Making the move from FL to CO (Denver, Aurora: transplants, real estate)

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by Campn87

Hey everyone!

I was on here few months ago and Covid got in the way of moving but we are finally ready.

My husband will be working at LM by Roxborough park and we’ll be going soon to look at neighborhoods and I want suggestions!

Littleton would definitely be our first choice, but what other areas should we check? Castle Rock seems really affordable but a little out of the way (my husband is okay with any commute if it’s 30 minutes or less)

What about Parker, Castle Pines, Aurora (although I’ve heard mixed review on that one)

Any other neighborhood we should ask the realtor to show us? Our budget is $650,000 and we’d like a newer house. We have two young kids so we really need good schools and other young families around.

Thank you to every single person who has been helping us know what to expect. You’re greatly appreciated.

Congrats on the impending move.

Ignore the people who bag on Aurora. A majority of them have likely never lived here and/or have only spent time in the northwestern corner of the city, and they're just parroting racially-tinged tropes told to them by other people who've never lived here. I've lived here for almost 9 years and I've never been mugged, shot, had my car stolen or my house broken into, nor have I had to chase hookers or drug dealers from my neighborhood. With that being said, most of Aurora isn't convenient to Lockheed Martin, anyway. You could possibly commute from Southeast Aurora (Smoky Hill or Gartrell and E-470) to LM in 30 mins on a good day, but it could easily be 90 mins or longer on snowy ones.

Parker is similar to Southeast Aurora. It's closer to LM, but the egress in and out of Parker is terrible.

Castle Pines is expensive. If you can afford it, it's not a bad option.

Castle Rock is just meh. It's lost a lot of its charm over the last 10-15 years.

[Campn87]

Thank you everyone! I think we’ll focus on Littleton, I heard good things about sterling ranch. I thought highlands ranch was super expensive unless we buy a house built in the 80s or the 90s which we just don’t want to do since our last two houses were older and we are tired of that.

[Campn87]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Yes, he said Highlands Ranch, which is a huge, spread out area with lots of different housing choices, open space, and recreational opportunities. You said Highlands, which is an area in Denver proper near downtown with older homes and small lots. Big difference between the two.

We were both talking about Highlands ranch! I think I need reading glasses.

We have very little interest in Denver other than the odd football or hockey game or museums. We’ve done the Chicago city life and we are so done with that part of our lives.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by Campn87

Thank you everyone! I think we’ll focus on Littleton, I heard good things about sterling ranch. I thought highlands ranch was super expensive unless we buy a house built in the 80s or the 90s which we just don’t want to do since our last two houses were older and we are tired of that.

House prices across the south metro area are similar. They all are expensive. Highlands Ranch has four rec centers that are included in your HOA payment. So pools, tennis courts, cardio, weights, ball courts are all yours.

[Campn87]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

House prices across the south metro area are similar. They all are expensive. Highlands Ranch has four rec centers that are included in your HOA payment. So pools, tennis courts, cardio, weights, ball courts are all yours.

Oh that sounds fun! I’m sure we’d enjoy that. We will definitely include it in our search.

What about Sterling Ranch? I haven’t found many threads talking about it so I was wondering if it’s any good. It would be 5 minutes from work.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by Campn87

Oh that sounds fun! I’m sure we’d enjoy that. We will definitely include it in our search.

What about Sterling Ranch? I haven’t found many threads talking about it so I was wondering if it’s any good. It would be 5 minutes from work.

It will be in build out for years. The houses are new, they are trying to include amenities in the neighborhood, but you are cut-off. Titan Rd, in/out. No walkable retail.

I know someone who lives in Roxborough and they said drive times are problematic and snow days are “fun.”

[2bindenver]

South Jefferson County. Sterling Ranch is new. Roxborough has newer houses.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Sterling Ranch is in Douglas County.

Didn't they have problems getting the development started because of issues with not enough water? Does anyone know if they have water restrictions or other sustainability issues? OP, you might look into their CAB (Community Authority Board) assessments that pay for water and other utilities.

[daprara]

there is a lite rail running along SantaFe Drive. You might want to consider locating next to a lite rail station. Be aware of areas with expansive soils if your planning to buy. Inside Turkey Creek Canyon could give you mountain living?

[mettler]

all of Ken Caryl (Valley Heirloom/Ken Caryl Ranch) would work. Plus, your commute would be cake. Depending on what you are after, but up Deer Creek Rd (Maxwell Hill, Sampson Rd) is all nice - even up High Grade Road