castle rock, parker or highlands ranch??

[kswen]

We lived in Castle Rock for a year and a half. We lived in The Meadows...a master planned community with a community pool, schools etc...We chose Castle Rock over Highlands Ranch for the smaller town feel...however, Highlands Ranch is closer to Denver, if that will influence your move. Also, in Castle Rock you can get a little more for your $$ than in highlands ranch.

The schools are all considered verygood in these areas. Our children went to a charter school that was on a traditional schedule. Most of the schools in the areas you are talking about are on "track" year-round schedules...8 weeks on, 3 weeks off year round.

Also,you asked about lakes...(when I think of a lake I think Lake Michigan), there are no "big" lakes, but there are a few resevoirs close by that people would swim at, and my husband would drive about 40 minutes to Pikes National Forest (Deckers) to go fly fishing in the streams.

It is very brown(we called it brown town) BUT, our neighbors were from Arizona and thought it was much greener than Arizona(all in ones perspective, I guess)

We moved back to Florida for health reasons..altitude and allergy and respitory problems in Colorado

Good luck with your move.

[colorado_sunshine]

Originally Posted by GunGirlCO

Lakes? what lakes...Colorado does not have lakes...no trees and it stays green for the first part of summer...everything is pretty dry right now...and yes I live in parker...well out side of parker ...in franktown now...if you want stuff to do you better get yourself some land and some horses

Wow, I was told to stay away too back when we were looking to move here. We weren't here long and found lots of lakes and trees. Not like Michigan of course, but we are moving to Colorado for a new way of living right? With that said, here's a list of the boatable lakes in Colorado: Boatable Waters - Colorado State Parks

As far as trees, again, not like out east of course. Took us about a week or two to get used to not living in a valley of trees. It is wide open (with lots of trees) and ohhhh, those blue skies!! You will not believe the sun here. It's out every day and no humidity!! If you were here today and could see the clear blue sky, you would understand what I mean! If you live in the east, you may see a day like this five times/year. A cloudy day here is considered a sunny day out east.

What we have found is that the natives don't want people moving in. I have been told that numerous times since we embarked on this big move! I have been told over and over that "Colorado is our little secret". Some people that move here don't like it. Many that left have come back within a few years.

As far as nothing to do in Parker, it is a great town for a family. It is quiet and not cramped. It is a place to "live" and raise a family. It is not a vacation spot. Find a house in Parker or wherever for that matter, and head to the mountains. Colorado is certainly an outdoor person's state. It's a cool western state. There is so much cool history here from the old western days.

The people that don't like living here are people that don't fit in to the outdoor adventurous category. If you leave Colorado to help your allergies and move anywhere east, boy do I have news for you!! You think your allergies are bad in Colorado, wait until you get over there!! The trees and vegetation, humidity, pollen, and dirty air will shock your lungs and you will suffer 100x what you will here. I am telling you this from experience.

Sorry for somewhat hijacking the post, but I feel bad for those people looking to get their questions answered and start a conversation thread and people don't like to always offer "facts". A person will make a move based on facts and their gut feel. To say there are no lakes in Colorado is certainly not a true fact at all. To say there are no trees in Colorado is not true. Everyone knows it's desert here! To say that there is NOT a shortage of nurses in Colorado is certainly not true. That is so far from the fact that I just had to reply back to this one! Sorry Pittnurse!

[lola8822]

Colorado Sunshine, I could not have said it better myself....I applaud you!

[Wyomiles]

Parker is your best choice !
There are lakes all around us, within 30 minutes drive. (google earth it)
Lots of greenbelts/pathways and cherry creek trail.
Great schools.
One hospital in town one about 5 miles away and tons within a 30 minute commute. But you are on your own with finding work at any of them.

