help on relocation to southside denver/burbs (Highlands Ranch, Littleton: sales, condo)

[smscorpio]

I have a great job offer on the table in Littleton, moving from Michigan. I have only been to denver the one time for the interview and checked out the area. One surprise was given all the open available area out there how small and condensed alot of the subdivisons are. Developers run the show it seems.

I have done alot of online research on the area but still looking for some real feedback. I have a family with a 3 yr old so schools are going to be important in the near future (and for re-sale). My price range on a home is anywhere from 450K to 550K. What would be expected property taxes on this price range?

I read alot on the Highlands Ranch area and the postings go both ways (sub hell to perfect for the fam). We are also considering a condo in downtown but seems pretty pricy and I suspect the schooling will suffer.

One last thing on the weather. How much snow really dumps in the area? Michigan is not much better but I have heard the Denver temps are more mild and snow doesnt stay around like here for a month and we never see the sun from Jan-Mar (its true!)

Denver seems to have a lot of big city benefits (all sports team, ESPN zone, LoDo, etc) so any comments on general night life? I am not talking major parties but with nothing else for 600 miles I need to make sure there is fun stuff culturally too.

Thanks.

[steveco.]

There is plenty of cultural things to do to keep you busy. It really depends on whats your preferred scene. If you are in to going to a nice bar or restaurant there are plenty of options in the lodo area as well as larimer square and some areas along 16th street. If you are more into the arts there is the newly opened museum of contemporary art (amazing building at night by the way) which is right downtown also. The DAM has the new hamilton building expansion with some really neat exibits coming through there. If you are into the dancing scene the are some neat places such as la rhomba and places along south broadway too

[Move2milehigh]

Being a full time Realtor, you will be just fine finding home for your family in that price range. What type of area do you have in mind? Newer/new or older/character? Are you a city person? Or do you like to commute 20 minutes or so to entertainment (restaurants, shows, sporting events, etc.) Do you know where you will be working? Also, the weather. I am originally from Iowa and know what you are talking about with winters and snow. Granted, I have been here long enough to have experienced both this past years snow storm and the spring storm of 2003. Most of the time it will snow and by noon the next day all snow is gone. The sun is so intense and dry that it all melts and/or evaporates. I love it here! If you need any additional help, I'd be happy to assist you.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by smscorpio

I have a great job offer on the table in Littleton, moving from Michigan. I have only been to denver the one time for the interview and checked out the area. One surprise was given all the open available area out there how small and condensed alot of the subdivisons are. Developers run the show it seems.

I have done alot of online research on the area but still looking for some real feedback. I have a family with a 3 yr old so schools are going to be important in the near future (and for re-sale). My price range on a home is anywhere from 450K to 550K. What would be expected property taxes on this price range?

Our house is worth that much on the open market and our property taxes are about 1300/yr. Colorado does collect a lot of sales taxes, which may be higher than what you are used to in Mich.

I read alot on the Highlands Ranch area and the postings go both ways (sub hell to perfect for the fam). We are also considering a condo in downtown but seems pretty pricy and I suspect the schooling will suffer.

You can open enroll your childe pretty easily. There are some good schools in DPS

One last thing on the weather. How much snow really dumps in the area?

We sometimes do get dumped on 6 - 12 in. or more, but as PPs have said, it doesn't usually last long. The worst of it doesn't last 24 hrs usually. Look at the Front Range weather thread too.

Michigan is not much better but I have heard the Denver temps are more mild and snow doesnt stay around like here for a month and we never see the sun from Jan-Mar (its true!)

Denver is sunny year round. I am familiar with teh midwest/eastern winters. It is nothing like that here.

Denver seems to have a lot of big city benefits (all sports team, ESPN zone, LoDo, etc) so any comments on general night life? I am not talking major parties but with nothing else for 600 miles I need to make sure there is fun stuff culturally too.

Thanks.

I don't know a lot about night life, but culturally, there is lots to do, as others have noted. Colorado Ballet, Denver Center for Performing Arts, lots of local theater groups, major league sports, etc.

[smscorpio]

Thanks to the members for the postings! It helps

[2bindenver]

How much of a commute will you tolerate? "Littleton" covers a large area - can you be more specific?

[smscorpio]

With the job location in Littleton (southwest end) I am hoping to keep a commute to 30 min our less. Thats why HR area is of interest.

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by smscorpio

southwest end.

In JeffCo or Arapahoe County?

There is a 20 minute difference between the two.

[b.adams]

Last year was different (worse), but most of the time the snow doesn't last more than 5-7 days at the most. Thats one difference. Denver gets around 60" per year of snow, but its spread out between 10/31 and maybe 4/20 ish. Decemeber is usually dryer and we don't have white christmas very often unless its with old snow or a light dusting.
Jan and Feb are more midwest like (colder, more prolonged cold), sometimes. About onces every 10 years, we get a 1-2wk long cold snap in December or January ... can remember a few in the last 30 years.

Personally, I'd definately check out HR. Also Roxborough is within range, but a bit of a drive. Littleton is also going to be handy but more traditional and a little older/mature than HR. Even so, there are parts of HR that are almost 30 years old now, so it's not all new houses ... its a mix of the old and the new.

If you wanted country living, you could even possbly check out the sedalia area, still only 15 minutes S. of HR.

I'd check out the neighborhood in HR feeding into Summit View elementary. Its a great area and you may be able to find a nice house in the 450-550 range.

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by b.adams

I'd check out the neighborhood in HR feeding into Summit View elementary.

Why Summit View?