Thinking about moving away from Colorado? Get in line and fill this out….. (Denver: relocate)

[greatmuta]

1. Current locale: Colorado Springs since 1998

2. Why do you want to leave : To be near the ocean and I just need a change.

3. Where outside of CO: Los Angeles or San Diego

4. 2nd and 3rd place choice: Australia and Japan

5. What's holding you back from oving: Only one thing, money.

Colorado is a nice place and I enjoyed living here but I'm just at a point in my life where I want to live near the ocean. I've lived in about 10 different cities and I've lived here longer than anywhere else. Everyone will get sick of living somewhere eventually if they've been there long enough.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by funyon

Where: 4th generation native (Denver; Arvada for last 30 years)

Why: Climate, Climate, Climate--our weather is so overrated. I read that we have 300 days of sunshine--does that mean if the sun peeks out it's considered a sunny day?

No, the National Weather Service has a set of definitons. It's actually about 250 clear days, another 50 partly cloudy. 65 mostly cloudy, cloudy.

Hate the wind and hate the long winters. Sick of seeing all the dirt all winter long. Tired of all the cateriing to the skiiers.

Where to: Arizona --now that's sunshine. I know there are bad parts, however, the majority is very clean and pretty. You truly can be active all year long. When it's 115, you just wait until the sun sets to take your walks, bike rides, etc. People are much friendlier.

Second & Third: Boise, Idaho (although winter would keep me away). Possible the warmer parts of New Mexico.

Holding Me Back: Fear of failure, worried we won't find jobs. We would like to do this in the worst way, but I can't seem to overcome the fear of the unknown.

One more thing, about allergies, I believe the mag. chloride could be contributing to all the problems out there. Let me know what you think.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by funyon

Where: 4th generation native (Denver; Arvada for last 30 years)

Why: Climate, Climate, Climate--our weather is so overrated. I read that we have 300 days of sunshine--does that mean if the sun peeks out it's considered a sunny day? Hate the wind and hate the long winters. Sick of seeing all the dirt all winter long. Tired of all the cateriing to the skiiers.

Where to: Arizona --now that's sunshine. I know there are bad parts, however, the majority is very clean and pretty. You truly can be active all year long. When it's 115, you just wait until the sun sets to take your walks, bike rides, etc. People are much friendlier.

I'm a Denver native too, been living in Phoenix the last four years (three more months and I'm out!) I find your post a little ironic. You're tired of "seeing all dirt all winter long", so you're moving to Arizona where you'll see dirt all year long? I'm not saying don't move to Arizona, but don't kid yourself about what you're getting into. It's easy to talk about how you'll still be active when it's 115 out, but when you're actually living that weather day after day after day (last summer we had over a month of consecutive days where the high was over 110 degrees-- and keep in mind, due to all the urban concrete, it doesn't even cool off much at night), it's a whole different story. Visiting AZ for vacation, even during the middle of July, doesn't give you a realistic idea of what it's like to experience the heat day in, day out. Bike rides at night: that really sounds like a smart and safe idea. San Diego, not Phoenix, is the benchmark of great weather year round.

Also, if you think people are friendlier in AZ (I'm assuming you're talking about living somewhere in the greater Phoenix or Tucson areas, since you said you need to find a good job, but correct me if I'm wrong), you're kidding yourself. People are no friendlier here than they are in Denver, and actually tend to be a little ruder. Not to mention a higher crime rate in general, and a higher concentration of gangs (every city has its fair share of garbage, but Phoenix has a higher percentage of them). You think Phoenix is cleaner? Come down here and I'll take you on a tour of Tempe, and see if you change your mind or not.

[onthamove]

i couldnt imagine moving anywhere other than colorado

[Charles]

Originally Posted by onthamove

i couldnt imagine moving anywhere other than colorado

It's the best for the least. There are better places, there are cheaper places, but there few or no better and cheaper places.

