Chicagoans relocated to Boulder? (Denver, Sheridan: gated, vacation, job)

[VioLynn33]

Hi there-

I was hoping to hear what the transition from the Chicago area to the Boulder area has been like for you. (And if you moved there before this past winter-- wow, did you miss a doozy!)

We've lived in Chicago our entire lives and are interested in making a change. We're looking for natural beauty, milder climate, progressive community, easy pace of life.

Any observations are welcome! Thanks!

[SheridanL]

Milder climate, easier PACE of life??? Sheesh, why aren't you here already???

My youngest son....went to Chicago (outskirts) for his Navy bootcamp. Although he is born and bred in Colorado, he almost died from frostbite!! Imagine that???
Then, he went to Pensacola, Florida for a year and a half...Now in Hawaii...Guess what??? He misses the snow and mountains!!WHAT????

It is windy in Chicago which, drives the cold in deeper to ones bones but,...Colorado...Boulder??? NO COMPARISON!!
No BIG lakes to draw humidity from.....dry, dry air....totally different (even at the same degrees)!
To say that "you will be fine and LOVE it) is an understatement!!
Now, that being said,....if you love BIG shows and BIG city life..well...you will just have to drive a spell!!! Although Boulder has many a "cool" things!!
IMO!!

[VioLynn33]

Originally Posted by SheridanL

Milder climate, easier PACE of life??? Sheesh, why aren't you here already???

My youngest son....went to Chicago (outskirts) for his Navy bootcamp. Although he is born and bred in Colorado, he almost died from frostbite!! Imagine that???
Then, he went to Pensacola, Florida for a year and a half...Now in Hawaii...Guess what??? He misses the snow and mountains!!WHAT????

It is windy in Chicago which, drives the cold in deeper to ones bones but,...Colorado...Boulder??? NO COMPARISON!!
No BIG lakes to draw humidity from.....dry, dry air....totally different (even at the same degrees)!
To say that "you will be fine and LOVE it) is an understatement!!
Now, that being said,....if you love BIG shows and BIG city life..well...you will just have to drive a spell!!! Although Boulder has many a "cool" things!!
IMO!!

OK, since you are giving me the straight dope answer me this:

how are the summers in Boulder? Everyone talks about the winter, the snow, the skiing, I get it. While DH is a skier, I prefer hiking. Are the summers pretty in Boulder? Trees? Greenery? Or is it parched and brown?

We're coming out in a few weeks to see for ourselves, but I'd love your opinion anyway!

Thanks!

[SheridanL]

Are the summers prettier???? Oh Heck yeah!!!!!!!!!

Let me just say....you and yours WILL NOT be disappointed!!

Colorado is a beautiful state ...soooo much to do and, sooo many cultures to be seen!

It will capture your senses...wrap you around your mind...then take you back where you once came! You will ALWAYS want to come back...again and again.

At some point in your life,....you will want to live here...it will obsess you like it does US ALL!!

Take a trip/vacation...you'll see!!
You WILL be back!!

[nelumbo]

how are the summers in Boulder? Everyone talks about the winter, the snow, the skiing, I get it. While DH is a skier, I prefer hiking. Are the summers pretty in Boulder? Trees? Greenery? Or is it parched and brown?

There are trees in the mountains (conifers) and trees in irrigated areas (cities). The plains around Boulder which are not irrigated are green in the spring (if it rains) and then turn brown by mid/late summer, rain depending, and stay brown until the next May. The eastern half of Colorado is on the high plains, which are semi-arid grasslands. In comparison to the eastern US, it is parched and brown much of the year. If you want to go hiking in the mountains and foothills, there will be trees, although the pine beetles have taken a toll.

[TecWmn]

I grew up in Chicago and at 30 years old moved to Boulder for 6 years. I am now 36 and have moved back to Chicago after a short stint in Seattle. Main reason: I missed the authenticity of Chicago people. You never wonder where you stand and people are usually pretty honest (even if it is blunt at times).

Here is something you will notice within a couple of months - there is an underlying fakeness to some of the people (not all of them mind you). You will notice this more quickly than most because you come from a city of very real people. Don't get me wrong, there are some really lovely people in Boulder.....but this was something that was very apparent to me.

The weather is fabulous, the outdoors lifestyle is beyond comparison, the IT job market for me was great, being single was also a huge plus as Denver is highly rated for single people....over 300+ sunny days a year.....you will literally wonder longingly when it might rain (an odd thing for a mid-westerner).

The terrain is mostly brown come July/August (compared to the rich greens of the midwest), but you will love the hiking - it is truly amazing! The thing I missed most in the hot summer was water - there really are no lakes....I grew up boating on the Chain O' Lakes so no water was a bummer.

Prepare yourself for hot, dry winds like you have never seen - 90 mph. gusts are not out of the question.....I have never experienced anything like it.

I wish you and your family much luck and hope you find a place that brings you many blessings!