Parker or Littleton (Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora: ski resorts, HOA, low crime)

[rebagirl]

Are either of these places overly congested--or becoming that way? Littleton Public School District looks awesome, but homes are older, mostly in Centennial. Parker has beautiful, brand-new homes but seems to be accommodating the influx of new residents by utilizing year-round education. (I'm beginning to be more open to this idea, but it still raises concerns) Also, is Parker too far from the mountains? I am looking for a place near Aurora (I have family there) that has low crime and is fairly family-friendly. Also not too uppity--just regular folks. I don't want to feel like I'm competing with the Joneses. Thanks

[2bindenver]

Neither place is overly congested...define overly. Littleton Public schools are in Littleton and a few in Centennial.

Douglas County schools are in Parker & Castle Rock & Highlands Ranch...well all over Douglas County. Year round schools accomodate 25% more kids that traditional years schools, but there are trad. year k-6 schools in Douglas County. Middle Schools & High Schools are on trad. year plans.

What is too far for you? You can see them and be there in a couple hours depending on where you start & where you are going. Is 2 hours too much?

[gpraceman]

If I had to pick just between those two places, I would pick Parker. There are lots of nice newer homes there with some areas having a good amount of pine trees. Douglas County schools are very highly rated.

There is also Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, and Franktown, which are nice as well. We chose Highlands Ranch over these areas due to all that it offered as a master planned community. You might want to check it out at http://highlandsranch.com

[rebagirl]

Thanks to you both.
2bindenver: I guess coming from the L.A. area, nothing could possibly compare to the congestion here, Definition--houses packed like sardines, concrete everywhere, freeways that crawl or don't move for several minutes. (At least we can admire the lovely artwork spray-painted on the freeway walls--sorry--sarcastic humor). Yes, two hours would be a bit far. We were thinking within an hour's drive maximum.
gpraceman: I have looked into Highlands Ranch and am curious about it as well, so I appreciate your opinion. It looks like a well-planned community. Any elementary-school recommendations? Also, what are the average lot sizes of most homes? We don't need huge, but would like a backyard for the kids. Am also wondering about covenants--some people have suggested we stay away from communities that enforce them. It seems like a plus to me to not have a purple house with orange trim in the neighborhood!

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

gpraceman: I have looked into Highlands Ranch and am curious about it as well, so I appreciate your opinion. It looks like a well-planned community. Any elementary-school recommendations?

There are lots of good elementary schools around. There is only one that I would recommend staying away from and that is American Academy Charter School. We pulled our sons out of there after 1 year and many other parents have too. They are doing well in their current schools (Redstone Elementary and Rocky Heights Middle School).

Most of the elementary schools are on a year round schedule, but there are some that are on a traditional schedule. I'm not particularly fond of the year round schedules. Fortunately, all 3 of our kids are on traditional schedules.

You can find out about specific schools from the Douglas County School District website at http://www1.dcsdk12.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/DCSD (broken link)

Originally Posted by rebagirl

Also, what are the average lot sizes of most homes? We don't need huge, but would like a backyard for the kids.

It can vary widely. Seems like most of the current new construction homes have tiny lots (like 6,000 sqft), but with corner and cul de sac lots you can get more space. I have seen other homes with 120,000 sqft lots or more. Some may have a small backyard, but back to open space. Our house has a 9,000 sqft lot, which is just fine for me. Compared to LA, the homes around here have spacious yards.

Originally Posted by rebagirl

Am also wondering about covenants--some people have suggested we stay away from communities that enforce them. It seems like a plus to me to not have a purple house with orange trim in the neighborhood!

LOL Remindes me of my sister painting pink polka dots on her house in Aurora because she was having an argument with a neighbor.

There hasn't been anything that we haven't been able to live with. I see them as helping keep property values up. Some people don't like them since you have to get approval from the HOA on paint colors, deck design and other things as well as not being able to store an RV on your property, having a shed, etc. You definitely won't find any pink polka dot houses

[2bindenver]

is a commute to work a consideration..is there a particular mountain area you want to be close to? There are dozens of ski resorts, and they are pretty spread out along the mountain ranges.

The west side of town is closer to the mountains than the east side, for obvious reasons. Colorado Springs is closer to the mountains than Denver. If you have a desire to live near to them consider south jefferson county, or roxborough or the west side of Littleton, or Highlands Ranch in the 80129 zip code. (Yes, a sub division with 3 zip codes.)

[rebagirl]

Oops--I thought you were referring to how close I want to be to my relatives. A two-hour drive to the mountains is not bad, but too far from family. I've visited Copper, Keystone, Breckenridge, Rocky Mountain National Park--all were nice, but I'm not a big skier. We like sledding with the kids, though.

[rebagirl]

Is there a reason why some of the schools start and end so late? I've noticed some schools begin as late as 9:10 and go until 4:00. The schools in my area generally go from 8:15 until 2:15, leaving time for homework and other after-school activities. Seems like an awfully long day for the kids--and the teachers. I've taught for over 15 years and the preparation alone takes at least two hours per day (particularly at the K or 1st grade levels).

[gpraceman]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

Is there a reason why some of the schools start and end so late? I've noticed some schools begin as late as 9:10 and go until 4:00. The schools in my area generally go from 8:15 until 2:15, leaving time for homework and other after-school activities. Seems like an awfully long day for the kids--and the teachers. I've taught for over 15 years and the preparation alone takes at least two hours per day (particularly at the K or 1st grade levels).

I think that may have to do with utilization of buses and maybe to reduce traffic congestion. Our daughter goes to school first (High School 7:20am-2:32pm), then our oldest son (Middle School 7:55am-3:07pm) and then finally our youngest son (Elementary 9:10am-4pm). There are other elementary schools in our area that seem to have about the same hours.

Having the longer school hours is probably more convenient to the parent's work schedules, but does make for a long day for the kids. At the K level, they do have half day schedules but I think many also have a full day option.

It would probably be good for you to try to contact some of the teachers and chat with them about the schools, hours, schedules, etc.

[2bindenver]

I concur with gp - High school at 7 to 2:30, middle school at 8 to 3 and elem. school at 9 to 4.

Cherry Creek schools recently adopted new school hours to suit the learning patterns of teenagers.

depending on where in Aurora you are going to; a half hour drive give or take ten minutes.