Any Austinites been to the Major Colorado areas? (Spring, Atlanta: ski resorts, homes)
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How would you say they compare to Austin in terms of housing prices, schools, job markets, cultures, etc?
How about Colleges too... I know many people go to Texas State that are in their late 20's or older. IMO the ACC system is over-saturated here...(just like everything else) its tough to get classes, parking.. even admissions are based on residency zip codes. can't speak for State or UT, although I understand there are approx 50,000 students at UT.
I think we know the answer to the climate questions and there is no way the people will be as friendly as here.
My roommate is born/raised in Austin and is considering a move to CO. It was funny that he mentioned CO specifically, because I've heard that from several Texans. Something about Pine Trees, Mountains, etc. But in the CO Citydata forums they say there are no rivers or lakes... it's "windswept prairie"
As some of you know, I'm from Socal and moved here about 2 years ago. We both have things we like and dislike about Austin... however he got to watch the city transform (he's 32) and I came here when it was already on track to becoming the semi-metropolis it is today.
Let's compare Austin to Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Ft. Collins.
I'll try. We lived in Denver for about six years. Housing prices are similar. I had thought it was more expensive, but a recent mls search showed me that it's less expensive to live inside the City of Denver than Austin. As for primary schools, same in Denver as Austin. Schools in the suburbs tend to be better overall, with it being hit or miss inside the city. The job market is similar, heavy on tech. The culture is also similar, more outdoors oriented. I did not go to college in colorado, but there are lots of options there. One of the more popular schools is in Boulder. Fort Collins is another big college town.
People are definitely friendlier in Texas. As for Colorado being flat and no lakes or rivers, that's just goofy. Eastern Colorado is flat and prairie, west are the foothills and mountains. There are a number of lakes that are great for swimming in during the summer. Three of our favorites were cherry creek reservoire, horseshoe reservoire and grand lake.
I'll try. We lived in Denver for about six years. Housing prices are similar. I had thought it was more expensive, but a recent mls search showed me that it's less expensive to live inside the City of Denver than Austin. As for primary schools, same in Denver as Austin. Schools in the suburbs tend to be better overall, with it being hit or miss inside the city. The job market is similar, heavy on tech. The culture is also similar, more outdoors oriented. I did not go to college in colorado, but there are lots of options there. One of the more popular schools is in Boulder. Fort Collins is another big college town.
People are definitely friendlier in Texas. As for Colorado being flat and no lakes or rivers, that's just goofy. Eastern Colorado is flat and prairie, west are the foothills and mountains. There are a number of lakes that are great for swimming in during the summer. Three of our favorites were cherry creek reservoire, horseshoe reservoire and grand lake.
Well, they are both state capitals, but that's where it ends.
Ok, I won't even mention that fact that Denver/Boulder has 1000 times more to offer than the college town of Austin, but let's take a look at the state capital aspect of it.
Austin is the capital of the state with the lowest percentage of college educated people in the country.
Denver is the capital of the state with among the highest percentage of college educated people in the country.
Austin is the capital of the dirtiest, most environmentally destructive state in the nation.
Denver is the capital of one of the top 5 most environmentally friendly states in the country.
Austin is the capital of one of the most made fun of states in the nation.
Denver is the captal of one of the most well thought of states in the nation. Ski slopes, natural scenic beauty everywhere, beautiful front range climate, clean air, etc.
Hmmm, but I must be wrong......
Quote:
Originally Posted by love roses
I'll try. We lived in Denver for about six years. Housing prices are similar. I had thought it was more expensive, but a recent mls search showed me that it's less expensive to live inside the City of Denver than Austin. As for primary schools, same in Denver as Austin. Schools in the suburbs tend to be better overall, with it being hit or miss inside the city. The job market is similar, heavy on tech. The culture is also similar, more outdoors oriented. I did not go to college in colorado, but there are lots of options there. One of the more popular schools is in Boulder. Fort Collins is another big college town.
People are definitely friendlier in Texas. As for Colorado being flat and no lakes or rivers, that's just goofy. Eastern Colorado is flat and prairie, west are the foothills and mountains. There are a number of lakes that are great for swimming in during the summer. Three of our favorites were cherry creek reservoire, horseshoe reservoire and grand lake.
How would you say they compare to Austin in terms of housing prices, schools, job markets, cultures, etc?
