Parker, CO - detailed review...

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6/19/2006
Just some quick notes about living here for my first year:
I have lived in 15 U.S. cities ranging from DC and Chicago to smaller places like Jackson, MS and Colorado Springs. I am 30 years old. I was raised in very impovershed settings, as well as times of abundance. Generally, raised middle class and I am truly a normal happy go lucky person.
Just some quick notes about living here for my first year:
Good things about Parker:
Schools are reportedly great.
Size is small, very convenient to get where you need.
Very walkable downtown and shopping areas.
Town is family orientated.
Town is very safe; crime seems to happen mainly at the apartment complexes.
Parks are great for the kids and even have a small water park for residents.
Dog friendly.
Standard Colorado city bike paths are well thought out.
Close to DTC.
Most people are pretty nice and decent.
Bad things:
A lot middle class people, pretending to be the upper class.
There are a lot of "new money" people who thrive on competing with each other.
An example of the competition would be the standard middle class "who has the largest SUV" competition and the hilarious oversized Jackie Onasis sunglasses that only Parker's best compete in. This fad faded in Florida and Texas in the early 90's, it should hopefully pass soon here in Parker now that we are approaching the later years of the 2000's.
Some people tend to act like they are living in Boca Raton, FL ( I use to, same foolishness there), when they are really living in a plain average city in Colorado. that has no defining features with the exception on the small Main Street.
People are either very rude or very friendly.
Another example would be how some of the better off people treat some of the less fortunate like indentured servants. I have been in a few stores before and felt so badly for the people behind the counter being berated and treated like they are less human because of their occupation. It has happened in the gas stations, grocery stores, etc...
You get the exact same chain stores in Parker as you would anywhere else.
A real lack of personality.
Way too far from the mountains.
Trees are few, especially compared to other areas of the Denver metro area.
This is a place where the term "money, no class" drives home the definition to a tee (definitely not the average person there, but a small minority nonetheless).
If you have never lived anywhere else, you might really like it here. If you have li
jamesd | Parker, CO