Centennial

Community-oriented living in nature Willow Creek, a neighborhood in Centennial, Colorado, offers upscale suburban living settled among acres of greenbelt. Featuring classic '70s and '80s properties that sit on well-manicured lawns and plenty of shared recreational spaces, Willow Creek pairs suburban living with the community-oriented lifestyle many seek. "What's interesting is that people move back here," says Liz Waldmann, a Realtor with Keller Williams who grew up in the neighborhood. "We see a lot of people whose parents are downsizing properties that their children then buy." Another part of the appeal is that Willow Creek is near the many shopping corridors that line its borders, giving locals easy access to the nearby mall and many of the eateries in the area. "My short walks here become even longer because I'll come across neighbors or new people," says Juhi Johnson, a longtime resident and a Realtor at RE/MAX who specializes in Willow Creek. With a friendly neighborhood environment and easy access to downtown Denver, locals here can enjoy a suburban lifestyle without being too far away from the city. Classic ‘70s and ‘80s properties Tucked between rolling greenbelts and wooded creek areas are properties that date back to the mid-70s. This community is divided into four quadrants. Willow Creek 1, 2 and 3 share the same builder, offering single-family properties like split-levels on grassy lawns. Willow 1 also has a few patio homes, while Willow 2 and 3 feature some sprawling ranch-style dwellings with brick accents. Willow 3 also features some townhouses. These three quadrants enjoy HOA benefits, while Willow West does not. This quadrant, mainly featuring rustic townhouses, was primarily constructed in the mid-80s. Prices in Willow Creek range from $410,000 to $1.2 million, depending on their age, size and location. At the lower end of the scale, prospective homebuyers can find 2-bedroom condos at Dry Creek Crossing., but the median price for single-family properties here is nearly $800,000. Cherry Creek School District Children attend the Cherry Creek School District, which boasts a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 and is ranked as the 3rd-best school district in Colorado. Students enroll in Willow Creek Elementary and then head to either Campus or West Middle, depending on where they live. Students from both middle schools often attend Cherry Creek High, which is ranked as the 2nd-best public high school in Colorado. It features an AP Summer Institute, a three-day learning experience where students can obtain credit for Adams State University. All three schools feature gifted programs and have received A ratings or higher from Niche. Community spaces and neighborhood gatherings With multiple community spaces and 26 acres of greenbelts, Willow Creek offers locals everything from four private pools to trails that meander through wooded areas along the water. The community's four clubhouses often serve as gathering places. To get their workout in, locals can challenge their friends to a tennis match or a round of disc golf. "Pickleball is also really taking off here," Waldmann says. At Willow Creek Park, kids run off their energy on the playground, and many enjoy walking along the Willow Creek Trail. The community often hosts events where neighbors gather together, like the Fourth of July parade and barbeque. Residents with furry friends will want to attend the last pool day of the year, where dogs can jump in the water. Local eateries and nearby shopping corridors With shopping corridors along the neighborhood's borders, Willow Creek residents have easy access to the many area’s many establishments. Realtor Johnson recommends At Nine Thai, a cozy eatery that is popular for its drunken noodles. At the nearby 303 Coffee Company, patrons sip hand-crafted drinks made from locally sourced ingredients. The shop's bear drinks, made with cold brew and vanilla, are a staple here. For a drink out, locals can head to Uncorked Kitchen and Wine Bar, a sleek establishment popular for its cooking classes and twice-a-month wine-tasting events. Just south of the community is the Park Meadow Mall, and nearby are many King Soopers locations. Public transportation, commutes and nearby major employers Locals here mainly drive to get around, but they can also take advantage of their proximity to RDT's Dry Creek Station. Healthcare workers here enjoy easy access to the Swedish Medical Center, which is just around 10.5 miles away North via Interstate 25. They can take that same route to get to downtown Denver, which is just approximately 17 miles away. Willow Creek residents enjoy being near some of the area's major employers, like Arrow Electronics, which is less than 2 miles away for many residents here. Those wanting to explore other cities can take advantage of the public-use Centennial Airport, which is just around 4 miles away and the Denver International Airport (DEN), which is around 30 miles away via Interstate 225.

