Thinking about moving away from Colorado? Get in line and fill this out….. (Denver: middle-class, low crime)

[KatWrangler]

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! We lived in CO (Colorado Springs, Lakewood and Castle Rock) and we would like to move back (we are originally from STL and have also lived in Wichita, KS).

We moved from CR to Southern Cal. BIG Mistake! We were only there a year. We wanted to move back to CO at that time but there weren't any jobs available for my husband. So he accepted a job here in Montana. Oh boy, talk about hostile! You get things like ths in our local paper "If you haven't lived here more than 20 years, just shut up!" Gee that makes people all warm and fuzzy.

Well anyway he lost is job on Friday because of this d*mn economy. So we are back to looking for a place to relocate to.

We need to be close to medical specialists and a Children's hospital for my daughter with Special Needs (which was one of our mistakes of moving to Montana. We have to travel so much for good medical care. We feel everything here for her is 2nd rate).

So its interesting to see this dicussion in the Colorado forum.

Add us to the "We want back in" crowd.

[jed0909]

MOD NOTE: Funyon's reply to this posting was MOVED to the Phoenix forum, along with a COPY of this posting.

Originally Posted by funyon

...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.

Just goes to show there's something for everyone. I'm a native of Scottsdale/Phoenix, lived there for most of my first 30 years and couldn't wait to get out after that. Loved it growing up, but no longer. I've been in Boulder/Denver for last 2.5 years and much happier. There are definitely nice aspects of AZ/Phx, such as desert sunsets, good restaurants, beautiful winter weather, and finally a halfway decent governor. But, I don't get the family friendly features you speak of unless you are talking specifically about certain developments in Scottsdale or in newer areas that are far removed from original developed areas. The majority of neighborhoods feature few parks, walking trails, etc. And, traffic, pollution, and unrelenting heat are ever-present. There are too many people, and all from different places which removes the sense of community and does make it seem as though people are less friendly there than they used to be. I do have to just add, too, that some of the foliage you speak of is not native to the area, and that landscaping - while it makes things look much nicer and greener - is not natural and creates other problems down the road (i.e., allergies, water usage issues). On the other hand, my parents still live in the house I grew up in and couldn't be happier. Theirs is a rare neighborhood that is closed off to traffic, pleasant, and safe. They are in the older part of Scottsdale which still retains some charm and modesty. But, there's no way that I could afford it or any other areas that shield one from the unpleasant features.

On the other hand, if the heat doesn't bother you, and you're focused on adequate job market, shopping, healthy living, it's definitely do-able. I love CO because I didn't have to give up sunshine to get away from the heat.

[jessame10]

[quote=jazzlover;2432873]Fair is fair. Not everybody, either native or transplant, finds themselves enamored with today's Colorado, so, I thought I'd start this thread for those people to tell everyone (including the people so starstruck with the state) why they want to leave.

TELL IT LIKE IT IS

1) Current Colorado locale: Ft. Collins

2) Why do you want to leave?: All my life, I have lived in these outdoorsy communities.....I grew up in Wyo. I suddenly realized that I really don't care about the mountain views, ect. I want to buy a house and don't want to 'pay' for the geography, as real estate seems to be higher in these areas. Also, need better job opportunities than FC has to offer.

3) Where outside of Colorado and why: Thinkin about the midwest.

4) 2nd and 3rd Place Choices: or maybe southern CO, probably will depend on the job prospects. Haven't really started looking yet.

5) What’s currently holding you back from moving?: My hubby doesn't want to move.

6) Anything else you want to tell us that we dont know? I feel that my DH and I are so busy working to 'make it' that there isn't much left. So is everyone else, and it is hard to make connections with friends, ect. Why live near the mtns if you have no time to go enjoy them?

[esya]

The head tax has been in Denver for ages, more than five years, and the flip of that is you no longer have to live in Denver to work for the City and County.