[funyon]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I'm a Denver native too, been living in Phoenix the last four years (three more months and I'm out!) I find your post a little ironic. You're tired of "seeing all dirt all winter long", so you're moving to Arizona where you'll see dirt all year long? I'm not saying don't move to Arizona, but don't kid yourself about what you're getting into. It's easy to talk about how you'll still be active when it's 115 out, but when you're actually living that weather day after day after day (last summer we had over a month of consecutive days where the high was over 110 degrees-- and keep in mind, due to all the urban concrete, it doesn't even cool off much at night), it's a whole different story. Visiting AZ for vacation, even during the middle of July, doesn't give you a realistic idea of what it's like to experience the heat day in, day out. Bike rides at night: that really sounds like a smart and safe idea. San Diego, not Phoenix, is the benchmark of great weather year round.

Also, if you think people are friendlier in AZ (I'm assuming you're talking about living somewhere in the greater Phoenix or Tucson areas, since you said you need to find a good job, but correct me if I'm wrong), you're kidding yourself. People are no friendlier here than they are in Denver, and actually tend to be a little ruder. Not to mention a higher crime rate in general, and a higher concentration of gangs (every city has its fair share of garbage, but Phoenix has a higher percentage of them). You think Phoenix is cleaner? Come down here and I'll take you on a tour of Tempe, and see if you change your mind or not.

Your points are well taken and I appreciate the advice. I do not want to go into this blindly. We've been thinking about this for about 5 years and have been to Arizona many times (even in the summer). I would agree though that it is hard to judge any place when you're on vacation. However, we know several people who have moved from here to there and not one single person out of about 15 would ever leave Phoenix and come back here. There's no doubt about the fact that San Diego has the perfect climate, but we will never make enough money to live there. When I mentioned everything being dirty and brown, I was referring to the winter kill of everything. At least in Phoenix you still have the green palm trees, flowers and so forth. I know it has ugly parts, but for the most part, the places our friends live and the places we have visited were much more appealing to the eye. The communities were much more family friendly (walking trails, playgrounds, etc.) But again, always appreciate a different viewpoint on things. This is not an easy decision and I welcome all opinions.

[MtnSurfer]

1) Current Colorado locale: Colorado Springs

2) Why do you want to leave?: To be near the Ocean. We are enjoying Colorado after moving here from the west coast. But sometimes I just need to get in the car and DRIVE to the coast.

Pros: The Rockies are are definately great fun and CO has provided many opportunities for our family over CA. There are many jobs in my field (software engineering) with as good or better pay. And cost of living is low, low, low compared to CA. We couldn't afford to own a home before moving here.

Cons: 250+ days of 'intense' sun year around is overrated IMO and too much for us. The sun in mile high+ cities and mtns. is much more 'intense' and the rays are more harmful. We relish cloudy days now which 'occasionally' come. It seems oppresive when you enjoy the outdoors.

It is too dry and there are too many days below 30 degree. Spring is almost non existent. With March as the snowiest month Spring arrives late in the Rockies - sometime in June or July. It is spectacular when it arrives! But after waiting all winter it seems too late and too short. I took the family for a hike in the Mtns. last year in April in RMNP and the trails were still deeply covered in snow. We are looking forward to a more balanced weather pattern influenced by the marine layer.

3) Where outside of Colorado and why: PNW, Portland - A good combination of reasonable cost of living with close proximity to the Mtns. 'and' the gorgeous Oregon Coast. Close the other major west coast cities: Seattle, SF, and Vancouver CA. More clouds, rain and 'much' greener year around. The main Q. is can we trade 300 days of 'intense' sun for 300 days of clouds, drizzle and rain. For me I would say yes! I would gladly make the trade. But I have to consider my wife and children as well.

4) 2nd and 3rd Place Choices:N. Cal. - If Portland doesn't pan our for whatever reason. The cost of living is significanlty higher. But there are still some nicer areas in CA that we would like to live in. Housing has dropped siginificantly in the past couple of years. But it is still higher than CO or OR.
* Sonoma County - Beautiful area with decent jobs
* Sacramento outer areas - Grass Valley, Sierra Foothills - More affordable
* Bay Area - outside the city - Livermore, Morgan Hill - closer to coast and large ecomomic center - highest cost of living and pay.

