School choice and picking a county to live in (Denver: rent, home)

[davidv]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Douglas County voters are notoriously, uh, "frugal".

If Douglas County voters are "frugal," that would make Ebeneezer Scrooge a "philanthropist."

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by davidv

If Douglas County voters are "frugal," that would make Ebeneezer Scrooge a "philanthropist."

LOL! He became one later, at the end of the story! Maybe DC will have a similar ephiphany.

[azcater]

I don't know about downplaying the quality of schools as opposed to Balitmore.. there are some that deserve their ratings for sure. The school budget crisis is a huge one and one that has us thinking we may need to start saving for private education if things don't start stabilizing or improving. They are cutting programs, staff, increasing class sizes.. it's a tough situation.

[ex-Denver1990]

To the OP, I plan to move my family to Denver in the future and have a child the same age as yours. I have settled on Stapleton and the schools are a large part of it. You have three good elementary schools and DSST (rated better than the Cherry Creek schools) is an option beginning in middle school. There will a new high school opened in the next 5 years. In terms of choices and backup options in case you don't get your top choice, Stapleton is hard to beat (75% of DSST spots are reserved for Stapleton residents).

Of course, Stapleton doesn't have horses. Perhaps you should consider a reverse commute. Live in Stapleton and commute to Parker to ride.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Colorado state law allows anyone to apply for OE at any school in any district. Districts are permitted to set their own priorities for OE.

Correct.

I recall the Denver Post doing a study on inter-district enrollment (fairly recently, might even be here somewhere on the forum ), and the amount of kids Douglas County SD took in from DPS boundaries was staggering!!!

[Fergs]

Originally Posted by ex-Denver1990

Of course, Stapleton doesn't have horses. Perhaps you should consider a reverse commute. Live in Stapleton and commute to Parker to ride.

I'm doing that now! Stapleton has some great attributes, but it's not for us. The home prices here are high for what you get, and we would like our kids to appreciate the outdoors without making a concerted effort to get to it. I am over the "urban" lifestyle and living in close proximity to crime, and the last time I have to step foot in that King Soopers cannot come soon enough!

For us, it is a dream to be able to have our horses at home and stop paying someone else's mortgage with that monthly board check.

In digging further, I see that in Douglas County there are lots of properties in our price range and near higher-performing schools; we will just need to be stricter about location than I had assumed before knowing much about school choice.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by Fergs

I'm not too worried about "isolating" my kids by living outside an urban area. Having grown up on a farm in rural Virginia, I can say from first-hand experience that I never lacked a social life! Besides, Parker seems positively urban compared to where I grew up.

Originally Posted by Fergs

I'm doing that now! Stapleton has some great attributes, but it's not for us. The home prices here are high for what you get, and we would like our kids to appreciate the outdoors without making a concerted effort to get to it.

The problem is this eastern Douglas County/ western Elbert County area you're considering is NOT a true rural area. Your kids won't be growing up on a farm. There's no quiet country roads they'll be walking along meeting other kids to play with. They'll be stuck on your little property with nothing to do, nowhere to go unless if you take them places. It's really an "exurban" area full of commuters who all have the same idea of getting away from the city, who bring their urban values with them. A lot of fast, aggressive drivers on those two-lane roads who will ride your bumper for miles. Very little (if any) public land and trails-- it's all sectioned off into little fenced off parcels (big by city standards, but tiny compared to a true rural area).

I know of some true rural, beautiful areas in Elbert County, but they're miles east of where you're looking-- WAY the heck out there in the middle of nowhere somewhere in between Kiowa, Byers, and Deer Trail (see my photos here: Elbert County - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52668954@N08/sets/72157624629744216/ - broken link))-- where it could be over half an hour from the nearest school or store (and impassible in a snow storm), and an hour and a half commute from Denver.

For best access to nature while being close to Denver, Jefferson County, living somewhere in or near the foothills would be better.

OK, I'm done with my rant.... just don't say ol' vegas didn't tell ya!

[Count David]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

(see my photos here: Elbert County - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52668954@N08/sets/72157624629744216/ - broken link))

so weird that there's trees out there.

[Fergs]

Vegaspilgrim, I take it you aren't a horse person?

[mic111]

Fergs,

Not to throw a wrench in things but have you considered Broomfield horse properties? I believe the Broomfield schools are pretty highly rated but you need to do your own research to be sure. The benefit of the Broomfield horse properties is that you literally are still in town (can walk to dinner and a movie). Very close to everything but get a rural environment with lots of your neighbors keeping animals of all sorts.

Here are some listings.
1981 W 149th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80023 MLS# 1063357 - Zillow

15131 Lipan St, Broomfield, CO 80023 MLS# 1058420 - Zillow

15325 Lipan St, Broomfield, CO 80023 MLS# 1032073 - Zillow

Here is one to rent if you want to try it out first and wait for your perfect home to come on the market.
2751 W 144th Ct, Broomfield, CO 80023 - Zillow

There are also lots available if you want to build.