Ah the good old HR, it really is a unique place to grow up. The bubble of all things suburbia, fancy cars,cookie cutter houses, and perfectly mown grass. Us Highland Ranch natives know our town all too well, we could tell you the ins and outs. There are a few things special to growing up here, and here are the ten signs you can tell you are a HR kid.
1. Costa Vida is your Holy Grail.
Costa Vida, God bless that establishment. Every kid in the HR knows you can't walk in there without seeing at least five kids from your high school. Everybody loves this place, if you don't you are either lying to yourself, never had it, or a psychopath, its the truth. You know you grew up here if you here those two words and your mouth begins to automatically water as you think about that sweet pork.
2. You think that cops only job is to pull over teenagers and give out MIPs
When you live in a place were crime is so low your only job is to get teens in trouble, MIPs come in large supply. I swear no adult has been arrested in the history of Highlands Ranch. Rather it be busting basement parties, breaking up fights after rival high school basketball games, or pulling over kids speeding back to school after lunch, the Highlands Ranch police favorite thing is getting teens in trouble.
3. Sixteen-year-olds getting brand new BMWs is no surprise to you
If you are from Highlands Ranch you know at least three people driving a BMW, and all three of those people are your friends and they just turned 16. Living in a place like this can feel a little surreal and part of that is every teen drives nice cars and getting a brand new one for your 16th is more of a norm than anything else.
4. That line at Chick-fil-A will always be 100 miles long no matter what time of day
Nothing is worse than showing up at Chick for your 20 minute lunch and seeing a line out the door of hungry teenagers. No matter what day it is, minus Sundays of course, you know Chick-fil-A will be packed. Will that ever stop you from going, not a chance in the world.
5. You can't do anything without all four high schools knowing everything about it
Come Monday morning after a crazy weekend, every single Highland Ranch kid no matter the high school knows all the juicy gossip. Whatever you do in this suburb, it will not stay quiet for long. Everyone kid and even every mom will be well aware of everything you have ever done.
6. You know Daniels Park is the best place to "watch the sunset"
We can all agree finding teens making out at Daniels Park is definitely not a rare sighting. You can tell your parents it is a beautiful view and you are going to go there to take in the nature all you want, but we all know exactly what your doing. Ask anybody from Highlands Ranch if they wanna go to Daniels Park and they will know what you mean.
7. You are used to moms who are lets just say "one of a kind"
It is no secret that the moms in this area are, I'll just be honest, hot. They are fit and fabulous and everyone knows it. Everywhere you go in the HR there is some hot mom fast walking with her other hot mom friends chatting about the latest gossip, its just how it goes. Something in the water I guess.
8. You know you can't go to Magic Nails without seeing everyone in the world and their mother and they will feel the need to chat
Sorry boys, only girls can relate to this one. But its the truth for us Highlands Ranch residents, we all get our nails done at the same place and we all seem to be there at the same time. You would think when you go for your off period you wouldn't see anyone, but trust me no matter what you will, so just always be prepared for small talk its a given at this place.
9. Grad party season is at a whole different level
You may have gone to college and everyone takes about their crazy grad party, and you just silently laugh because you know yours was crazier. Every year in this neighborhood there is some graduation rager where kids and parents alike get a little to rowdy and the cops (who thrive on breaking up every party of the season) are called.
10. You are used to a beautiful mountain view right outside your window
We in the HR are spoiled in many, many was and one of them is our spectacular mountain view right outside our window. We don't always appreciate it but once you leave and come back you realize how lucky you are to have a picture perfect landscape right at your front door.
As crazy as this neighborhood is, no one can deny deep down they love it. After leaving for college you realize the bubble, while it is not a representation of real life in any way, is pretty great. We are lucky to grow up here with all the cliche suburb characteristics, the ranch is not so bad at all.
