Highlands Ranch that bad? (Denver, Aurora: house, neighborhood, to buy)
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I found a house I like in Highlands Ranch, it literally butts up next to Lone Tree. I had my husband drive by the house to look at it and he likes the house but not the area. He is a native and feels highlands ranch is below him. We currently rent in Highlands Ranch and it's been nice to be close to everything, it seems safe overall. I agree there are some areas that aren't so great but there are some really nice areas too, such as back country. Also it tends to look a little bland but you get used to it after awhile and not a big deal to me.
We can also get a newer nicer and bigger house in highlands ranch vs the areas he wants. What is the stigma with this area? I enjoy it here!
My realtor didn't have anything bad to say about highlands ranch, he said it's pretty down to personal preference but said you tend to get a better class of people in centennial. I didn't say anything, but centennial is full of old homes. I am just trying to understand the class stricture in Colorado because I am so confused!!! I just want a bigger newer home with a yard and not some SHACK but because it's in the right area that makes it ok (gag). Cherry creek vista and Arapahoe lakes are considered the slum to most people in that area, I am worried about my kids getting picked on. I did find a house in Sundance village, I guess I could suffer there for awhile but it's still considered a slum to people in the million dollar homes. I didn't know it was going to be so difficult.
Who said there's a stigma associated with Highlands Ranch? It is generally regarded as one of the most highly sought-after areas of the Denver area. It's nice, clean, and very family-friendly, and emblematic of what's best about Denver. I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in what the random internet stranger says about the area, and that's especially true given Highlands Ranch's strong reputation among the average Denver resident.
Who said there's a stigma associated with Highlands Ranch? It is generally regarded as one of the most highly sought-after areas of the Denver area. It's nice, clean, and very family-friendly, and emblematic of what's best about Denver. I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in what the random internet stranger says about the area, and that's especially true given Highlands Ranch's strong reputation among the average Denver resident.
All I want is a safe area, good sized nice home and good schools for my girls. They are my world and I don't want to make a mistake, because once I buy a house I am stuck there probably a good 7 years before I'll move again and I rather not have to move.
People talk down Douglas county schools big time and tell me to go charter or home school. I know a cop who tells me douglas county schools really have a serious drug problem. I didn't pay much attention at the time but if I look in this county that's what I have to deal with. And to be honest I been looking at the kids here vs when I go to the DTC area to have lunch and I see HS kids walking around. I think there is a difference in kids. So maybe I am starting to understand why parents are buying homes up in that area.
My MIL tells me it's how I raise my kids not the school and not to worry, but I also think school does have a big influence on kids as well and should be considered IMHO. if I had the money for private schools I probably would not be so confused where to live.
All I want is a safe area, good sized nice home and good schools for my girls. They are my world and I don't want to make a mistake, because once I buy a house I am stuck there probably a good 7 years before I'll move again and I rather not have to move.
People talk down Douglas county schools big time and tell me to go charter or home school. I know a cop who tells me douglas county schools really have a serious drug problem. I didn't pay much attention at the time but if I look in this county that's what I have to deal with. And to be honest I been looking at the kids here vs when I go to the DTC area to have lunch and I see HS kids walking around. I think there is a difference in kids. So maybe I am starting to understand why parents are buying homes up in that area.
My MIL tells me it's how I raise my kids not the school and not to worry, but I also think school does have a big influence on kids as well and should be considered IMHO. if I had the money for private schools I probably would not be so confused where to live.
Likewise, Douglas County Schools are some of the most highly-regarded in the entire state. A minority of residents apparently find the school board to be controversial because they instituted a voucher program, later overturned in court, about a year or two ago. If you ask me, I think that makes that district an even better one for your kids. But even if you're not big on vouchers, the sheer quality of the schools is tremendous. My wife is a teacher in Jeffco, and she'd take a job in Douglas County in a minute if offered. It's a very popular place to work, despite the baloney media coverage about the teacher's unions and the rest of it. It's a very reform-minded district, and it makes for a great place in which to put your kids.
Frankly, we don't plan on sending our kids to public school at all. Most likely we'll homeschool them because even the best districts have teachers that are bent on cramming a secular, liberal agenda down kids' throats. When you homeschool, you know what you're kids are learning in school. But if there were a single district in the State of Colorado in which we'd send our kids, it would almost certainly be Douglas County. I would recommend it over Cherry Creek, Littleton, or Aurora schools, for example, to name just a few of the other south metro districts.
I am going to home school for awhile for other reasons but I would prefer a parochial school, but they are so expensive. I don't know many people here to ask about such things, most peope I know have no kids or kids that already graduated. None have been any help.
