Another best of list (Denver, Boulder: best cities, home, income)

[orngkat]

I think this is a new list of 10 best large cities to live in:
10 Best Cities to Live in USA According to MONEY Magazine | Money

Having lived in #1 and now in Springs, these two cities are so categorically different that it boggles my mind they would end up on the same list.

[dr.frog]

It's pretty crazy that the article highlights *skiing* as one of the attractions in COS.

[Mike from back east]

Actually, COS has far easier access to high country skiing than those poor schlepps stuck in I-70 stop and go traffic trying to get out of Denver to go skiing. Neither COS nor Denver have skiing anywhere in or near the city, a fact that lowlanders need to be aware of. Neither city is 'in' the mountains though COS does sit right at the foothills.

As we've seen over the years, all of these 'best' articles are only as good as the assumptions and parameters used in the selection process.

The city of COS still has a lot going for it, primarily it being much more affordable than Denver/Boulder, with tons less traffic and a lot less heat than Denver summers.

[SkyDog77]

Skiers enjoy the region’s proximity to major ski getaways like Aspen and Vail, as well as the area’s surrounding resorts, including Eldora Mountain Resort, which offers 680 acres of terrain and 300 inches of snowfall a year.

Why the hell are they saying that Eldora is a “surrounding resort” and “nearby”. It’s 129 miles from COS. Did they confuse COS with Boulder?

They make it sound like Vail is far and Eldora is right up the hill. They’re about the same distance. Weird.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by dr.frog

It's pretty crazy that the article highlights *skiing* as one of the attractions in COS.

...and then uses Eldora as an example of it. Nothing like driving the entire distance of the Denver Metro and then hightailing it up 36 and through Boulder to go skiing. I suppose if traffic is perfect(ha), then one could make it in two hours.

Our skiing access was much better when Ski Broadmoor, Pikes Peak, Conquistador and Panadero were available options and one could be on the slopes after work or within 60 minutes for the further ones. Of course, steep ad deep terrain was never a hallmark of any of these, so their status as resorts ws never going to happen.

Skiing, hot air balloons, and the Manitou incline. Interesting choice of features to call out on Cos.

[hollyt00]

I would not be surprised if Eldora Mountain contributed ad money to them and they couldn't justify/have Boulder win so they found another city to give it to.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by TCHP

....Skiing, hot air balloons, and the Manitou incline. Interesting choice of features to call out on Cos.

Almost sounds like the article was a spoof....I mean the history of hot air balloons in COS is so very poor. Just about every year for the annual balloon fest or evening "balloon glow" there are cancellations due to winds.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by orngkat

I think this is a new list of 10 best large cities to live in:
10 Best Cities to Live in USA According to MONEY Magazine | Money

Having lived in #1 and now in Springs, these two cities are so categorically different that it boggles my mind they would end up on the same list.

Well,if their key parameters are average income, median home price, and projected job growth, then I can see it. With the number of Denver commuters, work from home jobs, and defense software companies, it inflates the average income. Home prices are still below Denver metro prices, and job growth is simply a guess. IIRC, Greeley actually had the greatest job growth in the state this year and third in the nation overall, but no one would want to lavish a "best of" on a place that has grown as a result of oil and gas markets and smells of cow dung a percentage of the year.