Visiting Parker, about to move there, what to see in 2 days? (Denver: sales, real estate)

[hogfan777]

Well, we've finally made our decision to move out west like we've always wanted and we've settled on Parker based on a job my husband will be taking in Denver. We've never been out there and have made our decision strictly based on internet research! LOL. From what I've read, Parker seems to be a great place for young families. We're 30 and we have 2 boys, ages 3 and 5. We love the outdoors and have made a hobby of visiting state and national parks and we're just getting into tent and cabin camping. We're Presbyterian and Republican and we love the cooler weather (coming from hot and sticky Arkansas) and are looking for a nice safe place to raise our boys. Soooo....we're coming out there next weekend. We will only be in Parker for 2 days and we need to absorb as much as we possibly can in that time. We'll be here for a Sunday and a Monday. Aside from talking to a realtor about some rental homes and possibly visiting some of the elementary schools, what do you recommend we try to see and do while we're out here to help us make the decision to make Parker our next home town? Are there any must-see parks, restaurants, shops, parts of town, museums, festivals, exhibits, etc.? Any help at all would be great!

Thanks!

[TeamFoster]

There is a museum in Parker called the Wildlife Museum I hear it's pretty good. You might want to check out Red Rocks Ampitheater if you are interested in geological formations. It's over on the west side of Denver in the foot hills. Elitches is still open due to good weather. That might change though. Here is a link of other things to do. Denver has many museums and attractions. Littleton has a historical museum.

Denver Family Travel Guide | Away.com

[bhcompy]

parker has a quaint downtown and cherry creek state park is nearby and has lots of activities to check out.

[hogfan777]

Thanks for the great info! I think we'll also check out the rec center and the field house. Also, the houses here are much different than yours. We live in a one story 3200 sqft brick house on a 1 acre lot inside a subdivision. I can see by looking at the houses online that your houses and subdivisions are closer together, and your houses are long and tall, not wide. NO ONE here has basements, so this will be different! LOL Also, a house like ours is about $275,000 here and only 8 years old. Seems like our house out there would be closer to $375,000 or $400,000. Which subdivisions do you recommend that won't feel like rowhouses? I hearThe Pinery is good?

[DenverR.E.Helper]

Hi there,

Well you are all in for a treat. Your family will totally love living in Colorado and especially the Parker area. We have a great climate and you will be very impressed with the Douglas County School system. People are very friendly - especially in the Parker neighborhoods.

Here are some of the neighborhoods that have homes in your price range:
Bradbury Ranch
Canterburry Village
Clark Farms
Hidden River
Parker Hylands
Parker Vista
Pinery
Ponderosa Hills
Rampart Station
Rowley Downs
Stonegate
Stroh Ranch
Spring Vista
Villages of Parker
Willow Park
Willow Ridge

I'll bet you will have a great weekend in town. You might also want to check out Castlewood Canyon State Park on a future visit. It is just south west of the town of Franktown. It is a great place for an easy hike and picnic. The lower elevation of the park allows even winter time enjoyment with only tennis shoes or hiking boots.

Best of luck to you with you move,

Bill

[Charles]

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Castlewood Canyon State Park Home - Colorado State Parks

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by hogfan777

Thanks for the great info! I think we'll also check out the rec center and the field house. Also, the houses here are much different than yours. We live in a one story 3200 sqft brick house on a 1 acre lot inside a subdivision. I can see by looking at the houses online that your houses and subdivisions are closer together, and your houses are long and tall, not wide. NO ONE here has basements, so this will be different! LOL Also, a house like ours is about $275,000 here and only 8 years old. Seems like our house out there would be closer to $375,000 or $400,000. Which subdivisions do you recommend that won't feel like rowhouses? I hearThe Pinery is good?

The Pinery for sure, though some of the lots aren't that big, just a lot of interesting houses and the setting is great. If you want big lots, though some of the houses would be similar, you can look in Pradera. Very pricey though(million plus i believe). Pinery Glen is the smaller lots(3000-6000sqft I guess?) and maybe a halfdozen to a dozen different type of houses. Prices there are in the 200s and 300s.

[eebadeeba]

I know this is late and you have already been. I just moved from Parker to Chicago, and am just missing it right now. I hope you enjoyed your visit. Downtown should be looking better now after the road construction. I have lived in Stonegate, some townhomes near the rec center, condos near downtown and most recently and my favorite, Rowley Downs. I really like Rowley Downs because of the larger lots, and more open space, bigger trees. Some of the houses are older there and it was not all built at the same time. It is also a 10 minute walk to downtown. Good luck with your move.

[steveindenver]

Live in Parker and work in Denver. I hope you don't mean work in downtown Denver. If so I hope you don't expect to see much of your husband, otherwise you have settled on one of the few remaining areas around Denver that might have some republicans if that is a requirement ... odd as it seems for a requirement.

Regarding real estate in that area, given the massive drop in prices and number of sales year over year (12 percent and 23 percent); if you are dead set on living there you would likely do well to rent for a while as prices in such areas are only going down for the forseeable future.