Which City To Choose??? (Denver, Colorado Springs: rentals, how much, house)

[lolavanatta]

I'm 25 years old and planning to move to Colorado with my boyfriend next fall. We currently live in downtown Baltimore, but I grew up in the woods on a mt. top near Pittsburgh. We are trying to choose a city in Colorado that has the best of both worlds - city life close by (great/non-chain restaurants, bars, theatre, culture, history), but live in the woods/mountains. We are looking to rent first until we figure out the best place to build, up to $1400 rent per month. I've read a lot of conflicting info on here about Denver vs. Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Loveland...I like what I've seen about Manitou Springs...

We will have a job wherever we go b/c he works for Enterprise and I work from home.

We are super outdoorsy - snowboarding, hiking, boating, climbing, but love city events, concerts, festivals, wineries. I need to live in a beautiful area with lots to do. Are there any decent areas close to a big enough city that we can have the peace of the woods and convenience of city fun (20-30 min)???

I need help - we are planning a visit in May and need to narrow down our city choices for a 5 day trip.

Please help!

[Charles]

I home in phrases/words like "job with Enterprise" and "$1400/month". I'd start there...where can he get a job and what is Plan B when job A goes away?

Sounds like you've already done some good homework. Five days should be enough to see most places along the Front Range...not sure if you were considering elsewhere....Manitou is really close to Colorado Springs so for his job with Enterprise you could live in either place...also old Colorado City just west (like one mile) of downtown Colorado Springs. Woodland Park?

Others would have more info place in the Denver metro. I've heard Boulder is cool but expensive.....

[lolavanatta]

Thanks Charles - What areas are considered the Front Range?

Anybody hear anything good/bad about Estes Park, Golden, Morrison, Evergreen, Conifer, Kitridge...

[Charles]

Originally Posted by lolavanatta

Thanks Charles - What areas are considered the Front Range?

Anybody hear anything good/bad about Estes Park, Golden, Morrison, Evergreen, Conifer, Kitridge...

Sort of along the I-25 highway....also Boulder..Pueblo?? (Some geography major might interject....) Basically from Fort Collins south to Pueblo??? Including Denver, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs...

But bottom line...where is the best place for him to work?

[lolavanatta]

he can work in any city b/c there is an Enterprise within 15 min of everywhere, supposedly

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by lolavanatta

he can work in any city b/c there is an Enterprise within 15 min of everywhere, supposedly

That may not be true of some of these mtn towns.

Estes Park, Golden, Morrison, Evergreen, Conifer

,

Estes Pk: tourist town, gateway to Rocky Mtn Nat. Park. Probably OK for living in. About 45 min to Boulder

Golden: Basically suburban Denver, though also a city in its own right. Expensive, near mtns.

Morrison: A little town a little ways w. of Golden. In the foothills

Evergreen: West of Morrison. Mountain suburb

You can check out these places on the City-Data home page for Colorado. BF should check w/Enterprise re: their locations in CO. I would suggest getting a Colorado map and perusing it.

[bashep]

I know some people have already said this. But the price range you are in, I would definitely say- Old Colorado City, Manitou, Woodland Park. I think the mountain towns outside of Denver are pretty expensive. You could look at Longmont, but I heard the prices are going up there right now (don't quote me on that). You could also look at rentals.com and/or realtor.com. Look at how much of a house you would get for a rental in your price range. Then also you could figure out how much you are looking to spend when you buy a home and go to realtor.com and see what you can get for that price range.

[tgkelly]

Sounds like you would like Fort Collins!! Its a younger town, with a nice college, and a great nightlife. Its very close to the mountains, and is a big outdoorsy town! It is inexpensive compared to what you will find closer to Denver. For snowboarding I am afraid you will have to drive a ways. But that town has everything else to offer, with plenty of summer festivals, and shopping, theaters, dining, you'll like it alot. I am 26 and love the area.

[lolavanatta]

thanks tgkelly! great info/much appreciated! what areas would you suggest we look for rentals?

[C2H (ComingtoHouston)]

I'm 27 and lived 19 years of my life in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is growing to become a large neighborhood-like community. It's a great place to live but not enough "city" for me. I think Denver would have more of the city life things you're looking for. I know I'm a little prejudice to Colorado Springs and think everyone peobably will feel the way I do about the town. Just understand after being there for 19/20 years, i've just grown bored of it. I love it for all my memories but I'm a cityboy now!