Blah! (Boulder, Springfield: sales, apartment, for rent)

[Sick of SGF]

Hi all,
My partner and I are sick and tired of living in Springfield, Mo. We have been researching and his company has branches in Boulder. We are not professionals, we are not expecting to live the same sort of lifestyle we do here, we just want out! I work in sales and he works in retail. We have good jobs here and live like kings and queens here, but I expect the cost of living to be much higher in Boulder. Its ok. I will be poor, just get me out!
My questions follow:
1. How is public transportation in Boulder? If I live in the city, is it fairly easy to walk/bike to get around?
2. I do not have a degree in sales, but I do have lots of experience and have a great resume. What is the job market like for someone like myself?
3. Has anyone moved to Boulder from this area? I would love to hear your experience.

Thank you for all of your input!!

[TropicanaRose]

Public transportation is quite good here, and we have a good system of bike paths. We even have a mapquest like interactive route planner at GObikeboulder.net

The job market is tight here, but there is always a place for experienced hard-working people. But, and this is a big but, it may take you quite awhile to get hired for anything approaching decent. If you are a knock 'em dead sales person you can pick up a "carp" job pretty easily. Consider waiting tables if you have that skill. Boulder is a restaurant town and you can do better with that than with entry level sales.

You really are going to be poor here. Get on craigslist and look at rents. Think about this carefully. Are you willing to live in a shared arrangement, or a small basement apartment? Do you get that if you want to stay here in the long term you will have to take steps to change your earning power? Do you have debt? Get rid of it before you come. I'm not trying to discourage you- just want you to have a realistic plan.

[rockymtngator]

I would have to agree with TropicanaRose, if you're living "high on the hog" in MO, you may find it a little surprising how little your money can buy here.

You might want to give some parameters for others to give you perspective as to what you think you can and can't afford.

What can you afford to pay for rent?
Do you need to live in a house or is an apartment okay?
Do you want to be where the "action is" or is quiet and sleepy better for you?