Here's what I want...where should I live? (Denver, Colorado Springs: real estate, loft)

[dontfencemein]

I'm researching a new place to live, and here's what I'm after. For reference, I'm looking for a Seattle that's close to Texas with a lower cost of living. Boulder sounds good but is probably too expensive. More specifically, here's this is my wish list:


Within a few states of Texas (family is there).

Four season climate, would like some thunderstorms, maybe a little snow, some change in the seasons. Preferably not crazy humid like Houston. Preferably not punishingly hot long summers. More rain is better than less rain.

Within 50 miles of an urban center.

Farmer's market and/or a food culture.

Preferably not cookie cutter suburbs where everything looks the same.

Tolerable traffic.

Nice if I could walk or cycle to run some daily errands rather than drive.

Modest housing (say, 2 BR, 1500-2000 sq ft) in reasonably safe / gentrifying area for less than $200,000. Alternative housing like a loft or post-industrial site could work.

Tolerant population (eg, too many enthusiastic evangelicals would make me uncomfortable).

Decent local economy.

Reasonable price of electricity and utilities, taxes, general cost of living. Fast internet available.

Ice rink within 20 miles.



Not very important:

Public school quality (unless it would hold down real estate appreciation overly).

Job availability (I'm self-employed).

High tech medical facilities.


Any recommendations on places to check out?

[Foreverking]

Other being close to Texas, you just described Boise Idaho. There are alot of Mormons but there influence there is minimal. I don't know if any place is going to totally fit your bill though.

[Blue Skies]

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

[jim9251]

Fayetteville Arkansas fits that description.

[Foreverking]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Fayetteville Arkansas fits that description.

Yeah I thought about Feyetteville too, but pretty humid in the summer

[otterprods]

Other than your budget of staying under 200k for a 1500-200 sq ft house, you described a lot of the places just outside the suburban hemisphere of Denver. Places south of Castle Rock, West of Denver but before you head up I-70 into the hight country resort areas, or north of Broomfield, but it will be pretty hard to find a very nice place at under 200k up there unless you get something really small. You can always go east, but it's an awful lot of prairie wind country. And as soon as you get much past the eastern border you'll have real humidity in the summertime.

You can find a little bit cheaper housing down in El Paso county (north of springs). But it does have bigger church-oriented population that people seem to fear as an intolerant bunch. (I don't, but many people do, and it's not entirely unfounded I guess)

[Mike from back east]

Colorado Springs, especially that house for $200k. Look at realtor.com for zip 80920.

[dontfencemein]

Unless Bartlesville has changed since I last saw it 5 years ago, it won't fit the bill, but I'll look into the other places. Thanks for the suggestions.

[alostbard]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Fayetteville Arkansas fits that description.

You said that you would not want too many evangelicals. I am in the Fayetteville/Bentonville corridor area right now. Outside of the University of Arkansas campus area, it is hardcore conservative evangelicals that rule this land. They do not tolerate toleration, even middle-of-the-road religious or political mindsets. I get the religious and political litmus tests on a daily basis, and if you do not pass these tests, you will NOT prosper here.

This is Walmartville, ...no exceptions.

[jim9251]

Originally Posted by alostbard

You said that you would not want too many evangelicals. I am in the Fayetteville/Bentonville corridor area right now. Outside of the University of Arkansas campus area, it is hardcore conservative evangelicals that rule this land. They do not tolerate toleration, even middle-of-the-road religious or political mindsets. I get the religious and political litmus tests on a daily basis, and if you do not pass these tests, you will NOT prosper here.

This is Walmartville, ...no exceptions.

I lived in Fayetteville for 30 years, that's not how I would describe it at all. And I've never seen what you are describing.