Where to move in Littleton/Highland Ranch? (Denver, Highlands Ranch: new home, school districts)

[adlmast]

My husband has been offered a job in Denver After looking at the schools, I'm considering moving to Littleton or Highlands Ranch. I'm trying to find a home near excellent schools with new amenities. After hours of research I'm extremely confused about which development I like. I'm trying to find someting over 10k sq ft with a rpice range of approx. $600k. Does anyone have any comments on the different subdivisions.

[2bindenver]

a property with more than 10,000 square feet or lot size?

We have discussed this before Littleton could be a city in Arapahoe county or unincorporated south Jefferson County or unincorporated northern Douglas County (which is also known as the subdivision of Highlands Ranch.)

[gpraceman]

Littleton is a city. Highlands Ranch is a master planned community (the size of a city) in unincoporated Douglas County. Where it gets confusing is that you can be looking for a home in HR, but it is listed with a Littleton address. The post office allows this since Littleton was the closest city to HR (and again since HR is not a city itself). If you are looking for homes in these areas, it is best to search by zip code.

As far as amenities go, Highlands Ranch IMO has more to offer (4 rec centers, parks, open space, walking trails, shopping, churches, good schools).

You can find good schools in both areas, but the Douglas County School district is one of the tops in the state.

If you are talking a 10k sq ft house, for $600K, not likely. Well over $1M for that. You can find lots that big in both areas with homes up to around 4K or 5k sq ft for that price.

[2bindenver]

[adlmast]

Thank you for the information. I would like a lot size of atleast 10k sq ft. I found some homes near the Cougar Run Elementary school and Wildcat Mountain Elementary, that seem to have large lot sizes. Does anyone know anything about these subdivions.

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by adlmast

Thank you for the information. I would like a lot size of atleast 10k sq ft. I found some homes near the Cougar Run Elementary school and Wildcat Mountain Elementary, that seem to have large lot sizes. Does anyone know anything about these subdivions.

I'm not sure about over by Cougar Run, but there is a section of homes over by Wildcat, with larger lots, that is not in Highlands Ranch. I don't think it is even in Lone Tree. That means you will not get to access the rec centers, without paying a non-resident fee. 2bindenver would be better to verify that, since she is a realtor.

[adlmast]

Thanks. Do you reccomend Highlands Ranch over Littleton? Are there certain subdivions that you can reccomend with Excellent schools. I've been trying to avoid a brand new home as that is what I have now in Northern California. Although it's a beautiful home, the lot is pretty small.

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by adlmast

Thanks. Do you reccomend Highlands Ranch over Littleton? Are there certain subdivions that you can reccomend with Excellent schools. I've been trying to avoid a brand new home as that is what I have now in Northern California. Although it's a beautiful home, the lot is pretty small.

I personally like HR better and that is where we chose to settle back in 2004. I think it has more amenities to offer. Most of HR is built out, but there are a couple of places they are still building in. HR is a very large master planned community that is only 26 yrs old. In each part of HR (Northridge, Southridge, Eastridge, and Westridge) you have a mixture of home prices. You also have rec centers (one per ridge), parks, schools, open space, walking trails, shopping and churches distributed throughout. There is no "bad" part of town. HR is also convenient to C-470 and I-25.

As far as schools, you can find excellent ones in both areas. Littleton, I believe, is serviced by Littleton public schools and Jefferson County schools. Littleton public schools are supposed to be good. I think it is more hit and miss with JeffCo schools. Highlands Ranch is serviced by Douglas County schools, which are very good. Check around the forum here. There are links to several websites that you can check on the school districts and particular schools.

[adlmast]

Thanks again. We are going to Co next weekend to take a look around. I can't wait to see Highlands Ranch. We have two little ones and it sounds like Highlands Ranch has a lot to offer them.

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by adlmast

Thanks again. We are going to Co next weekend to take a look around. I can't wait to see Highlands Ranch. We have two little ones and it sounds like Highlands Ranch has a lot to offer them.

I hope you have a good trip. Make sure to get a tour of one of the rec centers. You can also find out more info on HR at these two websites.

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