Leaving WI for Denver or Colorado Springs...which one should I choose? (Boulder: military)

[sweryap]

I am graduating college and getting married in the spring and my fiance and I are moving to Colorado.

Things that are important to us:
-Outdoor activities available
-Jobs openings (She is Early Childhood education (thinking about a place like Head Start) and I am Service Management (not too concerned with what my job is, just would like to work days and make at least $15/hr starting)
-Affordable housing (We are looking at a 1 or 2 BR apartment right now)
-Groups of people similar to our age (22 when we move)
-Weather is not a concern, we grew up in Northern Minnesota...anything will seem great compared to that
-I love bowhunting, so an archery place in the area and public hunting lands within an hour or two
-We have family in Denver so we would like to live within an hour and a half of Denver so we can visit them easily

If there is another area of Colorado you would suggest I would love to hear that too! We have visited CO and just love the area and are open to different areas. I have heard CO Springs is more affordable and has a cheaper cost of living that Denver and Boulder so that is why I am interested in them.

Thanks for any help!

[Mike from back east]

You're going to get many opinions, either from replies or from the hundreds of posts already in these forums.

IMO, you're young, just getting started, so rent for a year or two and spend your time exploring and experiencing Colorado. Then you will know what you want and where you want it.

Your jobs may change several times during the salad days, making moot any good decision you may make now on home buying.

Home prices are soft, opinions vary on what is falling or where. For sure it's now a buyers market, maybe even more so when you arrive in Spring 2008.

IMO, you're best off in metro Denver, a more youthful area, but Denver's a huge area, so I'll let the locals help you pick.

[sweryap]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

You're going to get many opinions, either from replies or from the hundreds of posts already in these forums.

IMO, you're young, just getting started, so rent for a year or two and spend your time exploring and experiencing Colorado. Then you will know what you want and where you want it.

Your jobs may change several times during the salad days, making moot any good decision you may make now on home buying.

Home prices are soft, opinions vary on what is falling or where. For sure it's now a buyers market, maybe even more so when you arrive in Spring 2008.

IMO, you're best off in metro Denver, a more youthful area, but Denver's a huge area, so I'll let the locals help you pick.

Thanks for the reply, and yes I am looking at renting an apartment. No interest in buying a house.

[sweryap]

Anybody know anything about this?

[sweryap]

was this a bad question or what?

[mnaallen]

I sent you a dm because I don't have first hand advice or answers, but can put you in touch with someone who last year did just what you are talking about. I think she could be a good resource for you!

[sweryap]

Originally Posted by mnaallen

I sent you a dm because I don't have first hand advice or answers, but can put you in touch with someone who last year did just what you are talking about. I think she could be a good resource for you!

Oh thanks! I just figured out the direct messaging thing. I will be in touch,
Ryan

[MorningGlory]

Well Co Springs and Denver are extremely different places. Co Springs is very conservative/military, Denver and the burbs tend to be more of a normal big city. You should consider whether it is factor for you or not. Bow hunting, well state-wide there are a lot of places to hunt. Higher paying jobs will likely be in Denver.