more built up so there is less growth compared to Castle Rock. Benefit would also be how close you are to outdoor attractions like Rocky Mnt Park and Skiing.
Castle Rock: Very close to Tech Center, Inverness & Meridian which are all just north of Castle Rock. Also is close to good shopping. Has been and still is rapidly growing in and around Castle Rock. More rural feel vs. Boulder and more eastern plains but you aren't too far from the mountains.
If you give us more info about what you are looking for in a community, we can get more specific.
Oct 10th, 2004, 12:59 PM
#9
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A little more info. My wife and I have a 10 year old daughter. I work out of the house, and as long as there is an airport nearby I am ok. We enjoy living near the city, but like the smaller town feel. Am currently moving from "hip" Delray Beach FL, but have also lived in Canada, outside Ottawa. Our family is active, skiing, etc.... I golfed at Red Hawk Ridge, and the area seemed apealing.
Oct 10th, 2004, 08:00 PM
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We live in Boulder and have an 11 year old boy. Schools in Boulder are exceptional - I can't speak for Castle Rock. Boulder is very expensive but not sure if that's an issue for you. It's a college town with the benefits that brings - a great Shakespeare festival, fun sporting events, college music concerts and theatre, etc. Make sure you walk down Pearl Street Mall in Boulder before you make any decisions. Great shops and restaurants and ambiance. Again, we love Boulder. It's definately not suburbia but lots of regular folks raising families live here, too. Tends to be a very "fit" community with lots of biking/hiking trails and parks and community Recreation Centers. Lots of good golfing around, too. Depends on what you're looking for, I guess. Any more questions, write back and I'll try to answer.
Oct 11th, 2004, 05:53 AM
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If you are looking for a suburban environment with mostly families, I would say Castle Rock. It isn't too far from the airport, Colorado Springs, Denver. There is a small outlet mall there...also Park Meadows is the "big" shopping center nearby. Boulder is nice...I went to college there. Very expensive for what you get and is a typical college town. More liberal...busy during the school year.
Oct 11th, 2004, 01:28 PM
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Bootlegger,
Denver International Airport is almost the same distance from Boulder and Castle Rock (Approx 35-40 Miles). With Castle Rock, you would just head north on I-25 and if you don't mind a toll road, E-470 is an excellent way to avoid a little traffic and is just after you head into Lone Tree. Traffic can be bad all over but I think Boulder would be worse as far as the drive.
Boulder is a nice town, expensive but closer to skiing and other outdoor attractions. Boulder isn't a really tiny town but isn't as big as Parker, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch which are all Douglas County. Definitly more of a liberal town (which I prefer).
Castle Rock is a little further from skiing but is still only 1-2 hours away. It's a little further spread apart but also has it's share of tract housing. As I said, if you wanted a more room between you and your neighbors there are a lot of new communities that are offering this in and around Castle Rock. We looked at building in Pradera (awesome website at http://www.praderacolorado.com/ to give you an idea) but we work in the Tech Center and wanted to be really close. There area number of other communities in this area that would fit whatever your price range is. Daniels Gate is another big development that you might look at as well. Castle Rock has a nice little Main Street and some good local restaurants also. If you liked Castle Rock and you decide to check it out further, I would also recommend Parker. It's very close to Castle Rock and although it's growing quickly, there are some places that are more rural if that's what you want.
Denver International Airport is almost the same distance from Boulder and Castle Rock (Approx 35-40 Miles). With Castle Rock, you would just head north on I-25 and if you don't mind a toll road, E-470 is an excellent way to avoid a little traffic and is just after you head into Lone Tree. Traffic can be bad all over but I think Boulder would be worse as far as the drive.
Boulder is a nice town, expensive but closer to skiing and other outdoor attractions. Boulder isn't a really tiny town but isn't as big as Parker, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch which are all Douglas County. Definitly more of a liberal town (which I prefer).
Castle Rock is a little further from skiing but is still only 1-2 hours away. It's a little further spread apart but also has it's share of tract housing. As I said, if you wanted a more room between you and your neighbors there are a lot of new communities that are offering this in and around Castle Rock. We looked at building in Pradera (awesome website at http://www.praderacolorado.com/ to give you an idea) but we work in the Tech Center and wanted to be really close. There area number of other communities in this area that would fit whatever your price range is. Daniels Gate is another big development that you might look at as well. Castle Rock has a nice little Main Street and some good local restaurants also. If you liked Castle Rock and you decide to check it out further, I would also recommend Parker. It's very close to Castle Rock and although it's growing quickly, there are some places that are more rural if that's what you want.
Oct 11th, 2004, 03:49 PM
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The tollway comes north now, and offers a much faster way to get to Boulder. It's a 40 min. drive from North Boulder to DIA via the Tollway. I had lunch with a friend today who lives near Castle Rock and she said that the traffic on I-25 between Castle Rock and Denver is a nightmare. Food for thought.
