Looking for great Denver schools, private golf, higher-end family areas. (Boulder: houses, employment)

[LasVegasFamily]

We are married, 29, and have two girls ages 3.5 and 1.5. We're looking to get out of the Las Vegas area before we get stuck in the bad school system here, so sometime in the next year or two. We're sick of the heat, sick of the dust, sick of the Vegas billboards, etc. We do love how new everything is, all the great restaurants, and all the sunshine here in Vegas though.

As the title says, we're looking for higher-end communities in the Denver area, probably somewhere in the suburbs. We're looking for large houses (5,000+ sq. ft.), great schools, access to a nearby private golf club, and access to everything that the suburbs usually offer (parks, malls, restaurants, etc.). Another plus would be lots that are at least a half acre, but that can be tough to find at times it seems. This is even more true as we really don't want to get too rural. Price range is flexible, from $1m-$2m most likely.

We have looked around online at places like Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, etc. Do those fit the bill? Are there other areas we should consider? We work from home, so commute is not a concern.

We're planning a trip out in a couple months to take a look around in person, but would love to get some good research done beforehand. We're also considering the Nashville, TN area, and have taken a trip out already, but really want to compare these two places. I think we'd feel a lot more at home towards the west where we've grown up, as compared to the south.

Where are the better schools in the Denver area?

Does anyone have any recommendations on private golf clubs that are nicer than the others?

Any newer areas that fit the bill? We'd love to build new, but realize it probably won't happen, to be able to get the house fully wired, etc. We're on computers all day!

Thanks for any and all help. This is a fantastic resource!

[Charles]

Lone Tree?
Castle Pines?
Parts of Castle Rock?
Parker?

[LasVegasFamily]

We did look at Castle Rock and Parker a bit, but will have to check those other two out. Thanks! Without ever having been there, I was curious as to how rural vs. built up Castle Rock and Parker were. They seemed a little farther from the city, so we weren't sure if it was possibly less built up there.

It's tough to judge/guess from just reading online!

[RonAriba]

Cherry Hills Village, the Preserve in Greenwood Village, great Cherry Creek District Schools. Close to DTC employment centers, light rail, shopping (Park Meadows) and downtown.

[2bindenver]

Castle Pines. Denver Country Club. Highlands Ranch Golf Club. Willow Springs. Roxborough.

Golf course are very popular here.

[bhcompy]

Pradera in Parker, near the Pinery

New highend homes, private golf course, Douglas county schools, big lot sizes

Seems to fit your needs fairly well

[Bradburn1]

If you want to look north of the downtown area, check Legacy Ridge in Westminter (very nice golf course), and the Broadlands in Broomfield. Very suburban areas with good schools great mountain views.

Cherry Hills Village is south of downtown but a very pretty area so I second that recommendation!

[suzco]

Lafayette and Louisville in Boulder County are also possible (Indian Peaks Golf Course; Coal Creek Golf Course for example). Boulder Valley School District is well regarded.

[Katiana]

I will add, the Lsvl and Laf golf clubs are public, if that's a concern. The Louiville golf course area is within walking distance of both Monarch K-8 school and Monarch High School.

[LasVegasFamily]

Wow, thanks for all the pointers. We have a ton to check out now in the meantime.

I think we're coming out Veteran's Day weekend as we have a couple days off school here for the little one. I'll check back in and let you know what we thought of all the areas.

Thanks again!!