Tell me about Cross Creek (far East Aurora) (Denver: for sale, HOA) - Colorado (CO) - City-Data Forum

JJ.Johnson · 06-29-2012, 11:11 PM

The wife found a house in Cross Creek that she loves. It's close to work (Buckley) and I70/E470 but that's about all I know as I'm a recent transplant.

Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly. Especially need an honest opinion on the air traffic and community from someone that actually lives there.

Also I saw/read all the posts about Murphy creek already so please don't tell me about that place. It's a completely different subdivision.

Fire away.

vegaspilgrim · 06-29-2012, 11:22 PM

I don't think anybody on this forum lives in Cross Creek. I've looked at a model home there before. New homes, still under construction. It's pretty much what you see is what you get. It's on the far eastern side of the Denver metro area, but close to Buckley AFB, and pretty close to DIA as well. If you pay attention, you will likely hear some jet noise (actually, you'll hear jet noise anywhere in Aurora) but not to the point where I'd consider it an annoyance. Northern Aurora in general doesn't have a good reputation, however this is a new areas that's miles east of the questionable areas, I think the development is a pretty safe community. Just way "out there."

JJ.Johnson · 06-29-2012, 11:43 PM

Thanks for the reply. I was actually out there today and the (Cross Creek) neighborhood looked well kept but I only drove down 3 or 4 streets.

Also I noticed a sign for Vista Peak Campus. Looks like a new school. Preschool through High School?

Loekie · 07-02-2012, 02:28 PM

Vista Peak Campus just recently opened. It's meant as Preschool through High School, though I'm not sure all are open yet. Eventually they even expect some college there, but that may have been pie in the sky planning. There is plenty of space for it though. Cross Creek appears to be a friendly area to live, you can find all price ranges: from condo's around $100K to McMansions nearing $500K. You should also consider the two subdivisions just to the east of Cross Creek: Traditions and Adonea.

I live in the neighborhood just to the south of Cross Creek (Thunderbird Estates), so you can expect a similar commute I experience daily. Going to Buckley AFB is not a bad commute, neither is anything heading east on I-70; everyone appears to be going in the other direction. Currently there is some congestion on I-70 due to construction projects, but I'm hoping that will improve within 2-3 years. Any commute south is OK if you can afford the tollway (E-470), but in my experience a DTC commute from here will take years off your life. I-225 or Arapahoe Rd are awful connections to the DTC.

bluescreen73 · 07-02-2012, 03:12 PM

We looked at a house out there but ruled the neighborhood out due to the K-12 school experiment, and the fact that there is literally NO supporting infrastructure out there. The nearest grocery store is several miles away and I haven't a clue where the closest gas station is. There was also some discussion at one time last fall about fracking going on near the neighborhood.

JJ.Johnson · 07-02-2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loekie

Vista Peak Campus just recently opened. It's meant as Preschool through High School, though I'm not sure all are open yet. Eventually they even expect some college there, but that may have been pie in the sky planning. There is plenty of space for it though. Cross Creek appears to be a friendly area to live, you can find all price ranges: from condo's around $100K to McMansions nearing $500K. You should also consider the two subdivisions just to the east of Cross Creek: Traditions and Adonea.

I live in the neighborhood just to the south of Cross Creek (Thunderbird Estates), so you can expect a similar commute I experience daily. Going to Buckley AFB is not a bad commute, neither is anything heading east on I-70; everyone appears to be going in the other direction. Currently there is some congestion on I-70 due to construction projects, but I'm hoping that will improve within 2-3 years. Any commute south is OK if you can afford the tollway (E-470), but in my experience a DTC commute from here will take years off your life. I-225 or Arapahoe Rd are awful connections to the DTC.

Thanks for the info. We don't have kids, but it's nice that there's a new school. I really like Thunderbird Estates, doesn't seem to be anything on the market now though. Is it all HOA free?

How about the air noise? I found a complaints log for DIA on line and there was only 3 people in Aurora that called for the entire first quarter of the year. Seems like a non-issue.

Loekie · 07-02-2012, 03:45 PM

We have an HOA, but it's voluntary, if a home owner doesn't want to pay dues they dont have to (weird). For $100/year it's nothing in todays economy. The HOA most organizes hay rides and other neighborhood activities. The only rules it "enforces" are the rules set by the county (Arapahoe). If someone gets to crazy, they will talk to them in a friendly manner. If the owner ignores the talk and real enforcment is necessary, they just call the sherrif.

Nothing for sale in Thunderbird right now, but there are two homes for sale in Gun Club estates further to the south if I am not mistaken (Coolidge Street). One has been for sale for a really long time.

DIA bound planes do stray from the eastern approach and end up over de neighborhood occasionally, but usually they fly too high to be a real nuisance. I hear more noise from the occasional fighter jets on excersise at Buckley AFB, but I find those cool to watch.

As to lack of infrastructure, this used to be rural; when I moved here we had dirt roads, some people were on propane tanks. Every year something new is added. The nearest gas station is still 6-7 miles away, but they are building a new one at the corner of Murphy Creek. Nearby stores are in Aurora, also about 6-7 miles away but plans exist for a shopping area at E-470 and Jewel. It's just a matter of time before we're in the city. That will be time for me to look towards the Kansas border again. I like being rural.

JJ.Johnson · 07-02-2012, 03:52 PM

That's the kind of HOA I would love to live in/support. If you have any more info on those Gun Club estate properties please PM me.

Good to hear about the planes! We've been out there several times and have noticed a jet yet.

JJ.Johnson · 07-02-2012, 03:58 PM

I found the homes you mentioned. Thanks!

JJ.Johnson · 08-18-2013, 09:53 PM

Just an update. We moved to Cross Creek and love it out here. Very quiet and relaxing. No way we would have found this nice of a house or neighborhood at this price anywhere else in Aurora IMO. Buckley AFB main gate is literally 10-11 mins from our driveway. All our neighbors are great. The gas station/ convenience/liquor store opened at Gun Club & 6th about 5 mins away. E470 we don't use often, but when we do it is so nice as there's little traffic. Awesome value if you work in the area (DIA, Buckley, University Hospital).