Need help in where to relocate in Colorado
 

I need some help from all you Coloradians out there.

We're moving to Colorado in a few months and need some local help to narrow our home search down to these important factors for us:

1. 40 minute max. commute to the Denver Intl. Airport

2. Excellent public elementary schools for our 3 kids

3. Enjoy the planned community living OR newer homes (less than 6 years old). Name any particular communities.

4. Price range up to $475,000 or less

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Greenwood Village.

Greenwood Village is lovely, but you would be hard pressed to find a home for $475,000 or less.

Good school districts to consider are Cherry Creek (CC), Douglas and Littleton. You can google the school districts to get boundary maps.

If you are looking for a commute of 40 minutes or less, there are some newer communities in the CC school system off the E-470 Tollway. I don't recall the names - I've only noticed the areas on the way to the airport. Are you commuting to the airport everyday? The tollway would be expensive to use on a daily basis.

Check out subdivisions in northeast Thornton, Co., or a subdivision called Reunion at about 104th St. and Tower Road.

You will be a Coloradan, not a Coloradian. Excellent public schools within 40 minutes of DIA? that's a tough one...lots of new developments going in, though.

Thanks for the info out there and for the spelling correction :)

The need to commute to the airport would be twice a week and my company pays for the toll road cost.

Excuse me if I sound igonorant, but does it snow pretty heavily around these areas that you all mentioned or is it just a couple of inches and then it melts away? (We've never lived in a state that snows)

And are the noted Cherry Creek, Douglas, and Littleton counties all nice areas or are they a little sketchy in some areas?

Thanks again,
Discover

I have to commute north of the airport and I live in Littleton. It takes me about 45 min. because I can breeze through the toll booths.

Cherry Creek, Douglas and Jefferson (where Littleton is)counties are very nice, especially if you're living in a neighborhood where the homes are $475,000.

The snow isn't bad, it doesn't ususally last long. I drive a Prius and haven't had any problems on the highways this year or last.

There are some great planned communities in Highlands Ranch.

Tamiandtoto

Living in Littleton as you do, what's the pros and cons of each city? I heard Littleton has a very good school district, is Highlands Ranch's school district just as good and is it farther away from the airport?

Discover

Our kids live in Greenwood Village (essentially Littleton) and I can be at the airport in about 30 minutes using 225.

I agree with Jefferson, Littleton, Douglas and Cherry Creek for school districts. None of these areas are sketchy... they're your typical suburban neighborhoods. If you like newer, planned communities, check out Highlands Ranch (Douglas County) - you'll be able to easily find something in your price range and it's within your requirements for driving to the airport - the toll road makes it an easy drive. The Hearth is a brand new development in Highlands Ranch. Snow isn't that big of a deal. We may get one or two big storms a winter where the snow piles up, but it will melt within a few days or less. Colorado has 300 days of sunshine a year. For a good real estate website, check out recolorado.com.

Thank Gretchen: I looked at Greenwood on the map and it is a lot closer to the highways to get to the airport quicker than littleton.

And thanks Yale for all the info I was asking about. Are these communities gated? It seems that they are not, which is fine, but I was just curious. And do they have subdivisions or is Highlands Ranch just a big new development that one builder is building?

Where's the closest Costco, Target and major shopping mall by Highlands Ranch?

Any negatives about living in Colorado in general? (I hope that this question doesn't open up a "can full of worms!" :?

It is hot and dry in the summer. Often windy. Traffic can be bad on the major highways. Now, just make the move and don't tell anybody else about Colorado!

Highlands Ranch is a huge area with many different developers - development has been going on since the 80s. I believe the Hearth (several different builders) is one of the last subdivisions they are planning to build. Very few of the subdivisions are gated. I can only think of one actually where the homes are rather large. No matter where you live in Highlands Ranch, you have close access to C-470 to get to the airport. Park Meadows is the closest mall and within 15-20 minutes of anywhere in HR. There are a couple Targets also within easy driving distance. And Costco is right across the street from Park Meadows Mall.

