Moving to Denver - Castle Rock or Littleton/Highlands Ranch?

Question

We are moving to Denver and have been looking at the southern suburbs, What are the pros and cons of the different ones and how do they compare, what is it like to live in them... Thanks

Everyone has given great answers thanks!

Answer 1

I think much depends on the lifestyle you want. Denver has the third worst traffic in the country-- but at least took the bold step of having mass transit in place in the next twenty years. Castle Rock is still a far south surburb, almost half way to Colorado Springs. Yet, it still retains the feeling of a town that has some character and charm. Highlands Ranch/ Littleton is the essensial American Surburb. The "Ranch" is full of large houses (for the most part) that all match. The development is very new, and is pretty uniform. Personally, I would not want to live in a neighborhood where a board tells me I can only grow certain plants and/or paint my house a certain color-- but I don't have kids.

Not to confuse you, but I would say the Northwest or West Surburbs are nicer (again, depending on what you are looking for) A town similar to Castle Rock is Golden-- which is charming and has a college in town (the school of Mines) which, in my opinion, adds character. As for the rolling burbs, I think Lousiville is MUCH nicer than the ranch-- they are equal in price (roughly) and Lousiville is close to Boulder which, I think, politics and lifestyle aside, is a charming town.

But it depends if you are commuting. The drive in and around Denver is grueling-- if you are commuting downtown-- I would live on the MINERAL rail line to downtown if you want to live in the south-- the Boulder Express (BX line) if you want to live in the north-- eventually the city will catch up and be better connected.

Almost all the neighborhods in and around Denver are safe, clean, and nice. For more diversity and culture, however, you need to move further in... Greenwood Village or in Denver, the Highlands, Cherry Creek, or Arapaho Acres neighborhoods are all really nice.

Answer 2

So much depends on where you'll be commuting to work. I think it's better to live closer to work so you're not spending your life stuck in traffic. If that's not a consideration, then any of these areas are desireable places to live in the suburbs. They all have a wide variety of retail close by. There are many different types of housing to choose from, from small, new construction to older, established houses and neighborhoods. Castle Rock can be cheaper to buy a home than the other two because it's further away from Denver - there are also more lots with some land there. Schools are pretty good, with Littleton (either Jefferson County or City of Littleton depending on where exactly you live) having the edge over Douglas County which has a year-round school track. All of these communities have great recreation facilities and are located in beautiful areas. Bottom line - there isn't much difference between these areas.

Answer 3

Littleton and Highlands Ranch are adjacent suburban communities located south of Denver. Littleton was founded in 1867 and slowly evolved from a farm and ranch town into a residential suburb of Denver. Littleton has an attractive downtown area with numerous historic structures. Littleton is the Arapahoe County seat and is the home of Arapahoe Community College. A light rail line connects Littleton to Denver. Littleton is surrounded by Highlands Ranch to the south, Columbine to the west, Englewood to the north, and Centennial to the east.

Highlands Ranch is an unincorporated community immediately southeast of Littleton in Douglas County. State Highway 470 separates Highland Ranch from Littleton. Highlands Ranch was actually a working ranch before it became a planned community in 1981. Highlands Ranch has been both praised and cursed as the “ultimate planned suburb.” National Geographic magazine featured Highlands Ranch as an example of placid and monotonous suburbia. The City of Lone Tree lies east of Highlands Ranch and Chatfield State Park lies to the west.

Castle Rock was founded in 1881 and is the county seat of Douglas County. Castle Rock has grown rapidly from 3,900 people in 1980 to about 35,000 people today. Castle Rock is much farther from Denver than either Littleton or Highlands Ranch, both a blessing and a curse. Many long-time residents feel the growth of recent years has substantially damaged the character of the city, but new residents keep flocking to Castle Rock.

I’ve lived in both Littleton and Castle Rock.

Answer 4

Castle Rock is prettier, more charming (somewhat small town-y), and farther away (commute/access to big city stuff). Outside of the usual fast food places, restaurants are mostly independents. Littleton/Highlands Ranch is typical suburbia. Some nice houses, some truly awful ticky tacky developments. Lotta shopping malls. Lotta chain restaurants. More convenient to Denver.

Answer 5

Castle Rock is near Denver but still has a small town feel. Remember everyone will be new in high school. Usually there are several middle schools all going to one high school so not everyone will know each other. Join a club or activity or two that you are interested in. This is a great way to meet people interested in the same things you are.

Answer 6

Castle Rock is a great little town, Kind of a stand alone town, Littleton , runs into Englewood, Lake wood, Centennial , etc. Can;t tell where one town ends and the other starts. Moved here fron N.J. in 1991, and love it , only about 1/2 hour south of denver, and 45 min north of Colorado springs. lots of good schools, churches, friendly people, any kind of store or resturant you could want or need. right off the interstate.............go to
www.townofcastlerock.org and check us out