Moving to Denver in 2014 (Aurora, Thornton: house, neighborhoods, school districts)

[denverbound14]

Hello,
So my husband, my daughter and I are going to be moving to Denver after I graduate this December, most likely in Jan, Feb latest of next year. I'm not familiar with any area there. In fact, I've never been there. We need a change from NM but need to stay close to my husband's parents, so Colorado it is. I'll be applying for jobs at the major hospitals in Denver and Aurora so we want to stay somewhat close to those areas. Can anyone tell me the best areas to raise a family and settle down? My daughter is 4 and we love outdoor activities, parks, etc. I just want to know what better, safer suburbs of Denver where many young couples with children live. I've read that the areas to look at are more around the southern suburbs of Denver, but can anyone give me more specific info? I've also heard goo things about Loveland, Longmont, and Thornton. However, we have been commuting 45 min. each way to town 5-6 days a week for the past four years and don't want to be making such long commutes anymore. I've also been looking at Highlands, but have heard that it's cookie-cutter and boring. I know that similar threads have been started on the topic, but I'm hoping for the most recent information from people who live in Denver. Another big thing, we want to be within walking distance of shops and other places if possible, not having to drive everywhere we go.

[2bindenver]

You should plan a visit to explore the area yourself. There are hospitals all over, so focusing on one side of town when work could be opposite could spell trouble.

Job first, place to live second.

As a state we love our outdoors. Walkable and suburbs often are at odds too.

[davebarnes]

Highlands = 2 neighborhoods in northwest City & County of Denver. Highland and West Highland. Settled in the 1880s. http://highlands-square.com/ and http://www.denverhighland.org/

Highlands Ranch = a giant suburb of 70K people in Douglas County south of Denver. http://highlandsranch.org/

Everyone new to Denver gets these mixed up.

[davebarnes]

One of you gets a job.
Then the other one gets a job.
Now, you have 2 points on a map that can anchor your house search.
Give us those 2 addresses and your other desires and we will bring forth many (too many) suggestions.

[SkyDog77]

As Dave Said, Highlands Ranch is cookie cutter and boring. Highland/Highlands is an older, very hip neighborhood. Anything but cookie cutter.

Not sure where you are in NM, but the established older city neighborhoods are very nice in Denver. Suburban living is not where it's at unless you are in to that sort of thing.

The two things that we will need most in order to help you are budget and job location.

[MountainK]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Highlands = 2 neighborhoods in northwest City & County of Denver. Highland and West Highland. Settled in the 1880s. Highlands Square: The Heart of Northwest Denver. Shop the Independent Boutiques and Restaurants of the Highland Merchants Association and Highland United Neighbors, Inc. - Home

Highlands Ranch = a giant suburb of 70K people in Douglas County south of Denver. Highlands Ranch Metro District | Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Everyone new to Denver gets these mixed up.

Highlands Ranch population = 93,000 people.

[dig12345]

It depends on your budget and the age of your children. The Cherry Creek School system is nationally ranked and near 2 different hospitals. Tells us more about you so we can suggest more areas.

Thanks,

Ethan

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by dig12345

It depends on your budget and the age of your children. The Cherry Creek School system is nationally ranked and near 2 different hospitals. Tells us more about you so we can suggest more areas.

Thanks,

Ethan

There are no national rankings for school districts. There are some national rankings for high schools that are done by companies like US News and the Washington Post. Cherry Creek High School, which is only one high school in that district, is ranked #387 by US News.
Cherry Creek High School in GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | Best High Schools | US News

[mic111]

Highlands Ranch is a big development that has nice home, nice neighborhoods, great rec. centers and is a great place to raise a family. Highlands is gritty. If you like suburbs you will not like Highlands. I've tried to appreciate the area but just can't. It is too old and run down.

The Denver metro area has tons of nice suburbs with lots of walking opportunities on all sides of town. As others have said you will need the job locations to anchor your search.

[scrapper105]

Jobs first, then neighborhoods. Lots of neighborhoods in the Denver metro area will meet your criteria.