Parker CO questions. (Elizabeth: job, house, construction)

[LoveBoating]

We lived in a house in Parker, off of Hilltop/Preston Hills Developement, for 3 1/2 years and we will tell you that Cottonwood isn't nearly as nice as Clark Farms. We looked at a couple of houses in Cottonwood, before choosing the house we had. Where we lived there was an HOA and we liked it. The HOA kept the neighborhood cleaned up and Cottonwood didn't look that clean to us at all. But, it just depends on what you can afford and the "looks" you desire or can tolerate.

Originally Posted by rvtsahm

I found a very promising house for rent in the Cottonwood subdivision of Parker. No HOA, which is great.

But I heard someone refer to it as "Cottonhood", as in it's not a great area? The area where this house is looks perfectly fine and seems to have decent working class folk and families. It didn't look any worse than Clarke Farms or some other older neighborhoods in Littleton. Any thoughts?

[rvtsahm]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

We lived in a house in Parker, off of Hilltop/Preston Hills Developement, for 3 1/2 years and we will tell you that Cottonwood isn't nearly as nice as Clark Farms. We looked at a couple of houses in Cottonwood, before choosing the house we had. Where we lived there was an HOA and we liked it. The HOA kept the neighborhood cleaned up and Cottonwood didn't look that clean to us at all. But, it just depends on what you can afford and the "looks" you desire or can tolerate.

Unfortunately a development with an HOA isn't an option because my husband has a work van. Most all HOAs have covenants that prohibit commercial vehicles from parking the neighborhood (including Clarke Farms). I can tolerate someone parking a boat or duallie truck in their driveway, seeing as how my husbands van is quite big with lettering and logos on it.

[borincana]

Originally Posted by LivingDaDream

[SIZE=2] Ever since I was a kid I have dreamed about living in Colorado! ....snip....

HI, WE ARE PUERTORRICANS AND WE LOVE THIS ISLAND BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR BETTER JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES. MY HUSBAND IS A POLICE OFFICER. SEEMS THAT THE SALARY IS GOOD IN COLORADO ($4,000 MONTHLY VS. 2,300 MONTHLY IN P.R.). I AM A SOCIAL WORKER, INSURANCE AGENT AND A BAIL BONDS AGENT. WE ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING THERE, THE JOBS , SCHOOLS, AND EVEN RACISM IF ANY. CAN YOU HELP ME?

[almost heaven]

I am looking to move my family, 'wife 2 kids" to parker Colorado. I am a back packing, camping, mountain loving fool. My kids love the outdoors. We all ski, I have a water ski boat as well and we love go out on the lakes, I see you have some lakes to choose from. My wife has all here family in Parker and I love what I have seen over the past 15 years of visiting. I want ti move to a place with a slower pace to life and enjoy the simple things.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by almost heaven

I am looking to move my family, 'wife 2 kids" to parker Colorado. I am a back packing, camping, mountain loving fool. My kids love the outdoors. We all ski, I have a water ski boat as well and we love go out on the lakes, I see you have some lakes to choose from. My wife has all here family in Parker and I love what I have seen over the past 15 years of visiting. I want ti move to a place with a slower pace to life and enjoy the simple things.

You listed the "desserts", what about the meat and potatoes?

What is your housing price range or rental budget?
What line of work are you in?
Where do you expect to work?
Why are you considering Colorado?

[aeh]

I saw Living Da Dream mentioned the low real estate taxes. What are these equivalent to--i.e. 1% of the home's value? 2%? 3%?

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by aeh

real estate taxes. What are these equivalent to--i.e. 1% of the home's value? 2%? 3%?

Fair Market Value and Assesses Value are related but different. A good rule of thumb is 1% of assessed value.

All County Assessors re-evaluate values in odd years (so this was done in 2007, and will be done in 2009) the mill levy is established in December before the county sends the tax bill in January.

[Coop01]

Will be moving to Parker area in late summer from Las Vegas. Looking for a "safe" area for the family to rent a house or condo before looking to buy. I heard that Cottonwood might be a good location. Anyone on this thread live in the area that could fill me in on rental prices? I have an infant daughter so schools won't be a problem for a while. Las Vegas is getting too crowded and the influx of Angelenos (Los Angeles refugees) is getting to us. Will be working in the medical field. Any input would be appreciated.

[bhcompy]

As someone researching Parker for a house, Cottonwood is an older part of Parker on the northern end. Closer to denver, but older style houses and business developments. You would probably find cheaper rents in this area, and it seems safe from what I've seen, but because of the age of the area you'll have age related problems in the older apartments. I live in LA currently, but I live in a 35-40 year old apt and the summer is brutal. Poor insulation, window unit A/C, etc.. Cottonwood seems to be about the same age and Denver gets nearly as hot during the day as LA, but 10-20 degrees cooler at night.

[Coop01]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

As someone researching Parker for a house, Cottonwood is an older part of Parker on the northern end. Closer to denver, but older style houses and business developments. You would probably find cheaper rents in this area, and it seems safe from what I've seen, but because of the age of the area you'll have age related problems in the older apartments. I live in LA currently, but I live in a 35-40 year old apt and the summer is brutal. Poor insulation, window unit A/C, etc.. Cottonwood seems to be about the same age and Denver gets nearly as hot during the day as LA, but 10-20 degrees cooler at night.

Thanks for the information. It will be a temporary situation until we can find or build a home in the area. I jumped into a place once without thoroughly checking out the neighborhood. The realty agent was working for a commission and we were just another paycheck to him. I didn't think about the energy costs incurred in renting a older place. Good input.