Moving To Colorado Blog

Relocating means moving away from friends and neighbors. After moving, here are some ideas to make new friends and for getting to know your neighbors.

Many Americans never get to know their neighbors. But the outdoors lifestyle in Colorado and a community-focused neighborhood like The Meadows in Castle Rock leave few excuses for not getting to know the neighbors. Here are 10 creative ways to do that.

1. Take your neighbors treats. Don't wait for the longtime residents to bring cookies and welcome you to the neighborhood. Shortly after moving in, take some treats around to other families on your block. It's a warm gesture (especially with warm cookies) and a quick way to meet the neighbors. After the tour, write down the names of your neighbors on a diagram of the street, particularly if you are forgetful with names.

2. Invite some folks over for dessert or drinks. If you seemed to "click" with a few people, get to know those neighbors better by inviting them over for drinks or dessert. If you invite a few people, it won't be as intimidating for you or them. They might even have their first chance to get to know each other.  

3. Get gardening advice. Colorado's climate and soil challenge even experienced gardeners relocating from other regions. Look for the most      beautiful gardens on the block. Those homeowners invariably spend plenty of time in the yard, so it should be easy to meet them and get to know the neighbors with green thumbs. Skilled gardeners love to talk about their yards, so ask them for advice for improving your garden.

4. Go to neighborhood clubs and events. Some neighborhoods have a variety of active clubs and meetings, often in a central location. The Meadows is focused around the Grange, a community center and clubhouse that hosts regular events such as gardening classes, children's playgroups and bridge clubs. Most are open to the public, and are an easy way to have fun while getting to know your neighbors.

5. Host a garage sale. If you are relocating to a new state, you probably just had a garage sale before packing the moving truck, but you might consider another one when you arrive in Colorado. There are usually items you just couldn't give up before the move but now realize you will never use again. Instead of stashing them in the attic until the next move, clear out the clutter with a garage sale. It's a surefire way to meet more neighbors.

6. Take a hike. Whether you are a runner, walker or cyclist, there are dozens of trails in and around The Meadows — and hundreds more just a short drive away. Most of your neighbors have already explored the trails and made a list of favorites. Ask them for advice or invite them along on a hike.

7. Visit online message boards. The Internet has changed the definitions of community. It's easy to find others with similar interests in the Castle Rock area beyond your immediate neighborhood. Use sites such as meetup.com or craigslist.org to find out about area clubs, meetings and groups of interest.

8. Strike up a conversation at the farmers' market. Castle Rock has a thriving farmers' market that fosters a unique community. You can chat with farmers who grow your food, and get to know neighbors browsing the stands. If you see someone with an unusual vegetable, stop and ask them how they like to use it.

9. Set up a lemonade stand. The last two ideas are for families with young children. You can teach kids some business skills and get to know your neighbors at      the same time by setting up a lemonade stand. It's hard to pass a lemonade stand without stopping to chat.

10. Plan a scavenger hunt. You may have some trinkets that have yet to find a new resting place. Why not hide them around the yard or the house and invite the neighborhood kids over for a scavenger hunt? While the kids are poking around, the grown-ups will have time to get to know their neighbors.

Written by Steve Graham

Before relocating to Colorado, study schools, traffic, hospitals, HOA rules and more before choosing the best neighborhood for your family

If you are moving to Colorado, you have probably reviewed listings for your dream home. But checking out your future neighborhood is just as important. Before relocating to Colorado and choosing a new neighborhood, take time to walk around, talk to neighbors and research the amenities and features that are important to your family. These are three good ways to find more about schools, traffic, public transportation, recreation and other important factors to look for in a community.

Walk the Neighborhood

Buying a home is a major, long-term commitment. If you are moving to Colorado and considering a house in a specific neighborhood, walk through the area at different times of the day to really get a feel for the area.

You can see traffic patterns throughout the day and get a feel for surrounding homes. Particularly in an older neighborhood, look at the age and quality of those homes. Real estate experts recommend against buying the odd house on the block, a house that is substantially different in value or appearance than the other houses. This should be a lesser concern in a newer neighborhood, such as the Meadows in Castle Rock.

Families should walk through a neighborhood and see if other children can safely enjoy the outdoors in playgrounds, pools and play groups.

Outdoor recreation for all ages is often a priority in relocating to Colorado. The state has a large web of trails, cycling paths and parks. This sometimes leads Colorado real estate agents to make open space access a selling point for nearly any home.

