Insider Access to Life at the Lake!
April 6, 2021
When Tyler and Jillian Derrick and their kids Delaney, 12, Ryder, 10, and Jackson, 8, Cash, 6 were in the market for a new house, two things factored into their decision to move to Southshore in Aurora.
The family wanted to see the Rocky Mountain Air Show at the Aurora Reservoir about four years ago and the traffic was so bad, they drove through Southshore to try to find a place to watch the show.
“That’s when we first laid eyes on it,” Tyler says. “And then when we found out Scott Schliech was going to open up the school, we were about ready to upgrade to a new house and so the timing just worked out perfectly.”
A Principal Sealed the Deal!
The Derricks were familiar with Scott Schleich, the Altitude Elementary School principal, having been parents of his at Aspen Crossing Elementary, another Cherry Creek School in Aurora. Jillian teaches second grade (Jackson’s in her class!) and when she heard Scott would be opening the new school, she immediately knew she wanted to work for him one day.
“He’s just such a great leader,” she says, “And I literally got the job offer at Altitude the same week we closed on our home in Southshore. I can’t imagine working for anyone else and opening a new school, that’s kind of a bucket list as a teacher.”
Jillian works just minutes from their home, and Tyler, who works for Raytheon, has a little longer commute. “Our office is on the other side of Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, next to the Centre Hills Golf Course, so about 20 or so minutes away.”
Access to Life at the Lake
“We wanted a community where our kids could run around with neighborhood kids, ride bikes, and have access to amenities and the reservoir,” Jillian says. “Just like the neighborhoods we both grew up in.”
One 70-degree day in February, the Derricks were walking around the reservoir and decided to go look at the model homes. “The guy hands us keys to the models and a map and said, ‘Go have fun!” Jillian remembers. “We drove around with the kids and walked through some houses until we literally walked into OUR house.”
The Derricks bought a Radcliffe model, from Taylor Morrison (formerly William Lyon Homes).
Tyler says, “We looked at each other and knew. With four kids, just the way the house was laid out, was perfect for our family. The model we bought, has a big storage pantry, a mini-master so our one daughter could have her own little wing on the top floor, and rooms for each of the boys.”
Jillian says they’re looking forward to things opening back up this spring and summer. “I think the first weekend we moved in there was a guest brewery tasting at the Lakehouse, and we ended up meeting some of our neighbors that we’re still good friends with.”
And like most Southshore residents, can’t wait to be among the first visitors to the new Lighthouse rec center and eight-lane lap pool! The Derricks’ home is halfway between The Lakehouse, Southshore’s amenity center with its saltwater infinity pool, sports fields, gym and event rooms, and the new Lighthouse, set to open this summer.
Come Home to Southshore!
The master-planned community of Southshore is one of Aurora’s most appealing communities, with two amenity centers and new construction offerings from some of Colorado’s top home builders. Check out the brand new homesfrom Taylor Morrison, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers – and coming soon: Century Communities. Life at the Lake looks like this – stunning ranch and two-story designs – priced between the $400s and the $700s.