Has anyone here done this? (Denver, Fort Collins: home, college, camping)

[mtnkid]

I'm considering the feasability of a relocation from the Roanoke, VA area to the Fort Collins, CO area. Has anyone here made this particular move? Or something really similar? If so, I'd appreciate hearing some feedback. What are the major differences? What are the major culture shocks? How do the people and their attitudes differ? If we're not rich, but are paying our bills and making it work in VA, are we going to be overwhelmed in that area of CO? Roanoke tends toward blue collar. How about Ft Collins?
I've been to Golden years and years ago, and traveled through the San Juans in '06...Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, etc. I am well aware of the obvious climate and elevation differences between here and there; And I have the internet at my disposal to research all the dollars and cents, costs of living, jobs, etc. But what I need is the human opinion here. Thanks in advance.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mtnkid

But what I need is the human opinion here.

That is what city-data forums are for.

What about you?
Working or retired?
What line of work are you in?
Why Fort Collins?

[mtnkid]

Originally Posted by Charles

That is what city-data forums are for.
What about you?
Working or retired?
What line of work are you in?
Why Fort Collins?

me:
married, 2 kids under 11, working at...
I'm not real picky. I've done a lot of things in my life. From customer service type of stuff to shipping/rcving and warehousing, driving a forklift, etc, etc. I'd be willing to do almost anything as long as it was for a good company/good people.
Fort Collins because it's central to a handful of things...family in Golden, the San Juans, friends near SLC, friends in Jackson, WY, camping all over...WY, CO, UT, etc. And it seems like a "reasonable" town...not a snowbound little mountain town, but not a big city either. Kind of middle-of-the-road, and from the research I've done, a reasonable and pleasant place to be.

[Katarina Witt]

Well, Ft. Collins is a college town with all the good and bad that goes with that.

[mtnkid]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

Well, Ft. Collins is a college town with all the good and bad that goes with that.

if I were to ask you to unpack that statement, I assume that you'd say that while there is a youthful energy, happening nightlife, and a vibrant arts & music scene...there is also more competition for housing and higher rent, some collegiate substance dabbling, and above average chances of having to deal with loud parties??

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by mtnkid

if I were to ask you to unpack that statement, I assume that you'd say that while there is a youthful energy, happening nightlife, and a vibrant arts & music scene...there is also more competition for housing and higher rent, some collegiate substance dabbling, and above average chances of having to deal with loud parties??

I don't know anything about the nightlife scene in Ft. Collins. It is probably pretty active. I don't think the arts/music scene is particularly notheworthy there, the real action in arts/music in Colorado is in Denver. Wages are low, there is lots of competition for jobs b/c many people want to stay there after graduation. I guess wanting to stay and work as a waitperson when you have a bachelor's degree means the quality of life is pretty good.

[hello-world]

Originally Posted by mtnkid

if I were to ask you to unpack that statement, I assume that you'd say that while there is a youthful energy, happening nightlife, and a vibrant arts & music scene...there is also more competition for housing and higher rent, some collegiate substance dabbling, and above average chances of having to deal with loud parties??

your unpacking sounds about right, except i'm not sure how vibrant of an art or music scene is in ft collins relative to some other college towns.

[Haley R]

A friend of mine works there and just bought a nice home for $199k. It is nice there and great people!

Have you heard of Pueblo?