[ryanek9freak]

Hey jessame10, I live in Ohio, you wanna trade places? Go for it. Trust me when i tell you that after living in Colorado, you will absolutley HATE the midwest, and it's "nothing to offer" mentality.

[delta07]

TELL IT LIKE IT IS

1) Current Colorado locale: Grand Junction

2) Why do you want to leave?: Too conservative, lack of culture (live music, ethnic food, diversity), oil and gas industry is moving in, just plain sick of it!

3) Where outside of Colorado and why: Bend, Oregon. It is similar to Colorado is terms of weather, but within driving distance to the coast, a liberal state, great outdoor activities, beautiful town.

4) 2nd and 3rd Place Choices: Missoula, MT but we ruled that out due to the long, overcast winters.

5) What’s currently holding you back from moving?: Nothing, except time. We plan on leaving Colorado this summer.

6) Anything else you want to tell us that we dont know? After returning from Bend, we flew in to Denver and had the long drive back to GJ. We got stuck in a traffic jam in Glenwood due to a rock slide and that was it! We are sick of the drive between Denver and GJ and this was it for us. We can't wait to not do that drive again for a long time. I love Colorado, and always will, but it's time to say goodbye. Oregon here we come!!!!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by delta07

TELL IT LIKE IT IS

1) Current Colorado locale: Grand Junction

2) Why do you want to leave?: Too conservative, lack of culture (live music, ethnic food, diversity), oil and gas industry is moving in, just plain sick of it!

3) Where outside of Colorado and why: Bend, Oregon. It is similar to Colorado is terms of weather, but within driving distance to the coast, a liberal state, great outdoor activities, beautiful town.

4) 2nd and 3rd Place Choices: Missoula, MT but we ruled that out due to the long, overcast winters.

5) What’s currently holding you back from moving?: Nothing, except time. We plan on leaving Colorado this summer.

6) Anything else you want to tell us that we dont know? After returning from Bend, we flew in to Denver and had the long drive back to GJ. We got stuck in a traffic jam in Glenwood due to a rock slide and that was it! We are sick of the drive between Denver and GJ and this was it for us. We can't wait to not do that drive again for a long time. I love Colorado, and always will, but it's time to say goodbye. Oregon here we come!!!!

Are the differences between Bend and GJ that significant to expense moving? Really, how much more culture, food, entertainment and "liberal" is there?

[CosmicWizard]

Charles wrote:

Are the differences between Bend and GJ that significant to expense moving? Really, how much more culture, food, entertainment and "liberal" is there?Are the differences between Bend and GJ that significant to expense moving? Really, how much more culture, food, entertainment and "liberal" is there?

I can't answer for Delta of course, but I will chime in my with 2 cents worth. To me it's more than about the $$$. When my wife and I made our big move a year and a half ago, from Virginia Beach to Grand Junction, we both took big paycuts. Additionally we incurred all of the moving expenses, travel expenses, etc. and IT WAS WORTH IT! I cannot imagine anyone on their deathbed saying I wish I wouldn't have spent the money to move from Grand Junction to Bend.... Life is far too short to allow $$$ to be the overriding factor in every major decision. Sometimes you just gotta say, screw the $$$, I'm doing it anyway!

Regarding Bend as a place to live. At one point in time it was on our list, but we took it off our list mainly due to the rapidly escalting cost of housing. Currently I think the prices are dropping, so this may be a good time to buy there...IF you can sell your house in Colorado. In the summer of 2006 the job market there wasn't all that great in Bend, so that would be something else to consider. It gets pretty cold there in the winter and there is 30 mins less daylight than Grand Junction ( but an extra 30 mins in the summer ). When I visited Bend, ( many years ago ) it certainly didn't have a liberal vibe, but that may have changed over the years with a huge influx of Californians moving to Bend. Personally, I think Bend has much to offer, but for the time being anyway, I'm quite happy in Grand Junction.

