Originally founded in the 1890s, Littleton has played an important role in the history of Colorado and is currently the county seat of Arapahoe County. The 2016 population of Littleton was reported to be over 46,000—significantly more than it was just a few years ago.
Between 2010 and 2016, the population of Littleton increased by 11%. This increase is greater than the population growth experienced by Colorado (one of America’s hottest real estate markets) and even greater the population growth experienced by the nation as a whole. Consequently, Littleton has drawn significant attention from real estate investors and individuals looking to start a new life in one of the region’s most desirable areas.
In order to make a profitable real estate investment, it will be necessary to purchase a home prior to when a given housing market has completed its rise. But before you invest in Littleton Colorado real estate, you will want to do plenty of research.
In this article, we will discuss a few of the reasons why people have been moving to Littleton, Colorado. By understanding the many compelling things about this city, you can decide if making a move will be in your best interest.
- Proximity to Denver
Depending on where your journey begins and ends, a trip from Littleton to Denver can take as little as twenty minutes. The distance between the centers of the cities is approximately 11 miles. As a result, many of the people living in Littleton work in Denver and commute every day. Additionally, transportation options provided by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) can help make the commute from Littleton to Denver—one of America’s fastest growing cities—even easier. Littleton offers the perfect blend of suburban living and access to urban culture.
- Affordable Cost of Living
There is no doubt that the Front Range has been rapidly expanding. However, one of the most common complaints from people in the region is that the cost of living has gotten out of hand. But while Littleton remains in the heart of the South Denver Suburbs, the city’s overall cost of living is actually quite manageable. In fact, the cost of living index for the city is 101.8—this means that if a good cost $100.00 on average in the United States, it would cost $101.80 in Littleton. This is contrary to the much higher cost of living in Denver and most other places in the region.
- Strong Outdoor Culture
As you will find in most places in Colorado, Littleton has established a very strong outdoor culture. The city lies within reach of the Rocky Mountains, making it perfect for people who are interested in skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and other mountain activities. Additionally, there are quite a few places for outdoor recreation even closer than the Rockies. Arrowhead Golf Club, Waterton Canyon, and Roxborough State Park represent just a small list of the local favorites.
- Excellent Weather
Littleton has four distinct seasons, yet each season is more manageable than people outside the region assume. In fact, while summer presents warm weather and sunshine almost every day, the temperature in Littleton has never exceeded 100 degrees. The average high in July (the hottest month) is 85 degrees. In January, temperatures will frequently drop down to the 20s, but the sunny days (even in winter) and beautiful snow falls make these low temps worth it.
- High Performing Schools
Littleton is serviced by Jeffco Public Schools and Littleton Public Schools. When compared to all of the school districts in the State of Colorado, both of these districts have consistently placed in the top ten. Because Littleton is so close to Denver, there are additionally many highly rated private schools well within reach. Arapahoe Community College, located in Littleton, has a wide array of academic programs to choose from as well.
- Easy Access
If you have ever been to New York or Los Angeles, you have probably noticed that many of the suburbs can be incredibly hard to access. Littleton, on the other hand, is a suburb that can be easily reached from all across the country. The city is located only 30 miles from DIA, with plenty of public transportation options available. If you have relatives or friends visiting from out of town, making it to Littleton is generally hassle-free.
- The Perfect Place to Retire
According to an annual report released by SmartAsset, Littleton ranked as the number one place to retire. Considering that the report examined roughly 4,700 different places, earning the top rank is certainly quite an honor. The benefits of retiring in Littleton include the city’s manageable taxes, excellent access to medical care, large population of seniors, and friendly neighborhoods. Investing in Littleton real estate is an excellent option for people who have grown children in Denver and want to remain within reach.
- Ample Restaurants and Breweries
Despite the fact that the city’s formal population is less than 50,000 people, Littleton has an impressive array of restaurants and breweries to choose from. Within Littleton’s central business district, you can easily find almost every “genre” of food available. Additionally, the city’s well-ranked breweries—including St. Patrick’s Brewing Company, 38 State Brewing Company, and a local branch of Breckenridge Brewery—have all helped contribute to Colorado’s local craft brewery scene.
- Enchanting Local Culture
Littleton has a variety of local traditions, some of which stretch back decades. One of the most popular traditions is the “Western Welcome Week”, an event celebrating the city’s cultural heritage that has been going on for nearly 100 years. Other popular activities include the Candlelight Walk, the Twilight Criterium, and the lighting of the holiday trees on Main Street. The city’s local Hudson Gardens, Arts Center, and Littleton Museum help give it even more distinctive charm.
- Sustained Real Estate Values
People have been flocking to Littleton in groves due to the fact that the real estate market is both stable and accessible. While property values have been generally increasing over time—due to increased demand—the median home value in Littleton still remains around $270,000. Investing in Littleton real estate is possible for most established middle-class families and at the same time, this investment will typically yield an ROI that is above the national average. Luxury real estate investments (the top 5% of homes) have also been performing quite well.
Conclusion
There are plenty of excellent places to live within the State of Colorado. But one city that has recently gained attention has been the South Denver suburb of Littleton. Littleton has plenty of appealing characteristics, ranging from its overall quality of life to its pure economic value. By keeping this simple list in mind, you can determine if Littleton is the place to live that you’ve long been searching for.