Welcome to Widefield? (houses, job, education)

[michiganbornandproud]

Seems I have inadvertently poured some salt in a wound here...I have never claimed to have a stake in utopia for everyone elsewhere,and that I think CS should be blasted off the face of the planet...LOL...I have only discussed my impressions of certain not-so-good areas of this city that are overlooked and that hardly anyone wants discussed....Stetson Hills,Briargate,the Broadmoor,etc.....great!....like I said,bless you for bein able to afford mid $200K,in a clean Mayberry-like neighborhood....we are all entitled to our own opinions as to what happens in our day-to-day lives,and express our own experiences,are we not?I did not post to this particular thread to be interrogated or belittled in any way for my beliefs,and I certainly did not want to stomp on others toes...and wondering now how this turned into a thread designed for me to give answers...when HITRVM started this thread to let ppl know that he/she is adjusting to a new city and new lifestyle,and Widefield pulled out the "Welcome Wagon" for them?

[lorearch7]

I am sorry to hear that like someone else said hang in there...it can only get better and when you start teaching you will find your own space, you will make more friends and you will make a difference to the children you teach, so I say WELCOME and the best of luck to you.

[COflower]

Originally Posted by Charles

< snip >
There are homes here for the mid $200K and they are not in bad neighborhoods. They aren't huge but they are starters, decent, and have potential for appreciation. < snip >

Yep, there are and even less.

The three bedroom, two full bath house and two car garage I live in would probably be around the $185,000 range (maybe $5k more?). Last appraisal the landlord had done in 2003 or 2004 was about $168K and the market has kind of tanked since so I don't think it would be much more than that and it's in a pretty nice 'hood.

As for michiganbornandproud - I am glad you understand that my post wasn't to be at all mean or anything to that nature. I realize that neighborhoods change. I also have found that befriending neighbors, even in the not so nice 'hoods can be advantageous to your happiness in the place you live even in the not-so-nice neighborhoods.

We all have perceptions of things and how they work within our lives. I for one need to get cracking on reversing some negative things in my life to give myself a better life.

Anyhow, C Springs can be a great place to raise a family IMO.

Life, it's a strange thing.

[HoustonNTheRearViewMirror]

Originally Posted by lorearch7

hang in there...it can only get better and when you start teaching you will find your own space, you will make more friends and you will make a difference to the children you teach, so I say WELCOME and the best of luck to you.

Thank you for the encouragement. The best news is I'm finally out of Houston (yay!). When I go to stores, etc., everyone is really friendly. One of my neighbors actually stopped to talk to me yesterday. I've been using the beautiful Widefield park by my house every day, which was one of the reasons I chose this particular house. I do wish I had been able to afford a house west of I-25 (like COFlower), but mid-100's was all I could swing for now.

[COflower]

Originally Posted by HoustonNTheRearViewMirror

Thank you for the encouragement. The best news is I'm finally out of Houston (yay!).

Hehe, I have a friend on Live Journal that I have been trying to get her and her family to move here to the C Springs area from the Houston area for years now.

Once you find yourself and know that the area you live in isn't all that bad, perhaps I can use your words to get her and her fmaily up here.

She laments a lot about the heat down there and every time I post about the snow in the winter months, she about goes bonkers telling me she wishes she had snow down there and I reply that she needs to move her hindquarters up here.

Anyhow, things will gel for you as you get to know your neighbors and honestly, Widefield may not be the best of places to live in our area but I can think of far more worse places. Hang in there, it will work itself out, I am sure of it. Neighbors always make a not-so-great neighborhood better if you get to know them.

If you need anything, let us know but I think once you get settled in, it will all be good.

[froggin4colorado]

I sent you an email Houston..hope that helps with the walking area. I hope you don't get too discouraged! In the 6 years I have lived down here, the only thing that has happened in my neighborhood is my neighbor's old old van had a window shot out and my sitter's older van was stolen. Granted, she said she left the keys in it...she had done so for years because so many in our area feel so safe (a self projected and false sense). I think of the numerous people who leave car doors and houses unlocked yet...
So don't get discouraged! I actually dont visit the park you live by too often. I usually go to Fountain Creek Park off of 85/87 more often and walk it, or the nature trail just north west of it. And yes, the fireworks used by residents was really up this year- according to local firefighters and police Fountain was a little more patroled for this because of our local government. The fire department sent out crews searching for illegal use and to confiscate them, the police put out extra guys/gals for the same reason. It is really sad to hear that someone would hurt you dog...
Give me a holler if you need anything!

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by Charles

There are homes here for the mid $200K and they are not in bad neighborhoods. They aren't huge but they are starters.

Good grief! A quarter million "starter home"! The average American can't qualify for a loan for that much. I envy your being financialy well off enough to think that way, but most of us can't.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by Bideshi

Good grief! A quarter million "starter home"! The average American can't qualify for a loan for that much. I envy your being financialy well off enough to think that way, but most of us can't.

Well, that's not actually true. Last time I checked the median home value in COS is less than 200k, and remember that means half are under that. Denver's median home value is right around the 250k mark, and even here there are quite a few decent houses in the 100s.

[Bideshi]

Yes, my point exactly. The belief that 1800 SF is small or that 250K is a starter house reflects a somewhat grandiose outlook on dwelling places, and certainly not one that is realistic for most working class people. There is a notion put forward by some pundits in the US that the opportunities afforded in America should cause a person to become wealthy and if a person does not become wealthy then they are simply failures or didn't try. I maintain that the working people who keep the lights turned on, the water running, the airplanes flying and so on are the foundation of our society and have earned our respect whether they receive it or not. Average Americans do not live as Madison Avenues portrays it. We can't afford it! The wealthy can live wherever they wish but a working man's choices are limited.

[ryanek9freak]

yeah for real. there's no way in hell I could afford a $250K house. I don't make enough to even make the house payment, let alone the bills and taxes