Delta...Best wishes regarding your move.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by NewAgeRedneck

Charles wrote:

Are the differences between Bend and GJ that significant to expense moving? Really, how much more culture, food, entertainment and "liberal" is there?Are the differences between Bend and GJ that significant to expense moving? Really, how much more culture, food, entertainment and "liberal" is there?

I can't answer for Delta of course, but I will chime in my with 2 cents worth. To me it's more than about the $$$. When my wife and I made our big move a year and a half ago, from Virginia Beach to Grand Junction, we both took big paycuts. Additionally we incurred all of the moving expenses, travel expenses, etc. and IT WAS WORTH IT! I cannot imagine anyone on their deathbed saying I wish I wouldn't have spent the money to move from Grand Junction to Bend.... Life is far too short to allow $$$ to be the overriding factor in every major decision. Sometimes you just gotta say, screw the $$$, I'm doing it anyway!

Regarding Bend as a place to live. At one point in time it was on our list, but we took it off our list mainly due to the rapidly escalting cost of housing. Currently I think the prices are dropping, so this may be a good time to buy there...IF you can sell your house in Colorado. In the summer of 2006 the job market there wasn't all that great in Bend, so that would be something else to consider. It gets pretty cold there in the winter and there is 30 mins less daylight than Grand Junction ( but an extra 30 mins in the summer ). When I visited Bend, ( many years ago ) it certainly didn't have a liberal vibe, but that may have changed over the years with a huge influx of Californians moving to Bend. Personally, I think Bend has much to offer, but for the time being anyway, I'm quite happy in Grand Junction.

Delta...Best wishes regarding your move.

Yes, the differences between Grand Junction and Bend are staggering, IMO. Bend has world class skiing at Mt. Bachelor 20 miles away. Grand Junction has, well, Powderhorn. Fun, but not exactly world class. Yes, Telluride is "close", but hard to do in a day trip. Plus, the cost is so expensive, I could not afford to ski there more than once a season. Bend also has the 55 mile Deschutes River trail that starts right outside of town. Grand Junction has the Colorado River trail, but it doesn't even compare to the Deschutes. Pluse I don't fear for my life bicyling in Bend. My husband has been sideswiped twice riding his bike to work in GJ. People are just not aware of cyclists in GJ. Bend's downtown is vibrant, more than one street, and has a variety of ethnic foods to suit our taste. Grand Junction has main street, which is cute, but continues to struggle keeping business alive. Bend also has an amphitheatre right in town, which has brought great music acts such as Beck. Can't say Grand Junction has anything like this. Sure we have country jam and rock jam, but I don't like country music, and I prefer rock music that is current, and not washed up. Remember this is just my opinion!

I would also agree with New Age. If cost alone were our criteria for moving, then we would never go. That is probably why we have been in GJ as long as we have. We have never liked it. It is just not for us. I'm glad others have found happiness here. That is what we are looking for. I am also glad some people don't like Bend. We can't all live there! I personally like the colder winters and longer summer days. Bend isn't as liberal as say, Boulder, but that is not what we are looking for. I just want progressive. I like that the community encourages recycling, alternative forms of transportation, and sustainable growth (to a degree). Grand Junction does not currently offer any of these. I'm done with GJ and can't wait to get to Oregon!

[CosmicWizard]

delta

I hope the grass in Oregon is as green as it appears to be from Colorado! The best way to find out for sure is to make the move and find out via your own experience. I hope it works out for you.

Making a big move like that can move anyone beyond their dis-satisfaction, although it is only a temporary reprieve. For better or worse, the newness wears off and there you are, the same person you were before you made the move until the inner cause of the dis-satisfaction is dealt with. But moving to a better place is still alot of fun and I highly recommend the experience. The temporary reprieve provided by my recent move made me stronger for dealing with my own inner dis-satisfaction and I am noticably more satisfied than I was in my previous location. But that came from the inner changes and not directly from the move. Your experience will probably be totally different from mine. Again, I wish you the best in regard to your move.