West Centennial welcomes locals to a life surrounded by recreation and retail. Not only do main thoroughfares connect with nearby parks and The Streets at SouthGlenn shopping mall, but they also grant access to major employers, including the Denver Tech Center and Swedish Medical Center. Between Milliken Park on the west side and Holly Park on the east, residents escape stressful days, connecting with friends along trail networks and attending events held by the city in Centennial Center Park or concerts at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater. With a CAP Index Crime Score of two out of 10, compared to the national average of four, residents rest comfortably in the quiet of their subdivisions. Ranch-style homes stretch across West Centennial cul-de-sacs, highlighting the flat landscape. Colonial Revivals join these early 1960s and 1970s homes in subdivisions, with ranch-style homes starting at $585,000 for a three-bedroom and Colonial Revivals starting at $790,000. Most single-family homes peak in price between $625,000 and $700,000, though in situations where their square footage topples over 4,000 square feet, home values list over $1 million up to $2.4 million. Paved sidewalks join Colonial Revival architecture in townhouse communities, so residents can easily step outside and take their dogs for walks. These homes typically list between $410,000 and $548,000, with two to three bedrooms. Littleton Public Schools district welcomes West Centennial students to Lois Lenski Elementary School in kindergarten. After fifth grade, Lenski students may move on to Newton Middle School, which earns a Grade A from Niche along with the elementary school. In ninth grade, students may begin at Littleton High School, which Niche gives a Grade A-minus. While enrolled at Littleton High, students may take International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in subjects ranging from spanish to math. Park spaces are scattered across West Centennial, from Milliken Park in the west to Holly Park in the east. Baseball players come to bat at Milliken Park, where children also run from one playset to the other. Following High Line Canal Trail’s compact dirt path, joggers and bikers reach deKoevend Park. Locals visit Goodson Recreation in the park’s center to swim laps and use the indoor gym for workouts. While tennis players can battle out on the park’s six courts, Holly Tennis Center is further east with four light-equipped courts and two pickleball courts. “West Centennial is also a quick drive to Washington Park, which has a few miles of hiking and biking trails around a big pond and volleyball leagues – it’s always packed,” says Mauri Tamborra, Broker with RE/Max Leaders, who has sold real estate in Centennial for over 20 years. Shoppers travel to the intersection of University Boulevard and Arapahoe Road to grab groceries at Whole Foods and browse the selection of major retailers at The Streets at SouthGlenn’s outdoor mall. Snooze serves breakfast bites throughout the day within the mix of restaurant chains scattered across the mall. Further north along Orchard Road, locals stop in the Cherry Hills Marketplace, where they find additional retail, including a TJ Maxx and Home Goods combined store and a Trader Joe’s. This shopping center is also home to one of two The Original Pancake House locations. Diners decide between traditional pancakes and Dutch baby pancakes with a custard bottom and powdered sugar dusting on top. Centennial Airport, roughly 8 miles east of the neighborhood, serves general aviation purposes and is a point of transport for patients and organs being distributed to the area’s four major hospitals. The Swedish Medical Center is roughly 5 miles north, serving as an emergency center and a major place of employment. “West Centennial is about 15 minutes to the Denver Tech Center (DTC), where most people who work in tech offices are,” Tamborra says. University Boulevard cuts through the neighborhood’s center, connecting commuters with the hospital and Belleview Avenue, which stretches east to the Denver Tech Center. Interstate 25 runs north by the DTC – parallel to the light rail – connecting residents with Downtown Denver in under 15 miles.

