Relocate to Denver or surrounding - tips, recommendations? (Colorado Springs, Boulder: environment, insurance)

[rteagle]

We (dink-kids grown) would like to relocate to Colorado (Denver surroundings) asap from Bay Area California, and would like recommendations for these:
1. low crime areas (or places to avoid!) 3-4 bdrm house or townhouse, used to college town environment & activities
2. reasonable commute (Bay area is almost gridlocked - 2hr for 30 miles - couldn't be worse, could it?)
3. since it is difficult to find Jobs without actually living in Denver area - we are weighing the idea of moving and finding jobs here. (IT professional, and Insurance Analyst - is this too risky to make the jump?)
4. weather-wise - is moving in October-November not a good idea?

Thanks in advance for any tips, advice or assistance you may offer!

[2bindenver]

Our commute is not at all like yours.

But how do we recommend a place with a reasonable commute, if we don't know where you'll be commuting to?

On average, Denver metro drivers have a 25 minute commute.

CH2mHill, great west are hiring. As well as Nordstrom Denver, and TEKsystems...look to monster, careerbuilder, jobing...postnewsclassified for possibilities.

[Katiana]

If you do not have kids to support and have adequate savings, you can move w/o jobs. It may take a while to find anything, despite all the job ads. IT is a good field right now.

[missingcol]

Originally Posted by rteagle

We (dink-kids grown) would like to relocate to Colorado (Denver surroundings) asap from Bay Area California, and would like recommendations for these:
1. low crime areas (or places to avoid!) 3-4 bdrm house or townhouse, used to college town environment & activities
2. reasonable commute (Bay area is almost gridlocked - 2hr for 30 miles - couldn't be worse, could it?)
3. since it is difficult to find Jobs without actually living in Denver area - we are weighing the idea of moving and finding jobs here. (IT professional, and Insurance Analyst - is this too risky to make the jump?)
4. weather-wise - is moving in October-November not a good idea?

Thanks in advance for any tips, advice or assistance you may offer!

We currently live in Bay Area and think of moving to CO too. After done some research, Broomfield is our target so far. By the way, Bay Area traffic is getting worse and worse now, but still a little bit better than 2 hys for 30 miles in S. 101 where I commute everyday.

Good luck!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by rteagle

We (dink-kids grown) would like to relocate to Colorado (Denver surroundings) asap from Bay Area California, and would like recommendations for these:
1. low crime areas (or places to avoid!) 3-4 bdrm house or townhouse, used to college town environment & activities
2. reasonable commute (Bay area is almost gridlocked - 2hr for 30 miles - couldn't be worse, could it?)
3. since it is difficult to find Jobs without actually living in Denver area - we are weighing the idea of moving and finding jobs here. (IT professional, and Insurance Analyst - is this too risky to make the jump?)
4. weather-wise - is moving in October-November not a good idea?

Thanks in advance for any tips, advice or assistance you may offer!

Your inquiry requires additional information.

What is your housing price range (or monthly rent budget)?

The Denver Tech Center seems to meet your employment requirements. Also, Highlands Ranch, Parker, and Castle Rock meet your housing and commute requirements (to DTC).

I don't think there is a college/university near there...perhaps additional postings can add...When I think of college I think of Colorado School of Mines, UC Boulder, UC Colorado Springs, University of Denver, Colorado College, and CSU. (Am I missing any? Community: Please chime in!)

Crime is practically in the noise compared to SoCal and the Bay Area. My gut feeling is crime will be the last of your worries. Denver and Front Range are heaven in this regard to California's big towns.

Traffic is non-existent compared to the Bay Area and SoCal. Repeat, non-existent.

It is always advantages to have a local address when applying locally.

It can be a good idea to rent prior to buying. We didn't, but our constraints and the internet made our decision easy and rewarding. (We moved from LA to Kings Deer near Monument in 2006.)

There will be big snow storms. Sometimes these storms shut down everything so if you aren't watching the weather sources then you could have a problem....bottom line: pay attention to weather sources for blizzards. Last year was pretty rough...but not normal.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by Charles

The Denver Tech Center seems to meet your employment requirements. Also, Highlands Ranch, Parker, and Castle Rock meet your housing and commute requirements (to DTC).

The southeast Metro, including the DTC is the largest IT employment corridor in the state, but not by much. Downtown Denver is a close second, and Boulder/Broomfield counties are a very close third when added together. So, that covers southeast, central, and northwest metros -- you can live almost anywhere and have excellent opportunities. If you're trying to maximize your potential, you can try to live commutable to two out of three.

Originally Posted by Charles

I don't think there is a college/university near there...perhaps additional postings can add...When I think of college I think of Colorado School of Mines, UC Boulder, UC Colorado Springs, University of Denver, Colorado College, and CSU. (Am I missing any? Community: Please chime in!)

You forgot about the state's largest college: Metro State (a commuter school). Metro State also shares the campus with CU-Denver (also a commuter school). The two of them share the "Auraria Campus" in downtown Denver with Community College of Denver.

Also, you didn't mention Regis, which is in North Denver. Regis is a relatively small Catholic/Jesuit liberal arts college, but they also have a continuing ed program for working adults.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by tfox

You forgot about the state's largest college: Metro State (a commuter school). Metro State also shares the campus with CU-Denver (also a commuter school). The two of them share the "Auraria Campus" in downtown Denver with Community College of Denver.

Also, you didn't mention Regis, which is in North Denver. Regis is a relatively small Catholic/Jesuit liberal arts college, but they also have a continuing ed program for working adults.

I didn't know any of this.

Good info.

[rteagle]

Thanks to all who have posted a note! This is such a huge help and fantastic advice for making a move. I am looking forward to moving to Colorado, and will have to check out these options.