How about Colleges too... I know many people go to Texas State that are in their late 20's or older. IMO the ACC system is over-saturated here...(just like everything else) its tough to get classes, parking.. even admissions are based on residency zip codes. can't speak for State or UT, although I understand there are approx 50,000 students at UT.
I think we know the answer to the climate questions and there is no way the people will be as friendly as here.
My roommate is born/raised in Austin and is considering a move to CO. It was funny that he mentioned CO specifically, because I've heard that from several Texans. Something about Pine Trees, Mountains, etc. But in the CO Citydata forums they say there are no rivers or lakes... it's "windswept prairie"
As some of you know, I'm from Socal and moved here about 2 years ago. We both have things we like and dislike about Austin... however he got to watch the city transform (he's 32) and I came here when it was already on track to becoming the semi-metropolis it is today.
Let's compare Austin to Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Ft. Collins.
I lived in CO for 13 years and moved here in spring -- Boulder and Denver. I also went to school there. We moved our family here primarily because of the cost of living pertaining to housing; CO is more expensive, even with the high property taxes here. The lower COL allows for one of us not to work full-time to spend more time with our young kids AND live in areas with exemplary schools -- this is why we left. Both cities offer opportunities for our specific careers. Also, we are a bit particular when it comes to cities and tend to only be interested in those offering a unique, creative vibe. Austin has that. (So does Boulder.) Very hard to leave but the right decision for our young family.
Economy suffered substantially more there than here but I think we all know Austin did/is doing better than the majority of the country. Having looked at jobs there and here for 2 solid years, there were and are more jobs here.
Surprising to some, CO salaries tend to be on the lower side in contrast to the cost of living. Identical salaries yet better housing prices here -- that helps the budget.
Exemplary schools there along the Front Range (Denver/Boulder) -- similar to those here located in areas where we can purchase at 250K home -- are located in areas where homes are 380K-400K minimum, and there are few of those at a decent size, at that price point, within those areas.
Fort Collins and the Springs a little cheaper than Denver/Boulder, depends where you are looking.
Windswept prairie is not accurate. Eastern CO could be described that way (think Limon) but the majority of where people live is what you typically think of when you think of CO but to varying degrees of hills, trees and mountains. That said, in Denver, there are not a lot of big trees except in older areas... (these areas are more expensive.) There are more trees here in Austin than Denver.
There are lakes but they are beautiful and COLD, mostly alpine (the rest are city reservoirs). There is not a lot of water though, in general. There is the Colorado River which, obviously, runs through the middle of the state and represents the Continental Divide in many areas... bizarre the the Colorado River has been renamed here as Lake Travis and Lake Austin. So funny.
Denver/Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs all offer a TON of amazing and beautiful weekend and day trips across Colorado. Not so much here, Austin is a bit of an island.
There are more pockets of 'money' there than here.
Boulder is very expensive nowadays and I'm from CA so I'm dead serious when I say this. That said, if I win the lottery I would move into a historic home in Boulder within walking distance to Pearl St. and live there forever.
People are friendlier here than CO but not SUPER friendly like Atlanta or the south. It seems like the right amount of "friendly" to me and it's refreshing.
thanks for the info here guys. Most of it matches what I'm reading on the CO CityData.
And Epstein, we know you hate it here. You have your reasons. But dude... if you think Sacramento or Inland Socal is better, I absolutely hafta disagree. Those places can't even come close.
There are lakes but they are beautiful and COLD, mostly alpine (the rest are city reservoirs). There is not a lot of water though, in general. There is the Colorado River which, obviously, runs through the middle of the state and represents the Continental Divide in many areas... bizarre the the Colorado River has been renamed here as Lake Travis and Lake Austin. So funny.
I don't believe our Colorado River is the same as the famous one you mention that actually runs through Colorado. I think they are two separate rivers and that ours was accidentally named the Colorado River sometime in the 1800s due to confusion at the time, kind of like how Native Americans were called Indians, I guess.
I don't believe our Colorado River is the same as the famous one you mention that actually runs through Colorado. I think they are two separate rivers and that ours was accidentally named the Colorado River sometime in the 1800s due to confusion at the time, kind of like how Native Americans were called Indians, I guess.
Well, this makes me feel better... I never really looked into it other than seeing it labeled Colorado River on the local maps it but couldn't figure out how the big Colorado River somehow fingered off into TX. Thanks for the heads up
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and there is no way the people will be as friendly as here. 
