Moving From New York City to Highlands Ranch Colorado (Denver: fit in, transplants) - (CO) - City-Data Forum

ThaiLagoon1 · 03-04-2012, 08:52 AM

I am posting here because I am not sure what to expect. I have a wife and a 1yr old daughter and I am honestly scared of the unknown. I accepted a jpb offer out in HLR that pay less than what I make here in NYC but due to the lower taxes and cost of living in HLR it will work out just right. We are leaving behind everyone we know and the new york city lifestyle for the unknown. I just wanted to raise my daughter in a great enviornment and have her go to good schools. I also am aware that HLR isn't very diverse which also adds to the fear(possible racism?) Since I am asian mixed and my wife is european.I also hear that it is a great place tp raise a family and people are friendly so I hope it was the right thing to do. We are scheduled to move in the next 30 days to either apartment complex(Legacy or Creekside). Are there any residents of HLR that can give me some advice and thoughts in regards to being able to make friends and fit in with the community? Are there any thoughts on the apartment complexes we've chosen to live at?

Timmyy · 03-04-2012, 09:04 AM

Though it isn't very diverse it is very welcoming to everyone. You can't go wrong with Douglas County schools. There hasn't been any racism that I have seen or heard of. You will love the parks and the rec centers. Lots to do here in Highlands Ranch. Good luck!

davidv · 03-04-2012, 09:30 AM

I doubt that you encounter any racism in Highlands Ranch. However Douglas County is one of the least diverse areas around.

If that is a major concern, you might want to live in Centennial or Greenwood Village. They are in Cherry Creek School District, which some consider to be the best district in the southern metro area. Both of those areas have more diversity in both the communities and the schools, but I would not characterize them as diverse. Cherry Creek HS (I use the high school stats because there are too many elem. schools) is about 81% white and 9% Asian, versus Thunderridge HS (western HLR) which is 86% white and 4% Asian or Rock Canyon HS (eastern HLR) which is 89% white and 5% Asian.

Both areas offer easy access to Highlands Ranch and have nice apartment complexes to live in.

You could also live in the city of Littleton, but Littleton school district has the same diversity as Highlands Ranch.

dhden2000 · 03-04-2012, 10:22 AM

I would not be at all concerned with racism in that area. There is actually a large asian Indian population that lives in HR

vegaspilgrim · 03-04-2012, 10:28 PM

If you want to live in more diverse area, check out Aurora. Not a lot of overt racism, but that doesn't mean covert racism doesn't exist. Generally it's Hispanics that are the biggest target of racism in Denver, I don't think you'd have any problems at all being Asian. Regardless of where you live in the Denver area, expect a MAJOR culture shock coming from NYC. Even the most "urban" parts of Denver do not compare at all to the NYC lifestyle, let alone life in the suburbs.

infinitylove · 03-05-2012, 07:57 AM

I used to live in Highlands Ranch and I never experienced any issues. My husband and I are a mixed race couple too. There definitely is not much diversity, one reason we moved from Highlands Ranch, but not a bad place for a young family to live. There are lots of parks, trails, rec centers and good schools. If you are looking for the suburban lifestyle, then you will find it in Highlands Ranch.

boston2denver · 03-05-2012, 08:18 PM

When we first moved out here, almost a year and half ago, we lived in Highlands Ranch for the first year. We are also an interracial couple, in our 30s, and never felt it was a problem. Although we were HR for only a year, and it does lack diversity, we liked living there.

In regards to finances, we still think everything (cost of living in general) is much more affordable here. I'm sure eventually this will fade, but it's pretty amazing what your money gets you out here in regards to real estate.

Although I've heard different from other transplants, we have found people in Colorado very welcoming - at work and out and about.

I have to admit that it took me a while to get use to the exchange when first greeting someone out here. As in when I would greet someone in Boston with something along the lines of 'how you doing' the response might be 'hey', which was the expectation, but here 'how you doing' means 'how are you doing?' and you get a response that answers the question. :-) So now I just say 'hello'.

So there has been a little learning on my part but...Colorado is awesome! I hope you find it to your liking.

jacoby23 · 03-06-2012, 09:35 AM

Where in NYC do you live now?

ThaiLagoon1 · 03-06-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacoby23

Where in NYC do you live now?

Brooklyn

jacoby23 · 03-06-2012, 11:23 AM

If yo uare not a big fan of Brooklyn I would say you will love Highlands Ranch. It is very suburban. The people seem very nice as well. If you do like th ecity you could always live in Denver and commute to Highlands Ranch. I am pretty sure it would be a reverse commute.

Do you mind telling me what your pay cut was? $ or % We are trying to move at the end of the year and I would like to see the salary difference between NY and CO. Were you looking for a job out there or were you transfered?