Has anyone moved from California to the Castle Rock area? How do you like it? Any suggestions for a safe family city? (Denver: houses, employment)

[purselady]

I lived in CR a few years ago and hated it. It just felt like I lived in the middle of nowhere. 25 min drive to the nearest Whole Foods (Highlands Ranch), no fine dining or decent bars, no nice trails. They also get more snow, hail, and wind than the more Northern South Suburbs.

[SierraDog]

FormerCalifornian , what is the name of the community where you ended up?

[formercalifornian]

Originally Posted by SierraDog

FormerCalifornian , what is the name of the community where you ended up?

Responded by DM.

[RedSoxFanGoingWest]

Originally Posted by purselady

I lived in CR a few years ago and hated it. It just felt like I lived in the middle of nowhere. 25 min drive to the nearest Whole Foods (Highlands Ranch), no fine dining or decent bars, no nice trails. They also get more snow, hail, and wind than the more Northern South Suburbs.

Other than the drive to Whole Foods (which I don't frequent) and the snow comments, I totally disagree.

There are a good number of very nice restaurants in Castle Rock that my wife and I frequent - probably too much! Yes, there aren't really any bars but it is a family-oriented community. Why would one move to the 'burbs for that kind of nightlife?

There are plenty of biking and walking trails in town and in the various neighborhoods.

We get more snow as we are 1000+ feet higher than Denver and the other southern suburbs.

[b.adams]

Castle Rock has a Sprouts now ... and a couple King Soopers and a Safeway. If you like the big city you won't love Castle Rock. If you want to feel like you live in a small town, while having fairly close access to the big town (Denver), then Castle Rock is #1.

[RockChalk528808]

Originally Posted by RedSoxFanGoingWest

Other than the drive to Whole Foods (which I don't frequent) and the snow comments, I totally disagree.

There are a good number of very nice restaurants in Castle Rock that my wife and I frequent - probably too much! Yes, there aren't really any bars but it is a family-oriented community. Why would one move to the 'burbs for that kind of nightlife?

There are plenty of biking and walking trails in town and in the various neighborhoods.

We get more snow as we are 1000+ feet higher than Denver and the other southern suburbs.

Exactly....as a former Castle Rock resident I miss it everyday. By far the best city my family has ever lived in.

[josiedey2009]

Hi formercalifornian,
Your description of the perfect place to call home is exactly what I've been searching for in Colorado. Please share with me where you live because I'd like to check it out. South of the Tech Center is "Centennial" or somewhere on Arapahoe? I currently live in Stapleton but I am searching for a neighborhood where the schools are not so overcrowded and the CSAP scores are much higher. Curiously the folks here, although nice, don't go out of their way to socialize so even though I live within thousands of homes we haven't met many other families unfortunately. And once you drive out of the perimeter of the subdivision the area deteriorates immediately. There were 24 car break-ins a couple of days ago from vandals roaming the neighborhood at night. What I do like about Stapleton is that everyone is out and about running, biking and playing with the kids in the many public parks after work and school. I wonder though, what this will turn into as all of the kids here are under 5 years old when they all turn 15?!

[formercalifornian]

I responded by DM with details about my neighborhood. Sorry to hear about your situation. We briefly considered Stapleton when we came to Denver, but my spouse and I were concerned about many of the issues you've described.

We have been very happy here in Centennial, but I would like to point out that a big part of the reason this neighborhood works for us is that my spouse's job is within walking distance. I wouldn't have found this place nearly as appealing if it had required a long commute.

When looking for a house, we always recommend to friends that they start with their employer and work out from there. For us, a short commute makes for a very happy life, and by short, I mean less than five minutes.

[dnahawkins]

I love the small town feel of Castle Rock and being able to bike downtown from almost every subdivision in town. Lots of biking/hiking trails. Plenty of convenient shopping without having to drive in heavy traffic.

[christianguitarist27]

formercalifornian, can you tell me the place where you ended up too? I tried sending you a direct message. I am researching the Colorado area- looking for a very nice Family Friendly place for my Family & I. Thank you very much, I would really appreciate it.