Best Family Place to live with close conveniences (Westminster, Highlands Ranch: houses, neighborhoods)

[Maui2Denver]

Hi we moved here from Maui and moved to Stapleton. I really like it here, asides the few shooting that happened in the first few months here.
I love the close knit feel and the ability to walk to shops and starbucks, the playgrounds and pools are awesome! A downfall is minimal to no yards.

I can't help but think of the suburbs. I know the best schooling is in Cherry creek school district but the housing is sad for what you can get.

I like highlands ranch but am afraid of being to isolated there similar to Maui, having to drive everywhere and not being able to walk around to local conveniences and have a "close community feel"

Additionally, some say that I missed the trend, that the children in HR are now older. I have a baby due in May and a 17 mo old. We are interested in moving somewhere to buy and stay with good schools with young families.

Broomfield look nice but a little to bare out there for me.

I don't know much about littleton but think of older communities?

I would love thoughts!!

[2bindenver]

HR Isolated? HR has 7 grocery stores, a library, 4 rec centers, neighborhood parks and trails...I don't think they are building any new schools. The ones they have are still full of kids.

Cherry Creek schools are not the best in Colorado. They are still a fine school district, but you don't need to believe everything you hear. And there are some fine houses to buy in both school districts.

[rkb0305]

HR doesn't have the same feeling as a walkable city-center neighborhood, but I do not feel isolated at all. I live on the west side, and do have to drive to Park Meadows for the Dept stores, Costco, etc. But things I need everyday are close by. As far as the ages of the kids, you have not missed it! I think people come here to breed. There are babies everywhere. I always know someone who is expecting.

[Bradburn1]

Come check out Bradburn Village in Westminster, which is similar to Stapleton but smack in the middle of the suburbs, and much smaller (which gives it a more cozy feel).

Tons of little ones (most kids under age 10 and many babies and toddlers). Super social, friendly walkable, new urbanist neighborhood with everything you could need either in walking distance (when I say "walking distance" I mean a 5-15 minute walk from your house). We are on the border between Broomfield and Westminster off 120th Ave between Lowell and Sheridan. We also have excellent schools. Not sure your price range to buy, but single family homes in Bradburn (resales and you can also still build) range from about 330-over 1 mil.

Some of our lots have larger yards than Stapleton, but they are still smaller than a standard subdivision in the suburbs, but we have great parks (not as great as Stapleton though!).

Good luck!

[Denver-Metro Help]

Stapleton really does have the "urban" feel, which has made it quite popular in all age groups. The Douglas County School District, Cherry Creek District, as well as Littleton have wonderful programs for schooling, and affordable housing in all cities. Typically Highlands Ranch will bring in less room for the dollar, but people who live there generally sing its praises loud! Have you given any thought to Parker or Castle Rock? It sounds like it will most likely be a trade off when you move. I know alot of thought has to go into the pros and cons. I would suggest contacting each Chamber of Commerce for the differenct cities. They will have a bounty of helpful information on local businesses, programs for kids, schools, etc... They are too often overlooked, a little hard to track down sometimes, but worth it when you get the information you're after! They are my go-to resource when I have clients looking to move to areas they are unfamiliar with.

[Jerry Bckr]

Don't ignore the older areas. Of course "older" is relative. You will find larger lots in older neighborhoods and many of them are being inhabited by young professionals who've decided that living far on the edge of town and burning all that gas to commute may not be the best way to live. The number one question is "where do you work". There are lots of great communities with great schools but I don't think you want to be driving across town every day to get to your job. That has a lot to do with your quality of life.