When you move to Willow Trace, “you better get on your hiking shoes, your bike, or grab your golf clubs or kayak,” says Realtor Sean Closset with Coldwell Banker Realty. Closset lives in the neighborhood, was born and raised in the area, and has been selling real estate locally for more than 20 years. He also leads his own team at Coldwell. “People come here for the weather, the recreation and the trails,” he says. “There are golf courses everywhere, and the Aurora Reservoir is only 6 miles away.”<br>The homes, too, are an important part of the neighborhood’s appeal. Large, single-family contemporary homes, mostly two-story, with prominent two and three-car garages, wood and brick siding, and front-facing gables that give them a storybook appearance, sell for between $450,000 and $700,000. “These are prices appropriate for starter homes,” Closset says. “Plus, they’re right down the street from the elementary, middle and high schools, all within a quarter mile — a selling point for many families.” Town houses are also available, priced in the $400,000s, that offer two and three bedrooms, many with two-car garages, an unusual feature.<br>The streets of this relatively new subdivision, developed in the early 2000s, feature fresh and well-tended lawns. The landscaping incorporates stone and gravel, giving yards a clean, minimalist look. With organic bends and curves, multi-car garages on every block and few cars on the street, the neighborhood has a quiet, neat appearance that suggests everything is in its place.<br>The schools that serve Willow Trace all received higher-than-average marks from Niche. Aspen Crossing Elementary, an A-minus school, creates a nurturing, child-centered, 21st-century learning environment by encouraging students to Achieve, Care and Explore — characteristics that, if demonstrated, earn them ACE awards. At Sky Vista Middle, which scored a B-plus, students participate in coed track, consistently outperforming other schools in the area. At Eaglecrest High, which got an A-minus from Niche, students are inducted into world language honor societies by applying for these programs and completing all the requirements before graduation.<br>Willow Trace Park, the closest park within walking distance, sits near Aspen Crossing Elementary and Sky Vista Middle, with swing sets, a play structure and a half basketball court all wrapped in blue sky. A walkway that borders the park connects to several other trails that lead bikers and hikers to areas like Copperleaf Bark Park, a safe place for dogs to play, with grass and pebble surfacing, water fountains and separate sections for large and small dogs. Also nearby is Spring Creek Park. Veined with trails and featuring three baseball fields, a soccer field, a basketball court and a children’s playground, this long park borders South Himalaya Street and is a great destination for young athletes. The Aurora Reservoir, an 800-acre body of water east of the neighborhood, is a hotspot for fishing, swimming, kayaking and scuba diving. Murphy Creek, Meadow Hills, Valley and Saddle Rock golf courses are less than 8 miles away.<br>For everyday needs, residents head to East Quincy Avenue and South Picadilly Road, where they can shop at the Walmart Neighborhood Market and several other stores. K+ Hotpot is one. While this restaurant gets mixed reviews on its boba tea, this create-your-own-soup Asian restaurant with a conveyor belt that carries ingredients to your table gets at least four stars for the experience. There's also a microbrewery nearby, Two22 Brew, that gives $2.22 of every $10 spent to Colorado non-profits. Mr. Taco, a Mexican Restaurant that also caters, is next door, as is Spice 8 Asian Kitchen, which serves Chinese and Thai food. Otherwise, East Smokey Hill Road features the area’s largest shopping center, with a King Soopers, a Walgreens, a Sprouts Farmers Market and several restaurants, such as Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery, the place to go for baked treats, ice cream, cheesecakes and more. <br>Colorado E-470, the toll road, runs nearby, giving residents fast access to Denver International Airport, a 20-mile drive. In addition, “most homes in Willow Trace have new roofs,” Closset says. “A major hailstorm hit the neighborhood over the summer prompting the improvements.” Whether it’s the homes, the schools or recreational opportunities, Willow Trace has them all.

