former east-coaster -kinda regret moving to co

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

But ultimately, we have to see the beauty in a new place to learn to really appreciate it. I live out west now, and if I ever move, I will really miss the amazing variety of high-desert wildflowers, and surreal vistas, that are an everyday part of life. But I can't help but miss the beautiful hardwood forests and idyllic small towns that I knew most of my life, growing up back east.

I agree. When my DD, at 18, went to college in Indiana, she said she complained a lot about it at first. Then she decided to like Indiana for Indiana. (Dunes, farmland, etc.) I still miss the hardwood forests of Pennsylvania, and the somewhat more rural (not the right word, but I can't think of another one) atmosphere in Beaver County, PA, just one county removed from Pittsburgh, sort of like Boulder County to Denver. But I like Colorado, too. I guess what this is saying is that you can't have it all, anywhere. You won't find a Great Lake in Colorado, as you do in Indiana with Lake Michigan and its dunes. You won't find the high desert in Pennsylvania, or the Rocky Mtns in Indiana.

[rosesanam]

This is Rosesanam and I want to thank everyone's for their concerns and advice.
Yes, I am from different culture, but I have lived in this country for almost 30 years.
I was very young when I moved here and I am familiar with the culture. In past 30 years, I have lived in Tennesse, New Mexico, Illinois, Arizona, California and wisconsin.
I have traveled and visited almost 40 states. So I am not new to this country, but my
experience in Denver, Co is new. As some of you mentioned, the key is to be patient.
Hopefully by time, I will be able to meet people to spend some time with.
o

[Shuffler]

I've lived here 36yrs. In that time, a LOT has changed, much of it for the worse, not the better. Despite that, it's still 'home' and I love it, although it does test my patience more often than not...again, it's people-related...traffic, sprawl, cost of living, etc. I guess it all depends on one's perspective. I'll agree that the CO of today is NOT the CO that people fantasize about...I like to tell people the "Rocky Mtn High" has become the "Rocky Mtn Lie". Deal with it, or leave...although greater economic factors probably come into play there...

[coltoncity]

Originally Posted by hello-world

i'll just sympathize on the meeting people part. i've found that difficult as well, and can relate to the previous comment on how it almost feels like middle school or high school again...amongst the adults, years into it here at this point. i have found this throughout the region, personally. more so than anywhere i've spent appreciable time (northeast, midatlantic, fl, west coast, overseas). it seems to me like a very different mindset from the east coast, maybe especially the northeast, that's for sure. maybe less so than the west coast or midwest.

I had a hard time finding new friends in any place I moved to outside the east coast. I have heard similar views in talking to others from the east coast. Has anyone an opinion on the Cortez/Mancos/Durango areas? I dont hear much about it. I am a single Mom to a teen as well. I want to be prepared. And we would belooking for youth groups and such. The problem I have found is more from adults then the kids but it is a little much sometimes.

[DgoNative]

When I lived on the East coast for a bit, I found it hard to make friends in the beginning. I think West people and East people just have different modes of socializing. Spend enough time in either place, you'll learn to pick up on the methods and have plenty of friends, yet.

Durango has a ton of youth programs, too. Check out their parks and rec website and you'll be provided with a ton of ideas. There is also plenty of private programs for your kid to get involved with as well. But forewarning, the median home price just went up again in Dgo.

[borborygmi]

Originally Posted by coltoncity

I had a hard time finding new friends in any place I moved to outside the east coast. I have heard similar views in talking to others from the east coast. Has anyone an opinion on the Cortez/Mancos/Durango areas? I dont hear much about it. I am a single Mom to a teen as well. I want to be prepared. And we would belooking for youth groups and such. The problem I have found is more from adults then the kids but it is a little much sometimes.

Just a quick opinion on Cortez/Mancos/Durango:

I do have quite a lot of experience being in these areas, and I can probably offer some quick advice. For young kids, Cortez would probably, IMO, offer the best combination of a variety of good activities, safety, and a down-to-earth, "normal" small town environment. Mancos is extremely rural, without much at all going on, and Durango is, well, not quite the sort of environment I'd want my kids to grow up in. There's numerous reasons for this, but suffice it to say that growing up in a "resort" town with that type of atmosphere, around a lot of kids whose parents have loads of money and a lot of adults who act like spoiled children, can lead to a warped perception of reality and predispose a young impressionable person to various troubles later on. That's just my opinion.

I've no doubt that Durango was probably the ideal, great, small American town a decade ago. But like most formerly great small towns in this country, it got "discovered", the locusts swarmed in, and, well, that's not what it is anymore. These days it feel much more to me like a destination than a community, and the people who do live there- between the trustafarians, greenie-weenie tree huggers, cycle-maniacs, spoiled Fort Lazy College students, and out-of-state millionare second home owners- it creates a very unsettling environment to me, and I think certainly would to a young child as well. I'd recommend referring to any of jazzlover's posts on his feelings about what being raised in Telluride, Aspen, Durango et al would do to a kid- that pretty much reflects my sentiments as well.

[motoracer51]

The wife and I are in a similar situation

Born and raised in NY, moved to FL for about 10 years. Moved back to NY.

Last year we moved to Grand Junction. Now. the wife wants to move to New Hampshire to be closer to family in NY.

I told her I WILL NOT move to communist NY, but might entertain New Hampshire. Where heading out next week to check it out.

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by motoracer51

I told her I WILL NOT move to communist NY, but might entertain New Hampshire. Where heading out next week to check it out.

Keep us all posted I'd be curious about the area in and around Nashua/Hudson/Portsmouth.

[motoracer51]

Originally Posted by Spincycle

Keep us all posted I'd be curious about the area in and around Nashua/Hudson/Portsmouth.

Will do. If we move, it certainly wont be close to Boston, and the people that have screwed up Boston are fleeing into NH, and attempting to mess it up.

We're looking at places 2+ hours from Boston.

ETA: Where are you trying to get out of?