Relocation (Denver, Colorado Springs: apartments, rental, mover)

[Canesa]

I would like to mover from San Diego to Colorado Springs very soon. Any advice on how to do this. I mean should I just move and find a job should I try to find a job first.

So not sure how to make a move like this. Will be doing this on my own with my dogs.

Is there somewhere I can stay until I find a place to live?

Please need all the advice I can get.

Thank so much

Canesa

[Mike from back east]

Most people get a job before relocating. Young people with no children can move a lot more freely even w/out a job here, but should have 3-6 months of living expenses in-hand to cover them until they find a job of some sort.

Use craigslist to find a place, but read the warnings on CL about the scammers in the rental biz.

Tell us the sort of work you do, or have done, that will help.

[Carrera32]

Canesa - I've noticed a number of recent posts from folks considering a move from San Diego to Colorado Springs. Having grown up there (but haven't lived there in many years), I'm curious as to why you're planning on moving. I know CA, in general, has a lot of fiscal and other problems, but I always considered San Diego to be one of the most desirable and livable large cities in the country. Granted, the housing is still very expensive, but that's always been the trade off for the SoCal weather and vibe. Ditto with the job prospects (the joke when I was growing up there was that we had the best educated cab drivers in the country, because once you graduated from San Diego State, UCSD, or USD, you'd never leave for a job elsewhere). Maybe I just answered my own question, but is there another reason that explains the seeming exodus? I can't imagine it's the recent flooding. Folks have been building homes on stilts over the canyons for decades, and they understand the risks. As for the stadium flooding, that's what you get when you build a structure like that in the middle of a dry river bed (the river was once named The San Diego River, duh). Mission Valley always floods whenever it rains for more than a half hour. Traffic is congested, but nothing compared to other big cities, including the one just up the road from San Diego. Just wondering if there's something going on in San Diego I'm not aware of.

[vfrpilot]

Originally Posted by Canesa

I would like to mover from San Diego to Colorado Springs very soon. Any advice on how to do this. I mean should I just move and find a job should I try to find a job first.

So not sure how to make a move like this. Will be doing this on my own with my dogs.

Is there somewhere I can stay until I find a place to live?

Please need all the advice I can get.

Thank so much

Canesa

-Have enough savings to live for a few months. Jobs are difficult to find here unless you have a specific field of expertise.
-If you are not sure about the details in moving then you should do a whole lot of investigation. It sounds like an impulsive decision to escape some sort of situation.
-The city has many hotels, apartments, condos, and homes to rent. If you have the means, there are many choices. Camping would not be a good one, unless you have an RV with a good heater.
-Give us more information and the advice will be able to be more specific.

[SYS]

Moving without securing any means of staying is never a good idea no matter how badly you want to move. Moving is always easy, staying can be hard.

[rksinco]

I agree with the others, also coming from CA myself.
Keep in mind, in most cases, that salaries here are nothing like those in CA. Housing is a bit cheaper but outside of that, we have found The Springs to be an expensive place to live.
We love it though...we just moved without doing the amount of research we should have.
Someone earlier said to find work first....totally agree. Tough job market now....like everywhere. Lots of competition with former military folks here.
If you can swing it, come out and visit a few times and proceed slowly.
I think it's a nice place to live, though.

[OSO]

I moved here in 2005 since I was offered a job transfer within the company I work for. I had very little knowledge of the area. We stayed with my wife's aunt's in Denver for a month until I found a place in old Colorado city. I loved it there but it was too small for our family. I now live on the east side but miss the west. Personally I recommend the west side if you have no kids. You can get a duplex for a very decent price & most places are pet friendly. I do agree with everyone to secure employment first. I noticed that colorado its the last to feel the effects of the economy which means we'll also be last to feel any recovery. One great thing its if your renting you don't need a fridge since anyone renting to you must provide one. If you have any stable work history & your flexible my employer is hiring for customer service in a call center with full benefits & decent pay for this,area. Like a previous poster said, don't expect the same rate of pay. Don't worry because as you start looking at rent prices it won't be so bad. The other great thing is if you live & work in the city or surrounding area commuting is easy & cheaper. (gas prices are way less compared to CA) If your interested in the job I mentioned PM me. We're hiring alot since we're growing. My wife just got hired last week with no call center experience so don't let that discourage you. They're looking for people with stable work history, flexibility & patience. I do agree with "RKSINCO" it is an awesome place to live.

[Sallyanne]

If at all possible have a job lined up - the most important reason being that you may not find a place to rent in CS without one unless you have between 3 to 6 months savings to put down up front - even then it could depend on the line of work you are in as to whether pm companies will allow you to do that. PM companies are also very conservative with regards to animals - the breed of dog(s) is very important, the no., the size, the age can all play a part as to who will rent to you - and this is totally at the owners discretion not the p.m. companies. Pet deposits can be hefty as well. With the economy the way it is CS has not stayed out of trouble so I would definitely advise securing a job before you come - it will make your life so much easier.