What's it like living in Castle Rock? (Denver, Mead: real estate, crime rates) - Colorado (CO) - City-Data Forum

summer33ny · 01-28-2011, 10:05 PM

My husband and I live in the Springs. I work in South Denver and he works in Calhan. The Springs is really growing on us--but my commute is a bit rough. We're considering a move to Castle Rock which would be a good spot for both our commutes. When I pass Castle Rock on I-25 I don't see very much over there except for the outlets. How is it living there? Is it completely boring? Is there a downtown area???...

Count David · 01-28-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summer33ny

My husband and I live in the Springs. I work in South Denver and he works in Calhan. The Springs is really growing on us--but my commute is a bit rough. We're considering a move to Castle Rock which would be a good spot for both our commutes. When I pass Castle Rock on I-25 I don't see very much over there except for the outlets. How is it living there? Is it completely boring? Is there a downtown area???...

I've never lived there, but I'd imagine it's like living in a suburb with a very pretty setting.

Boring is in the eye of the beholder. I'd be pretty bored with the man-made aesthetics myself, but that's just me (I don't like places like that, generally. Again, just me).

The downtown area is teeny-tiny and you have to go looking for it to find it. I'll bet there are plenty of people that don't even know it's there.

EscapeCalifornia · 01-29-2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I've never lived there, but I'd imagine it's like living in a suburb with a very pretty setting.

Boring is in the eye of the beholder. I'd be pretty bored with the man-made aesthetics myself, but that's just me (I don't like places like that, generally. Again, just me).

The downtown area is teeny-tiny and you have to go looking for it to find it. I'll bet there are plenty of people that don't even know it's there.

But the good news is that its close enough to the south metro that its not like being isolated in the middle of nowhere as long as you're willing to drive a little.

Count David · 01-29-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

But the good news is that its close enough to the south metro that its not like being isolated in the middle of nowhere as long as you're willing to drive a little.

That's right.

The trip into the DTC can suck, but there are far worse commutes. The trip from there to the Springs however can get dicey over Monument Hill (I'm sure the OP already knows that though).

formercalifornian · 01-29-2011, 06:31 AM

Neighborhoods up on the eastern ridge can easily add another 10-15 minutes to each leg of your commute and even more in the winter. The Meadows area has better access to the highway.

As for the lifestyle, search the archives. There are lots of great threads about CR.

straw71 · 02-25-2011, 02:30 PM

lived in caste rock for a very short time (had to move away unfortunately ) absolutely loved it !!!
there is a great little downtown area, a lot of small shops with very friendly people. There are a lot of great restaurants, a lot of shopping other than just the outlet mall... a lot of nice neighborhoods, and the fairgrounds that always has a lot of activities going on.... wishing I was still living there
oh and I found it easy driving into denver etc

tanialr78 · 02-26-2011, 12:37 AM

@straw71: We just moved to Castle Rock from IL and I love Castle Rock & Colorado - but what I am realizing is I HATE the cold & snow and while CO winters are WAY better than IL - I do not enjoy the long winter months no matter what state I am in!...and I am also realizing that I am missing my family which are either in IL or my parents in Florida....So after only a year of living here here we are considering moving to the FL Orlando area - I noticed you are in FL - where abouts are you and why do you wish you were back in CO?
ps- we were in construction business in IL and at 35 my hubby took new career in the online college business....how is that industry in FL?

straw71 · 02-27-2011, 01:06 PM

to tanialr78
i am in Lakeland, its about 45 min from orlando.
I loved the seasons in Colorado , in florida you only really have one season and that is hot. the crime is so much lower in Castle Rock, way lower than Lakeland, and extremely lower than Orlando; Orlando by the way has some of the highest crime rates around.
the school system in Colorado is better than Florida schools.
I didnt mind the snow in Castle Rock, because most days when the sun came out the snow would melt, unless it was in a shaded area...oh yes and the people are way friendlier i Castle Rock , than here in Lakeland, or Orlando for that matter.... and Orlando is very high priced.
I do believe construction is still very slow in Florida right now , there is a lot of road work going on, but no so much construction right now, Imo I would try to get used to the winters and stay put, I would give anything to be back in Castle Rock right now !!

b.adams · 05-16-2011, 01:31 PM

straw was spot on in his comment of Castle Rock

its a great place to live, but you do get about 1-2 extra weeks of possible snow each year and at 1000+' higher, its a few degrees cooler.

in the summer, it almost never hits 100. On a 103 degree day in denver, its absolutely delightful in CR at around 95 tops.

The wind is a bit more at times also.

But the town is small, quaint, people nice, schools good ... and you see people you know all the time ... and that makes it really feel like HOME !

This last winter, I shoveled twice. Some years you shovel more.

And for the claims of no water supply ... CR has a great system (for now) and is a partner in the new Hess reservoir which is the water for the future and renewable. Water is more expensive than in other areas, but the town is so much nicer and the real estate much more reasonable.