Ikea coming to Centennial. Questions about the area. (Denver, Littleton: homeowners association, budget)

[Jake Gittes]

Everyplace I've been...we've had one high school. So when someone says "Cherry Creek High School", I was under the impression that the entirety of Cherry Creek School District fed into that high school.

[TexaCo Mom]

CCSD has 7 area high schools. High Schools Directory - CCSD

[CinciSux09]

funny to see this thread because you are from the same IKEA store as my GF. It also must be destiny because me and my GF have been looking to move and were considering Tampa or Somerville, but were going to wait in case they opened one in Denver.

I got a call this morning after you guys found out and me and the GF were very excited and laughed! Heres hoping to everything working out for the both of us!

Also in my quick research I am liking Highlands Ranch or Littleton area. We will be getting an apartment/TH though and have no kids.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Jake Gittes

Everyplace I've been...we've had one high school. So when someone says "Cherry Creek High School", I was under the impression that the entirety of Cherry Creek School District fed into that high school.

Yes, the districts here are large. Boulder Valley has about 7 "comprehensive" high schools and a few charter and "alternative" high schools as well.

BTW, four of those high schools are on the 5280 list: Boulder High (Boulder), Fairview High (Boulder), Monarch High (Louisville), and Peak to Peak Charter School (Lafayette). Just a little bragging, though I don't think much of any of those lists. And it would not be a good idea for someone working in Centennial to live in Boulder County, anyway.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by CinciSux09

funny to see this thread because you are from the same IKEA store as my GF. It also must be destiny because me and my GF have been looking to move and were considering Tampa or Somerville, but were going to wait in case they opened one in Denver.

I got a call this morning after you guys found out and me and the GF were very excited and laughed! Heres hoping to everything working out for the both of us!

Also in my quick research I am liking Highlands Ranch or Littleton area. We will be getting an apartment/TH though and have no kids.

Hope it works out for you Ikea types, you're gonna love Colorado. Be sure to use the index of threads to find lots of knowledge on schools, climate and much more. Littleton has some RTD stops, be sure to check that out, there is a nice "old-town Littleton" with an RTD stop that could be a real gas-saver for going downtown to all those attractions and stadiums.

[SheridanL]

Not that it matters but, IKEA has round beds......I've always wanted one of those!!!!
My oldest son went to Smoky Hill HS. He was also in the IB program...I'd say it is a fine CC school. I spent 2 weekends ago driving thru (didn't recognize Smoky Hill Road past Gun Club!!) And, I was a school bus driver for 6 years there!!!!!!!!!!
I think there must be neighborhoods in SE where you could find a home for 300K. I'd just google that area and see what comes up!
Good Luck!!

[2bindenver]

Mike, Downtown Littleton is on the SW side. The opposite side of the light rail system from the new proposed location on County Line- Stay to the SE part of town - you can still take light rail downtown!

[MrCaddy]

I just visited the area. I really liked the southlands mall area (cool mall!) of SE Aurora (CCSD), like Beacon point, Southshore, and Tallyns Reach. They have some new homes with some really good incentives right now. I also liked HR, Lone Tree, and Parker areas.

but you want to my favorite area so far? Castle Pines.

Everybody has there own preferences.

[BillRadio]

Jake,
All of the attributes of schools that you mention come at a price. The neighborhoods with the greatest number of afflulent homeowners, and the people who demand, and can pay for these features, are mostly in the Cherry Creek School District, and then Littleton Schools. The homeowners who live in more 'modest' homes but still in these districts, benefit from sharing expenses with their "richer" neighbors, and that means better pay and able to attract better teachers and coaches...and more diverse special programs.

Find the most expensive homes, and you will find them located in the best-supported school districts. Parts of South Aurora are light years ahead of their northern Aurora neighbors due to the difference in the funding of their differing school districts.

Of course, exceptions exist. In Denver, there is a handful of schools who outperform all the other Denver schools, not because they get more money, but the parents either have the time or the money to support their school better than the others. One school (Slavens) benefitted from landing just one or two extrordinary administrators, and have been among the top schools.

Centennial is served by Littleton and Cherry Creek Schools. On average they are higher caliber and have a greater number of programs available. You need not concern yourself between them...choose the best neighborhood. The area just to the west of the new Ikea plant is very desirable, my favorite being just north of S. Suburban golf course. You get a lot for the price there.

The light rail would allow good access to downtown and professional sports, but you could not travel east and west through Centennial on it. You would benefit by living elsewhere and commuting to Ikea.

Originally Posted by Jake Gittes

We need to live close to Centennial. I'm reading about Cherry Creek, Littleton, and Douglas. What am I overlooking?

[BillRadio]

JAke,
That is partially true. The nearest high school to me is Grandview High School, a Cherry Creek School. However, a large number the kids in our neighborhood chose to opt-out ("school of choice") and instead attend THE Cherry Creek High School. It's that much better. None of them regretted that decision, even though their parents didn't like having to drive them over.

Over the years, Grandview HS, and the newer and nearby Cherokee HS have improved their reputation to the point where younger kids looking at HS next year, don't feel there is as much difference.

Originally Posted by Jake Gittes

Everyplace I've been...we've had one high school. So when someone says "Cherry Creek High School", I was under the impression that the entirety of Cherry Creek School District fed into that high school.