If you are looking for a starter home outside of Denver, the Fox Hill neighborhood is worth a look. Located in Centennial, Colorado, Fox Hill is 25 miles southeast of Denver, a 35-minute drive and 30 miles or a 25-minute drive to the Denver International Airport. The community is filled with tract homes built in the early 90’s, according to Kathy Loidolt, who sells homes in the Denver region with Flying Horse Realty, LLC, and has lived there since 1984. “Fox Hill has good starter family homes. Some of the older residents and empty nesters are starting to sell,” she explains. “A lot of the homes are two stories. It’s a safe, cute neighborhood. Cute as in the homes are well-cared for with mature trees.” Some homes in the neighborhood have extra-large 2 or 3-car garages. The downside of Fox Hill homes, according to Loidolt, is that since the neighborhood is older, the houses and lots are smaller and many homes require a lot of upkeep or renovations. But, she says, the community’s aesthetics make up for it. “There are good parks and walking trails,” she says. One school system serves the Fox Hill families and their children: the highly-rated Cherry Creek School District, which Niche rates an A. Peakview Elementary School is an A-minus-rated school. Thunder Ridge Middle School has a Minecraft club for students who love gaming and Niche gives the institution an A-minus. Eaglecrest High School, an A-minus Niche school, is the only high school in Colorado with a live mascot. The school partners with HawkQuest and does a lot of fundraising to help preserve the organization’s birds of prey center. Fox Hill Park is the neighborhood’s local open green space. Complete with a playground, basketball court and hiking trails, there is something for everyone. The Quincy Reservoir is a popular 160-acre fishing hole known for having an abundance of trout, perch and largemouth bass. Coloradans value their open spaces, especially ones that can be used year-round. Besides being a thrilling place to enjoy water activities, you can camp at nearby Cherry Creek State Park. Or spend the afternoon on horseback on one of the park’s trails. Colorado is known for its breweries. The Two22 Brew in Fox Hill isn’t just known for craft suds like Bearel Patio Peach. The company is also known for its generosity. For every $10 profit, the microbrewery donates $2.22 to Colorado non-profits. This spot also has a dog-friendly patio to enjoy your beer and the company of friends. Spice 8 Asian Kitchen’s coconut lime beef will send you tastebuds on an exotic vacation. The restaurant is located on South Reservoir Road, just a short drive from Fox Hill. Town Center at Aurora is a two-story enclosed mall that is a shopping hub and a place for the community to gather. Events like food truck festivals and the annual Boo N Brew Candy Crawl, an event that features trick or treats, a DJ spinning tunes and a beer garden, are common. The Regional Transportation District has bus stops in the area for those who choose not to drive or want to take a day trip to Denver.

As a result of an increasing Denver population and the formation of Centennial two decades ago, the suburb of Smoky Ridge stands out as one of the more family-friendly neighborhoods in this area. “All the growth from the city spills out into these outskirts, and young families started settling in Smoky Ridge. They get to live in a nice home while being only 20 miles from downtown Denver,” says Littleton Real Estate Company Realtor Kurt Krantz. Many neighborhoods in Smoky Ridge display two-story Craftsmans that are upwards of 3,000 square feet, priced in the $600,000 to $700,000 range. These homes typically come equipped with decorative brick, multiple car garages and driveways, and front porches the ideal size for a morning coffee in a rocking chair. Around the back, houses exhibit spacious patios for gathering and entertaining and sizeable grassy yards, some completely fenced-in for privacy. The residential streets throughout these neighborhoods are wide and rarely busy, with narrow sidewalks running along them, so kids can ride their bikes and people can walk their dogs on either paved path. Students living in Smoky Ridge can attend some of the highest-rated public schools in the state of Colorado, all receiving an A- grade according to Niche. Peakview Elementary School ranked in the top 15% for Best Public Elementary Schools in the state and serves younger school-aged children. As they progress, students can move on to Thunder Ridge Middle School, ranked in the top 16% for Best Public Middles Schools in the state. High Schoolers can attend Eaglecrest High School, ranked among the Best High Schools for both College Prep and Athletes in Colorado, as reported by Niche. Next to the elementary school, Smoky Ridge residents can practice soccer drills on the 2-acre field or play pick-up basketball at Peakview Park North. A smooth paved trail circles the green space and leads to Peakview Park South, where neighborhood kids can unleash their energy on the playground or take breaks under the pavilion. “For outdoor recreation, a lot of families go to Aurora Reservoir about 15 minutes east to swim by the beach, fish or kayak, and there’s also a nice jogging path there,” says a local community member and Food Bank administrator. "And just 5 minutes away, Quincy Reservoir is a big fishing spot with a nice trail and a lot of egrets in the water” she adds. Back in Smoky Ridge along the southern edge of the neighborhood off East Smoky Hill Road is Smoky Hill Village, where locals pick up groceries at King Soopers or Sprouts Farmers Market and fill up on gas. On the other side of South Himalaya Street, residents continue their errands at Smoky Hill Town Center, where there are fitness studios, a nail salon, Walgreens and a few quick grab-and-go eateries. “For more extensive shopping and food options, people go to Southlands Shopping Center a few minutes away,” says Krantz. At this open-air mall, families can enjoy indoor and outdoor retail, a variety of restaurants, a movie theater and a picnic by the fountain on the vibrant open green space. The busy and popular East Smoky Hill Road connects to Interstate 225, which becomes Interstate 25 leading to the heart of downtown Denver, where a variety of concert venues and comedy clubs open their doors to anyone ready to indulge in the city’s nightlife scene.

