You can find Highland Ranch, Colorado, in Douglas County. It is unincorporated land, meaning you’ll see unspoiled wilderness there. However, it’s still very close to Denver, so you can get to a major city by driving just a few minutes.
In this article, we’ll talk about the Highland Ranch lifestyle and all that goes with it. Once you hear about this idyllic place to live, you might just want to move there if you desire both urban attractions and a refreshing natural world connection.
What Kind of Homes Can You Buy There?
You can check out Highland Ranch homes for sale by looking at some of the real estate sites that feature not just the available properties but also land on which you can build. You’ll find some gorgeous homes, but maybe you want to build one from the ground up. If so, you can create your dream home, assuming you have the money and can find the contractors willing to implement your design ideas.
Highland Ranch homes cost as little as $775,000 in some cases. That price gets you a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath with a little more than 2,000 square feet. You can easily move there if you have two or three kids, and they can each have their own rooms.
You might get something larger and more luxurious if you have the money for it. For instance, $1.25 million gets you a five-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath with more than 3,000 square feet.
That might seem expensive, but if you got the same house in Denver proper, it would cost way more. You get more house for the money if you head to Highland Ranch. Also, you have to deal with much less traffic if you commute to and from work every day.
The Natural World Surrounds You
Living close to nature makes Highland Ranch appealing, and it is a huge part of the lifestyle if you choose to live there. Though you’re close to Denver, you also belong to what the locals call the Front Range Urban Corridor.
That means you’ll have Centennial and Littleton to the north and Lone Tree and Acers Green to the south. You’ll find homes there, but also beautiful mountain views surround you. You can wake up every day and look out the window at snowcapped peaks in the middle distance.
You can get up in the morning and go for a bike ride on the weekends. You’ll find some steep hills that will test your mettle. If you’d prefer a walk or a jog, you can visit some of the trails surrounding Highland Ranch and the adjoining neighborhoods.
Many health fanatics move to this area if they have the money and the free time to test themselves on the weekends. You can take it easy with a brisk morning walk, but you can also go for a rigorous five-mile jog and encounter very little traffic.
What Else Does the Highland Ranch Lifestyle Involve?
Many people also like to move to Highland Ranch because it has a very low crime rate. If you’re raising kids and you worry about them when they play in the neighborhood or go to school, the Highland Ranch crime rate and excellent police force should set your mind at ease.
Highland Ranch’s crime rate is 21% lower than the national average. It’s both safe and quiet. Violent crimes and property crimes don’t occur there very often. That might convince you to move there if you’ve lived in Denver proper and fear inner-city violence.
The modern Highland Ranch community has a history dating back to 1981, but the first settlers built homes in this area more than 100 years ago. 9 out of 10 residents rated it as a good or excellent place to live, according to a 2016 National Research Center Survey.
What Else Can You Do for Fun There?
Aside from the many tempting outdoor adventures right at your doorstep, you might visit the Purgatory Cellars Winery. They have a bunch of great European wines you can enjoy in a suburban locale. You can sit at the bar and sample some new favorites while you learn about the wine-making craft.
The Highland Ranch Mansion attracts many tourists and locals. It’s one of the area’s oldest buildings, and you can rent it out for weddings, anniversaries, or other special occasions. There’s a dance floor and many nooks and crannies to explore.
The Grist Brewing Company makes many craft beers you can sample on Friday or Saturday nights. Their Pilsner is one of the finest around, and they also have a food truck on certain days, so you can pair a pretzel or other small bites with your chosen beverage.
You can head to Highlands Point to watch the sunset. Pikes Peak might rival its natural beauty, but that’s more than 70 miles away, and many more tourists know about it. Highlands Point isn’t as well known, so you can sit there in relative seclusion as the fiery orb dips slowly below the horizon.
Freaks Brewery is another local favorite. They have many craft beers, but also game nights where you can enjoy darts, trivia contests, billiards, and more.
Consider the Highland Ranch Lifestyle if You Want a Change of Pace
The Highland Ranch lifestyle is one that emphasizes physical activities like running, jogging, or cycling, but you can also relax and enjoy one of the many fine restaurants or bars within easy driving distance. It’s pricy, but if you can afford a home there, you can enjoy the clean mountain air and snuggle up with your loved ones next to a crackling fire in the winter.
If you’ve ever wanted to become a ski buff, you can certainly do that. The slopes beckon, and you can enjoy them several months out of every year. Truly, the Highland Ranch lifestyle begs you to try it. You can get in shape exploring the region, and you’ll find friendly neighbors on all sides as well.