Exploratory Mission to Denver - Before the Big Move (Colorado Springs: real estate, renting)

[guyatwork37]

So my wife and I have been talking about moving to Denver for years and years and with the growth of our family, we're ready to make the move! Our timeline right now is sometime between March and May of 2016 depending on when here maternity leave benefits go until and when we can sell our current home and find a new place to live. We spent a week in Denver in 2010 and I find myself going to Denver for week 2 to 3 times a year. We both loved it when we were here together and I have only fallen more in love with the city with each visit. Suffice it to say, we're pretty set on making the move.

So, this weekend, my wife, our son, and I will be renting a home in Highlands Ranch (our preferred neighborhood at the moment) and will be meeting with a real estate agent to discuss different suburbs, school districts, etc. I'd done extensive research on the southern suburbs, have spent countless hours just driving around making myself familiar with the area, and have many threads on this forum over the years in an effort to arm myself with information. So what am I not thinking of?

Internet research, free time during business trips, and some vacation time feel inadequate to really get a feel for an area. I would like to spend time this weekend to really get a fee for the cities are are interested in, which are:

South Suburbs
Highlands Ranch
Lone Tree
Littleton
Centennial
Ken Caryl

North Suburbs
Broomfield
Arvada

So as folks that have lived here, what do you think is the best way to get a sense of living in these areas over a 4 day period starting Friday, ending Monday? In my mind I picture things like doing some grocery shopping, farmer's market, driving to the zoo and back, etc. which would mimic what our weekends would be like in a fully settled in situation. But anything else someone can think of, ideas on what to do, things to consider would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to any responses you provide!

[Claire S.]

Hang out at a neighborhood park, go to a neighborhood pool, eat at local independent restaurant, grab drinks at the neighborhood brewery.

[bluescreen73]

Add a trip to the mountains to get a feel for weekend traffic up there. Mount Evans road is finally open so fill up the Family Truckster, plunk down the $10 fee, and take in the view from 14,271'. Bring jeans and a jacket, though, because it'll probably be 40 degrees cooler up there than it is down here.

[guyatwork37]

Originally Posted by Claire S.

Hang out at a neighborhood park, go to a neighborhood pool, eat at local independent restaurant, grab drinks at the neighborhood brewery.

Am I allowed to use the pools in Highlands Ranch if I'm not a resident? Those are all great ideas, thanks!

[guyatwork37]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Add a trip to the mountains to get a feel for weekend traffic up there. Mount Evans road is finally open so fill up the Family Truckster, plunk down the $10 fee, and take in the view from 14,271'. Bring jeans and a jacket, though, because it'll probably be 40 degrees cooler up there than it is down here.

Sounds like a great idea, thanks!

On a side note, is it worth going down to Colorado Springs for anything other than Pike's Peak?

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by guyatwork37

Sounds like a great idea, thanks!

On a side note, is it worth going down to Colorado Springs for anything other than Pike's Peak?

IMHO if you're only gonna be in Denver for 3-4 days and are trying to get a feel for what it's like up here I'd skip the Springs until you move down here and get settled in.

[Claire S.]

Originally Posted by guyatwork37

Am I allowed to use the pools in Highlands Ranch if I'm not a resident? Those are all great ideas, thanks!

I think you have to be a guest of a resident to use the HR pools. Other neighborhoods have pools that can be used by non-residents. See:

South Suburban Parks and Rec in Littleton and Centennial - South Suburban Parks and Recreation | Explore. Enjoy.

[2bindenver]

Send me a message and I will get you into any of the rec centers.

[guyatwork37]

Originally Posted by Claire S.

I think you have to be a guest of a resident to use the HR pools. Other neighborhoods have pools that can be used by non-residents. See:

South Suburban Parks and Rec in Littleton and Centennial - South Suburban Parks and Recreation | Explore. Enjoy.

Thank you very much!

[guyatwork37]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Send me a message and I will get you into any of the rec centers.

Message sent. Thanks!