Moving to Colorado - Littleton, Front Range (Denver, Highlands Ranch: best suburbs, condo)

[gjeppesen]

Hi,

I might be taking a job in Littleton. I'm in my late 30's with 2 little kids and a wife. I like the Superior area as far as a house, but it's a little far to Littleton (maybe?). I want to be on the west side of Denver I need suggestions for:

1. School systems
2. Towns with culture, young professionals, families, recreation, open space
3. Places in those towns to live w/young professionals, families, recreation, open space

Thanks!

[2bindenver]

Try Littleton.

[gjeppesen]

Can you tell me why Littleton?

[DOUBLE H]

Although the area I used to live in is now called Centennial, I kept a condo in unincorporated Littleton for 14 years, moving to the western slope many years ago. I have friends there who've been there all their lives, and wouldn't live anywhere else. I've always considered it to be on the metro areas best suburbs.

BTW, Littleton is on the south side of Denver, you mentioned west. Hopefully some of the current residents will weigh in here as its been 17 years since I lived there.

[2bindenver]

Littleton is a city on the south west side of Denver, in Arapahoe County. Littleton is also the mailing address of south Jefferson and northern Douglas County.

Let's start with what you are looking for, what's important, what's not?

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Littleton is a city on the south west side of Denver, in Arapahoe County. Littleton is also the mailing address of south Jefferson and northern Douglas County.

Let's start with what you are looking for, what's important, what's not?

Whoops, forgot about the other side of Santa Fe Drive! Yep, a VERY sizable part of Littleton is there as well!

[Jerry Bckr]

There are really two Littletons. One is the City of Littleton, which surrounds the original city center. It's boundries are roughly Broadway on the east, Seridan on the west, Belleview to the north, and County Line Road to the south. The second Littleton is the southern part of Jefferson County which is mostly unincorporated but has Littleton for the mailing address. There used to be an eastern part of Littleton, that was unincorporated, but that was rolled into Centennial. In fact, Highlands Ranch used to be considered Littleton for the same reasons. The unincorportated part of Littleton that's in Jefferson County, stops at Hampden (US 285). There is a northwest part of that section that's known as Morrison, again only because of the mailing addresses.
The City of Littleton generally has older homes with muture trees. The newer homes are towards the southern part of the city boundries. The southern part of Jefferson County's older homes are newer than Littleton's older homes. Many were built in the 70's and 80's, with fewer being built in the 90's and 2000's. The main reason for this is they are running out of land. The western edge of the unincorporated part is west of C-470 and bumps into the foothills. Two of the main communities that are on the western edge are Ken-Caryl Ranch (my home) and Willow Springs. The pockets of newer homes are scattered around and will depend on your price range. There are more newer homes in Grant Ranch ( built in the late 90's), but part of that community lies in Denver County.
The west part of southern Jefferson County would give you good access to C-470, which would give you good access on your trip north to work.
For schools go to; www.schoolperformancemaps.com/co. Not only will this site give you data on each school, it will show you were they are on the map.

[gjeppesen]

Important: schools, kids, kids, kids, young (er) professionals, open space, culture, restaurants, shopping, etc. I live in FL right now and there isn't one kid on our street. Really sad. All retirees mostly.

By west I meant west of I-25.

Thanks for all your comments.

[2bindenver]

That's the definition of Florida.

Littleton is all that, and lots more.

[Moonwalkr]

Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch will probably have more yuppies with young kids, and close to the mall. Centennial and Littleton more house for your money. You will be driving into Denver for cultural stuff.