[ItalianGrl88]

Thank you all for your feedback.....Colorado_Sunshine I agree with you completley....My husband has actually been in contact with a few denver area hospitals that have graciously extended thier "welcome" if you will, in the form of generous offers of employment.....apparently "good" nurses are needed in the denver area I am thinking we will just have to visit and drive through each of the area's we are interested in. My main concern was the saftey and school ratings of all of the cities (we have a 5 year old). Thank you again for all of your help

Lori

[Katiana]

apparently "good" nurses are needed in the denver area

Thank you for that ringing endorsement!

The people that don't like living here are people that don't fit in to the outdoor adventurous category.

What snobbery! I said there was a keep up with the Jones' mentality here about outdoor activity.

I will explain myself a little. The OP has a thread on General US asking these same questions and most people are directing her to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington and Oregon. I agree that those areas fit much more with her requirements than Colorado. NO ONE, least of all me, said there were no lakes or trees in Colorado. The people who have said that Colorado is semi-arid country are correct! The only trees native to the Denver area are Cottonwoods and such that grow along the creek beds, where they can get enough water to stay alive. Here is a description from the Denver threads of the lake situation in CO:

crowded waters

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are from the midwest and miss the lakes and water. This is the desert in the sky and if you are lucky to find a fishing/swimming hole within one hour of denver, it will be packed with people, just like someone else wrote.
sorry, but true.
I would reconsider if you have other options.
best wishes.

This is the truth! You can choose not to believe it, but it's still true. The same goes for Boulder Resevoir.

[colorado_sunshine]

Originally Posted by ItalianGrl88

Thank you all for your feedback.....Colorado_Sunshine I agree with you completley....My husband has actually been in contact with a few denver area hospitals that have graciously extended thier "welcome" if you will, in the form of generous offers of employment.....apparently "good" nurses are needed in the denver area I am thinking we will just have to visit and drive through each of the area's we are interested in. My main concern was the saftey and school ratings of all of the cities (we have a 5 year old). Thank you again for all of your help

Lori

You have to be careful listening to what some people say on this forum. There are some bitter people that spend their time on here to keep us "outsiders" away. The lack of water comments you hear are certainly false. It's so obvious they want us to stay away!

Your husband will have several offers and will be able to pick and choose. I told my wife last night what someone said on this thread about no lack of nurses. As I mentioned, my wife is a nurse. She laughed when she read that!

It will take some adjusting when you get here if you are used to humidity and thousands of trees surrounding you! People don't always like change. People are afraid of it actually! It was certainly a big decision for us! If you have a 5 year old, I would check out Parker. Very family oriented and comfortable to live. You will find that the location is perfect. Parker is on Money Magazine's #26 best places to live. If you want a 5 minute drive to work, then you need to live in town. Those areas aren't so good. Check out Parker Adventist Hospital. They call my wife all the time!

Good luck with the move!

[Azimuth]

Dont pick on Pittnurse. If you read all of her posts I think you'll see she's probably the fairest and most sensible poster on the CO forum. Not to mention knowledgeable.

[Katiana]

Thanks, Azimuth. I am not trying to keep anyone out. I am from "somewhere else" myself. I do think the OP is not looking for a semi-arid place to live. Saying Colorado has lakes and trees is like saying Minnesota has skiing. Yes, it's true, but is it what you really want?

The nursing situation is complex. I have friends who, like me, have had a hard time finding jobs, especially jobs working day-time hours under decent working conditions. Some of us are not interested in 12 hr night shifts, weekends, holidays, etc. Mind you, I'm glad some people are willing to do that because I once had a baby on Saturday, the 4th of July! I never complained about working holidays again! You want to work nights in a hospital 7PM to 7AM? No problem! You will find a job! You still might face some more competition than you are used to.

[Katiana]

I found it! From michinmich, posted July 29 on the Colorado forum:

Just a caution: Having gone through the process this summer of getting a job here as an RN with 3 years experience, ICU certification and not a mark on my work record, it is not that easy to get a job. Lots of PT and PRN positions are available, but if you need FT and benefits, those positions are few and far between and are snatched up within days. I wish good luck to you in any case. Just don't get disappointed if you don't see want you want right away if at all.

I am not the only one!