“Park View is an easy place to live and get around,” says Joni Jagger, a Realtor/broker associate with Coldwell Banker, who has been selling real estate in the area for over 20 years. “The school district is excellent, and you’re close to a major highway, only 20 miles from Denver International Airport and minutes away from Southland Shopping Center and Cherry Creek Reservoir” — all the necessities at your fingertips. Another important reason people choose Park View: “You get more space for your money compared to new construction in surrounding communities,” Jagger says. With large, two-story contemporary and ranch-style houses built in the 1980s and 1990s, Park View is a well-established neighborhood with no HOAs and home prices that start at $500,000. Here, two-car garages give many houses their curb appeal, and patios, decks and gas firepits are the selling point for homeowners who like to entertain. These are quiet, suburban streets, with mature fir trees, pines and well-designed landscapes. Raised brick borders and river stones are used in many places to give sidewalks and building edges a neat, clean appearance. The schools that serve Park View all belong to the Cherry Creek School District and received above-average grades from Niche. Timberland Elementary, an A-minus school, emphasizes a well-rounded education that addresses the needs of the whole child, with art, music, physical education and STEM lessons taught throughout the week. At Thunder Ridge Middle, which scored a B-plus, students can choose from several extracurricular activities, including foreign language clubs, music groups, student council and the yearbook team. At Eaglecrest High, an A-minus school, students can participate in the school’s sci-tech program that focuses on science and math concepts and awards a specialized certificate upon graduation. Former students of this program have secured jobs at Disney Imagineering, Lockheed Martin, Chrysler and NASA. Pioneer Park is one of a handful within the neighborhood where youth can compete on the soccer field or slide, swing and play on the abundant playground equipment. Pathways and trails running through Pioneer connect with other recreational areas and neighborhoods in Centennial, such as the Park View Community Pool and Park. Here, residents can enjoy a beautiful eight-lane pool that provides swimming lessons to children three and a half to 12 years old. The park also features play structures, a basketball court, picnic shelters and barbecue grills for cooking out. If you love water, Cherry Creek State Park, which contains the Cherry Creek Reservoir, is only 10 miles away and allows fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailboats, motorboats and jet skis. In this 4,000-acre park and campground, bikers can explore 12 miles of paved trails and 35 miles of multi-use trails. There are also picnic sites, stables for horseback riding, a shooting range and a beach for swimming. For everyday needs, the shopping centers along East Smoky Hill Road feature dozens of businesses, including a Sprouts Farmers Market, which stocks fresh produce and other healthy items. There’s also a King Soopers, a Walgreens and several restaurants nearby. For quality Japanese, Fontana Sushi is known for its consistently good rolls, which you can watch them make if you request a table close to the bar. Fontana also does a big takeout business, and they pack their food well for the trip home. Farther south, a Safeway and Home Depot are located in the Saddle Rock Shopping Center, and across the Colorado E470 toll road, the Southlands shopping mall contains a Walmart Supercenter, a Sam’s Club, a Barnes & Noble, a Lowe’s and the AMC Dine-In Southlands 16, where you can order a royal bacon brie burger, artisan flatbreads or the usual popcorn while you're watching your favorite new release movie. With easy access to the Colorado E470 toll road (which gets travelers to the airport in about 20 minutes, Jagger says), excellent schools, shopping and parks that are walkable from most homes, Park View brings the best of the area to your doorstep, all for a price point that gives you more house for the money.