Denver vs Colorado Springs? (Boulder, Loveland: real estate, for rent, crime)

[twoism]

I would love to know your insider views on Denver vs Colorado Springs.
I've heard so many things.
I heard, that Family First dominates CS... with their slogan on so many bumper stickers, mind your own family.
What's going on with that?

A friend of mine, was raped in Denver, so she likes Colorado Springs. She's single, and she feels that CS is safe for a single woman... She can't go near Denver...

While on the other hand, another friend of mine who's a happily married realtor, has a posh place in downtown Denver, and has loved it there for 20 years... says don't go anywhere but Denver...

I want to know your view, of safety for a single woman in CS versus Denver?

I want to know anything and everything you would compare about either place...
and while you're at it, throw Boulder in it!!!

Links to story on the strip club they opened behind the mall in Boulder:
Strip club quietly opens on Pearl Street Mall : County News : Boulder Daily Camera
Applauding A New Strip Club In Heavily Regulated Boulder | Politics | New West Network

I'd love to read your thoughts! I need all the insight I can get!

I'd also love to know the dating scene comparison... I'm a blank page, without an opinion at this point. I've visited Denver, tons of times throughout my life,
but I haven't developed an insider opinion.

SWF/str8/32

[froggin4colorado]

I wonder...could the preference be based on your own personal preferences of large city versus city. Colorado Springs really has everything you need and many of your wants. It is relatively a safe community and it is very possible to run into friends everywhere you go. Denver is much larger and it is harder to run into friends while out shopping. However, as we all know, crime can happen anywhere and the larger the city, the more crime. Denver and Colorado Springs are relatively comparable except for size and a few extra opportunities (entertainment, living, shopping) in Denver.

Personally, I don't go to Denver unless I have to because everything I need and want is in Colorado Springs. Yes, occasionally we will go up to visit Ocean Journey, Elitches, 16th street mall, that kind of thing but that is about it. I grew up in small communities and Colorado Springs is a great fit/size for me.

I would also post your question in the Denver section to find out what they have to say about Colorado Springs.

[COflower]

As a single women, I've lived in Colorado Springs then Grand Junction then Denver Metro then back to Colorado Springs.

All are safe (relative) cities. One person's very (sad) unfortunate incident doesn't make it a gauge for safety as that kind of thing can happen anywhere.

I really liked Denver Metro as a 20something. Many more job opportunities, lots of things to do and I never felt unsafe. I got to know the areas and enough people that I knew where my comfort zone was.

C Springs is just a smaller city is all but the jobs are tighter and the social activities are bit more limited.

I honestly wouldn't take one over the other (in a general sense that is) but I have family here (C Springs) and the cost of living is a bit better.

You should visit the two cities to get your own personal views. One nice thing about C Springs is that it is a bit sleepier (which for my almost 40 something self, is fine with me) and Denver is not a long drive. But there's a lot to be said about Denver too.

In having lived in three cities in Colorado, I've found that the grass is always greener or you just plain make the place you live work for you.

BTW, C Springs isn't all about being Christian here. Many people I know are atheist, pagan, Wiccan or simiply don't care.

[Amery523]

Honestly I think both cities you could be quite safe in. Unfortunately, crime can and does happen everywhere. There's good and bad areas in both cities. And crime doesn't necessarily happen only in the bad areas either.

That said, I think if you are single and looking for more of a social scene, then Denver will be better. Once you are married and have a family, consider coming back to Colorado Springs (or stay in Denver, there's tons for kids up there too). Denver just has more, it's larger, there's way more options for food, entertainment, concerts, jobs, etc. Colorado Springs has these things too, just smaller scale and choices are a little more limited. CS is more family-oriented, just my opinion though. Plus if you like the snow, Denver is closer. If you live in Littleton you're only 45 minutes from the closest resort (Loveland Ski Area). My 25 year old sister was considering a move here and this is what I told her. If I didn't have my in-laws living in Colorado Springs, I would have settled in Denver. It's more my vibe, I get more ethnic food (since I'm Asian) and I like big cities since I'm from Southern CA anyways.

[Katiana]

I think if you post on the Denver board you will get some similar, yet different, responses.

I never lived in CO as a single woman, but my daughter and a lot of her friends live in Denver. She/they have never had any problems, as far as I know. Another daughter lives in Boulder w/o any problems.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by twoism

I would love to know your insider views on Denver vs Colorado Springs.

Which city are you more likely to find a job and another job after that?

If you live in the south end of Denver or the north end of Colorado Spring or somewhere in between then you can have the best of both worlds and also work in either city within a commutable time.

What is your budget for rent or home purchase?

[One Thousand]

Originally Posted by twoism

I would love to know your insider views on Denver vs Colorado Springs.

Don't put yourself in positions that facilitate victimization and you'll never be a victim whether in the 'burbs or the city.

FotF isn't as big as you'd expect. There are stickers promoting both sides... and the state has a "choose life" license plate, but, as far as I've seen, no "choose abortion" plates.

I find my Denver trips to be much friendlier than anything in the Springs and I hear people leave here for Denver to get jobs all the time.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by One Thousand

FotF isn't as big as you'd expect.

I agree. That group is pretty irrelevant. Most people ignore them and any other religious wackos. They are in the noise.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by Charles

I agree. That group is pretty irrelevant. Most people ignore them and any other religious wackos. They are in the noise.

Colorado Springs' reputation, though, for better or worse, does have an effect. As an example, even here on C-D, look at this thread. There are several posters, planning to move to the Springs, revelling in the idea that CS is Christian-centric and non-tolerant. Truth or myth?

[Katiana]

^^^ I think it's a little bit both ways (how's that for wishy-washy?). I have several family members that live down in COS and work in real estate. They tell me they frequently get people praying about their home decisions and the like. OHOH, they are not go-to-church Christians, and people still do business with them.