lonetree vs. highlands ranch vs. stapleton (Denver, Littleton: cul-de-sac, apartments, rental)

[westernboundmouse]

Hi, Can anyone give me a comparison of these three communities please?
1)driving and lightrail commute times to downtown denver
2)single family home rental prices (ballpark)
3)general feel of living there(subjective-I know)
4)are they all self-contained communities with their own amenities or are the amenities municipal in nature-how crowded do they get?----THANK YOU!!!!!

[Katarina Witt]

Stapleton is located IN the city of Denver. It is not a separate community, though it is a New Urbanist development and is pretty self-contained re: shopping, etc.

[nappyloxs]

Lonetree and Highlands Ranch are the suburbs. Stapleton is a new development kind of cookie cutters, but they are definitely nice designs. There is a shopping strip in the middle of Stapleton and in the general area. Stapleton is probably 10-15 minutes from downtown. Lonetree and Highland Ranch are further away. I don't think Stapleton is self-contained as it is in Denver and everything is within 20 minutes.

[subsound]

I lived near stapleton, and it's pretty nice. It is near I-70 and I-270, and not too bad to take the smaller streets downtown (probably 15-20 minutes). All the new construction is fantastic, but not sure how it got hit in the housing crunch.

The only real issues with it are that it's an island of new development which is surrounded by some pretty run down and nasty neighborhoods, the soil might be contaminated (Lowry to the south is with perchlorate, i.e. jet fuel), and rush hour around the highways and Quebec is hideous. Stay away from the edges, especially the North (a prison is located a good distance to the North).

Lonetree is really far south, and has a pretty harsh commute to downtown. I read in the paper people complaining about energy costs and such of sunning back and forth, and there isn't alot of real commercial development down there from what I heard. It's mostly rich ranchettes that moved from Parker.

Highlands Ranch has a bunch of new construction, closer to downtown (still a bit far), and more ammenities.

Drive around the areas to see what you think, if you have to get a short term rental. If the area looks like crap, it probably is. Ask if there has been any trouble lately, and if they refuse to answer find some where else. Lowry North apartments does well for temporary and easy drive around, on 11th and Syracuse, though it's next to a ghetto complex but they offer month to month. Don't leave any valuables in your car though and get a unit near the East.

[denverian]

HR and Lonetree are suburban - cul-de-sacs, strip malls, etc. Stapleton is new construction (and still building) but built on a grid system, traditional architecture, small lots, garages on alleys, lots of parks and running paths, has its own good schools, near everything in central Denver and downtown.

I'd say it just depends on your preference. If you really want a large yard, HR or Lonetree would be your best bet. If you're more urban minded and want to be close to everything in Denver, Stapleton's your best bet.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP asked about driving times, too. LoneTree is pretty close to I-25 and during rush hour it will take probably 30-40 minutes to get downtown once you are on the highway. Highlands Ranch is very spread out over many miles, so it is impossible to say how long the commute to downtown would be.

[tew]

I live in HR off of University Blvd 470. Im 20 mins away from downtown Denver. I live on a hill and can see the city from my street.

[mczabe]

Tew, you and I are probably only blocks away from each other...I'm just north of University and west of Colorado. When did you move here?

[XAFLOC]

As far as the commute goes, you won't beat Stapleton. Even if the highways are jammed up, you can get downtown in 15 minutes taking other streets. Stapleton also has great parks and great shopping and seems to be a very smart development. I don't technically live in Stapleton, though. I moved into one of the older neighborhoods just a few blocks south of Montview (the southern edge of Stapleton), for the sole purpose of mooching off of all the great things Stapleton has to offer without having to pay the higher prices of a Stapleton home (plus I like old houses with character).

Also, one other factor to consider is that Stapleton is one of the few neighborhoods in the Denver area where houses are still appreciating in value.

[Kibbiekat]

Highlands Ranch is an unincorporated planned community in Douglas County. It has lots of walking/running trails, lots of parks, and 4 rec centers that are each a little different. I don't use the gyms, but I think they can get crowded at peak times. The entire community was built from about the mid-1980's to present, so there is no old downtown, or anything. Town Center on Highlands Ranch Parkway between Lucent and Broadway is sort of the "downtown". There are big box stores, smaller retail, a library, Civic Green Park, a park -n-ride, and some townhomes and condos. To me, it seems to sort of be "the place to be" for young families. There is a light rail station at Santa Fe and Mineral in Littleton. The line is supposed to extend down to HR on Lucent eventually. Median home price is $300,000. That is about what ours is worth. It is 4 bed/2.5 bath, 2030 sf on a 7800 sf lot plus an unfinished basement.