Randomparent's Guide to Purchasing Your Dream House
Ming Ming, there are several things you can do to improve your chances of finding a suitable house for your family, but they will require effort and time on your part. High-quality houses, like the one in my previous post, sell very quickly, and many quietly change hands before they officially hit the market, which is why you cannot solely depend on Redfin or even a real estate agent. That being said, I strongly suggest initiating a relationship with a knowledgeable agent. You'll be severely limited if you continue to try to do this on you own via the internet without competent representation.
As a resident of a highly-desirably neighborhood in the south metro, I often know about houses that will be hitting the market well before any real estate professional even gets a whiff of it. For example, an acquaintance of mine was recently forced to sell an absolutely gorgeous, fully-renovated home well below market value after the family fell on hard times. Many of us in the neighborhood were well aware of the situation more than a year before the sale came to pass. The buyer was someone connected with the neighborhood through a local sports team. The agreement was overseen by a real estate attorney hired by the buyer, who got a tremendous bargain. If I hadn't already owned a home in the neighborhood, I'd have jumped at the chance to purchase that house.
On that note, many of the buyers of prime properties in my neighborhood already own a home in the vicinity and are involved with local organizations. They know exactly what they want, are familiar with what's available, and often have established relationships with the sellers that give them an advantage. So, if you are really committed to finding your dream house, get serious and think about doing the following yourself to improve your situation:
1. Decide on a school district and elementary school for your children, and open enroll them. Get involved, and befriend other parents.
2. Hire an agent who lives in the neighborhood in which you'd like to live.
3. If there is a neighborhood sports team, sign your kids up. Most neighborhoods have scout groups, soccer teams, and swim teams that are open to anyone who wants to join regardless of where they live.
4. Get to know those who reside in the neighborhood and tell them your plans. You don't have to reveal your budget, just that you'd like to hear about any houses that might be hitting the market in the future. Cultivate these connections.
5. Many neighborhoods, particularly older ones, have regular home and garden tours of renovated properties. Attend them. You'll gain a better understanding of the state of the houses within the neighborhood and recognize a gem when it becomes available. Plus, if you find a house for a good price that needs a little sprucing up, you'll know what's possible.
6. Regularly walk the neighborhood and take note of what you see. Who's doing what?
7. Be patient, and have your finances in order and ready to go when the right property shows up.
Good luck with your search.
Last edited by randomparent; 07-26-2012 at 12:28 PM..
I am going to home school for awhile for other reasons but I would prefer a parochial school, but they are so expensive. I don't know many people here to ask about such things, most peope I know have no kids or kids that already graduated. None have been any help.
Do I recall that you are Muslim? Parochial schools in the south metro are almost all Catholic. A couple are Lutheran. I can give you some suggestions, but are you sure that's what you want? There are plenty of lovely homes in a slightly lower price bracket in Fox Ridge, which would give you some flexibility to pay tuition at St. Thomas More, a k-8 Catholic school that is walkable to much of the neighborhood. The town of Parker appears to have an Islamic school, but I am not familiar with it.
BTW, I don't think there is any stigma to living in HR. It suits some, not others. I prefer Centennial and live in one of the more affordable neighborhoods in the Cherry Creek School District. It is well-maintained and has plenty of amenities. I have never heard it referred to as a slum, and our family has plenty of friends who span the socio-economic spectrum. The vast majority of CCSD residents do not and cannot afford to live in "The Preserve." Personally, I think your current agent's opinion of A-Lakes and CC Vistas is out-of-sync with the reality of living in these communities. Both are wonderful, family-friendly neighborhoods.
Last edited by randomparent; 07-26-2012 at 12:49 PM..
no no no on Muslim/Islam no. ( no offense to anyone) Right now I am registered to home school though douglas county but using St Thomas for recreation, art and field trips. I would prefer St. Marys and I think my Dad might give me money to send my girls there, but for now I can't depend on that. I think St. Thomas has something where they will work with the parents if you have trouble with tuition but I don't know how much they will help.
Last edited by Mike from back east; 07-26-2012 at 08:57 PM..
no no no on Muslim/Islam no. ( no offense to anyone) Right now I am registered to home school though douglas county but using St Thomas for recreation, art and field trips. I would prefer St. Marys and I think my Dad might give me money to send my girls there, but for now I can't depend on that. I think St. Thomas has something where they will work with the parents if you have trouble with tuition but I don't know how much they will help.
Perhaps I misunderstood, but I distinctly recall post on P&OC about our president in which you declared yourself to be Sunni Muslim.
it is the one for 460, but there is not much else to choose from. Seems like a nice area but the homes look alike and looking tired. I prefer to be on the north side of Arapahoe vs the south because they seem nicer and hold their value better but I am desperate and will move into anything right now and there is no inventory.
...I am desperate and will move into anything right now and there is no inventory.
Why are you desperate to move? That puts you at a significant disadvantage in finding a good property.
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