Positioned at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, Littleton, Colorado is the perfect combination of beauty, affordability and practical living. The area was hand-picked by Richard Little, a surveyor assigned during the “Pikes Peak” gold rush of 1859, to construct waterways that would connect local rivers to farms. Rich in history and overflowing with opportunities, Littleton is a great place for millennials and young families that want the benefits of a small town with quick access to bustling Denver. Here are few things we love about the area.
Live
Littleton offers a diverse real estate market to meet the many tastes of its residents. If you are looking for a charming, established Littleton home, subdivisions in Arapahoe County offer large, private lots. The Aberdeen Village neighborhood, for example, offers custom-built ranch homes built around the 1950s. Goldenwest Park similarly offers affordable, single family homes built in the 1970s and 1980s, ranging in price from $200,000 to $300,000. Want to enjoy true country living? Littleton has that too. Mountain Rangeview is a unique neighborhood designed by architect Eugene Sternberg, who purposely created irregular lot shapes to prevent through traffic. The area is zoned for horses.
If you are attracted to new construction, Littleton Village, Quincy Lake Pointe and Sterling Ranch are just a few of the new neighborhoods. Move in to your custom-designed dream home for between $400,000 and $500,000. Want even more luxury? Check out the Willowcroft Manor and Chatfield Farms communities for homes ranging from $600,000 to $700,000. Want something really unique? Busy singles are loving Cityscapes at Littleton Village. These three-story, standalone homes resemble what you might find in San Francisco or Europe. Yards are conveniently small, but many designs include a private rooftop terrace.
Littleton has a variety of housing options to suite your budget and family needs. One plus is that most of the usable land for the 13.5 square-mile municipality has been used. So, you don’t have to worry about moving into your favorite neighborhood only to find out thousands of houses will shortly be under construction across the street. In general, Littleton residents stay stable and constant. Since 2000, Littleton’s population has only grown by 3.82 percent. It’s a place people tend to put down roots, and its charm isn’t affected by the exponential growth of nearby Denver. That plus, however, means you must act quick if you find your dream home. Investing in a home in Littleton is worth it, though. Last year, home appreciation rose by 11 percent.
Play
With a median age of 32.4, Littleton is full of energy and excitement. Of course, residents have full access to the art and cultural scene of Denver, just 11 miles away. In fact, Denver was voted No. 3 on the list of America’s Most Playful Cities. However, Littleton residents don’t have to venture into Denver to find exciting recreation. For the outdoor enthusiasts, Littleton is close to numerous parks, great for hiking, viewing unique rock formations, camping, swimming, boating and fishing. Check out Roxborough and Chatfield State Parks, or Robert Clement Park. Get an up-close view of elk, bear and cougars by hiking the trails at Deer Creek Canyon Park.
Little is home to nine golf courses, each highly rated. Beer lovers will want to check out Saint Patricks Brewing Company, Breckenridge Brewery Farmhouse, Old Mill Brewery, Living the Dream Brewing, Locavore Beer Works and 38 State Brewing Company. Take the family out for a fun night at K1 Speed for go-cart racing. During the summer months, families enjoy outdoor concerts and movies, public pools and splash pads, and festivals in Littleton and nearby areas. With an average of 246 sunny days per year, Littleton offers many opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Residents have no need to leave Littleton to shop for their favorite things. The downtown region offers shopping in a quaint “old town” atmosphere. Main Street offers unique businesses with artisan products.
Work and Learn
Families love the schools in Littleton, boasting smaller class sizes and over half its teachers having advanced degrees. The city’s overall greatschools.org rating was eight out of 10, and four schools received a score of 10. The city, however, spans two counties. Depending on where you live, your children may attend Arapahoe or Jefferson County schools. Three Littleton elementary schools have received Colorado’s “Blue Ribbon” distinction. These schools are recognized by the Department of Education based on academic excellence. In addition to a great public school system, Littleton also offers public charter academies and numerous highly ranked private schools. For adults, Arapahoe Community Colleges is available, offering 60 degree programs.
Littleton has a booming economy with a 4.8 unemployment rate, compared to 6.3 nationally. Its largest employer is Lockheed Martin Space Systems. However, many Littleton residents commute to nearby Denver for employment. Their average commute time is 25 minutes, right in line with the national average. While most commuters driver themselves, 77 percent to be exact, Littleton does offer bus and train transportation into Denver. Denver’s Light Rail system makes it easy to hop on the train and get to Denver for business or pleasure. Plus, you can avoid downtown parking fees.
For good reason, Littleton made the list of Top 11 Denver Suburbs. It’s described as historical, kid-friendly, affordable and artsy. It’s the kind of community families long for. Block parties, fire works, strolls down Main Street or in the wild, open parks. Littleton has it all. Contact me to learn more about this great community and how you can be part of it.