I don't have any negatives about living in Colorado. Some of us natives may have qualms about the huge growth that has happened in the past few years, but I personally don't mind it.

I'm also a native and my only negatives are the dryness and the rapid growth. I never use 225 during rush hour, otherwise a 35 minute trip could take well over an hour.

Yale:

I heard that there are a lot of transplants in Colorado...I guess the California housing market is pushing everyone to move elsewhere.

Do you think Littleton or Highlands Ranch would be closer/faster to get to the airport and are those highways one of the more congested highways during commute times?

Last question, are there any builders or developments that I should know of that has had some building problems?

I suggest you strongly consider the new developments at Lowry and Stapleton. Both are much closer to the airport than any other neighborhoods mentioned. They are brand new, planned communities, with new public schools, too. Also great private schools. Both neighborhoods have won awards for planning and design, and have homes in most price ranges, especially on the higher end of the scale.
Lowry is the neighborhood where the Air Force base was, and has been wonderfully re-invented. Nice little walking 'downtown', new public library, new 24-hour fitness, new ballpark for kids, new public rec center, new parks, beautiful restored brick buildings with lofts, fabulous new mansions on parkways, golf course, etc. It's really nice. Across the street from it is a historic Denver neighborhood, called Montclair. Hilltop, Crestmoor and Mayfair are also right there, which are well-respected, established Denver neighborhoods.
Stapleton is the renovated old airport location. It used to be a slightly run-down neighborhood, because of the airport noise, but has really been turning around. There are tons of new big box stores there now, and lots of beautiful new homes. Maybe less expensive than Lowry, in general.
Lowry and Stapleton are both within Denver proper, not suburbs.
Highlands Ranch is relatively far from the airport. It may be close to highways, but a nightmare during rush hour in my opinion. And best case drive times don't always happen-- especially twice a week to and from the airport.
If the whole city is your choice, and you have to drive twice a week to DIA. I'd sure not live that far away. Especially with gas prices today I'd look to be much closer.

I've considered what Maureen wrote, but I guess I am somewhat partial to being closer to the mountains. If your absolute priority is to be close to the airport, then definitely consider her recommendation. However, I do live in Highlands Ranch and have a lovely view of the mountains.

As far as the commute on 470, yes it is congested in the am and pm. However... you can take all back roads through HR to avoid that. I do it every day on my way to work. If you decided to look in HR, go for the East end to be even closer to the airport.

Another question... is this going to be a long-term move for your family? I'm not sure about the new Stapleton area, but HR is VERY family-friendly. There are always neighborhood activities/events going and with your HOA dues, you get free access to all 4 rec centers/pools - a major plus in the summer time.

When you're talking about Littleton, you're also talking about a large area. I technically live in Littleton, but my house is in Highlands Ranch. Some parts of unincorporated Jefferson County are considered Littleton. And then there's the true Littleton. It's all fairly close together.

Do you plan on visiting before your move? That may help you decide.

All the areas that Maureen mentioned are wonderful neighborhoods. The only issue I see is that you should be prepared to send your children to private schools. Denver Public Schools are currently in transition (I think in the right direction) with a new school superintendent.

You definitely need to visit and get a feel for the Denver area and the various school districts. It might be a good idea to rent for 6 mos to a year before buying.

Discover - I would get connected with a realtor & have him/her drive you around to different neighborhoods north & south of Denver, 40 minutes from the aiport. Highlands Ranch/Littleton may be further than you want to be especially in bad weather but there are new neighborhoods going in east of the city off 470(as someone mentioned). I have 3 kids in Douglas County School District & have been pretty happy, some years better than others. Their website is dcsdk12.org. Many of the schools in HR will be new with more coming. Good luck!

Our grandchildren's school in GV is quite nice--it is the reason they chose to live there.
The Stapleton development has been done well. Friends live there.
The suggestion to hook up with a realtor AND investigate the schools for the various areas is good.
While our children attended private school, I don't think it has to be a default position. And private schools do not necessarily solve all problems either.