Choosing a city in CO (Denver, Colorado Springs: homes, school, place to live)

[Easygoing]

My wife and I are heavily considering moving to Colorado because of all the great things that we have heard about it. We are planning on moving to a town that is suitable to start a family. We have lived in Texas our whole lives and need a place far from the weather here, but not too extreme. We don't want a big city, as we like our space. But we also don't want to be 2 miles away from our neighbors either. Our housing budget is between 200-250. Since we both work with X-rays, A hospital within a reasonable distance is necessary.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Market Mama]

Hospitals in the Denver metro area have been actively recruiting nurses with radio ads, hiring bonuses etc, so I would guess they might be short of other kinds of skills too. But still, you might want to find jobs first, then check out the surrounding area. We're pretty crowded in together here on the Front Range, but there are still some semi-rural areas that might appeal to you, especially out on the plains or up in the mountains. Are you OK with a longer commute? Check out the more southern cities first (Pueblo, Durango, Colorado Springs, even Canon City) -- becasue the further north you go, the more wicked the weather gets.

Please note that the weather here can also be extreme, and many Texans are shocked by their first winter here -- long pleasant spells broken by really nasty and dangerous snow storms.

There a long thread on this board about the best/worst places in CO, take the time to read it since it will give you a better picture of the different areas in the state. For instance, the area around Boulder might suit you in many ways -- I have horse property with just 8 neighbors in a 2 block area around me. It's just 5 minutes (in different directions) from a large grocery store and trailheads leading to miles of Open Space with trails heading out over the plains and up into the foothills), but it is also a more expensive place to live.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Easygoing

My wife and I are heavily considering moving to Colorado because of all the great things that we have heard about it. We are planning on moving to a town that is suitable to start a family. We have lived in Texas our whole lives and need a place far from the weather here, but not too extreme. We don't want a big city, as we like our space. But we also don't want to be 2 miles away from our neighbors either. Our housing budget is between 200-250. Since we both work with X-rays, A hospital within a reasonable distance is necessary.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Check this out:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...o-springs.html

Two new huge hospitals are open and opening in the northern Colorado Springs area. Some housing in the Briargate area starts in that price range (goes much higher). Also check out Stetson Hills near there - lots of homes in that price range. Both hospitals are in the ten minute commute range.



There is tons of info on the thread. Use the Advanced Search tool near the top of the page.

[Tom Emmerling]

You might try east of Greeley. It is pretty desolate country out there but within driving distance to Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. I say east of Greeley because land is going to be cheaper that direction. You are going to have to look around a bit to stay in your price range but it can be done.

[parkfan]

I 2nd the post from Charles that the N. El Paso Co. area will have many new jobs in the medical field and a fast growing population. If you feel that area is too congested/suburban, consider Salida, in Chaffee Co. New jobs at "Heart of The Rockies Medical Center". Probably lower pay scales but a much more rural atmosphere at the foot of the Collegiate mtns.

[Easygoing]

One of the Cities I found in the thread that Market Mama Pointed me to is Castle Rock. Can anyone tell me about the weather, locations of hospitals, or the people who live there? What about the Air Quality? Is it anything like it is here in Dallas? (awful)

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Easygoing

One of the Cities I found in the thread that Market Mama Pointed me to is Castle Rock. Can anyone tell me about the weather, locations of hospitals, or the people who live there? What about the Air Quality? Is it anything like it is here in Dallas? (awful)

There was a whole thread on snowfall in Castle Rock. Likewise, you can find a lot of information about location of hospitals, etc through the search tools on this forum.

[witchybritches]

If I were ever to move back to Colorado (I lived there for quite a few years and have been nearly everywhere) I would probably choose Colorado Springs. Lovely city.

[HappyMontrose]

Check out Montrose ...

The Town just added a new advanced Cancer Center and the Hospital continues to expand...


http://www.montrosehospital.com/

HM

[Squiggy]

So, what I gather from this thread is that my wife and I, originally from the Phoenix area and now going to medical school in Charleston, SC, will freeze when we move to CO...?