Colorado move where? (Aurora, Parker: big house, neighborhood, magnet schools)

[Cassy134]

Hi all,

Just took our final trip to colorado last week before we make it our permanent home. We did alot of research and have settled on parker. My question is my husband is a land surveyor and should be registered/liscenced when we move.. I am concerned about work slowing down or non existent in the winter. Are they out of work long periods of time during winter?

Side question: we looked at 3 different schools in parker and loved them all. Any feedback on preference is appreciated as well. Pine grove elementary, cherokee trails and gold rush elementary. Really hoping to get my kids into parker core knowledge school, but it's a long waiting list. Thanks in advance

[Cassy134]

Hi! Moving to colorado. Coming from south Florida. Parker area seems to be where we are looking. I am having conflicting feelings though because we went recently to explore and I liked centennial alot, husband was more towards parker. I really liked both areas. So need some feedback on parker vs centennial. Schools? People? Community? Give me the good and bad of both! Much appreciated family of 4!

[davidv]

Parker is in Douglas County/Douglas County Schools. Centennial and most of South Aurora are in Arapahoe County/Cherry Creek Schools.

Cherry Creek Schools are better than Douglas County Schools for a variety of reasons having to do with a poor BOE situation that is getting better, but has done significant damage. Long waiting lists for charters and magnet schools have to do with the damage done to neighborhood schools.

Both areas are growing quickly with the small lot/big house disease. The discrepancy in prices is largely due to quality of schools.

Both have significant populations of evangelical Christians and megachurches.

Centennial is more like a suburb, Parker is more exurb.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Centennial is a HUGE city; what part were you looking at?

You seemed to like Parker, so why not just settle there? BTW, when are you thinking of moving? School starts soon.

[Gorges]

Here are some discussions from this board on Douglas County schools (includes Parker). This has been discussed a lot.

//www.city-data.com/forum/searc...rchid=24552845

I'm curious, what do you like about Centennial and what does your husband like about Parker?

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by Gorges

Here are some discussions from this board on Douglas County schools (includes Parker). This has been discussed a lot.

//www.city-data.com/forum/searc...rchid=24552845

I'm curious, what do you like about Centennial and what does your husband like about Parker?

Your link is broken. Here is the thread on DCSD: //www.city-data.com/forum/denve...ool-board.html

[guyatwork37]

I think most schools start Monday actually. I personally like Centennial way more than Parker, especially the areas closer to DTC. Parker has more of country vibe which isn't my thing.

[randomparent]

Originally Posted by davidv

Parker is in Douglas County/Douglas County Schools. Centennial and most of South Aurora are in Arapahoe County/Cherry Creek Schools.

Cherry Creek Schools are better than Douglas County Schools for a variety of reasons having to do with a poor BOE situation that is getting better, but has done significant damage. Long waiting lists for charters and magnet schools have to do with the damage done to neighborhood schools.

Both areas are growing quickly with the small lot/big house disease. The discrepancy in prices is largely due to quality of schools.

Both have significant populations of evangelical Christians and megachurches.

Centennial is more like a suburb, Parker is more exurb.

Not the part of Centennial where I live. On Sunday mornings, the coffee shops, walking paths, and bike lanes are busy.

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by randomparent

Not the part of Centennial where I live. On Sunday mornings, the coffee shops, walking paths, and bike lanes are busy.

I have to agree with this. While those churches and populations certainly exist, I would not say they define the areas. Not Centennial and not Parker. Sunday mornings many families are on the bike trails. Not every family is in church. I agree it's not as diverse as many other Metro areas but it's not quite as homogeneous as some believe either. My Douglas County neighborhood includes a variety of ethnicities, religions (or lack thereof) and nontraditional families. Many of whom have lived here for 20+ years.

The school board issue is a valid concern.

[TCHP]

Church is not limited to Sunday mornings. Saturday nights, Sunday afternoons, and Sunday evening typically all have services available.