Nervous about moving to CO (Denver, Fort Collins: appointed, apartment complexes, hotel)

[LiveVivacious]

Hi everyone,

So I'm interviewing in Boulder on Monday. I'm living in Austin Texas at the moment. I've always thought colorado was where I wanted to be. It's been difficult getting any interviews but now that I finally have a few, I'm getting nervous since I don't know the area. I have a few questions but any information will be greatly appreciated.

I'm a single young professional. I'm not looking to be in the middle of the college scene nor do I want to be secluded with family lifestyle. Whats a good area to live?
I'm from Texas and never lived in a colder climate. I'm considering living around Broomfield or North Denver and commuting to Boulder for work. Good idea or bad? What is the traffic like along 36?

If you have been to austin, are there any comparisons?


Any information will help.

Thanks!
LIVE

[brown_dog_us]

36 traffic can be tough. Especially when it's snowing. Do you have experience driving in snow?

What is your budget? That will help us with the area.

Good luck with the interview!

[OhioToCO]

I agree with brown_dog - we need to know your budget.
Broomfield to Boulder commute will be 40 minutes or so, but when compared to Austin it will be a piece of cake. Denver to Boulder is just too far.

I was in Austin several years ago for a week and had to drive to UT campus downtown from a hotel just 5 miles south. It took me 30 minutes! Our traffic can get that bad right after it snows, but it won't be like that every single day.

There were a couple of suggestions on this board for people considering neighboring towns to look into Gunbarrel. I live here and I've always felt that housing can be a bit more expensive here than in Broomfield or Lafayette, but Gunbarrel undoubtedly provides much easier commute to anywhere in Boulder. It used to be a very family-oriented neighborhood, but there are several new apartment complexes here now, which sparked the opening of several new restaurants and bars. You can come check it out, if you have time.

Also, look into Longmont. Commute will be a little easier than from Broomfield, but housing prices and demographics/neighborhood make ups are similar.

Good luck with your interview!

[LiveVivacious]

I'd like to stay under $1300 and it's just me and my dog. I have little experience driving in snow. Just a few years of going on ski trips. I have a two wheel drive truck. I'll probably have to get something more practical like a subaru.

[Sunderpig2]

I'd be nervous too. That's your conscience speaking to you, wisely. It won't make a huge difference being Broomfield, etc. It will be cold to you regardless, based on where you are coming from. There is no similarity between Boulder et al. and Austin.

$1300 is quite low-end and tricky, especially anywhere near super-expensive Boulder. Everything is more expensive here in general.

What's the point anyway? What's so special about working in Boulder or even CO? What do you want to gain that you can't get there, and what might you be giving up? Have you visited the area to see what it's actually like? The job market is quite brutal here, and people established in companies put others under the microscope much more than in TX (and other weird stuff too). Not for the timid...

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by Sunderpig2

What's the point anyway? What's so special about working in Boulder or even CO? What do you want to gain that you can't get there, and what might you be giving up? Have you visited the area to see what it's actually like? The job market is quite brutal here, and people established in companies put others under the microscope much more than in TX (and other weird stuff too). Not for the timid...

Why do you keep repeating this bald-faced lie? As I've said repeatedly you're in Fort Collins. Fort Collins is NOT Denver. The job market in Denver/Boulder is much stronger than it is up there. Even so, I interviewed with a company up there a couple weeks ago and got an offer. Turned it down, though, because I didn't wanna relo the family just yet.

Additionally, why do you continue projecting your disdain for Colorado on anybody who wants to move here (especially from Texas)? I know plenty of people who've moved here from down there and they're kicking themselves for not doing it sooner.

Originally Posted by LiveVivacious

I'd like to stay under $1300 and it's just me and my dog. I have little experience driving in snow. Just a few years of going on ski trips. I have a two wheel drive truck. I'll probably have to get something more practical like a subaru.

Budget could be an issue. If you pull the trigger ditch the 2WD truck BEFORE coming here. You'll have a much easier time unloading it there (and you'll get more for it).

What's your field? Have you looked at wage data to see if you can afford to live up here given your chosen field?

Commute - 36 isn't as ugly as that god awful stretch of I-35 through Austin, but it's no picnic either.

Housing - most of the suburbs near Boulder will be familyville.

FWIW, I personally don't suggest anybody move anywhere sight-unseen especially if you don't have family here. Can you come up and spend some time touring the area to see if you'll even like it?

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Why do you keep repeating this bald-faced lie? As I've said repeatedly you're in Fort Collins. Fort Collins is NOT Denver. The job market in Denver/Boulder is much stronger than it is up there. Even so, I interviewed with a company up there a couple weeks ago and got an offer. Turned it down, though, because I didn't wanna relo the family just yet.

Additionally, why do you continue projecting your disdain for Colorado on anybody who wants to move here (especially from Texas)? I know plenty of people who've moved here from down there and they're kicking themselves for not doing it sooner.

Different strokes and all. I've know a lot of people from Texas who were happy to move here. I've know a number if them who will only move here in the summer, then move back to Texas in the winter. I know some who will only come here in the winter. That's just Texas.

Yea, Sunderpig is certainly disappointed in the Colorado experience. While many of us do believe CO is a great place to be and are happy here, the reality is it isn't for everyone. Sunderpig provides a good reference point for someone to do some critical thinking on if they are being too dreamy eyed in their relocation thoughts. Doesn't mean I always agree with his assessments, but they are representative of his, as well as some others, experience here.

[Sunderpig2]

I write to those who might be coming from a similar background as I, and may experience the same issues that my family and I have experienced. I don't give a rat's rear end if people don't like reading what I have to say, or agree. This forum sometimes lacks sufficient balance. It certainly did before we moved here. If you can't handle differing opinions, then that's a personal issue for you to fix. I want people to have all of the details (the good, bad, and the ugly). I'm not into suppressing information and BS like that.

The difference between me and others is that I try to put myself in the shoes of the OP, and try to see matters from his/her angle and perspective, and what he/she might encounter. Others just write from their own perspective, with assumptions that the OPs will act and think just like them. Those same people often also trash and belittle people who expose what they don't like to hear or acknowledge.

[Mike from back east]

There's a difference between honest information and that which is repetitively posted from the occasional soul who is unhappy with their experience in COLO. The overwhelming vast majority of new arrivals love COLO and there are the occasional outliers who think they'll be happier elsewhere. You've often said you can't wait to leave, so why not focus on telling people where it is you seek your bliss what it is you're hoping to find there that you cannot find where you're now at. Let the reader compare your apples and oranges and lemons.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by LiveVivacious

I'd like to stay under $1300 and it's just me and my dog. I have little experience driving in snow. Just a few years of going on ski trips. I have a two wheel drive truck. I'll probably have to get something more practical like a subaru.

I'm guessing you are around 30, single, and want to be close but not in the action. If so, here are some places to look at:

Gunbarrel/ Niwot- A little bit North of Boulder. Has had a lot of growth lately and that has brought some brewpubs and restaurants to the area. Maybe 15 min commute.

South Boulder- I live here, so I'm bias. I see a lot of 30 somethings around. 3-4 miles to downtown with great bike paths and bus service. Southern Sun for beers and dinner and very close to the open space for hiking/biking.

Longmont- Farther North and a longer commute. A lot more affordable. A lot of development bringing new places to eat, drink, and shop.

Broomfield- This area is more suburban with a large mall anchoring the area. New apartments and a clean feel.

I hope this helps. If not, tell us why and we will give you some better info.