Without walking around the neighborhood, it's hard to know what open space access means. In some areas, it can mean a bike path is within five miles of the house. In the Meadows and other recreation-focused communities, it means trails weave through neighborhoods dotted by parks. There are also more than seven miles of trails in the Meadows' protected Ridgeline open space.

Talking to Neighbors

A short walk through the neighborhood may bring up other questions that only a neighbor can answer. Don't be afraid to knock on a neighbor's door or stop a strolling family. They can be good unbiased sources for information on noise, neighborhood personalities and issues such as trash service problems or cell-phone service. They can also offer anecdotal information about schools or commute times.

Researching Data

Neighbors can offer personal experiences, but that won't provide the full picture on schools, commute times and other issues. For a more thorough overview, search for neighborhood information on the Internet. For example, a Meadows couple without children may not even realize the area's schools consistently outpace the state average in student performance. Families moving to Colorado can find a wealth of information about public schools at the state education department Web site.

Internet mapping sites show the proximity of area hospitals, restaurants, retail and services, as well as a satellite view of the neighborhood (though these images can be several years old and may misrepresent newer communities). City Data and other Web sites also have detailed demographics and other information for every city and ZIP code in the United States.

Finally, spend time reviewing the rules, fees and restrictions for homeowners' association, which establish the rules and regulations for many developments. The fine print may be listed online or be available through the association's office. Search the Internet for an HOA lawyer if you have questions or concerns about the legal language.

Written by Steve Graham

Thinking of relocating to Colorado? Read these tips for a safe, smooth transition to your new Colorado life.

Perhaps you've just been offered a new job, or maybe you'd like to live closer to family. Whatever your reasons, there is no reason why relocating to Colorado has to be stressful. There are plenty of resources both online and in Colorado itself to make this transition as seamless as possible.

Choosing a City

There are several prosperous cities in Colorado, each of which offers unique features and history. You might be bound by a job to move to a particular city or metropolitan area, but if you have a choice, it pays to get a feel of each location's individual culture before you make a decision.

Castle Rock, for example, is one of Colorado's most beautiful historical cities, and is now a quiet, peaceful town of just over 45,000 residents. Since Castle Rock is located midway between Colorado Springs and Denver, it is uniquely positioned to offer commuters the best of both worlds.

Housing developments  in Castle Rock, such as The Meadows, provide seniors, families and young professionals who relocate to Colorado with safe communities in which to make friends, find new hobbies and explore new territory. The Meadows has several parks for both children and adults, a cultural arts center for gatherings and special occasions, and is close to the Denver Tech Center, a major employment area.

Castle Rock also has a free public transportation service called the Clean Air Shuttle, which runs every day from around 7 a.m. until just before 6 p.m. This is an excellent service for commuters who relocate to Colorado and would rather choose an environmentally friendly way to travel.

Choosing a Home

When you relocate to Colorado, you will find that there are many options for housing. You might want to rent a home for a few months until you make your decision, though it is often best to start home-shopping right away.

If you would like to buy a brand new home when you relocate to Colorado, look first at neighborhoods and housing developments, such as those in Castle Rock, where many of the homes are already finished. This way, you can buy one of the less-expensive options and let the other houses in the community elevate its value.

For pre-owned homes in Colorado, it is important to ensure you will be comfortable and happy living with your neighbors. Check to see that they maintain their properties and abide by the covenant rules and restrictions.

Investigating School Districts

If you have children, schools will be just as important to you as public transportation when you relocate to Colorado. Fortunately, the schools in cities like Castle Rock continue to score high on reports and evaluations, ensuring a positive, effective education for your children.

Schools that serve The Meadows, for example, include Castle View High School, Castle Rock Middle School and Soaring Hawk Elementary. These are excellent schools in relatively new buildings with extraordinary athletic and academic programs.

Indeed, according to the The Denver Post, Soaring Hawk Elementary boasts 97.9 percent enrollment stability and an average teacher experience of 11 years.

Establishing Residency

When you relocate to Colorado, you will need to set up your utilities, register your car, change your driver's license and find all the necessary conveniences. Fortunately, accomplishing these goals is not difficult and you should be able to set everything up in a matter of days.

The utilities department in Castle Rock, for example, is centrally located. The municipal court at Second and Perry is where you can take care of legal obligations, such as your car's tags, and town hall is located on North Wilcox Street. You will find similar set-ups in other Colorado cities.

You don't have to stress out before you relocate to Colorado, and you might find this is the best decision you've ever made. Fresh, clean air combined with beautiful views and convenient residential areas make this the perfect destination for families, professionals, seniors and everyone else.

Written by: Steve Thompson