Highlands Ranch or Ken Caryl? (Denver, Littleton: buying a house, neighborhood, buying)

[Kibbiekat]

My husband is starting a job in Littleton soon and we are looking for a place to live. We are a 30 something couple with 2 small children, and are considering buying a house in the Ken Caryl Ranch area or Highlands Ranch. What are the pros and cons of each? Do both areas have good schools?

[gpraceman]

Ken Caryl is a nice area. It feels a little remote, but isn't, since it is tucked into the foothills. HR is a very nice master planned community, so you have most everything (shopping, churches, schools, 4 rec centers, parks, open space, trails, etc.) within close reach. HR is mainly newer homes (HR just celebrated its 25 yr anniversary). I think in Ken Caryl you will mainly find older homes, but I could be wrong.

I believe Ken Caryl has good schools, but is in the JeffCo School District. Douglas County schools are excellent overall.

[TinajaCo]

Both are great options of places to live. Both have good schools and are family-friendly. In Highlands Ranch, you generally have easier access to shopping and other amenities, have easier access to light rail and other public transportation, and have more of an organized community (ie rec centers and the like). Ken Caryl gives you a more secluded feeling, since you're separated from the rest of Denver by a foothill, but you still have easy access to C-470 there. You also have hiking and other mountain-related activities right in your backyard (literally, for some of the homes). But you also have to deal with more "wildlife" there, in the forms of snakes, coyotes, etc (which are not as prevalent in Highlands Ranch).

[jamellan]

Great question!!! We are looking at the same 2 areas & really need all of the insite we can get!!!!!

[2bindenver]

They are both execellent areas and I don't think you could go wrong either way.

The best thing to do is go explore both, as far as what is important to you. Shopping, schools (call the principals) place of worship, commute, activities, housing....

KC has two rec centers with pools and an equestrian center. HR has 4 rec centers, plus tennis courts, and a boatload of activities planned daily.

What is important to you will help you pick what is best for you and your family.

[Kibbiekat]

thank you all for the information. The part of Ken Caryl that is in our price range is the neighborhood near Kipling and KC ave. with the big red ranch house community center. Does that change anyone's opinion?

[winglady]

The area of Ken Caryl you're looking at is within a few blocks of where we lived for about 7 years. We really liked the neighborhood. The greenbelts are very nice for taking walks or riding bikes. Good area!