Location - location (Denver, Colorado Springs, Parker: to rent, condo, townhome)

[copiercorp]

I currently reside in Central Florida, and will be relocating to Colorado. Corporate would prefer that I base myself in Denver but after researching the area (especially crime, tornados, and hail damage) I continue to find the Parker to Castle Rock area to be less inhospitable than Denver proper. Can any one shine some light on the subject? Also what about the Flying Horses subdivision in Colorado Springs, or that area in general.Your thoughts and input will be greatly appreciated. I thank you all in advance.

[2bindenver]

Describe your perfect community, and property. Will you be transfered again soon? Is buying or renting your preference?

What do you think the biggest issues are and why?

[Mike from back east]

Drove through FH again today, do it often. It's about 2 miles from me. Have seen the model homes too. I'm not a realtor, but I just love touring them... cheaper than bars... people are nicer too. Free cookies & coffee.

It's a bit upscale, but not "Broadmoor" kind of upscale / upper brackets. Off I-25 and exit 156 near the USAF Academy. Several VERY good builders in there. Has a Tom Weiskopf championship golf course there, or soon to be there. Still in the early stages of work. A bunch of houses are now occupied, but they are moving around a lot of dirt up there still and will be for a while. May take years to fully finish, until then you get the dirt and construction traffic and all that goes with it... noise, trash blowing in.

If GOLF is big with you, I urge you to check out zip 80920, for homes in Pine Creek, where I often take my supposedly-daily walks... all building is done and many homes back up to the golf course. Truly LOVELY area.

If golf is not your game, FH & Pine Creek revert back to just nice places to consider. Homes in both places by some of the best builders.

I live in a home style/model that is also in FH, but they changed the name of the model and upped the price for FH.

Both are on the far north side of COS, could be commutable to Denver, but I'd hate to drive 50-60 miles each way to work/back, five days a week. Big ouch. Castle Rock is about halfway up the road to Denver, is MUCH better as a commute issue, tons of new stuff, very decent place. Both have great views of the Front Range (FR) and Pine Creek will have really great views of Pikes Peak.

Unless you have specific stats, I've never heard that tornado's and hail are worse in any given area along the FR. Most tornado's are further east, out on the plains. Storms come off the FR and move so quickly that about all we get is hail, the funnels don't get spotted until storms move further east. We've been here since June 2005, and I can't recall any fatal tornado's in the state during our time here, not like the 13 poor souls that lost their lives today in Alabama. Usually you have to get into KS and OK before you get the hugely humid hot air masses that mix with cold air off the mountains and set up the rotations and super cell activity for tornado's. Other posters with more years here can correct me if I'm wrong...That being said, my advice is to re-open your interest in the Denver metro area... ton of stuff up there to choose from.

s/Mike

[copiercorp]

Thank you Mike and 2binDenver for your response. The data that I have been using comes from a website called relohomesearch.com, it compares different areas to the national average giving you a metric to use as a comparison. I have the ability to work out of my home when I am not traveling so therefore commuting is not the issue. The only mandate is that I live relatively close to an International airport for flight flexibility locally and abroad (home office is in Japan), U.S offices are in Chicago, New Jersey and California.
We currently live in a gated community on the golf course, (HOA's can be a real pain but overall.....) so I think we will want close to the same. Also do you know of a website were I could find the millage rate for property taxes for each jurisdiction in Colorado? We also have decided to rent maybe for a year to discover the area before we buy or build, but if the right area came along and the boss decided she wanted it, so be it HAHAHAHA. Our children are in college so we are not seeking a community that caters to children but we haven't hit the 55 thing yet either LOLOL. Your continued input is appreciated.

[copiercorp]

Oh one more thing, since I will be traveling more, a condo/townhome/golf villa, where snow removal and yard mantenance is taken care of for you is a consideration as well. THX!

[2bindenver]

is plus or minus 1% of assessed value usually 70-80% of FMV.

How far would be too far from the airport?

What else does your new community need to have?

Have you been here before? What did you think?