Good areas near Aurora? (Denver, Highlands Ranch: homes, neighborhoods, best school)

[misssunshinegirl]

Hi ~ we are thinking about relocating from Southern Cal. My husband will be working in Aurora.

We have 4 young children who will be in grades K-7th. We are very interested in good schools and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Where should we be looking? A 30 minute or so commute would be the furthest we would want to be from Aurora.

Thank you!

[bhcompy]

im from socal myself and the area that had my interest first was Highlands Ranch. We've settled on Parker after some searching. Both areas are fairly close to Aurora and provide similar upscale suburban feel that you get in areas of so cal while still giving you the more relaxed feel that Colorado/Denver seems to have. They are both in Douglas County, which has a good school system on the whole, and we've been very happy with what we've seen and heard about the schools in the those cities.

[tfox]

Where in Aurora? Aurora is about 20+ miles north to south, so that's a big range.

[misssunshinegirl]

The address is 16800 E. CentreTech Parkway. It's Raytheon.

I hope this helps...that's all we know, sorry!

[Riverside to Centennial]

I would recommend Piney Creek or The Hills at Piney Creek just off Orchard and Buckley (Arapahoe east to Parker). The homes are large (2000 to 4000 square feet) and can range from the high $200k's upwards of $800k. Both associations contain large lots (7k to 10k is common) and community pools and tennis courts. You would be 15-20 minutes from the DTC depending on where in the tech center you are going, you would be within walking distance (20 minute walk) to Cherry Creek State Park (miles of trails and a large lake) and the new Trails Rec. Center (has an awesome children's indoor water park), about a 10 minute drive to the new Southlands outdoor shopping mall (we love this place...every imaginable amenity you could think of!) and you would be within the Cherry Creek School District (one of the top disctricts in the state and nation). Also, you would be about 25 minutes from DIA (good for incoming family and friends!) and about a 25-30 minute light rail ride into downtown Denver from the Parker/225 station.

[Riverside to Centennial]

Originally Posted by misssunshinegirl

The address is 16800 E. CentreTech Parkway.

Piney Creek (in Centennial) would be about 15 minutes South from the above address. Plus, you'd be in Centennial instead of Aurora . Airport Blvd. turns into Buckley as you travel South. The community that I am speaking of is near the intersection of Orchard and Buckley. I would recommend driving through the area if/when you visit. We love it!

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by Riverside to Centennial

and you would be within the Cherry Creek School District (one of the top disctricts in the state and nation).

thats what we were told but a little research on test scores and such showed that only certain areas of the cherry creek district really was "top" quality, while the areas in my price range(under 225k$) were just as average as brighton and other areas in the same price range.

basically, do your homework first on any area. cherry creek has open enrollment from what ive seen, but there is a limited period for that(and we missed ours already this year, so that changed our search around) and not every school is as great as the reputation suggests

[vegaspilgrim]

The southeast part of Aurora.

[Riverside to Centennial]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

only certain areas of the cherry creek district really was "top" quality

Actually all of the schools within the CCSD are above the national "averages" in regards to test scores/graduation rate, etc.. I never mentioned "top notch"...just one of the top districts; however, I was speaking specifically of the schools related to the area that I was describing (Piney Creek; The Hills at Piney Creek). These schools (especially Smoky Hill High with its' IB program and the newer Grandview High (state of the art facility) are towards the top of the district looking at test scores, etc.).

We looked into schools in Littleton and west Centennial and we were much more pleased with the CCSD. We have recently come to another conclusion. Test scores and raw stats do not tell the whole story. Look at how many "Colorado Teacher of the Year" awards have been granted to CCSD teachers versus other adjacent districts over the years. There is a reason why it is tough to get a "licensed" position within the district. They only hire the best/most qualified teachers and support staff. We have first hand experience with this...

[tfox]

Cherry Creek School District may or may not bet the best school district in the metro area, but by all accounts it is one of the better ones, and infinitely better than Aurora Public Schools, which is the local school district for where your job is located. Despite the name, much of southern Aurora is actually in Cherry Creek Schools and not Aurora Public Schools. Get out a map and check the boundaries of Cherry Creek District, but really anywhere within the Cherry Creek School District is likely going to meet your requirements as far as safety and desirability goes. Aurora does have some bad neighborhoods, but few if any of them are in the Cherry Creek School District part of Aurora.