The Front Plains region of Colorado hosts some of the most striking scenery in America. Prairies dominate the landscape here, as groups of trees follow the snaking path of dry creek beds that flow each time it rains.
To the west, the Rockies rise tall, silhouetted against the sun as it sets each day over the golden plains. Folks who can't decide between a slopeside condo in the mountains, a condo in one of the populated cities or a Great Plains compound should move to Centennial, Colorado.
This small municipality South of Denver and Aurora is an excellent option for folks who need to be close to the large cities for work but desire an easy escape to nature. Pinning down why you should move somewhere is tough, so the team at Prevu Real Estate compiled the top reasons why people move to Centennial.
Reasons to move to Centennial, CO
- Close to the heart of the city
- The great outdoors in Centennial
- Plenty of fun
- Shopping and dining
- Plenty of home styles
Close to the heart of the city
Part of what makes Centennial a hot destination for home buyers is the proximity to Denver and Aurora. This means it is easier to find great job opportunities in the Denver metro area.
I-25 cuts north to south right through the center of town, and is the main route most commuters take to reach Denver. For folks heading towards Aurora, they too will use I-25, but they merge onto I-225 to head east into the heart of the city. But you do not need to leave the Centennial neighborhoods to find a good career, as the Denver Tech Center industrial Park is home to plenty of engineering and management consulting firms.
If you spend a lot of time in Colorado Springs, then Centennial is perfect for you, as I-25 gives drivers a straight shot south to the area. But one of the best parts of living in Centennial is beating the crowds to get to the mountains. Centennial residents can sneak around the rush hour dash towards the mountains by using the Colorado E470 to merge onto I-70 just south of Golden.
But the 470 is not just for quick ski weekend jaunts. If you are drawn to the expansive eastern side of Colorado, you can use the 470 to reach highway 36, I-76, and beyond. If you frequently fly out of Denver International, the 470 takes you there directly. However, you could also grab a flight out of Centennial Airport, off south Peoria Avenue.
Despite all the ways out of Centennial, you can routinely find locals lounging or exploring one of the many parks in the area.
The great outdoors in Centennial
While many folks living in Denver shoot west to enjoy hiking and exploring the Rockies, people living in Centennial do not have to go far to experience breathtaking nature in Arapahoe County.
Despite the dense residential feel, Centennial's distance from the city creates an opportunity for nature to thrive. As part of the Colorado front range ecosystem, ravines, hills, gullies, and wide open spaces characterize Centennial's landscape.
The best places to see these biomes are Cherry Creek State Park and Chatfield State Park, which flank the city's northern and southwestern sides. The distance from the city, coupled with the robust local ecology, means you can find prairie dogs, mule deer, and even coyotes nestled deep in these parks.
Between these two large ecologically-minded parks, you can find pleasant green spaces in the heart of Centennial, such as DeKovened Park, Milliken Park, Willow Spring Open Space, Abbot Park, and Arapahoe Park, to name a few. Yet there is much more to do in Centennial than exploring parks.
Keeping active in the city of Centennial
When you live in Centennial, you do not need to leave the city to have a great time. Golf is a popular pastime, as the Denver area gets around 300 days of sun a year. This means plenty of bluebird days out on the links.
The Southglenn Country Club, South Suburban Golf Course, and Links Golf Course are popular destinations for folks who want to get a round in on the weekend. Yet if the weather is too chilly, golf lovers can head to indoor facilities like GOLFTEC Highland Ranch, Family Sports Golf Course, TopGolf, and InClubGolf.
Tennis is another favored activity for residents, considering the dry climate and sunny days. The Otero and Rusty Sun tennis courts are just off East County Line Road, while nearby, you can find indoor courts at Lifetime Tennis.
Even skiers, who can’t wait for the first snows of winter, can find a chance to shred some turns in Centennial. The SNOBAHN Indoor Ski and Snowboard Center on South University Boulevard is perfect for folks who can’t wait for ski resorts to open, as it is equipped with training equipment to simulate being on the slope.
For folks who find their passion is flying through the air, there is an iFLY indoor skydiving center in nearby Lone Tree to the south. If you're looking for a less extreme take on catching some air, you can head to the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park for some ziplining.
Of course, for a more leisurely afternoon out, you can head out to Celebrity Lanes on South Parker Road to go bowling. While folks living in Centennial love keeping active, you can always find people unwinding at the boutique stores and restaurants in the area.
Shopping and dining in Centennial
While Centennial is an outdoors lover's paradise, that does not mean there is not plenty to do for those who love a bit of retail therapy.
I-25 divides the city, with the eastern side primarily residential, while the western side is where you can find shopping centers filled with big box stores and quick service restaurants. Most cluster around major commercial corridors, like East Arapahoe Road, South University Boulevard, and South Broadway.
Yet folks living on the eastern side of I-25 can head over to Pioneer Hills or the Cornerstar shopping outlet on South Parker Road rather than head across town. These large shopping centers lend themselves to big-box retailers, so expect to see plenty of Kohl's, Burlington Coat Factories, and shopping markets like King Soopers.
While shopping leans toward big chains, you can find opportunities to dine out at small mom-and-pop restaurants in Centennial. You can always find regulars at Doug's Day Diner, a Tex-Mex breakfast staple in eastern Centennial. Towards the middle of town, near I-25, there is ViewHouse Centennial, a community staple serving burgers and beers.
For those looking for a sweet treat, they can head over to Donut Maker, which is located across the street from The Shops at Greenwood Village.
Plenty of home styles
Centennial is not all that new, considering it is named after Denver, the Centennial State, which was added to the union in 1876, the 100th anniversary of the birth of America.
The municipality came into existence in the early 2000s, although the Centennial Airport has been around for over 30 years. Yet the area of Centennial has been around for a long time, and you can find many home styles from different eras.
From split ranches with two garages near Cherry to new construction condos in Southcreek, homebuyers have plenty of options. On the western side of I-25, the homes are more densely packed in a true suburbia style.
On the west side, you can expect to find larger homes set back from the street on sizable plots of land. Depending on how much responsibility you want to shoulder, you can move into places like Southglenn or Piney Creek, which have governance and homeowner associations that help keep the neighborhood in tip-top shape.
Interested in buying a home? Learn how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.
