Castle Rock/Parker/Northglenn (Denver, Colorado Springs: houses, established neighborhood, schools)

[ncbjab]

My Husband and I have been looking at relocating to Castle Rock, Parker or Northglenn. We really liked Castle Rock and Parker but, the commute to where we could work would be horrible. We have never visited Northglenn. Could you tell me about it?? Is it as nice and Castle Rock and Parker to raise kids? Thank you for your input.

[2bindenver]

Where do you think work will be, and what do you find attractive about Parker & Castle Rock?

[tfox]

Originally Posted by ncbjab

My Husband and I have been looking at relocating to Castle Rock, Parker or Northglenn. We really liked Castle Rock and Parker but, the commute to where we could work would be horrible. We have never visited Northglenn. Could you tell me about it?? Is it as nice and Castle Rock and Parker to raise kids? Thank you for your input.

Northglenn proper was mostly built out in the 70s or earlier, so unlike Parker (especially) there's more older homes and established neighborhoods there. It's geographically constrained and isn't growing outward any longer, unlike its neighbors. You do see the newer subdivisions further out in Thornton, though. I'm not sure if you're referring to Northglenn itself or just generically to the north metro.

The north metro tends to be a lot more blue collar and working class than the south metro. Schools would unfortunately not be considered as good up there than in Castle Rock or Parker.

[ncbjab]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Where do you think work will be, and what do you find attractive about Parker & Castle Rock?

I visited Castle Rock and Parker in Nov 05 and the feel of both places were great. People were very nice, and I know that the schools are great. The reason I started to look in North Glenn was because the housing is cheaper.

I seem to like houses built in the late 80's. I see some in Castle Rock but, I don't know if the areas they are in are good. When we were there we only looked in the Meadows and Founders villege.

I don't know where work would be. I'm considering opening a business there in Castle Rock and my husband works for a water well drilling company here.

Any feedback would be appreciated. I have young kids so they are most important. Is Northglenn safe? Or is Castle Rock and Parker best for kids?

Thanks

[tfox]

There's an interesting article in Westword recently about Northglenn.
http://www.westword.com/2006-11-30/n...ange-of-plans/

That might give you the feel of that area.

[ncbjab]

I seem to like houses built in the late 80's. I see some in Castle Rock but, I don't know if the areas they are in are good. When we were there we only looked in the Meadows and Founders villege.
Feed back...

[tfox]

You have to remember in the 80s that Castle Rock was a very small town, a mere wide spot in the road on the way to Colorado Springs from Denver. Parker was an even smaller town at that time, very far from the highway. Neither would have been considered part of the metro area and few if any people would ever dream about commuting to Denver from there -- it was thought of as impossibly far out. So, the end result is that there just weren't a lot of houses or anything else in those towns in the 80s.

At that time, Arapahoe Road was thought of as the far reaches of the metro area, and that's where a lot of the new growth subdivisions were being built. So, if you like houses and community of that era, you'll probably find a number of them there (in the current day city of Centennial).

[ncbjab]

So, are there any "bad" parts of Castle Rock or Parker????

[2bindenver]

I guess you have to define "bad"

[ncbjab]

Bad meaning unsafe to walk at night. Ghetto. Neighborhoods that aren't taken care of. Gang or tagging activity.