Highlands Ranch, Colorado

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SoCal78_IHB

SoCal78_IHB

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My husband has a job offer in Highlands Ranch, CO. From what I understand, the area was purchased and developed by Mission Viejo. I find that interesting. We have been looking over a lot of information on the area. It seems to be a master-planned and family-oriented community such as we are used to here... but your dollar goes a lot further in terms of real estate. Aside from the elevation, being a mile closer to the sun, and the snow every now and then... I would say I am pretty interested in it. We are thinking of going there to check it out. Has anyone here visited or have any thoughts on it?
 
One of my high school friends lives there, I've visited him a few times over the past several years. It's nice, and your impressions seem correct. If I had to move to Denver I'd go to Highlands Ranch --- and I LOOOVVVEEE Irvine, so that probably tells you what you need to know about my priorities.

The weather is really weird in Denver. I was there for New Years a couple of years back, and the day I got there it was a blizzard and 5 degrees --- The very next day it got to 65. My observation is also that it is very dry, and you can definitely feel the elevation --- but I've only been there for short periods, so I imagine that is something you get used to. Another note, they don't like people from California very much there ---- they think we are overrunning their state and trying to convert it to CA east. May want to switch out your licence plates before you get there..
 
Just out of curiosity what kind of job (in general terms) is your husband thinking about taking there? Always wondered what type of jobs were available in areas like that.
 
Hi, fumbling. Actually, I don't mind sharing specifics. The job offer is from United Launch Alliance (a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.) The position is as an engineer / scientist for Guidance and Navigation of Delta rockets. The actual job site is in Littlleton, CO. But everyone we know who has accepted jobs there seems to have chosen nearby Highlands Ranch as their residence. Hope this helps.
 
Highland Ranch designed by Brightwater architect:

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Highland Ranch designed by Brightwater architect:

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He stole Cal Pac's 4 unit detached condo idea thinking that no one would find out.

IR 2 : this looks like Wisteria with wood sidings.
 
BK, is Brightwater a no-go? I tried the search feature to see what you think of them but not having much luck (but I know you like CalPac so I'm confused.) I would, of course, love it if you could weigh in on Highlands Ranch. If the homes there have the "BK Stamp of Approval", I would consider it more seriously. Thank you. Oh, by the way - I believe a lot of H.R. is Richmond Homes (is this different from "Richmond America"?) but for the last decade I think it's been Shea running the show. Referring back to my notes from the other day, I know Shea is only a C+ on the BK scale.
 
The pictures posted was a Shea project stolen the Cal Pac formula. The architect was Bassenian Lagoni who designed the Shea Reserve by FP as well as Brightwater at Huntington Beach. Shea built a lot of homes out there. You will be very disappointed when you visit model homes out there. The homes are many notches down from Irvine standard.

These are homes from Denver Highlands, Colorado. Its name inspired the master planned community you are interested in.

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These are all beautiful homes!!
 
The shea home project I posted was to follow the historic design and material palette of stone and wood of Denver Highlands. Look at how stone and wood was applied at these ugly tract homes vs the beautiful material application with the historic homes.
 
SoCal78 said:
My husband has a job offer in Highlands Ranch, CO. From what I understand, the area was purchased and developed by Mission Viejo. I find that interesting. We have been looking over a lot of information on the area. It seems to be a master-planned and family-oriented community such as we are used to here... but your dollar goes a lot further in terms of real estate. Aside from the elevation, being a mile closer to the sun, and the snow every now and then... I would say I am pretty interested in it. We are thinking of going there to check it out. Has anyone here visited or have any thoughts on it?
Click to expand...

We have two employees that live in Highlands Ranch and used to keep an executive suite in the Meridian area just down the road. If I had to move to the Denver area, Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock are two places that I'd probably look at living in... Highlands Ranch definitely looks/feels more like the OC.
 
bkshopr said:
The shea home project I posted was to follow the historic design and material palette of stone and wood of Denver Highlands. Look at how stone and wood was applied at these ugly tract homes vs the beautiful material application with the historic homes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for explaining, BK. So it sounds like Shea made some cheap knock-offs. (Is it true that Shea built the Golden Gate Bridge and Hoover Dam?)
 
SoCal78 said:
bkshopr said:
The shea home project I posted was to follow the historic design and material palette of stone and wood of Denver Highlands. Look at how stone and wood was applied at these ugly tract homes vs the beautiful material application with the historic homes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for explaining, BK. So it sounds like Shea made some cheap knock-offs. (Is it true that Shea built the Golden Gate Bridge and Hoover Dam?)
Click to expand...

Shea was the contractor for the bridge but just one of the many contracted for the dam.

http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:4ImOqmR6q-sJ:www.attachmate.com/customerstories/shea.htm+Shea+homes+golden+gate+bridge&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us
 
My sister's family lives in Highland Ranch, and used to live in Littleton until 2 years ago. Do you have any specific questions?

They're here in SoCal visiting until 1/1. If you post your questions this afternoon, I'll see if they can answer them tonight.

By the way, they live in a masterplan community with 30000 homes with about 60000 people...I haven't visited, so can't tell you more.
 
My sister and brother in law live in Highlands Ranch CO and are visiting Irvine now. They are lived there for about 5 years. The posts here are pretty much right on. Highlands Ranch CO is a master planned community by Shea Homes with 30k houses and 60k people patterned after Mission Viejo CA. Home prices are much lower than California. Their 4 bedroom 2300 ft2 house (with a finished basement) was ~ $300 k before the housing meltdown. If you have 700+k$ of equity to spend you can get a mansion there (with 1/2+ acre of land). The community is light on diversity with lots of white people. Per capita income is pretty high there, average is >> $100 k. HR is great for families, schools are excellent, lots of children to make friends with. Young singles without kids may find it a little dull. HR residents pay a monthly association fee of ~$40. The best amenity for that fee is access to 4 indoor rec centers that have indoor and outdoor pools, gym equipment, bastketball courts, tennis courts etc. There are lots of parks and open space in HR and kids sports leagues (soccer, baseball, basketball) is very big there (starting at 4 years old).

There is all seasons there and it can be cold in the winter (recent day high of 4 F with low of -19 F). Summer is generally above 90 F but if you go up in elevation it will be cooler. The sun is very strong there and Colorado has the most incidence of skin cancer. Spring and fall are the best. Fall has changing leaf colors. Spring has the most snow and can have big snow storms (1-3 ft of snow). But there are 300+ sunny days per year so usually the snow melts off in a couple days after a storm. Several ski areas on I-70 are 1-1.5 hours away when weather/traffic permits.
 
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