5) What’s currently holding you back from moving?: Family here, still enjoying CO. Looking at a 2-3 year plan to research and explore areas, markets and weigh eveything before making our next move.

6) Life is an adventure! No place is perfect! So enjoy the pluses while you are there and accept the down side. Then if you want to move and can afford it, take on the adventure and give it a go! There is nothing wrong with enjoying living in more than one place in one lifetime. It keeps life interesting and fun. Of course if you have 'no desire' to spread your wings and explore living somewhere else then it is fine to stay put.

[SheridanL]

Oh please let me chime in!! I'm already a ..Moved out, want back Coloradoan.

Reason for move: I wanted to live on the ocean in Florida near my Mom and Sister. I am currently doing just that, here in Vero Beach. As I sit here, I am watching the waves getting closer to my lounge chairs!!YIKES!!

That answers most of the questions, now for locale........ Canon City, Colorado.
Going back there, TG, in 6 weeks.

I moved out in May2007. Talk about a dumn thing to do!! SHEESH!
My husband and I took our home offthe market in October, TG. It is MY wish to go back to Colorado, he likes being on the beach. He is chalking this up to a very stressful vacation!LOL!! My Mom and Sister are inconsolable!!

I thought that being away from the snow (miss it terribly) and being on the beach taking walks and shelling, would be the greatest thing ever. It's not that it isn't beautiful but, I am sick of the bugs and humidity and being bit by everything but an alligator!!
Everything smells musty and rusts......Rust, rust, rust!! Fireants, nooseeums...blah blah blah!! Expensive,.......42,000 a year for property taxes is ridiculous!!

Now, Colorado.......ahhhh.......seasons (yes, 4 of them!) Cool, crisp, clean snow!! Did I say COOL?? It is February for goodness sakes and my husband was just sunbathing!! It's NOT natural!!

What some people aren't aware of: Hmmmm, probably not much, everyone seems to be knowledgable. Maybe that Canon City isn't very snowy (compared to Northern and eastern Colorado. Water issues aren't too much of a problem..we have ditch companies, that's irrigation water and, there are many people that water that way.

I grew up in Denver, raised 1 son in Aurora ( Cherry Creek Schools) and the youngest in Canon. One is in Rhode Island, one in Hawaii. Both miss Colorado terribly!!!!!!!

I can't wait to be nestled in the foothills again!! PLUS, it's easier to figure out what direction your traveling (mountains to the west and all!! HA!!)

Oh yeah, I don't ski but, I like going to the resorts just to hang out like, Breckinridge, Vail, etc.

#2 and #3 choices: Doesn't count, they would both be in Colorado!!

[Todd TCE]

This is somewhat entertaining.

Seems a lot of folks want to move out of Colorado to other places. Most of which are places that if you read around a bit are flooded with locals who are up in arms about people moving to "their town" from other states!

Let's see....
Portland
Tucson
Phoenix
San Diego
Austin

Virtually all those are sprawling areas with huge growing pains that were once smaller cities that were best kept secrets. About the only ones I noticed that I'm not sure I could say that for were western Nebraska, Idaho and just about anywhere East. But I suppose they say the same about you guys when you get to NY also...lol!

*Not that I disagree with anyones reasons for wanting a better life, just funny that no matter where you are so many want to be somewhere else.

[CareFreeAZ]

Originally Posted by Todd TCE

This is somewhat entertaining.

Seems a lot of folks want to move out of Colorado to other places. Most of which are places that if you read around a bit are flooded with locals who are up in arms about people moving to "their town" from other states!

Let's see....
Portland
Tucson
Phoenix
San Diego
Austin

Virtually all those are sprawling areas with huge growing pains that were once smaller cities that were best kept secrets. About the only ones I noticed that I'm not sure I could say that for were western Nebraska, Idaho and just about anywhere East. But I suppose they say the same about you guys when you get to NY also...lol!

*Not that I disagree with anyones reasons for wanting a better life, just funny that no matter where you are so many want to be somewhere else.

Exactly - The pasture always seems greener on the other side. Give it a little more time and all the Home shows on television will be touting North and South Dakota as the next great place to find your dream of serenity and tranquility.